Four charged in teen's fatal beating, officials say

One of the suspects accused of killing an honor student in a beating captured on tape in Chicago has admitted to jumping on the victim's head after he was lying on the ground, said a spokeswoman for the State's Attorney. Three teens arrested in the death of Derrion Albert were seen on the video attacking him, the spokeswoman said. Authorities charged a fourth suspect with murder late Monday.

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Meet The Press: Bill Clinton, Gov. Paterson, Sen. Kyl, Sen. Webb

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Weekly Address: Progress with the G-20 in Pittsburgh

G-20 leaders meet to bolster global economy

Leaders representing 85 percent of the world's economic output were gathering Thursday in a U.S. city that has reinvented itself, hoping to bolster the global economy. The Group of 20 will meet for two days to focus on the worldwide financial crisis, and plot how to avoid a repeat in the future.

The White House is using the economic summit to showcase Pittsburgh -- a city that President Barack Obama says has exhibited an innovative 21st-century recovery after a well-publicized downfall following the shuttering of much of the city's steel industry.

Police boats pass under Greenpeace activists as they hang from a bridge near the G-20 summit.

Speech to the United Nations General Assembly

In this morning's speech to the United Nations General Assembly, President Obama covered a range of topics—all under the umbrella of his desire for leaders to recognize the "common future" of a world in which "the interests of peoples and nations are shared."

Macon-Bibb Workforce Development Will Teach Money Matters

Macon Mayor Robert Reichert announced the city's participation in the National Dollar Wise Campaign, focused on teaching kids financial literacy.

It is part of a push through the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which declared September 26 through October 3 Dollar Wise Week.

Reichert says it is important for all young people to know how to balance a check book, understand credit cards and interest rates and how to manage money.

The city partners with the Macon-Bibb County Office of Workforce Development to implement a financial literacy program.

BB&T bank is also involved in the partnership to help educate young people about money matters.

The program will be incorporated into the Workforce Development's year round program.

It serves about 250 kids age 14 to 21 in the Macon-Bibb County area.

Senate Action Next on Jobless Pay Extension

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The ball is in the Senate's court now that the House easily passed a bill to extend jobless benefits in high unemployment states.

The Senate bill is similar, but not identical. Another 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits would be welcome for those jobless living in 27 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico with unemployment rates topping 8.5 percent.

The bill is an economic lifeline to more than 300-thousand people whose jobless benefits are set to expire at the end of the month.

While analysts say the economy appears to turning around, jobs tend to take longer to return. House Majority leader Steny Hoyer says it'll be a while before a lot more jobs are available.

More than a million people expect their benefits to run out by year's end.

Majority leader Harry Reid is promising quick Senate action on its version of the extension.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

At U.N., Obama calls for new era in world relations

President Obama made a forceful call Wednesday for a new era in global relations, urging the United Nations to move past old divisions and disputes to reassert itself as a leading force in confronting the most pressing issues of today.

In his first speech as president to the U.N. General Assembly, Obama sought to distance his young administration from unilateral policies of his predecessor, while pledging a U.S. commitment to work with the United Nations in forging a better common future for all.

"The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation -- one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all nations," Obama said in concluding a speech that received strong applause.

He told the assembly that the world's countries, both individually and collectively as the United Nations, have failed to put aside old ways of thinking and acting as they confront threats to global security and stability.

Obama warns global recession makes climate change fight harder

President Obama warned Tuesday that the global economic recession could hinder the ability of countries to take necessary steps to combat climate change.

President Obama pledges the U.S. government's commitment to fighting climate change.

"We seek sweeping but necessary change in the midst of a global recession, where every nation's most immediate priority is reviving their economy and putting their people back to work," Obama told a U.N. summit on climate change. "And so all of us will face doubts and difficulties in our own capitals as we try to reach a lasting solution to the climate challenge."

Obama acknowledged that the United States has previously failed to recognize the magnitude of the climate change issue, and he pledged his government's commitment to developing clean energy sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

"We understand the gravity of the climate threat. We are determined to act. And we will meet our responsibility to future generations," Obama said.

