Free Republic

MACON, Georgia: Macon Mayor Jack Ellis has converted to Islam and is now working to legally change his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis. Ellis, who was raised Christian, said Thursday that he became a Sunni Muslim during a December ceremony in the west African nation of Senegal. "You do it because it feels right," said Ellis. "To me it's no big deal. But people like to know what you believe in. And this is what I believe in." Ellis said he has been studying the Quran for years and that his new religion was originally practiced by his ancestors before...

MACON, Ga. - A 27-year-old woman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for leaving her newborn daughter in a Wal-Mart restroom last year. Amy Shorter covered her face after the verdict was read Wednesday, and several relatives cried as they left the courtroom. They declined to comment. The jury found Shorter guilty of felony murder for causing the baby's death while committing first-degree cruelty to children. Defense attorney Elizabeth Lane had argued that Shorter did not intend to kill her child. Lane said Shorter didn't know she was pregnant and panicked after giving birth in the...

WESTWOOD ONE LAUNCHES THE MONICA CROWLEY SHOW --New Program to Air Saturdays, Noon - 3 p.m. ET-- Beginning Saturday, April 1, 2006 New York, NY Monday, Mar 20, 2006 - Westwood One (NYSE: WON) is proud to announce the national launch of The Monica Crowley Show, the three-hour talk program hosted by author and news personality Monica Crowley. The show begins Saturday, April 1, 2006, and will air from noon to 3 p.m. ET. The Monica Crowley Show will debut on major market stations across the country including: WABC-AM New York, WTKK-FM Boston and WTNT-AM Washington DC. The show will...

DAILY POLL Should the General Assembly approve a bill to ban any school club that ''promotes sexual activity by unmarried minor students''? Yes No Not sure

MACON, Miss., Dec. 28, 2005 — In overwhelmingly black and Democratic Noxubee County, Miss., everybody knows local Democratic Party chairman Ike Brown. Officials at the U.S. Justice Department know Brown too; they're suing him. Using the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the government has alleged that Brown and local elections officials discriminated against whites. It is the first time the Justice Department has ever claimed that whites suffered discrimination in voting because of race. "When I read the letter, it was junk, you know, bogus," Brown told ABC News. The Justice Department says Brown and local elections officials disenfranchised whites —...

The soldiers serve in every capacity within the 48th Brigade Combat Team, from infantry to military police, medics, truck drivers, personnel clerks, radio operators and other military occupational specialties. Since January, more than 50 cadets and alumni from Georgia Military College, in Milledgeville, Ga., have put their lives on hold to serve with the 48th Brigade Combat Team currently operating in and around Iraq. For many of these young soldiers, men and women from Canton to Savannah, and all points in between, this experience has already given them a lifetime of memories. “I wish the cadets in Milledgeville can experience...

When members of the 48th Infantry Brigade pulled out of town this week, they left behind not only their families, but their employers. That's about 1,900 jobs in the state that could be vacant, many of them in Middle Georgia. And most, officials say, are in the field of law enforcement. The brigade's activation likely will be expanded next month to bring the potential deployment to about 4,200 members. In Macon, as many as 25 members of the Macon Police Department could be activated by the end of January, Police Chief Rodney Monroe said. Monroe said he "wholeheartedly" supports his...

Former hostage talks about capture, escape Tuesday, 10PM ET Hamill talks about the day he was captured by terrorists in Iraq and how he was able to survive three weeks of captivity.

Americans awoke over the weekend to the good news that Thomas Hamill had escaped his Iraqi captors. Hamill had been captured by Iraqi gunmen on April 9 and held hostage until his escape three weeks later. His captors demanded the U.S. withdraw from Fallujah or he would be killed. Hamill was captured in Baghdad, but was being held in Tikrit, about a hundred miles away. Hamill reportedly heard a US convoy passing by and made a successful break for freedom. Hamill immediately returned to his makeshift prison – with U.S. troops in tow – and took part in the capture...

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. Macon business leaders say the possible loss of 2,100 jobs from the Brown & Williamson closure could create a ripple effect that touches many industries. Though some said they'd heard rumors of a merger or possible closure for months, most described the news that the Macon plant could close as devastating. "We're in shock right now. Macon's got to attract more businesses. We've got to grow like other areas are growing," said Terry Tiller, general sales manager at Riverside Ford. Tiller said Macon's leaders need to focus on issues such as...

BREAKING NEWS: Merger Could Close Brown and Williamson 10/27/2003 7:02:47 PM Just an hour ago... British America Tobacco, the parent company of Brown and Williamson announced it is merging with R-J Reynolds tobacco. A spokesperson for the company says the Macon plant will close if the merger is approved. 21-hundred people work at Brown and Williamson's Macon plant. B&W spokesperson Fred McConnell says if all goes according to plan, the plant will close within 20 months. A statement from B&W says the company is combining with R-J Reynolds to form a new company... Reynolds American incorporated. Teaming up is expected...