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The General Assembly is back in Raleigh – with gusto! That’s how one North Carolina newspaper put it as lawmakers headed back to Raleigh to begin the legislative session in earnest following an organizational meeting a few days ago. But while Wednesday wasn’t the official first day of business, it was a consequential day, with legislation filed and committee assignments secured. Host Donna Martinez gets a review from Becki Gray of the John Locke Foundation, one of the many lobbyists who assembled at the legislative building to say hello to lawmakers. Then we revisit comments made a few days ago by the legislature’s leaders about what could be ahead for the session. We hear from new House Speaker Tim Moore of Cleveland County and Senate Leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County. The two talk about their view of education policy and their working relationship with Gov. Pat McCrory. That’s followed by an update on the legal saga that has enveloped former Kinston Rep. Stephen LaRoque. This week he entered a plea in the case involving grant money his nonprofit group received from the federal Agriculture Department. Martinez talks with investigative reporter Sarah Ovaska of N.C. Policy Watch about the deal and what LaRoque could face. Then Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal explains why Rep. Renee Ellmers of N.C.’s 2nd congressional district could face a primary challenge in 2016. And finally, we hear the more personal side of the governor when surprises a Raleigh radio show host with a phone call. Mike Raley of NewsRadio 680 WPTF discusses gardening and pets with the governor as part of a 30th anniversary celebration of “The Weekend Gardener” program.