Art Pope

October 23, 2012 - Just-released documents reveal two members of the Republican faction that ended Wake County schools' desegregation policy were involved in an extramarital affair. When it ended, one blamed the other for a burglary -- and now both are running for higher office despite claims the affair was widely known among political insiders. We look at the big conservative donors supporting their campaigns.

October 18, 2012 - A business-backed group that helped Republicans win the North Carolina legislature in 2010 is hoping big money can again translate into state-level victories.

October 16, 2012 - New campaign finance reports offer a glimpse into the backers of the N.C. Judicial Coalition, one of several outside spending groups backing a conservative justice for a tie-breaking seat on the state Supreme Court.

October 5, 2012 - Conservative N.C. Supreme Court justice Paul Newby has taken $240,100 in public campaign funding to help run his re-election campaign. He's also getting support from a right-wing political group that calls public funding "immoral" and "welfare for politicians."

September 27, 2012 - The Democratic-controlled Wake County School Board fires a superintendent hired by Republicans bent on ending a successful desegregation policy -- but the move may have put the system's funding in political peril.

September 24, 2012 - Who are the biggest groups vying for influence in North Carolina? How are conservative and progressive groups different? An Institute report offers a glimpse into some of the biggest groups and networks on the left and right in the state.

September 18, 2012 - Conservative donor Art Pope has given millions to North Carolina's public universities, often to have his offers rejected over political controversies. Now he has a seat at the table in deciding the UNC system's future.