However, his speech lacked specific details on targets for greenhouse gas emissions and was received with polite applause.

Obama's global support put to the test?

President Obama, facing daunting domestic challenges, may have another tough battle on his hands: maintaining the United States' growing popularity throughout the world. And the spotlight will focus on global issues this week.

On Tuesday, Obama meets with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders separately and then jointly. He will also meet late that day with Chinese President Hu Jintao and speak to the Clinton Global Initiative meeting.

The president meets Wednesday with Japan's new prime minister and addresses the U.N. General Assembly. Later, he will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev -- their first face to face meeting since Obama's decision to scale back U.S. missile defense plans in the Czech Republic.

Later Friday, Obama will take part in two G-20 meetings in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, focused on the global economy.

President Obama delivered a speech to the Muslim world this summer in Egypt.

Peach Boys & Girls Clubs Cancel Monday Programs

Peach County parents, kids, and teachers are still coping with the school district's four-day week.

Peach County organizations started offering Monday child-care programs after the school system gave students Mondays off. Now, the Peach County Boys & Girls Club's program has been canceled.

Monday program started out as a response to parent's concern about the four-day school week, but quickly became a financial burden.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Byron and Fort Valley extended Monday's hours to include the morning and afternoon, when children would have been at school.

The program started August 10th, but only ran for four weeks.

The centers in Peach County sit empty on Mondays now because of lack of attendance.

It costed the organization about $250 a day to offer the extended hours. With the $10 fee charged each child to participate, each club needed about twenty-five kids to break even.

Attendance averaged about 20 kids per site.

Meet the Press-President Barack Obama: ‘This debate that's taking place is not about race’ Plus, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Rep. John Boehner, Eugene Robin

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Weekly Address: Progress in the Global Economy

Long-Term Health Care Absent From U.S. Debate

Even as the health care debate rages in Washington, scant attention has been given to providing long-term care for the elderly and disabled. Meanwhile, the issue is driving millions into poverty, stressing families, and straining federal and state budgets.

President Barack Obama has remained largely silent on a long-term care plan -- one of the pieces the late Sen. Ted Kennedy saw as key to an overhaul bill.

Such a plan is included in the bill Kennedy's health committee wrote, but it has not become regarded as a must-have component.

Although it's unlikely that plan would solve the long-term care crisis, it would address an issue that has vexed policymakers and caregivers for decades.

And it would mark the first time the government provided nursing homes and other care for the masses.

Project Unity Cleans Up Village Green

Some people in Macon spent the morning cleaning up their neighborhood Saturday.

Project Unity sponsored the clean-up in Village Green.

Volunteers from the U.S Attorney's Office, Macon Regional Crimestoppers, Macon Police department and other groups joined people who live in the neighborhood for the effort.

They picked up debris, mowed overgrown lots and demolished two condemned houses.

Obama: Race not 'overriding issue' in criticism

Harsh rhetoric flung in his direction is no different than that hurled at other presidents who tried to make major changes during their administrations, President Barack Obama said Friday.

Obama acknowledged that racism plays a role in some of the criticism against him, but added that race is "not the overriding issue."

"Are there people out there who don't like me because of race? I'm sure there are. That's not the overriding issue here," he said. "I think there are people who are anti-government. I think there's been a long-standing debate in this country that is usually that much more fierce during times of transition, or when presidents are trying to bring about big changes.

"I mean, things that were said about FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) were pretty similar to things that were said about me. 'He's a communist, he's a socialist.' Things that were said about Ronald Reagan when he was trying to reverse some of the New Deal programs, you know, were pretty vicious as well."

White House: Criticism of Obama Not Based on Race

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House says President Barack Obama doesn't believe he's being criticized because of his race.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday that the nation's first black president doesn't think that criticism of his policies is "based on the color of his skin."

Gibbs was asked about the topic following comments on Tuesday by former President Jimmy Carter.

