First US county-level obesity rates show Alabama, Mississippi communities at top, CDC says. The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia. High rates of obesity and diabetes were reported in more than 80 percent of counties in the Appalachian region that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to the new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Key player of 1990s anti-government movement resurfaces, as citizen militias rise again. Norm Olson's genial tone belies his reputation as a radical militiaman, yet here he is, at 63, an affable grandfather explaining why Americans should arm themselves against their government.

Alabama unemployment rate rises to 10.9 percent in October, highest in more than 25 years. Just two years after hitting a record low, the unemployment rate in Alabama climbed to 10.9 percent in October, the highest it has been in more than 25 years, state officials announced Friday.

Alabama Supreme Court rules woman can't claim $41.8 million jackpot from bingo machine. The Alabama Supreme Court says a woman who thought she had hit a jackpot worth almost $42 million at the Victoryland electronic bingo center will end up empty handed. The court ruled Friday that an electronic bingo machine that showed Sherry Knowles had won $41.8 million obviously malfunctioned and that she was actually due no more than $2 from the operation in Macon County.

Product Recalls: cantaloupes, Shedd's Country Crock chilled side-dish products. The following recalls have been announced:

Census: Small US cities have better quality of life but economic picture is steadily worsening. America's small cities are losing some of their traditional appeal to upwardly mobile families seeking wholesome neighborhoods, a stable economy and affordable living.

Census: Small US cities have better quality of life but economic picture is steadily worsening. America's small cities are losing some of their traditional appeal to upwardly mobile families seeking wholesome neighborhoods, a stable economy and affordable living.

Travel briefs. Survey: 45 percent of Americans will travel Thanksgiving-March

Census: Small US cities have better quality of life but economic picture is steadily worsening. America's small cities are losing some of their traditional appeal to upwardly mobile families seeking wholesome neighborhoods, a stable economy and affordable living.

Internet phone service Vonage to pay $3M and issue refunds to end investigation by 32 states. Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. has agreed to pay $3 million to 32 states to settle an investigation into some of its business practices.

NEWTON - When pastor Brandon T. Crowley talked politics during Sunday services after the local elections earlier this month at Myrtle Baptist Church, the congregation erupted in shouts of ``hallelujah'' and exultant clapping as members of this predominantly African-American congregation considered their unusual political lineup: a newly elected black mayor, a black governor, and a black president. ``I'm sure everyone had thought about that,'' Crowley said. ``I was simply stating the obvious, that this is a time of celebration . . . that we were able as a country, as a state, as a city to triumph over the bitter bite of racism in this particular instance.'' When Newton voters elected Setti Warren as their mayor Nov. 3, making him the city's first African-American mayor, they also created a cast of elected politicians that is unique in the United States. Newton voters are alone nationwide in choosing an African-American for their mayor, governor, and president. In some corners of this we

Kia Motors, South Korea's second-largest automaker, said Tuesday it had begun production at its first plant in the United States.

Ex-HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy's estimated $4M estate in Ala. to be auctioned. A $4 million estate in central Alabama that belonged to former HealthSouth chief executive Richard Scrushy is going to be auctioned next month.

Alabama ag department converts 11 vehicles to propane as part of 3-year study. The state Agriculture Department has converted 11 vehicles to propane and will conduct a three-year study to compare them to other department vehicles that use gasoline.

Better watch out, better not cough: Santas lobby for swine flu vaccine. Forget cookies and milk. Santa wants the swine flu vaccine.

Forget cookies and milk. Santa wants the swine flu vaccine.

Better watch out, better not cough: Santas lobby for swine flu vaccine. Forget cookies and milk. Santa wants the swine flu vaccine.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - Alabama should use a sales tax for schools in troubled Jefferson County to start paying off the county's massive debt, local business leaders said on Tuesday.

Mitchell scores 23 points to lead Alabama past Jackson State 86-69. Freshman Tony Mitchell scored 23 points to lead four Alabama players in double figures as the Crimson Tide gave first-year coach Anthony Grant his first victory, 86-69 over Jackson State on Tuesday night.