http://www.ajc.com/news/state-news-82001.html en-us Copyright 2012 Mon, 28 May 2012 11:13:56 GMT 2012-05-28T11:13:56Z en-us Copyright 2012 http://www.ajc.com/news/subscribers/medicare-scams-grow-in-1447643.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Fernando Alfonso and Rita Mateu sought out homeless people at Atlanta area shelters and offered them food or money in exchange for Medicare information. Sun, 27 May 2012 14:55:02 GMT mpell@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/subscribers/medicare-scams-grow-in-1447643.html M.B. Pell 2012-05-27T14:55:02Z http://www.ajc.com/news/sustained-unemployment-rises-1447347.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Nearly six out of every 10 unemployed workers in Georgia have been out of work for more than six months - believed to be the highest rate of long-term joblessness since the Great Depression. Sun, 27 May 2012 09:00:26 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/sustained-unemployment-rises-1447347.html Gina Setser 2012-05-27T09:00:26Z http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-power-hits-64-1447440.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Over the course of almost a decade, Georgia Power reaped $64 million in state tax savings from port tax credits - tens of millions of dollars more than Georgia legislators had intended. Sun, 27 May 2012 09:00:09 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-power-hits-64-1447440.html Gina Setser 2012-05-27T09:00:09Z http://www.ajc.com/news/smoking-bans-gain-in-1447004.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Norcross' economic development manager was concerned businesses might leave town. The police chief fretted about devoting officers to police parks for illegal smokers. Sat, 26 May 2012 03:06:04 GMT janderson@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/smoking-bans-gain-in-1447004.html Joel Anderson 2012-05-26T03:06:04Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/deal-gets-chance-to-1446770.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Gov. Nathan Deal will soon have the chance to shape the state's highest court. On Friday, the governor's Judicial Nominating Commission said 31 judges and lawyers applied for a vacancy that will open up in mid-July when Justice George Carley retires from the Georgia Supreme Court. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:33:10 GMT brankin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/deal-gets-chance-to-1446770.html Bill Rankin 2012-05-25T22:33:10Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/more-dead-fish-found-1446276.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 A year after the biggest fish kill in state history on the Ogeechee River in southeast Georgia, more dead fish were discovered this week on the river, prompting two counties to advise people not to swim and fish in the stream. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:18:36 GMT jlscott@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/more-dead-fish-found-1446276.html Jeffry Scott 2012-05-25T22:18:36Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/local-candidates-qualify-for-1446768.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 After months of announcements and rumors of on-again and off-again campaigns and challenges, the candidate lists are set for the upcoming July election. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:10:13 GMT jhdavis@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/local-candidates-qualify-for-1446768.html Janel Davis 2012-05-25T22:10:13Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-naacp-opposes-t-1446678.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 The Georgia state conference of the NAACP is preparing to announce its opposition to the July 31 transportation tax referendums statewide, its president said. Fri, 25 May 2012 22:08:57 GMT ahart@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-naacp-opposes-t-1446678.html Ariel Hart 2012-05-25T22:08:57Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/qualifying-ends-campaign-begins-1446501.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Forty-six current and potential lawmakers signed a pledge to support a cap on lobbyist gifts to legislators, including a late surprise endorsement from a top member of the state Senate. Fri, 25 May 2012 21:26:41 GMT asheinin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/qualifying-ends-campaign-begins-1446501.html Aaron Gould Sheinin 2012-05-25T21:26:41Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/governor-continues-criminal-justice-1446551.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Gov. Nathan Deal has signed an order continuing the work of a criminal justice reform council that was instrumental in sweeping changes enacted this past legislative session. Fri, 25 May 2012 21:03:50 GMT brankin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/governor-continues-criminal-justice-1446551.html Bill Rankin 2012-05-25T21:03:50Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/powerball-jackpot-up-to-1446304.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 The jackpot for Saturday's Powerball drawing is up to $128 million after a month with no big winners in the multi-state lottery. Fri, 25 May 2012 14:19:28 GMT mmorris@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/powerball-jackpot-up-to-1446304.html Mike Morris 2012-05-25T14:19:28Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/advisory-issued-for-ogeechee-1445900.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 STATESBORO - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has issued a warning about the Ogeechee River in Bulloch and Effingham counties after 10 dead fish were found. Fri, 25 May 2012 01:58:38 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/advisory-issued-for-ogeechee-1445900.html Associated Press 2012-05-25T01:58:38Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/flesh-decaying-bacteria-at-1445611.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 The bacteria that causes the flesh-decaying infection that attacked Aimee Copeland is present in normal levels in the Little Tallapoosa River, according to a laboratory hired to test the water. Fri, 25 May 2012 00:30:16 GMT fjeffries@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/flesh-decaying-bacteria-at-1445611.html Fran Jeffries 2012-05-25T00:30:16Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/metro-atlanta-welcomes-summer-1445648.