The News & Observer‘s “Under the Dome” blog highlighted this week John Hood’s column disputing the notion that Gov.-elect Pat McCrory has a split political personality displaying both conservatism and moderation. Today’s “Weekend” section quotes Hood’s tongue-in-cheek observations about the best way to prepare for the Mayan apocalypse.

The N&O also quoted Mitch Kokai for a page-one lead story about the potential impact of the federal fiscal cliff on extensions of unemployment benefits. The Charlotte Observer also carried that unemployment benefits arrticle, and the N&O cited Kokai’s comments in its “Editor’s Blog.”

An editorial this morning in the News & Observer mentioned the John Locke Foundation as a conservative think tank likely to offer help to McCrory’s new administration.