North Carolina: Graham renounces GOP. Franklin Graham, the evangelist son of evangelist Billy Graham, has resigned from the Republican Party because of its support for a spending bill that included funds for Planned Parenthood, although none of the funds will be used to provide abortions. The younger Graham, who has praised Donald Trump in the past, said “I have no hope in the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or Tea Party to do what is best for American,” reports the Charlotte Observer …….Kentucky: Bevin helps conflicted county clerks. Newly inaugurated Gov. Matt Bevin (R) has issued an executive order removing the requirement that the names of county clerks must appear on marriage licenses. The order was in response to County Clerk Kim Davis, who went to jail rather than issue a license to a same-sex couple …….Georgia: Deal urged to fix parole system. The Savannah Morning News, in an editorial this week, urged Gov. Nathan Deal (R) to improve the parole process that recently released several violent criminals from prison. Deal appoints the five-member parole board …….