Athens businessman becomes Republican chairman

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - The new chairman of the Georgia Republican Party says the party won't twiddle its thumbs under his leadership.

Jekyll breaking ground on overdue convention hotel

JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) - Developers are set to start construction on a new convention hotel for Jekyll Island after long delays that largely resulted from difficulties getting a bank loan for the $41 million project.

Fog blankets much of Georgia in wake of storms

ATLANTA (AP) - Fog blanketed much of Georgia in the wake of storms that washed out roads in the northeast part of the state and led to rising streams and rivers.

Atlanta council considers 20-story Ferris wheel

ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta City Council is expected to consider a request to construct a Ferris wheel once used in Paris that would soar 20 stories over downtown Atlanta.

US gas prices up 11 cents over past 2 weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 11 cents over the past two weeks.

Ga. man pleads guilty to possession of child porn

ATLANTA (AP) - U.S. Attorney's officials say a 52-year-old man has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography.

Braves bring Jason Heyward off disabled list

ATLANTA (AP) - Braves right fielder Jason Heyward has been activated from the disabled list and is starting against the Dodgers.

Ga. Republicans gather in Athens for convention

A year after IPO, Facebook aims to be ad colossus

Stocks rise on hopeful signs for the US economy

Handel jumps into crowded US Senate race in Ga.

IRS refuses to turn over documents

30 catalytic converters stolen in past 2 weeks

ATLANTA (AP) - Authorities say more than 30 catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles during the past two weeks in Atlanta and nearby Decatur.

Brady Campaign sues Ga town over mandatory gun law

NELSON, Ga. (AP) - A group that supports gun control is suing a north Georgia town that passed a law requiring gun ownership.

Ga. Rep. Brooks of Atlanta indicted for wire fraud

ATLANTA (AP) - A federal grand jury has indicted state Rep. Tyrone Brooks over allegations claiming he misappropriated more than $1 million in charitable funds.

Obama proposals face quick opposition in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama set up high-stakes clashes with Republicans over guns, immigration, taxes and climate change in a State of the Union address that showcased his determination to mark his legacy. Rep. Paul Ryan said Obama could better achieve his goals if he would get out of "campaign mode."

LAPD-Revenge Killings

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (AP) - As police scoured mountain peaks for days, using everything from bloodhounds to high-tech helicopters, the revenge-seeking ex-cop they wanted was hiding among them, holed up in a vacation cabin across the street from their command post.

Ga. officers accused of protecting drug deals

ATLANTA (AP) - Ten current and former metro Atlanta law enforcement officers targeted in an undercover federal sting were arrested Tuesday, accused of accepting thousands of dollars to provide protection during drug deals, said U.S. Attorney Sally Yates.

Senate panel approves Hagel for Pentagon chief

WASHINGTON (AP) - A bitterly divided Senate panel on Tuesday voted to approve President Barack Obama's nomination of Chuck Hagel to be the nation's defense secretary at a time of turmoil for the military with looming budget cuts, a fresh sign of North Korea's nuclear ambitions and drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The Armed Services Committee voted 14-11 to send the nomination to the full Senate, with all the panel's Democrats backing the ...

Authorities say ex-cop barricaded in Calif. cabin

A fugitive ex-Los Angeles cop sought in three killings was barricaded in a cabin in the in the San Bernardino Mountains on Tuesday after a shootout with authorities that wounded two officers. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department says two law enforcement officers are being airlifted to a local hospital with unknown injuries. Deputies in the Big Bear area looking for Christopher Dorner responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the ...

Senate approves anti-violence against women act

WASHINGTON (AP) - By a robust bipartisan majority, the Senate voted Tuesday to renew the Violence Against Women Act with new assurances that gays and lesbians, immigrants and Native American women will have equal access to the act's anti-domestic violence programs.

Dow edges toward record; Avon, Michael Kors surge

NEW YORK (AP) - The Dow edged closer to a record Tuesday as stocks advanced following strong earnings from Avon and Michael Kors. The Dow Jones industrial average was up 50 points at 14,022 with less than an hour of trading left, putting it within 1 percent of the record close of 14,164 it set in October 2007. The Dow surged at the start of the year, logging its best January in almost two decades. ...

New plans for armed school employees in Ga.

ATLANTA (AP) - School employees in Georgia could not be punished for refusing to carry firearms under changed legislation being debated by state lawmakers.

Stocks edge higher in early trading

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks edged higher in early trading Tuesday following mixed earnings reports from companies including Avon, Goodyear and Coca-Cola. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 30 points to 13,981 in the first hour of trading. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up two points at 1,519. The Nasdaq was up three at 3,194. Avon, a direct seller of beauty products, jumped $2.68, or 16 percent, to $19.97 after the company posted a ...

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.