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.

Dem, GOP senators clash at latest hearing on guns

WASHINGTON (AP) - A top Democrat says the toll that gun violence is taking on families makes it clear that Congress needs to pass more firearms restrictions.

Man shot by Georgia mother recovering from wounds

LOGANVILLE, Ga. (AP) - An accused home invader is recovering from his injuries after being shot five times at close range by a Georgia mother in a case that's been highlighted by firearms enthusiasts.

Obama calls NKorea nuke test 'highly provocative'

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Tuesday called North Korea's latest nuclear test a "highly provocative act" that threatens U.S. security and international peace.

Ga. man sentenced to 220 years in molestation case

ATLANTA (AP) - A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to 220 years in prison on charged of rape, child molestation and cruelty to children.

Stock market drifts lower to start the week

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks drifted lower in thin trading Monday, pulling the Standard & Poor's 500 index back from a five-year high. The broad-market index edged up slightly last week, enough to put it at its highest level since November 2007. With little in the way of market-moving news Monday, the S&P 500 slipped 0.92 of a point to close at 1,517.01. Seven of the 10 industry groups within the S&P ...

Georgia revenues up more than 10 percent

ATLANTA (AP) - Tax collection growth in Georgia grew by more than 10 percent last month, potentially improving the state's budget situation.

Flash flood watch downgraded to flood watch

UPDATED: The Flash Flood watch issued by the National Weather Service has been replaced with a flood watch for the following counties until Wedneday:

Obama to visit Georgia childhood learning center

ATLANTA (AP) - President Barack Obama plans to visit an early childhood learning center outside Atlanta, where arrangements are being made for some students now on winter break to return to class one day for the visit.

US ships military equipment out of Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The United States began its withdrawal from Afghanistan in earnest, officials said Monday, sending the first of what will be tens of thousands of containers home through a once-blocked land route through Pakistan.

Stocks lower in early Monday trading

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks drifted lower in early Monday trading, pulling the Standard & Poor's 500 index back from its five-year high.

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.