Top articles shared by FayettevilleObserver journalists

The chief of staff to state House Speaker Thom Tillis has been in an intimate relationship with a lobbyist for the North Carolina Home Builders Association, a special interest group that often seeks help from the legislature and provides money to political campaigns across the state.

by Jeff Sonderman Published Dec. 7, 2011 11:40 am Updated Dec. 7, 2011 11:56 am Facebook As part of its year-in-review trends analysis, Facebook created a list of the 10 fastest-growing Facebook Pages for news outlets.

Detroit Free Press columnist Susan Tompor angered Kid Rock with her investigation of his "Made in Detroit" clothing line. She wrote a week ago: I found a Made in Detroit shirt, selling for $40, with a label that said it was made in the Dominican Republic.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation's leading breast cancer advocacy group, announced on Tuesday that it would stop funding Planned Parenthood centers for breast-health services. Komen's officials said that it was severing ties with Planned Parenthood because of a newly adopted policy that prevents Komen from funding organizations that are under government investigation.

Learning products and resources for the public health community to inform, prevent, and respond to infectious diseases and other public health emergencies. Share information with your colleagues and others about emerging infectious diseases with the following Social Media tools.

Published: 12:00 AM, Tue Jan 31, 2012 Strelow: UNC freshman James Michael McAdoo emerges as Heels shuffle lineup CHAPEL HILL - There's no way to classify Dexter Strickland's season-ending knee injury as anything other than unfortunate for North Carolina. At least it occurred at a fairly manageable time.

Published: 10:46 PM, Sun Jan 29, 2012 Strelow: UNC's Harrison Barnes doesn't wait for other shoe to drop in win over Georgia Tech CHAPEL HILL - Harrison Barnes' game-worn pair of Chris Paul signature Nikes, pink and white in recognition of the Coaches vs.

Published: 12:00 AM, Sun Jan 29, 2012 Strelow: N.C. State Wolfpack's effort against Virginia Cavaliers goes unrewarded RALEIGH - The ball wound up in N.C. State guard Scott Wood's hands well after the final buzzer sounded, but he looked at the rim and shot anyway, banking in the short attempt amid widespread silence.

The talented but emotional Kanye West is well known for storming a stage and yanking a microphone out of the delicate hands of America's sweetheart, Taylor Swift. But Kanye has another dubious distinction: He is the only rapper to be dissed by consecutive U.S. presidents. When President George W.

To the folks at Lowe's Home Improvement: Seriously? The Mooresville-based company killed advertising on the TV show "All-American Muslim" at the urging of a fringe group of haters from Florida. A company has every right to advertise with whomever it wishes, but Lowe's is better than this.

Published: 07:07 AM, Sun Dec 18, 2011 Pitts: Fayetteville City Council should avoid partisan politics City Councilwoman Val Applewhite blamed partisan politics for her getting passed over in her bid to become mayor pro tem, in an extraordinary opinion piece published Friday in The Fayetteville Observer.

Published: 07:13 AM, Tue Nov 29, 2011 Pitts: Fayetteville's concealed weapons rules make no sense The city had a bloody Thanksgiving holiday. In three days, a hail of bullets ended five lives in three separate shootings. In a Wednesday night incident, a man is accused of shooting to death the mother of his child and her cousin.

That's my advice to North Carolina legislators on the controversial practice of fracking, after I listened recently to two Pennsylvania dairy farmers who shared their stories, and read up on the issue. Unfortunately, politicians often do the opposite when their eyes get clouded with dollar signs.

Published: 07:33 AM, Tue Nov 15, 2011 Pitts: Pilgrim reminded of time on 'the Way' Susan "Susu" Cheatwood has always loved Spain. In 2009, she got a good look at the northern Spanish countryside, trekking nearly 500 miles of hilly terrain in 33 days.

Two more dumb, insensitive and historically ridiculous comparisons to Adolf Hitler made their way to the national airwaves recently, coming from both the political right and political left. Country star Hank Williams Jr.

Published: 07:09 AM, Fri Oct 14, 2011 Fayetteville joins Wall Street protest movement By Andrew BarksdaleStaff writer The national wave of growing discontent over jobs, the economy and the super rich reached downtown Fayetteville on Thursday. About 30 people assembled outside the Market House as a demonstration got under way similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement that began about four weeks ago.

It's the day after the rapper's debut album hit shelves and sold 115,000 copies. The night before, he had been in New York. The next day, his tour bus would leave for Winston-Salem. Everyone wants time with J. Cole. This day, he's back in Fayetteville, his hometown, for publicity and a party.

Published: 06:31 AM, Mon Aug 15, 2011 Service remembered during South Korean Independence Day celebration By Jennifer CalhounStaff writer When James Humphries was drafted to serve in the Korean War, he wasn't entirely sure where the country was.