Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska abruptly announced Friday that she was quitting her job at the end of the month, shocking Republicans across the country and leaving both parties uncertain about whether she was leaving national politics or laying the groundwork for a presidential run.

Jenny Sanford's forgiveness is politically important to South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, some lawmakers say, because it helps cast the governor as a wayward husband working to save his marriage. Jenny Sanford did not say the couple would remain married, however.

When the middle-of-nowhere town of Woodward invited George W. Bush to its Fourth of July celebration, no one really expected the former president to accept.

The official story is that Highway Patrol Commander Walter J. Wilson Jr. decided to retire after a year on the job to spend more time with his family. But Wilson's brother-in-law now says Wilson was forced out.

Republican legislative leaders criticized Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue Thursday for saying she didn't care which legislative tax plan was used to balance the state budget.

Raleigh councilwoman Nancy McFarlane said Wednesday that she will resign from her position as president of the N.C. Water Rights Committee, saying her involvement with the group has become a distraction.

A former aide to John Edwards who claimed he fathered a child born to the mistress of the two-time Democratic presidential candidate spent Wednesday in a federal courthouse.

A new state law will give the public a glimpse behind the curtain at state psychiatric hospitals and other mental health facilities when a patient dies.

Consumers will soon be able to know whether their doctors have paid medical malpractice awards under a bill approved this week by state lawmakers.

Gov. Beverly Perdue urged the legislature Wednesday to agree on a state budget, taking what she called an "in-your-face" approach in warning that North Carolina is missing out on $5 million a day in budget cuts and tax increases.