Witnesses are taking the stand in a five-year-old murder case in a Columbia County courtroom. Mack Smith was stabbed to death in 2001. 2 men, Barry Tabor and Corey Coggins, are standing trial for his murder.

The government expects the bird flu to arrive in the US this year. The virus can infect people who come in close contact with infected birds. It has killed nearly 100 people worldwide.

Natural gas prices for some low-income people in Georgia will soon go down. Today the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a plan to help some with their heating bills.

Tuesday morning's wet weather may have played a part in a wreck in Aiken County. A big truck and a car collided on Highway 278 near Beech Island.

For the second time in less than a week, a Columbia County deputy has been arrested, this time for a traffic accident. Reports say early Tuesday morning Douglas Arthur Buono was in a traffic accident on Washington Road.

Richmond County investigators are looking for three armed robbers. Dispatchers say they entered the Waffle King restaurant off Walton Way around 11:30 Monday night.

District Attorney Danny Craig began interviewing witnesses in the murder trial for Mack Smith, the husband of Ashley Smith. Cory Coggins and Barry Tabor, Jr. are accused of killing Smith during an argument at an apartment complex.

It's been open for less than a day, and drivers are already taking risks on the Olive Road underpass. This after a fatal accident closed the road for several weeks, fueling speculation it might never reopen.

A drug company is boosting production of a popular growth hormone, and they'll be working entirely at a plant in Augusta. Thanks to federal approval, Monsanto Company will increase production of Posilac, a drug that makes dairy cows produce more milk.

A bill allowing public high schools to offer classes on the Bible sped through the Georgia House today, passing overwhelmingly with no debate. The legislation would allow high schools to form elective courses on the history and literature of the Old Testament and New Testament.

Today marks three years since the war in Iraq began. A war that's seen thousands of soldiers from Fort Gordon. News 12's Kristen Cosby joins us with story of the man who led Fort Gordon's soldiers into Iraq on the first day of the war.

Less than seven weeks after this accident claims a life, Augusta authorities reopen the Olive Road underpass. Is it an invitation to another tragedy?

It's been an eventful 100 days in office for Augusta's new mayor...complete with a trip to court to have his powers re-defined. News 12's Jonathan Martin sat down with Mayor Deke Copenhaver to find out what he's accomplished and what he plans to do next.

Still no buyer for St. Joseph Hospital. News 12's Meredith Taylor is on your side with the latest on what the hospital is doing to make a sale.

Richmond County school superintendent Dr. Charles Larke's contract is a hot topic these days. The school board meets with Dr. Charles Larke behind closed doors Tuesday night.

After a long year in Iraq, the first 100 members of the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade came home early today -- an advance party making way for thousands soon to follow.

There may be a change ahead for Georgia's divorce law. Today the House is looking at a bill that includes a 120-day waiting period for parents with minor children who want a divorce.

It's a contract worth a quarter million dollars a year...and Richmond County taxpayers are footing the bill. School board member A.K. Hasan has been questioning Charles Larke's contract for weeks.

One man is dead after a motorcycle accident on Pine Log Road in Aiken. A stretch of Pine Log Road was shut down Sunday night as investigators tried to determine how the accident happened.

Five people went to the hospital after a wreck on I-20 in Aiken County. Witnesses at mile marker 33 say a car ran off the road and into the trees. Five people were in the car, and two children were reportedly ejected from it during the crash.

Three people are dead and four others wounded after a weekend shooting in Cumming, Forsyth County, Georgia. Two people are now under arrest, and police say it was an ambush.

16-year-old Josh Bardy has a new found respect for the boys in blue, as an officer comes to his rescue in the nick of time. "If the police hadn't come, I don't know," Josh says. That's because on Friday he says a group of teenagers threatened to beat him up.

Fighting Friday among members of the Downtown Development Authority. At the meeting Friday morning there were allegations of ethics violations and underhanded dealings. News 12 was the only television station there.

A school board member in Columbia County has serious concerns with the proposed new calendar. The board sent out surveys to parents to vote on a new start date; August 15th was chosen. Board member Mike Sleeper says that date could lead to teachers cutting class.

It was one of the deadliest wrecks in years in Augusta. In January, four people died in a wreck on Bobby Jones Expressway blamed on racing.