DC Comics killing off Robin -- again

The cover of 'Batman Incorporated' #8 (DC Comics)

(WXIA) -- DC Comics pulls the rug out from under Batman fans this week as the newest Robin, Bruce Wayne's son Damien will die in the newest issue of Batman Incorporated, on shelves Wednesday.

The New York Post confirmed in an article Monday that Damien would die in Batman Incorporated #8.

Introduced in the comics in 2006, Damien is the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. The 10-year-old Damien was trained by the League of Assassins and later left in the care of his father by his mother. Over the course of his training, his violent, self-absorbed nature came out, which has been the center of the relationship between father and son.

RELATED | DC delays Batman title in light of theater shooting

The character has quickly become a fan favorite, unlike the second Robin, Jason Todd, whose character was killed off after a fan vote in the 1988.

Comic author Grant Morrison told the Post that Damien dies "an absolute hero," after saving the world.

Rumors have been circulating about Damien's demise for several weeks, after the cover to Batman Incorporated #8 showed up on the internet. The cover features a cover similar to the cover of Batman #676, the first story which featured Damien -- Batman, R.I.P. -- showing the Robin emblem as part of the letters R.I.P.

Morrison told the Post there are elements of divorce and families falling apart. "It's all about the family and the family going to hell," he said.

Damien's grandfather, Batman villain Ra's al Ghul kept a "Lazarus Pit" which provided him with resurrection after seemingly facing death time and time again. When asked if Damien would stay dead or if a new youngster would take his place, Morrison noted the notion of never saying never in a comic book.

"Batman will ultimately always have partner," Morrison said in the Post article.

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Will DeKalb School Board continue to fight removal?

ATLANTA - Governor Nathan Deal is planning to announce Monday whether he'll remove 6 of the  9 members of the DeKalb County School Board, but a federal court order now has to be addressed.

11Alive News has confirmed a federal judge signed an order that in essence prevents any board member from losing their job until they have their say in federal court.  That is expected to happen Friday.

So, if Governor Deal ousts any of the members they will keep their jobs for the week, but not be making any decisions.  At the same time, the governor will not be allowed to start the process of replacing them.

The bigger question is whether those members will continue to try and stop him.

They tried unsuccessfully to stop a marathon 14-hour State Board of Education hearing Thursday that ended with the state board voting unanimously to recommend the removals based on misconduct and mismanagement.

Evidence against them included being put on academic probation last December, poor bookkeeping practices and what their accrediting agency called a decade of decline.

They also have a court hearing set for next Thursday challenging the constitutionality of the 2011 law that created the removal process.

As he toured new construction at Chamblee Charter High School on Friday, Interim School Superintendent Michael Thurmond said he is more concerned with where the school system goes from here.

"What we're ready to do is to pivot and focus back on improving our academic performance and helping and supporting our teachers on reaching out and communicating with parents," Thurmond told 11 Alive News.

Shawn Keefe is one of many DeKalb County parents who want a new board.

He hopes the focus will finally shift from political bickering to the 99,000 students in Georgia's third largest school system.

"I'm hoping that the recommendation paves the way for us to start anew and, hopefully, improve the situation in the county," he told 11 Alive.

Many are also hoping that the school board will not continue its fight to save their seats and have the removal law thrown out.

"If they feel they need to sue, do it on your own dime," parent Robin Malinovsky told 11 Alive.

"Don't make me pay for it and I don't know if I'd want to sue for a job that nobody wanted me to have anyway," she added.

Newly elected School Board Chairman Melvin Johnson is one of 3 members not included in the removal recommendation since they just took office.

He would not predict if the full board would continue their legal battle to remain intact.

Johnson said part of their reaction will depend on what the Governor decides next week.

"We're operating right now as a board, so whatever the decisions are, that's why we have to take on item at a time in terms of what we will do," he said.

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Poll: Georgians want governor to launch dirty cop investigation

Chase Valentine, 44, DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

ATLANTA -- Four officers caught up in a year-long undercover operation are scheduled to appear in federal court Monday.

Forrest Park officers Victor Middlebrook and Andrew Monroe along with DeKalb police officer Dennis Duren and Chase Valentine from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department are all accused of being hired to protect drug dealers.

PHOTOS | Cops accused of protecting drug dealers

Ten officers in all were indicted. Investigators say the officers agreed to stand guard as a backpack with cocaine, marijuana, or cash was exchanged.

11Alive commissioned a scientific poll with research group Survey USA. We asked, "Should the governor launch a special hearing into corruption within metro Atlanta police departments or not?"

POLL | Should Governor launch investigation into corruption? See Full Results

Results showed 84% of those polled said the governor should launch an investigation, while seven percent said no. Eight percent said they weren't sure.

11Alive News asked Governor Nathan Deal if he planned to step in. He said, in cases like this, the state usually offers support through GBI assistance.

