RALEIGH, N.C.  The final weeks of statewide general elections in North Carolina are usually marked by perceived shadowy third-party groups spending big money to soak the airwaves with television commercials and campaigns suing or threatening to sue over an ad that strikes a nerve. That all got a head start in 2012.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. The Republican who wants to become North Carolina's governor is joining West Virginia's current governor and a swimsuit model to handle some of the honors ahead of Charlotte's big NASCAR race.

- As told to Pilot writer Carolyn Shapiro We started in 1984 as a phone-in company. We did voice recordings and faxes. We have remote employees all over. Our East Coast team consists of myself, a person down in Florida and a person in New York.

COROLLA, N.C. Like a scene out of "Baywatch," sun-bronzed men and women in dark blue swimsuits raced across the beach and into the breakers. That's where glamour stops for the new lifeguards of Corolla Ocean Rescue.

OCRACOKE ISLAND, N.C. Four people spent several hours clinging to the side of a capsized boat before one man was able to swim to shore and call for help Friday.

GREENSBORO, N.C. The judge in the John Edwards trial abruptly closed the courtroom Friday to talk to attorneys about an issue with a juror and sent the panel home after six days of deliberations with a stern warning not to talk about the case.

MANTEO, N.C.
U.S. News and World Report rated Manteo High School the second-best out of North Carolina's 596 high schools.
The study ranked the high schools based on how they performed against statewide averages, and it also considered performance by minority students and those getting free or reduced-cost lunches.

RALEIGH, N.C.  Pat McCrory's gubernatorial campaign and political committees behind a television commercial that McCrory wants off the air have filed competing legal actions in a North Carolina court.

CORONADO, Calif.  Like a Hollywood star, Coronado's 1.5 mile-long beach literally sparkles, thanks to the mineral mica glinting in its sand.

RALEIGH, N.C.  Motorists across North Carolina will find the going easy for the Memorial Day weekend. The state Department of Transportation is suspending most road construction work on major routes. The department says by avoiding traffic delays, motorists can reach their destinations more quickly while cutting down on fuel consumption and costs.