Carter said that Congressman Joe Wilson's outburst during Obama's speech to Congress last week was "based on racism." Carter also said "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Gibbs says some people have disagreements with some of Obama's decisions but that those concerns were not because of his race.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Ga. Gets More Than $21 Million For Energy Projects

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia will receive more than $21 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support energy efficiency and conservation activities.

Under the U.S. Department of Energy's Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, the state will use the federal money to implement programs that lower energy use, reduce carbon pollution, and create green jobs locally.

The department announced more than $354 million in funding Monday for 22 states, including Alabama.

Georgia will use funds to work with utilities in assisting homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. Department officials say the projects will lead to substantial energy and cost savings, and create or retain hundreds of jobs statewide.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

House passes resolution criticizing Wilson

The House of Representatives on Tuesday formally admonished Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie" during President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress last week.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina, shouts "You lie!" during President Obama's speech Wednesday night.

The House passed a resolution of disapproval on a 240-179 vote that was mostly along party lines, reflecting the Democratic majority in the chamber. Twelve Democrats voted "no," while seven Republicans voted for the measure. Five representatives, all Democrats, voted "present."

According to the Office of the House Historian, it was the first time in its 220-year history that the House has disciplined a member for speaking out during a presidential speech in the chamber to a joint session of Congress.

President Obama Renews Push for Financial Revamp

President Barack Obama heads to New York Monday to mark the anniversary of a key moment in the global financial meltdown.

One year ago, Lehman Brothers went belly up and within days of the investment bank's collapse it was clear a full-scale panic was under way.

The president outlined his plans in June, proposing the most extensive revamp of market rules since the Great Depression.

But there's resistance. Many lawmakers think he'd give too much power to the Federal Reserve. And banks oppose his plan for a new consumer agency to protect borrowers.

One Confirmed for WR Mayoral Candidates Debate

The four candidates in the upcoming Warner Robins mayoral race are scheduled face each other tonight.

Three men are challenging Mayor Donald Walker, who was elected in 1994. They are council member Clifford Holmes, businessman Chuck Shaheen and Chuck Chalk, program manager at Robins Air Force Base.

The forum starts at 6:30 in the city council chambers at Warner Robins City Hall.

The non-partisan election is Nov. 3.

Meet the Press-The Health Care Debate

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Thousands March to U.S. Capitol in Spending Protest

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have flooded the streets of Washington today, marching on the U.S. Capitol to protest what they says is out-of-control government spending.

The Associated Press stated in a news article that some chanted "enough is enough" and "You lie, you lie!" while others are holding signs with slogans such as "I'm Not Your ATM" and "Obamacare makes me sick."

Weekly Address: Losing Insurance Can Happen to Anybody

The President discusses a staggering new report from the Treasury Department indicating that under the status quo around half of all Americans under 65 will lose their health coverage at some point over the next ten years. He pledges not to allow this future to unfold: In the United States of America, no one should have to worry that theyll go without health care not for one year, not for one month, not for one day. And once I sign my health reform plan into law they wont. September 12, 2009.

Wilson's Heckling Causes Campaign Funding Growth

A national Republican fundraiser committee says U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson has raised more than $700,000 since yelling "You lie!" during President Barack Obama's health care address.

Georgia Colleges Get $27M in Stimulus Funding

Georgia colleges are getting more than $27 million in federal stimulus money for energy and conservation projects.

The projects range from installing control systems to gauge how energy is being used in a building to upgrading the heating and air conditioning systems to make them more efficient.

More than 25 of the state's colleges and universities received federal funding for energy conservation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Projects include a $1.7 million program to upgrade lighting at Columbus State University and $2.5 million for Georgia Tech for mechanical upgrades.

State Board Votes to Close Milledgeville YDC

A state board decided that a Milledgeville youth detention center should close Jan. 1, costing the city more than 300 jobs.

Hundreds Rally Against Violence in Macon

Hundreds of Asian-American business owners rallied outside Macon City Hall today to protest the murder of three men at Central Georgia gas stations and convenience stores in recent months.

