Lawmaker's bill would protect city farmers

Chickens and goats could join the family pets in city-dwellers' backyards if the state legislature approves a bill overriding local laws against food crops and farm animals.

Gov: Slash deeper

ATLANTA - Georgia's hospitals and health care providers were hammered as part of a new round of cuts proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue on Thursday to deal with a gaping budget shortfall.

Plan would extend sewer lines, spur growth

A plan to extend sewer lines to parts of Athens now equipped with septic tanks could have as much or more impact on growth as any zoning decision the Athens-Clarke Commission ever makes.

Need more, not fewer of us, judges declare

The judges of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, made up of Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties, have been waiting five years for a fourth judge to help handle the caseload, but proposed cuts to the state's judicial budget may mean they'll be waiting a few more years.

Break? What break?

University of Georgia students got this week off for spring break, but many UGA workers got no time to slack off.

System to defend poor still lacking

ATLANTA - Georgia's public defender system still is trying to recover its financial footing five years after a courthouse gunman racked up a $3 million taxpayer-funded defense tab on the way to his conviction.

Students plan rally

University students from across the state plan to rally at the state Capitol on Monday to protest looming budget cuts, even though the legislators they're trying to influence may not be there.

2 promoted to battalion chief

The Athens-Clarke Fire Department has promoted two veteran firefighters to fill vacant battalion chief posts.

Bullying statute tabled

ATLANTA - Efforts to update Georgia's anti-bullying statute stalled in the House as its supporters faced opposition from fellow representatives.

House panel OK's scaling back CRCTs

ATLANTA - Georgia's first- and second-graders are one step closer to not having to take standardized tests.

Memorial planned for UGA researcher

Friends of Efrat Gamliel-Atinsky, a University of Georgia researcher who died Sunday in a car crash in Israel, will hold a memorial service Monday to honor her.

Clarke Central team in mock trial finals

The Clarke Central High School mock trial team will make its 12th visit to the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition in Lawrenceville this weekend.