The Birmingham News

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Alabama's Jefferson County wants creditors to wipe $1.3 billion from its bond debt as part of a settlement plan, a local newspaper said in a report that a senior county official said on Monday was broadly accurate.

Storms spawning deadly tornados flattened buildings, overturned vehicles and knocked out power lines as they tore through central and southern United States, raising the death toll from severe weather to at least 44 people.

Ala. federal judge prepares to handle thousands of lawsuits involving Chantix. A federal judge in Birmingham is overseeing at least 1,200 lawsuits involving pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its stop-smoking drug Chantix.

Birmingham, Ala. federal judge overseeing pretrial activity in anti-smoking drug lawsuits. A federal judge in Birmingham is overseeing about 1,200 lawsuits involving pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its stop-smoking drug Chantix, many of them with smokers and their families claiming the drug left them with a variety of psychological problems, including anxiety, aggressiveness and suicidal thoughts.

'Beetlejuice' actor Glenn Shadix, 58, dies at home in Alabama; best known for role as Otho. Glenn Shadix, best remembered for his portrayal of a portly, pretentious designer in the metaphysical comedy "Beetlejuice," died Tuesday at his home in Birmingham. He was 58.

Ex-USDA official Shirley Sherrod says she plans to meet with Ag Secretary Vilsack on Tuesday. Former USDA official Shirley Sherrod says she is meeting with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday to discuss a new job offer.

Person familiar with situation: Pro basketball hopeful Mikhail Torrance hospitalized. Former Alabama standout point guard Mikhail Torrance collapsed after a workout in Bradenton, Fla. on Friday and is hospitalized in critical condition, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

Terrell Owens, cousin, named in $12,000 Ala. lawsuit over lease dispute for their martini bar. An Alabama business has filed a lawsuit against NFL receiver Terrell Owens and his cousin, claiming the two didn't pay expenses from a lease termination agreement for their martini bar.

Ala. geometry teacher investigated after using Obama assassination example to teach angles. A Jefferson County geometry teacher was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday after being accused of using a hypothetical assassination plot on President Barack Obama as a way to teach geometric angles.

Alabama teacher investigated for using example of presidential assassination in geometry class. The Secret Service questioned an Alabama teacher after school officials said he used an hypothetical example of shooting at the president to teach geometric angles.

Veteran editor David Meeks named as assistant managing editor of Associated Press. David Meeks, a veteran investigative and sports editor who led award-winning newspaper coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, has been named an assistant managing editor for The Associated Press.

8 music acts suing former City Stages exec, say they weren't paid for Ala. festival. Eight music acts are suing the former president of Birmingham's City Stages festival for payment for performances during the 2009 event.

Tax returns show convicted ex-Birmingham mayor won 555 jackpots, $1.5M in electronic gambling. Former Mayor Larry Langford, who was ousted after being convicted of bribery, won 555 electronic bingo jackpots over three years at a casino run by a longtime friend and supporter, according to newly disclosed tax records.

Ala. jury awards ex-stripper $100,000 after wrecking after on-the-job drinking. A Jefferson County jury has awarded a former stripper $100,000 in a lawsuit in which she claimed the club that employed her failed to stop her from driving home after her on-the-job drinking. Patsy Hamaker of Bessemer was injured in a wreck after leaving work at The Furnace on Oct. 17, 2007. She said she can no longer dance because of her injuries.

Ala. man angry over turned-off pump allegedly drives SUV through gas station window. A man was charged with attempted murder after authorities said he drove his truck through the window of a service station. Jefferson County Chief Deputy Randy Christian said a 49-year-old man pulled into a BP station on Alabama 75 in Pinson Sunday morning and got into a dispute with the clerk because the pump was turned off. Christian said the station has a pay-first policy.

Governor's task force asks Alabama Supreme Court to allow raid of new $87M bingo casino. Gov. Bob Riley's antigambling task force asked the Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday to clear the way for a state raid of the new bingo casino near Dothan before Sunday.

Jim Walter Energy settles coal dispute with Turkish steel company. Jim Walter Energy says it has settled its dispute with a Turkish steel mill over an unpaid $89 million bill.

State examiners find no problems with Alabama lawmakers' spending from nonprofit groups. State examiners have found that two nonprofit organizations that went unaudited for three years after being created by state legislators have not spent most of the $800,000 they have received in Alabama tax revenue.

Wichita Eagle publisher is named to top post with The Birmingham News. Pam Siddall, an Alabama native who is publisher of The Wichita Eagle in Kansas, has been named publisher of The Birmingham News.

One of the world's oldest giraffes dies at the Birmingham, Ala., zoo at age 24. The Birmingham Zoo says one of the oldest giraffes in the world has died at age 24.