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Memorial Day weekend -- with the school year done or nearly so, and the long days of summer stretched out in the horizon -- is the traditional start to the public pool season. Thu, 24 May 2012 22:11:50 GMT ahunt@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/metro-atlanta-welcomes-summer-1445648.html April Hunt Janel Davis 2012-05-24T22:11:50Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/debate-over-t-splost-1444861.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 The debate intensified this week over the July 31 sales tax referendum for transportation, in which voters in the 10-county Atlanta area will consider a 1 percent sales tax for projects in the region. Thu, 24 May 2012 13:05:38 GMT ahart@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/debate-over-t-splost-1444861.html Ariel Hart 2012-05-24T13:05:38Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/judge-dismisses-anti-bullying-1444835.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Baffled. Hurt. Angry, but determined. Such were the reactions of David and Tina Long to the dismissal of a lawsuit they filed against the Murray County School District for failing to stop the bullying of their son, Tyler, who committed suicide in 2009. Wed, 23 May 2012 23:05:15 GMT wwashington@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/judge-dismisses-anti-bullying-1444835.html Wayne Washington 2012-05-23T23:05:15Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/band-mates-say-famu-1444056.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 ORLANDO, Fla. - Robert Champion was known for his opposition to the hazing rampant in the Florida A&M University marching band, but he was vying to be lead drum major and wanted the respect he could earn by enduring a brutal ritual known as "crossing over." With chances for initiation ending with the football season, fellow band members say, Champion agreed to run through a bus lined with people kicking and beating him with drumsticks, mallets and fists. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:46:08 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/band-mates-say-famu-1444056.html MIKE SCHNEIDER 2012-05-23T21:46:08Z 06/22/2012 APXchange http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/nearly-20-candidates-sign-1444752.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Nearly 20 lawmakers or candidates, including the top Republican in the Senate, have signed a pledge promising to support a $100 cap on lobbyist gifts to lawmakers. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:22:15 GMT asheinin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/nearly-20-candidates-sign-1444752.html Aaron Gould Sheinin 2012-05-23T21:22:15Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/man-with-dead-dogs-1444497.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 A Savannah man has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty after authorities say they found 10 dead dogs in his abandoned home and 10 more that were starving but still alive. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:20:00 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/man-with-dead-dogs-1444497.html Associated Press 2012-05-23T21:20:00Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/missing-conyers-man-23-1442767.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 A 23-year-old Conyers man who disappeared over the weekend was found safe Wednesday, police said. Dushaun Ponder, who is schizophrenic and autistic, was detained by MARTA personnel around 4:30 p.m. Wed, 23 May 2012 21:13:54 GMT akbrooks@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/missing-conyers-man-23-1442767.html Angel K. Brooks 2012-05-23T21:13:54Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/seasons-1st-sea-turtle-1444515.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 A loggerhead sea turtle nest found this week marks the first of the season discovered on Tybee Island. Wed, 23 May 2012 17:53:52 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/seasons-1st-sea-turtle-1444515.html Associated Press 2012-05-23T17:53:52Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/at-least-13-incumbents-1444351.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 1:23 p.m.: A number of additional primaries are now set for a variety of offices. Here's a run-down as of now: House District 20: Incumbent Republican Charlice Byrd of Woodstock will face Michael Caldwell, a 22-year-old sales manager from Woodstock. Wed, 23 May 2012 17:46:26 GMT asheinin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/at-least-13-incumbents-1444351.html Aaron Gould Sheinin 2012-05-23T17:46:26Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/demolition-nears-for-historic-1444498.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Construction crews have fenced off a historic dormitory at the University of Georgia to prepare for its demolition. Wed, 23 May 2012 17:34:31 GMT http://www.ajc.com/news/demolition-nears-for-historic-1444498.html Associated Press 2012-05-23T17:34:31Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/tea-party-power-to-1444207.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 Tea party activists have promised for months to mount challenges to incumbent lawmakers they see as squishy on conservative issues and especially on calls for ethics reform. Beginning Wednesday, Georgians will find out whether those promises are fulfilled. Wed, 23 May 2012 14:36:05 GMT asheinin@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/tea-party-power-to-1444207.html Aaron Gould Sheinin 2012-05-23T14:36:05Z SPOCC http://www.ajc.com/news/survivors-reflect-on-battle-1443808.html?cxtype=rss_news_82001 It's not so much the chills, the high fever, nausea and stomach upset that many survivors of necrotizing fasciitis remember most. Tue, 22 May 2012 21:54:33 GMT kleslie@ajc.com http://www.ajc.com/news/survivors-reflect-on-battle-1443808.html Katie Leslie 2012-05-22T21:54:33Z SPOCC