A federal agency is asking questions about the fairness of new political maps drawn for Bibb County commissioners in middle Georgia.
The Telegraph of Macon reports the U.S. Justice Department wants Georgia lawmakers to describe every conversation that led to creation of the map, as well as why they discarded alternatives presented by commissioners and others.
The county's attorney, Virgil Adams, says the Justice Department seems focused on one commission district in which the proportion of black voters would fall from nearly 50 percent to 40 percent.
Georgia and other Southern must federal approval for their political maps to ensure black voters get fair representation. Even if approved, the new Bibb County map would not take effect until after the 2012 elections.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:00 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:00:05 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:57 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:57:46 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:48 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:48:00 GMT
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma.
Local families are taking a serious look at storm shelters in the aftermath of Monday's deadly tornado in Oklahoma. Those shelters could mean the difference between life and death when faced with one of these powerful storms.