The North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office has launched a mobile version of the Department’s website.

The mobile site, m.sosnc.com, allows anyone to search the SOS Corporations, Lobbying Compliance, UCC Debtor, Federal Tax Lien, and Charitable Solicitation Licensing databases from web-enabled smartphones or tablets.

After searching in one of the databases, users can simply pull up PDFs of filings. 

“This puts a wealth of searchable data literally in the hands of SOS customers who need to access the site on their smartphones and tablets in order to save time and money,” Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall said Tuesday. “Making these databases accessible on mobile platforms is an important step in keeping pace with how our customers are accessing information.”

To try out the mobile site on your web-enabled smartphone or tablet, just go to m.sosnc.com.

Republican Pat McCrory is taking the oath for North Carolina governor early rather than waiting another week for the pomp of inauguration weekend.

McCrory and his Cabinet will be sworn in during midday ceremonies Saturday inside the old Capitol building in Raleigh.

The incoming governor and other Council of State members still will be publicly installed and feted during the outdoor inauguration and parade Jan. 12.

The former Charlotte mayor decided to get sworn in Saturday so his administration would be in place when the newly-elected General Assembly convenes next week and chooses leaders.

McCrory will hold open houses from Asheville to New Bern next week before the festivities revert to Raleigh with the ball and public ceremonies.

Outgoing Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue is expected to participate in Saturday's ceremony.

SALISBURY - Salisbury resident Ben Lynch is attending this week's Republican National Convention in Tampa as a guest.  Lynch is the vice chairman of the Rowan Republican party.

"It's a great atmosphere," Lynch told Kent Bernhardt of WSTP Radio during a live call in to the station Wednesday morning.   "It absolutely fantastic, a full house.  There's been a little bit of rain, maybe heavier wind, overall the weather has not been an issue."

Lynch said he was impressed with the speech given Tuesday night by Ann Romney, the wife of presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

"She's a dynamic woman, it was a wonderful message, a positive message for Republicans," Lynch stated.

Lynch is staying at a hotel right outside of Tampa.  He had praise for the security that is in place for the convention, and hopes Charlott