Joe Wilson shouts to Obama during speech: 'You lie'

A Republican House member shouted "You lie" during President Obama's health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling.

Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie" after President Obama denied health reform would cover illegal immigrants.

After the speech, South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson issued a statement apologizing for his outburst.

"This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," the statement said. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility."

Wilson also called the White House to apologize and spoke with Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who accepted the apology on the president's behalf, according to a senior administration official.

"We can disagree without being disagreeable," Emanuel said to Wilson, according to the official. "That was the point of the president's speech."

Check it out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR_Ol3VA37o&feature=related

President Obama's Education Speech Released Early

The White House posted President Barack Obama's remarks on education, scheduled for Tuesday, in advance.

President Obama plans to tell the nation's schoolchildren that they are ultimately most responsible for their education.

President Obama's planned talk has been controversial, with several conservative organizations and individuals accusing him of trying to dig too directly into local education.

But White House officials, including Education Secretary Arne Duncan, have said the charges are silly.

In the remarks set for Tuesday, Obama tells young people that all the work of parents, educators and others won't matter "unless you show up for those schools, pay attention to those teachers."

To read the speech click on this link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/

Planned Obama Speech to Students Sparks Protest

Some schools won't show President Obama's online speech to the nation's students Tuesday because of the objections of administrators and parents. A spokesperson for the Houston school system says, parents who do not want their child to listen President Obama's speech next Tuesday can opt out. President Obama plans to address elementary, middle, and high school students through an on-line speech. Then President George W. Bush made a similar address and there was no controversy over whether or not we should let our children listen to his address. Please stop already.

Macon State Confirms Swine Flu Case

Macon State College says one of its students is a confirmed case of swine flu.

The college says the student was hospitalized last week, and tests confirmed the H1N1 flu. The student has been discharged from the hospital but has not yet returned to class, according to a news release.

The college says its Flu Management Team notified the campus by email and urged student, faculty and staff review its flu policies and procedures.

Gates: U.S. Faces Difficult Mission in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates says any request for additional U.S. troops or funds for the war in Afghanistan would only come after officials study a new assessment of the conditions there by Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Gates said he doesn't believe "the war is slipping through the administration's fingers," and said that public suspicions about the mission are understandable given eight years of war.

Gates said he believes "it's important for us to be able to show over the months to come" that President Barack Obama's new strategy for both Afghanistan and Pakistan is succeeding. Obama had said the goal is to defeat and dismantle the al-Qaida terrorist network and its allies.

Four Running for Parham's Statehouse Seat

Four people want to replace Bobby Parham as Milledgeville's next state representative.

Bobby Parham

The Georgia Secretary of State's office says the four qualified this week for the House District 141 seat.

They are all from Milledgeville:

• Darrell Black, a Democrat.
• Angela Gheesling-McCommon, a Republican.
• E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd of Milledgeville, an independent
• Casey Tucker, a Democrat

Qualifying closed Wednesday.

Parham held the seat for 34 years but resigned this spring to take a seat on the state transportation board.

The special election will be held Nov. 3, and candidates will run in a single field. There will be no primary.

The district covers all of Baldwin County and part of Putnam County.

Hart: BB&T Site Best For Court

The BB&T building in downtown Macon now looks like the best choice for a new Bibb County courthouse site, the county commission chairman says.

Bibb County Commission Chairman Sam Hart said he now considers the BB&T building the top choice.

BB&T is on Second Street, next to the existing county courthouse.

Hart says no final decisions have been made, but said his second choice would be the Macon Telegraph building on Broadway.

Other possibilities include renovating the existing courthouse or building a new courthouse on Oglethorpe Street near the county jail.

Bibb County's judges say the current century-old courthouse at Second and Mulberry streets is inadequate and presents safety and security problems.

County officials say, if they pick a new court site, they'll consolidate other county offices into what is now the court building. That building is now undergoing a million-dollar renovation, work that county officials say is necessary whether or not the court remains there.

Obama Moves to Retake Health Care Debate

President Obama's decision to speak to Congress and the nation on health care next week raises the stakes after a month of contentious town-hall meetings and falling public support.

