House GOP closes doors

My story from WRAL.com tonight:

"Advocates and opponents of the gaming industry briefed House Republican lawmakers Thursday in a meeting behind closed doors, an anomaly, but one that is perfectly legal. The likely agenda was the legalization of Internet gambling.

"Most legislative meetings are governed by the state’s open meetings law. But that law specifically exempts legislative caucuses and conference committees. Most of the time, according to people who go to those meetings, the only attendees are members of the group, discussing their positions on issues.

"That’s not the case for NC House Republicans."

The photo at top was taken by @NCCapitol photographer Bill Herrero, who shoots pretty much all the live and taped video you see on this page.  Thats his cell phone picture of me trying to take a cell phone picture of Tillis (seated) and his chief of staff Charles Thomas. Very meta.