Ricin in Obama letter, odd packages scramble Hill

Feds deny reports Boston suspect is arrested

Lawyer: former Atlanta schools chief is innocent

Guide to the Philadelphia abortion doc murder case

Dr. Kermit Gosnell is on trial for murder in the deaths of a female patient and seven babies allegedly born alive at the abortion clinic he ran. A look at the facts in the case:

Official: Suspect in custody in Boston bombings

BOSTON (AP) - A suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings was taken into custody Wednesday in a breakthrough that came less than 48 hours after the deadly attack, a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation said Wednesday.

Braves LHP Avilan better, hopes to avoid DL

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Braves reliever Luis Avilan is feeling better after being carted off the field the previous night because of severe pain in his left leg.

Deal approved in Muslims' suit against McDonald's

DETROIT (AP) - A judge has finalized a $700,000 settlement between McDonald's and members of Michigan's Muslim community over claims a Detroit-area restaurant falsely advertised food as prepared according to Islamic law.

Officials: 2nd letter to Senate tested for ricin

Secret Service: Suspicious letter mailed to Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Secret Service says it has intercepted a letter addressed to President Barack Obama that contained a "suspicious substance."

Senate vote nears, background check bill in peril

Authorities recover pressure cooker lid

In NYC, strains of solidarity with rival Boston

GA thrift shop worker hospitalized after explosion

ATLANTA (AP) - Authorities say a thrift shop employee has been hospitalized with burns after opening a package.

Criticism of immigration bill from left and right

DHS: No evidence of broader plot tied to Boston

Georgia lawmakers eye Tennessee water

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - Georgia lawmakers are again contesting the state's border with Tennessee in a long-standing dispute involving the ongoing war over water between the two states.

Homes wrecked, dozen hurt in Mississippi tornado

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Residents shaken by a tornado that mangled homes in Mississippi were waking up Monday to a day of removing trees, patching roofs and giving thanks for their survival. More than a dozen in the state were injured. Daylight also offered emergency management officials the chance to get a better handle on the damage that stretched across several counties. Gov. Phil Bryant planned to visit hard-hit Hattiesburg, where a twister moved ...

Text of pope announcement he will resign Feb. 28

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. Here is the text of his announcement, delivered to cardinals gathered for a ceremony to name three new saints.

Bill would close talks on troubled school boards

ATLANTA (AP) - State education officials could deliberate privately on whether to recommend the removal of troubled school boards under a plan being considered by Georgia legislators.

Senator vows to delay Obama's nominees over Libya

WASHINGTON (AP) - A leading Republican senator said Sunday he would hold up Senate confirmation of President Barack Obama's nominees to head the Defense Department and the CIA until the White House provided more answers about the deadly Sept. 11 attack against a U.S. installation in Benghazi, Libya.

Falcons stadium debate puts focus on priorities

ATLANTA (AP) - State and local officials are contemplating using millions of dollars generated by a special hotel tax to help finance a new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons, a move that has some residents wondering: Why, when so much needs to be done to shore up roads, mass transit and struggling schools?

Charges added in Southeast sex trafficking case

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - More suspects have been charged in connection with what federal prosecutors say was a sex trafficking ring that forced women into prostitution and traded them like slaves between cities in Georgia, Florida and the Carolinas.

Ga. House passes $19B amended budget

ATLANTA (AP) - An amended $19 billion budget plan for Georgia now heads to the state Senate.

Postal Service lost $1.3 billion over quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. Postal Service lost $1.3 billion in the final three months of last year despite a blizzard of campaign advertising for the fall political elections and a big holiday mail and shipping season.

Broun says he wants automatic budget cuts to occur

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Traveling across Georgia to tout his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, Republican Rep. Paul Broun said Friday that he sees $100 billion in automatic budget cuts as Washington's only realistic option for trimming spending. Even with the Pentagon warning that the cuts would devastate the military, Broun said: "I want to see it go into place."

Man acquitted in fight over stinky feet

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - An Augusta man jailed after police said an argument over stinky feet left his roommate with a minor wound has been acquitted.

Stocks edge higher after trade deficit report

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are edging higher in early trading on Wall Street after a report showed that the U.S. trade deficit narrowed sharply in December. Stocks were also boosted by strong earnings reports. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 66 points to 14,010 shortly after the opening bell Friday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up eight points at 1,517 and the Nasdaq composite rose 28 points at 3,192. The ...

Massive manhunt on for ex-cop accused of killing 3

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Thousands of police officers throughout Southern California and neighboring states hunted Thursday for a disgruntled former Los Angeles officer wanted for going on a deadly shooting rampage that he warned in an online posting would target those on the force who wronged him, authorities said. Police issued a statewide "officer safety warning" and police were sent to protect people named in the posting that was believed to be written by ...

Gov. Deal: HOPE will be expanded for tech grants

ATLANTA (AP) - Gov. Nathan Deal and state lawmakers have reached an agreement to lower the grade requirements to qualify for HOPE grants at Georgia technical schools.

Obama pushes 2nd term agenda to House Democrats

LEESBURG, Va. (AP) - President Barack Obama predicted a tough road ahead as he urged House Democrats on Thursday to stick to their principles on guns, immigration and the economy in legislative fights with Republicans.