Firefighters describe ordeal as hostages

ATLANTA (AP) - A group of Georgia firefighters say they joked with a gunman in an attempt to lighten the mood during an hours-long hostage ordeal earlier this month.

Georgia trucker charged with Conn. rape

STRATFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut police say they arrested a truck driver from Georgia after DNA tests linked him to a 2011 rape in Stratford.

Both sides hunt support in background check fight

Neighbors recall Boston marathon bombing victim, 8

Plea in crash that killed wife of Braves trainer

ATLANTA (AP) - A former state trooper accused in a crash that killed the wife of an Atlanta Braves trainer has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

Stock market takes biggest drop this year

Lawyer: Assaulted teen had drawings, name on body

FAA orders no-fly zone over Boston explosion site

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is warning pilots that it has created a no-fly zone over the site of two explosions at the annual Boston marathon.

2 killed as 2 bombs explode at Boston Marathon

UPDATE: BOSTON (AP) - Two bombs exploded near the finish of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killing two people, injuring 22 others and sending authorities rushing to aid wounded spectators, race organizers and police said.

Police point to suicide in Atlanta airport death

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta police say a man who was found unresponsive at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this weekend jumped to his death.

GA minister, Jody Hice, announces bid for Congress

ATLANTA (AP) - Jody Hice, a conservative talk radio host and minister who made headlines when he fought the ACLU over displays of the Ten Commandments in courthouses, says he'll be running for Congress in the 10th District.

Pa. woman cited for calling 911 seeking divorce

GIRARD, Pa. (AP) - Police have cited a 42-year-old Pennsylvania woman for disorderly conduct after she called 911 requesting a divorce and police assistance to make her husband leave.

Tax deadline not much of a deadline for most

WASHINGTON (AP) - Here's a little secret for all you procrastinators on Tax Day: The Internal Revenue Service doesn't like to talk about it, but as long as you don't owe any additional taxes, there is no penalty for filing a few days late.

Police chase shuts down westbound lanes of I-285

ATLANTA (AP) - A police chase briefly shut down the westbound lanes of a freeway that circles Atlanta during the tail end of Monday morning's rush hour.

Georgia high in underwater mortgages

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia is featured prominently in a survey of ZIP codes where mortgage holders owe more on their homes than the homes are now worth.

Abortion opponents to march in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators are marching through Washington to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to protest the landmark decision that legalized abortion.

Schools must provide sports for disabled

WASHINGTON (AP) - Students with disabilities must be given a fair shot to play on a traditional sports team or have their own leagues, the Education Department says.

White House: Ruling won't affect other Obama picks

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says a court ruling that President Barack Obama violated the Constitution by making recess appointments to a labor panel won't affect the president's other personnel actions.

Flu seems to level off except in the West

New government figures show that flu cases seem to be leveling off nationwide. Flu activity is declining in most regions although still rising in the West.

Stocks gain, boosted by P&G, Starbucks earnings

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks rose on Wall Street in midday trading Friday after Procter & Gamble and Starbucks posted strong earnings reports.

Too many crocodiles, S.Africa police say

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Calling all crocodile experts - South African police say you're needed to help capture thousands of crocs out on the lam.

Court: Obama appointments are unconstitutional

WASHINGTON (AP) - In an embarrassing setback for President Barack Obama, a federal appeals court panel ruled that he violated the Constitution in making recess appointments last year, a decision that would effectively curtail a president's ability to bypass the Senate to fill administration vacancies.

Wells Fargo plans to hire 200 in Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) - Wells Fargo has announced plans to hire 200 new employees in the metro Atlanta region.

Jindal: GOP should change 'just about everything'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is calling on the Republican Party to "recalibrate the compass of conservatism" as party leaders on Thursday promised fundamental changes to help stave off future losses.

Apple's sales slowdown tugs Nasdaq index lower

NEW YORK (AP) - A sharp drop in Apple's stock pulled the Nasdaq down with it after the tech giant warned of weaker sales. Other stock-market indexes eked out slight gains.

Gov't probes possible USAID bid rigs

WASHINGTON (AP) - Documents obtained by The Associated Press show the Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into possible contract rigging by the general counsel at the government agency that distributes foreign aid.

White House says Obama supports women in combat

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says allowing women to serve in combat marks another step toward the country's founding ideals of fairness and equality.

US hit by new stomach bug spreading around globe

NEW YORK (AP) - A new strain of stomach bug sweeping the globe is taking over in the U.S., health officials say.

Arizona sends Upton to Braves in 7-player deal

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona has traded outfielder Justin Upton to the Atlanta Braves in a seven-player deal that sends former All-Star infielder Martin Prado to the Diamondbacks.

Apple's sales slowdown tugs Nasdaq index lower

NEW YORK (AP) - A sharp drop in Apple's stock is pulling the Nasdaq down with it after the tech giant predicted weaker sales. Other market indexes were mixed.