The blog tied to Newsweek magazine mentioned the John Locke Foundation within the past week while discussing the controversy associated with Wake County public schools’ student assignment policy. Meanwhile, an Associated Press story from South Carolina referenced JLF while discussing think tanks with influence on public policy. The Charlotte Observer picked up that report. The Charlotte paper also quoted Meck Deck blogger Jeff Taylor in an article about a notorious local celebrity. In other news, Becki Gray, Vice President for Outreach, continues to travel across the state. The FreedomWorks legislative agenda tour took Gray to Mebane, New Bern, Morehead City, Rocky Mount, and Goldsboro. Gray also discussed legislative issues Thursday with the Raleigh-based Sunshine Lunch Group. The Jefferson Post published Gray’s recent column urging new Republican legislative leaders to ignore the bad precedents set by their Democratic predecessors. The Philanthropy Journal also quoted Gray in an article about the current state of government funding for nonprofit groups. The Richmond County Daily Journal picked up N.C. History Project Director Troy Kickler‘s column on Republican legislative power in late 19th-century North Carolina. Kickler discussed the U.S. Constitution, the state constitution, and the importance of federalism during an appearance with Lockwood Phillips on WTKF’s “Viewpoints Radio.” The Cherokee County 9-12 Project website promoted Kickler and Michael Sanera’s upcoming Citizen’s Constitutional Workshop in Murphy. The Wilmington Star-News‘ “Cape Fear Watchdogs” blog cited Squall Lines blogger Bob Smith‘s reaction to New Hanover County’s two-day strategic planning retreat. The Belfast (Northern Ireland) Telegraph interviewed Carolina Journal Associate Editor Michael Lowrey for an article about the recovery of a German World War I submarine lost in 1917.