By Dan Chapman, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jan. 4--Farmers, bankers and politicians broke muddy South Georgia ground Wednesday on a $170 million ethanol factory pegged as the largest biofuel plant in the Southeast.

By David Bracken, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. Nov. 22--The N.C. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday to determine whether relatives of inmates who died in a 2002 fire at Mitchell County jail can pursue wrongful-death claims against the state agency that inspected the jail.