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The Durham staff of The News & Observer works the Bull City to dig up the news and tell its stories. Read here about insider stuff that fills their notebooks but doesn't always make the paper.
Durham County, like towns and counties all over North Carolina, are tightening their belts in the face of an ailing economy. Nevertheless, Durham and the state's other 99 counties have sent Santa Claus letters to Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue in case they can take advantage of some economic-revival program next year.
Durham's wish list totaled $158,135,750:
In this case, of course, Santa is us taxpayers — if not this generation's, hey! There's plenty more to come.
Ho ho ho.