Thanksgiving week is a short one at Civil Beat. We set aside the day after the holiday as an official day off so folks can get a good rest, something that was especially needed this year after APEC.

But there was no shortage of stories worth your attention, including a development in our Taken for a Ride series on Hawaii’s runaway school bus costs. A major mainland school bus company is now eyeing bidding on Hawaii contracts after reading Civil Beat’s articles on lack of competition and how costs have skyrocketed. We’re featuring stories from the series this weekend, thinking that this may be a time when you want to catch up on some good reading.

Here are 10 must read stories from the week.

• Taken For a Ride: Major Mainland School Bus Company Considers Hawaii
• Swag of Our Governors
• Report on Hawaii’s Homeless Doesn’t Tell Whole Story
• Hawaii State Salaries 2012: University of Hawaii
• Hawaii State Salaries 2012: Highest Paid at University of Hawaii
• What Can Hawaii Learn From Other States About Pension Spiking?
• Newsmaker: Makana Live in Civil Beat Newsroom
• Hawaii Delegates Vote for Pizza As School Lunch Vegetable
• A Day on the Hill: Colleen Hanabusa
• Hawaii Flower Growers Wilt Under Heat of Competition