The address Wednesday to a joint session of Congress comes as advocates and opponents of Obama's top objective say he must take charge if he wants to succeed where Bill Clinton failed in 1994.

Only twice in the past 16 years has a president addressed Congress on a single topic, Senate records show: Clinton in 1993 on his health care plan and George W. Bush after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

"This obviously is a make or break moment," said Robert Reischauer, president of the non-partisan Urban Institute. "It's time for him to stand up and say, 'There are no easy answers, and these are the choices I want you to make.' "

Republicans said the choice must be to "hit the reset button," in the words of House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, after polls in August showed a drop in support for both the president and his plan.

"I don't think the problem is messaging. The problem is with what he's trying to sell," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "There's a serious blowback and negative reaction."

Obama's decision to address Congress doesn't mean he's scaling back his effort to help the 46 million people without health insurance or to protect others from rising costs, said experts tied to the Clinton and Obama efforts.

"Yes, he's resetting the messaging," former Clinton adviser Chris Jennings said. "But it is not a moment of crisis. It is a moment of recalibration."

As he enters what senior adviser David Axelrod calls the "eighth or ninth inning" of the debate, Obama is caught between liberals who want to revamp the insurance market with a government-funded "public option" and moderates who favor an incremental approach.

Both efforts have stumbled. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the public option wasn't essential. Six senators seeking a compromise ran into trouble after one, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, urged his donors to defeat "Obama-care."

August ended with the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., a consummate dealmaker whose brain cancer limited his role on what he called "the political cause of my life."

Said moderate Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb.: "It probably is time for the White House to give direction."

Marshall returns from Afghanistan, calls current situation a ‘real challenge’

Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga., returns from a six-member congressional delegation to Afghanistan today.

Marshall met with soldiers from the Georgia National Guard deployed to the country, as well as Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. In a phone interview Tuesday from Nairobi, Kenya, Marshall sounded less than encouraged by what he saw.

“It’s a real challenge,” he said. “It’s clear that the Taliban’s level of sophistication and effectiveness has been nothing but increasing in the past several years.”

Marshall did lend support to the current U.S.-led strategy in the country and insisted that any reductions in violence would have to include cooperation with Afghan police, military and local tribal leaders. “The key to success lies with the population,” he said. “If history is any measure, it’s going to be very difficult to rally the diverse tribes, warlords, et cetera, to one process.”

He parried war critics — including Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and conservative commentator George Will — who have advocated a drawdown of American troops in the country.

In his Washington Post column Tuesday, Will called for troops in the country to be moved “offshore” and to instead fight the war with unmanned drones, cruise missiles and small Special Forces teams.

Feingold, in a recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, called for ending the nation building mission in favor of a “more focused military mission that includes targeted strikes on Taliban and al-Qaida leaders.”

He added that “the operatives we sought (after Sept. 11, 2001) have largely been captured or killed or crossed the border into Pakistan.”

Marshall said that such suggestions were “premature” and that “anybody who argues that the whole point of our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq was to (capture or kill) the culprits of 9/11 ... is out to lunch.” Marshall, a decorated Vietnam veteran, warned that American casualties in Afghanistan are unlikely to abate anytime soon.

“Afghanistan is a much more challenging environment than Iraq,” he said. “I’m afraid that we’re going to go through a really tough period.”

This was the latest of about a dozen visits Marshall has made to Afghanistan — he could not recall exactly how many congressional visits he has made to the country.

Marshall’s return flight home stopped in Kenya so the delegation could meet with officials from the U.S. Africa Command.

He was joined on the delegation by Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J., Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., Rep. Tim Waltz, D-Minn., and Rep. David Wu, D-Ore.

Two Macon post offices considered for closure.

Two Macon post offices — the one at Macon Mall and the one on Riverside Drive — are among 413 being considered for closure nationwide, according to the U.S. Postal Service.

Americans think nation still mired in recession

Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say the country's still in a recession, according to a new national poll.