Senate Democrats on track to pass budget

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats controlling the Senate moved on Friday toward approving their first budget in four years, promising another, almost $1 trillion round of tax increases on top of more than $600 billion in higher taxes on the wealthy enacted in January.

Punxsutawney Phil 'indicted' over spring forecast

Tolls on Georgia 400 to end before Thanksgiving

ATLANTA (AP) - Transportation officials say the tolls on Georgia 400, a busy commuter route on the north side of Atlanta, will end later this year.

UGA student reports attack by mime

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) - A University of Georgia student told police she was attacked by a woman who appeared dressed as a mime.

3 dead, including suspect, in Marine base shooting

Ex-children's hospital worker accused of abuse

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) - A former employee of Children's Hospital of Georgia is accused of sexual battery involving patients at the Augusta facility.

Obama health law anniversary finds two Americas

Survey: Low-wage workers missing out on training

WASHINGTON (AP) - As they struggle to get ahead, many low-wage workers are not taking advantage of job training or educational programs that could help them make the leap to better-paying jobs. They are often skeptical about whether such programs are even worth the trouble, a new survey shows.

Universe ages 80M years; Big Bang gets clearer

Ga. jobless rate hits lowest level since early '09

ATLANTA (AP) - State labor officials say Georgia's unemployment rate has dropped 8.6 percent, its lowest level in the past four years.

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.