Chris Christie, the sometimes abrasive but always entertaining governor of New Jersey, is the keynote speaker for the Republican National Convention.

Christie, who pondered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing Mitt Romney, is already at work on his speech, considered the kickoff event for most conventions.

“I’ll try to tell some very direct and hard truths to people in the country about the trouble that we’re in and the fact that fixing those problems is not going to be easy for any of them,” Christie told USA Today.

He said he’ll describe his experiences in New Jersey as evidence that “the American people are ready to confront those problems head-on and endure some sacrifice.” Associated Press

McCrory, Pittenger skipping Tampa

Thousands of Republicans will descend on Tampa for the GOP convention. A handful of North Carolina candidiates won’t be among them.

It turns out gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory won’t be going, though he had planned to go down for a day.

“We tried to squeeze in some time in between scheduled events but the logistics are rough,” spokesman Brian Nick said Tuesday. Republican congressional candidates Robert Pittenger in the 9th District and Richard Hudson in the 8th also have no plans to attend. Jim Morrill

NPR plans nightly specials in Charlotte

NPR News will air nightly specials (8-11 p.m.) during the Democratic convention. National correspondent Jennifer Ludden will anchor the coverage.

Among those in Charlotte will be Washington editor Ron Elving, political correspondent Mara Liasson, national correspondent Debbie Elliott, reporters Jeff Brady and Sonari Glinton and White House correspondent Scott Horsley.

“All Things Considered” hosts Robert Siegel and Audie Cornish will report from the DNC and correspondents Greg Allen, Cheryl Corley and Ted Robbins will contribute convention coverage to several NPR shows. Mark Washburn

Education forum features Hunt

Former N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt, Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board Chairman Ericka Ellis-Stewart and Superintendent Heath Morrison will discuss access to quality education at a Monday forum sponsored by the convention host committee.

The panel discussion, moderated by Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree, is part of the convention legacy program, which is highlighting routes to a middle-class life and “the American dream,” said spokeswoman Suzi Emmerling.

Register at accesstoamericaaugust20.eventbrite.com or on site at 6 p.m. Monday. The program runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Pease Auditorium at Central Piedmont Community College, 1200 Pease Lane, with parking in the employee and theater lot at 1225 East 4th St. Ann Helms