National News

Investigators: Up to 50 Victims in Georgia Nude Photo Ring

TRENTON, Ga. (AP) – Police officials in Georgia’s northwestern corner say as many as 50 adults and minors may be victims of a group of people trading sexually explicit photos. Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross and Trenton Police Chief Christy Smith tell local news outlets on Thursday that they’re working with Dade County High School and others to identify victims….

Majority of House Votes to Impeach Trump

The U.S. House has impeached President Donald Trump on a charge he abused the power of his office to investigate a political rival ahead of the 2020 election. Trump becomes the third president in U.S. history to be impeached. A majority of the House then approve the second charge, obstruction of Congress. Democrats control the House, and the voting was…

Hundreds May Face Arrest after Georgia Cockfighting Bust

LINCOLNTON, Ga. (AP) – Georgia officials are looking for more than 200 suspects after busting a giant cockfighting tournament over the weekend. Lincoln County sheriff’s Maj. Jim Wallen tells local news outlets more than 30 people have been charged following the Saturday bust at a property northwest of Augusta. Participants and spectators fled, many abandoning their chickens and vehicles. Wallen…

Hallmark Draws Criticism after Pulling Same-Sex Wedding Ads

his image made from undated video provided by Zola shows a scene of its advertisement. Under pressure from a conservative advocacy group, The Hallmark Channel has pulled the ads for wedding-planning website Zola that featured same-sex couples, including two brides kissing. The family-friendly network, which is in the midst of its heavily watched holiday programming, removed the ads because the…

Former Auburn Defensive Back, 9 other ex-NFL players charged with defrauding healthcare program

WASHINGTON (AP) – Ten former NFL players have been charged with defrauding the league’s healthcare benefit program. They include five who played on the Washington Redskins, including Clinton Portis and Carlos Rogers. Prosecutors allege the players targeted the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan, which was established as part of a collective bargaining agreement in 2006. It provides…

NCAA: ‘Highly probable’ Congress passes athlete comp rules

NEW YORK (AP) – NCAA President Mark Emmert says it is “highly probable” federal legislation will be passed that sets national guidelines for how college athletes can be compensated for the their names, images and likenesses. Emmert says he is focused on figuring out how the NCAA and its member schools allow college athletes get that compensation. The issue was…

Bullied fan’s T-shirt design helps raise $950K for nonprofit

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Sales of a University of Tennessee T-shirt designed by a bullied fourth-grade boy in Florida have raised over $950,000 for an anti-bullying organization. The fourth-grader had designed his own University of Tennessee logo to put over an orange T-shirt for his school’s college colors day this fall. In a Facebook post that went viral, the boy’s…

Fed leaves low rates alone and foresees no moves in 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Fed’s decision to leave rates alone follows three rate cuts earlier this year. It reflects its view that the U.S. economy has so far withstood the U.S.-China trade war and a global slump and remains generally healthy. Its benchmark rate influences many consumer and business loans. It will remain in a low range of 1.5% to…