Month: March 2010

  • Retracing Fess Parker’s steps in Georgia

    ATLANTA – Fess Parker, a long-time actor known for portraying famous historical figures turned California winemaker, died today. He was 85. Parker is perhaps best-remembered for playing both Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone on television shows based on the real life historical figures. But, one of his often-overlooked roles has a strong connection to Georgia.…

  • Reps. push for random drug tests for recipients of public assistance

    ATLANTA — Recipients of unemployment benefits might first need to pass a drug test under legislation a Toccoa Republican filed this week. Rep. Michael Harden, R-Toccoa, proposed the random drug testing for anyone who receives state unemployment benefits or state administered federal assistance. Anyone under 18 years old would not be subjected to the test,…

  • ‘Health Care Freedom’ vote falls short

    ATLANTA – A proposed amendment to the state constitution that proponents say would have protected Georgians from federal regulations requiring that they purchase a healthcare plan against their will or facing punishment if they refused has failed. While all 34 Republicans in the state Senate supported the measure on Wednesday, none of the Senate’s 19…

  • Isakson: Congress doesn’t deserve annual pay increase

    ATLANTA – Saying he “can’t think of anyone less deserving of a pay raise,” a Georgia congressman said he wants to block Congress from receiving automatic cost of living pay increases during the upcoming fiscal year. “Our economy is still recovering from one of the worst recessions in our nation’s history,” U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson,…

  • Obama signs Travel Promotion Act into law

    ATLANTA — President Obama last week signed into law the first “national travel promotion and communications program” aimed at attracting more international travelers to the U.S., and Georgia officials say the new law could benefit the state. The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 is to be funded through “private sector contributions” and $10 “user fees”…

  • Deal delays resignation date from Congress

    ATLANTA – Well, scratch that, sort of. U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., is still resigning from Congress to run full-time for governor, but he won’t be leaving Washington until late March. By delaying his departure date, Deal says he will still be in Congress to vote against Obama’s health care that is currently pending. Deal…

  • FAA places two on administrative leave after children give pilots instructions

    The Travel Trolley wire reports The Federal Aviation Administration said it placed two employees at John F. Kennedy Airport Tower on administrative leave after “a child was permitted to talk with pilots on an air traffic control frequency.” “This lapse in judgment not only violated FAA's own policies, but common sense standards for professional conduct.…

  • Atlanta dodges snow bullet; milk, bread flies off the shelves

    ATLANTA – Metro Atlanta for the most part dodged a winter weather bullet, but that didn’t keep motorists from getting an early start on rush hour and making a run on grocery stores. “Atlanta city officials are continuing to monitor the freezing rain and sleet conditions,” the city said in a statement. “The City’s Department…