Farm bill again will be battle over crop subsidies

WASHINGTON - Momentum is building in Congress for overhauling farm subsidies because of tight budgets and increasing enthusiasm for renewable fuels and conservation programs.

A few laws exist, but most states keep prep steroids a local issue

They were thinking big in New Mexico. Encouraged by the Drug Enforcement Administration, state officials staged a national summit to discuss solutions for the growing problem of steroids in high school sports.

Miniature robots play in world’s first nano-scale soccer game

ATLANTA - Exploding from the other end of the soccer field, the silver robot glinted under the light of the cameras and burst toward the lone defender standing between it and the goal.

Crosby-Ostean

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Mitch Crosby of Metter announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Ann Crosby of Metter, to Barry Lee Ostean, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Dewayne Ostean of Sparta, Ga.

8 out of 10 Ga. schools make adequate progress under federal law

ATLANTA - About 81 percent of Georgia public schools passed muster under federal No Child Left Behind requirements this year - a slight increase over 2006.

Mailing it in: What’s the future of the U.S. post office — and your mail?

WASHINGTON - Could mail one day go the way of many pizza chains, where customers can pick it up or pay extra for home delivery?

New reports show 2.5 million HIV cases in India, less than half of previous estimates

NEW DELHI - The experts' consensus was that India had the most HIV cases in the world - 5.7 million - and that number could rise if aggressive measures weren't adopted.

Bridge 7/7

On 07/07/07, I wanted to feature a deal in which a seven plays a key role. But I am away from home and forgot to bring along a copy of "Right Through the Pack," which contains 52 stories, each featuring one card from the deck. I searched the Internet without success. But at http://my.execpc.com/E7Efkommrus/Bridge/index.htm I did see this: Two university students were playing at the local YMCA. They heard that six diamonds was cold (unbeatable) on board five. So, when they got to that deal, the bidding went six diamonds - double ...

Two suspects in U.K. terror attacks made U.S. inquiries

LONDON - Two suspects in the failed car bombings in Britain made inquiries about working in the United States, the FBI said Friday, and British prosecutors said an Iraqi arrested after the attack on Glasgow airport should face terrorism charges.

An FBI spokeswoman said Mohammed Asha and another suspect had contacted the Philadelphia-based Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, as first reported in The Philadelphia Inquirer. Asha, a Jordanian physician of Palestinian heritage, contacted the agency within the last year, but apparently did not take the test for foreign medical school graduates, said the spokeswoman, Nancy O'Dowd.

West sizzles, forecasters say little relief ahead from heat wave

HELENA, Mont. - If a record-breaking heat wave doesn't lift soon, cattle rancher Sharon McDonald may see her hay crop turn to dust.

Hostage takers threaten to kill 3-year-old British girl kidnapped in Nigeria, mother says

PORT HARCOURT - The sobbing mother of a British girl kidnapped in Nigeria said Friday her 3-year old is under threat of death and living on bread and water, as police promised to free her without resorting to force.

Dear Abby 7/7

DEAR ABBY: I am being married this summer. It will be a fairly large wedding with 185 guests. My fiance's parents and grandparents are very supportive. The problem is my mother. She's an alcoholic.

Feds detail alleged dogfighting operation at Vick property

SURRY, Va. - A property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was used as the ''main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved'' in an alleged dogfighting operation, according to court documents.

GOP senators’ breaks with Bush on Iraq raise question of who’ll be next

WASHINGTON - After the recent defection of prominent Republicans on the Iraq war, the big question in Washington is who might be next.

Police Report - July 7

Note: All information included in this report is taken from law enforcement incident reports and arrest records, which are public records and available for review at any and all local law enforcement agencies. Not every arrest leads to a conviction. Guilt or innocence is determined by the court system.

Were three slain for their religion or their parking space?

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Police are trying to determine whether hate played any role in the killing of three Muslims, a crime they said was sparked by a neighbor's long-simmering anger over parking and noise inside their condominium complex.

February 11 - Mr. Eual C. "Pinky" Anderson, age 99, died on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at East Georgi

Mr. Eual C. "Pinky" Anderson

New balls adding pop

JACKSON, Miss. - Tim Corbin sounded more like a philosopher than Vanderbilt's coach as he talked about the new flat-seam baseball designed to bring a little more scoring back to the college game.

Wins on tour get tougher

Five weeks into the new year, all five winners on the PGA Tour were among the top 50 in the world.

Metter man’s death ruled homicide

Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents have ruled the death of a Metter man as a homicide.

Falcons' new coordinators meet with media

FLOWERY BRANCH - The Falcons' new offensive coordinator can't wait to get started with Matt Ryan.

Outdoor Life: Plan a trip to Paradise Public Fishing Area this spring

Winter is going to be over soon and those of us who look forward to spring will be on the lookout for new fishing adventures. I've got an idea for a trip that you will not regret. Head out to Paradise Public Fishing Area located between Tifton and Nashville in South Georgia and you will be in for a treat. From Statesboro it's about 140 miles and there are plenty of places to stay in Tifton.

Evaluation ordered for Saints' Benson

NEW ORLEANS - Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson must undergo a psychiatric examination, a judge ruled Tuesday as Benson's spurned daughter and her children fought to have the 87-year-old billionaire declared incapable of handling his affairs.

Mississippi, West Virginia toughest on school immunizations

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - With rampant diabetes and obesity, Mississippi and West Virginia have struggled with health crises. Yet when it comes to getting children vaccinated, these states don't mess around.

February 10 - Mr. Eual C. “Pinky” Anderson, age 99, died on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at East Georgi

Mr. Eual C. "Pinky" Anderson

Smith's impact goes beyond UNC

Dean Smith accomplished so much on and off the court during his time as North Carolina's coach, leaving a lasting influence both on the game and the world around him.

My Take: Prep hoops teams brace for frantic postseason finish

After three months of grinding competition, prep basketball teams from around the area are priming for one more push that will either send them to the state tournament or send them home for a long offseason.

More trouble off field for NFL

Commissioner Roger Goodell declared at the Super Bowl that the NFL made "enormous progress" on social issues after last year's incessant barrage of disturbing developments, led by the Ray Rice domestic violence and Adrian Peterson child abuse crises.

Tiger's head is his biggest challenge

SAN DIEGO - The BBC called on Thanksgiving weekend in 2009 looking for insight on the shocking, sordid details about the private life of Tiger Woods and how this would affect his pursuit of golf's most meaningful record.

‘Back on Broadway’ performance at PAC canceled

"Back on Broadway," a performance originally scheduled for Thursday at Georgia Southern University's Performing Arts Center, has been canceled by the production company.