(RALEIGH) -- The North Carolina General Assembly returns to Raleigh on Wednesday as work begins on a short session with a primary focus of adjusting the the current two-year budget plan, but other hot button issues could be addressed.  Lingering issues such as gambling, annexation rules and drilling for natural gas could also be taken up.

(RALEIGH) -- Republican Pat McCrory still leads the polls over Democrat Lt. Gov Walter Dalton in the race for North Carolina Governor, but the latest survey from Public Policy Polling finds the race tightening. William Peace University political science professor David McLennan said this is not a surprise.

(RALEIGH) -- Land and water conservation groups are hoping North Carolina lawmakers will invest more money in preserving the state's natural resources. Debbie Crane with the Nature Conservancy said it is vital to protect what makes the state great.

(RALEIGH) --  North Carolina exports hit a record high in 2011. Merchandise exports grew 8 percent to $27 billion, according to Gov. Bev Perdue. This breaks a record set in 2008 at $25 billion.