This week former state legislator Stephen LaRoque entered a federal prison in Butner. The Kinston Republican received a prison sentence for his misdeeds related to use of federal taxpayer dollars meant for a nonprofit he ran but was used, in part, on items for himself and his family. Host Donna Martinez talks with Sarah Ovaska, the investigative reporter for N.C. Policy Watch who broke the story. She recounts the investigation and a letter LaRoque sent to media just days before he entered prison in which he calls his prosecution a “witch hunt.” Then we hear remarks from the Rev. William Barber, head of North Carolina’s NAACP, about the group’s’ continuing efforts toward equality and justice. He made the comments at a news conference this week. That’s followed by comments from Gov. Pat McCrory as he signed a bill into law that allows National Guard members with concealed carry permits to carry guns at state buildings including recruiting offices. The governor explains his support for the law and addresses the special burdens of military families. Then we get an update on the politics at play in the General Assembly as negotiations continue over funding the state’s spending and taxing plan. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson tells Martinez about an agreement on spending levels between the governor and Senate and House leadership. The two also discuss the hiring of former Raleigh mayor Paul Coble as the new manager of the General Assembly, as well as the latest in the FBI inquiry of 9th District Congressman Robert Pittenger’s business dealings and the latest speculation about which Democrat will step forward to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Richard Burr.