A bill that would allow Raleigh and Chapel Hill to use credit card-based parking meters cleared the House on Tuesday.

Public schools CEO Bill Harrison has encouraged North Carolina school districts to keep high school students working on projects designed to prepare them for the working world, even though the state school board decided not to require such projects for graduation until 2011.

Review:For the second week in a row, Chapel Hill contestant Anoop Desai delivered the goods on performance night. Now we'll see if the "American Idol" viewing audience agrees.

The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership has named Jim Norton, president of Downtown Tulsa Unlimited in Oklahoma, its executive director effective June 1.

Supporters of new farmers markets say that a fat, just-picked tomato or a basil plant in the kitchen window might be just the thing for the cash-strapped and fast-food weary.

Duke University has acquired 41 more acres for the Duke Forest Korstian Division, in a growing region of Orange County between Whitfield and Mt. Sinai roads.

Former Congressman Tom Tancredo will come to UNC-Chapel Hill on Tuesday to speak about illegal immigration.

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles and local law enforcement agencies are investigating a breach of security at the driver's license office in Carrboro Plaza Shopping Center.

The Orange County Rescue Squad has filed suit against the county and Emergency Services Director Frank Montes de Oca, claiming discrimination, libel, breach of contract and violation of due process.

UNC Health Care is expected to ask the state next week for permission to build a 100-bed hospital or other medical facility in Hillsborough, 12 miles and 20 minutes from UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Marianne Prince's two miniature fainting goats are safe for now.

The House narrowly approved a bill Wednesday that would allow cities and towns to use taxpayers' dollars to fund municipal campaigns.

Anoop Desai once again finds himself in the bottom-two -- and once again survived, barely.

The developers of Southern Village's shopping district have dropped plans for a hotel in the parking lot, citing neighborhood opposition.

The board of directors of El Centro Latino of Orange County has named community leader Ilana Dubester its interim executive director effective next Monday.

Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program aimed at reducing gun crime, arrived in Orange County on Thursday.

Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford will visit Chapel Hill this morning for groundbreaking on 50 green-designed homes for low-income homebuyers.