RALEIGH -Mary Penny Thompson has been named as the chief deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and will begin her duties May 1.
 
Thompson will succeed Manly Wilder, who has served in that capacity since 2009, and who will retire effective April 30.  

Since 2009, Thompson has served a dual role at DENR, as assistant secretary for information technology and its general counsel. She has served as DENR's general counsel since her appointment in 2005, overseeing all legal matters for the department. Thompson began her work with DENR as assistant general counsel in February 2004. Prior to joining the department, she served in the Attorney General's Office, litigating and providing advice on coastal, water, land, soil and water conservation and licensing board issues.

Thompson obtained her bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from N.C. State University, and her law degree from Tulane University Law School, which included a specialty in environmental law. Although born into a military family that resided in Alabama, Illinois, Germany and California, Thompson found her permanent home in North Carolina in 1979.  She currently lives in Raleigh.

RALEIGH, - Share Our Shoes is being threatened with closure by the Secretary of State's Office unless the Raleigh charity accounts for tens of thousands of datens ollars spent on expenses, including $99 for teeth whitening, $30 for a martial arts school and $17.23 at a Nash County ABC store. Also the charity's board members, staff and related businesses received about $47,000.

RALEIGH, (AP) - North Carolina's longtime banking commissioner Joseph Smith Jr. is leaving his job this week to take over as monitor of the $25 billion settlement between big banks and state attorneys general over widespread mortgage abuses.

RALEIGH, SGRToday.com - North Carolina businesses seeking to be recognized for their outstanding workplace safety records have until Wednesday, Feb. 15 to complete the Department of Labor's application. Those selected for an award can look forward to local recognition at banquets to be held in their communities, co-sponsored by the Department of Labor and local civic and business groups.