Gov. Bev Perdue issued an executive order last week extending unemployment benefits for the state's long-term employed.

The action means about 25,000 people in North Carolina will have their benefits extended until the end of February, instead of having them end Jan. 28.

"In addition to providing desperately needed financial help to the families that actually receive the benefits, these federal dollars will help all North Carolinians because the money will circulate throughout the economy and help support large and small businesses across the state," Perdue said in a statement.

The order affects those who have exhausted all their initial state benefits and all four tiers of federal extended unemployment benefits, for a maximum of 79 weeks.

Election board to meet on ballots

From staff reports

The Wake County Board of Elections is expected to vote today on whether to accept eight Morrisville absentee ballots.

The ballots have the potential to alter the outcome of the Morrisville Town Council District 1 race. Challenger Michael Schlink beat incumbent Linda Lyons by two votes.

The election board originally rejected the eight ballots because they were received after 5 p.m. Nov. 7 or were unpostmarked.

The ballots were appealed and the N.C. State Board of Elections asked Wake County to reconsider the matter.

The Wake County Board of Elections will meet at 1 p.m. today at 337 Salisbury St., Raleigh.

IBM ranks No. 1 in patents

From staff reports

Inventors at technology giant IBM obtained more than 6,000 U.S. patents last year, leading the nation for the 19th consecutive year.

The tally of 6,180 patents by research firm IFI Claims Patent Services included 645 that originated in IBM's sites in Research Triangle Park and Charlotte. IBM has an estimated 10,000 workers in RTP.

IBM's North Carolina operations accounted for more U.S. patents than any other company in the state.

The company invests about $6 billion in research and development annually.