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Autism day at the Georgia Capitol

ATLANTA -- Join Autism Speaks for Autism day at the Georgia State Capitol.

The event is today.  Arrive any time before 11:00 a.m.  Stop by room #216 and the group will provide materials for you to use while visiting legislators. 

RELATED | Contact your lawmakers about HB 309, requiring insurance plans to cover autism.

Bring a photo of your child the group can use on an exhibit and wear RED and your puzzle piece pins/bracelets.

Contact Georgia's Autism Speaks here.

For all our special reports on The Autism Gap: The Fight for Insurance click here.

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Children's hearing aid bill hits unusual roadblock

ATLANTA -- Parent advocates are facing an unusual roadblock as they push for a bill that would make children's hearing aids more affordable for Georgia families.

House Bill 74 would require private insurance companies in Georgia to pay for the cost of children's hearing aids, which can run up to $6,000 every three to five years.

The bill is sponsored by the House Majority Whip, Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), and it has support from both parties. It also received a favorable response during a House Insurance Committee hearing.

"The hearing was two weeks ago, and it was very successful," said parent advocate Sara Kogon. "And now we're in a holding pattern until the Governor's office appoints a mandate study committee."

A different bill that was signed into law almost two years ago requires any new mandated health insurance benefit to be reviewed by a Special Advisory Commission, appointed by the Governor.

That Commission is still being formed.

"We've had people we have asked to serve on that commission who have turned us down, so we're continuing to find the individuals to meet the slots required under that legislation," Gov. Nathan Deal told 11Alive News. "We have been working to try to get the membership on there. We have enough in place where they can have a quorum for a meeting."

After almost two years, the commission's first meeting is set for Mar. 12. It will have at least six months to issue a report and recommendation on any new bills.

The delay could push back any real debate on the children's hearing aids bill until next year.

"We're looking at a small universe of children, but this can make an enormous impact in their lives," said parent advocate Kelly Jenkins. 

"I think once the awareness is there, we're gonna move forward," Kogon added. 

Medicaid and PeachCare cover the cost, but most private insurance companies don't cover them.

RELATED | Deaf boy inspired by 11Alive Random Acts of Kindness recipient

Advocates argue the bill would help children whose families make too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford hearing aids.

"It's a very lonely place to be when you know exactly what your child needs to succeed, and you can't provide it to them," Kogon said.

Kogan and Jenkins formed a parents' advocacy group called "Let Georgia Hear" after they saw what a difference hearing aids made for their children with hearing loss. 

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Overturned car blocking 2 lanes at Spaghetti Junction

(Georgia Department of Transportation)

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- An accident involving a car and a tractor trailer is tying up traffic at Spaghetti Junction Monday morning.

The wreck happened on southbound Interstate 85 just south of I-285.

Although details were not immediately available, Georgia Department of Transportation officials do know the car and tractor trailer collided, and the car overturned.

Two right lanes of I-85 are blocked as crews investigate the scene. Officials say they expect the road to reopen at noon.

For the latest traffic conditions in metro Atlanta, visit 11Alive.com/Traffic.

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Missing Pulaski Co. girl believed headed for Atlanta

Madison Elizabeth Conner (WMAZ)

MACON, GA (WMAZ) -- Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff's office need help finding 15-year-old Madison Elizabeth Conner. She was last seen Friday night.

She is described as standing 5' 8" and weighing 145 lbs. with red hair and hazel eyes. She is fair-complected and wears braces.

Police believe she ran away and is headed to Atlanta.

They ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office at 478-783-1521.

(WMAZ Macon)

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KSU student struck by hit-and-run driver in Athens

ATHENS, Ga. -- Police are trying to track down the driver who hit a 19-year-old Kennesaw State University student and then left the scene.

The accident happened early Saturday morning in Athens.

Athens police say Emily Bowman of Woodstock is in critical condition.

Police say they found the vehicle that hit her. They've also identified the driver who hit her, but he hasn't been arrested yet.

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BMW recalls more than 500,000 cars

A detail of the wheel of the BMW Z4 M Coupe as it makes its world premiere during the 76th Geneva International Motor Show on February 28, 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE) -- BMW is recalling 504,545 vehicles in the U.S., including recent model year 3 Series sedans, as well as its 1 Series coupe and the Z4 sports car, due to a battery cable problem that can cause the cars to stall unexpectedly.

The recall includes 3 Series sedans, wagons, convertibles and coupes from the 2007 through 2011 model years, 1 Series coupes and convertibles from the 2008 through 2012 model years, and the Z4 from 2009 through 2011.

The Los Angeles Times reports that BMW has documented a crash in Canada caused by the problem, but doesn't know of any accidents or injuries in the U.S.

The newspaper reports that in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW said it believes less than 1 percent of the recalled vehicles are affected by the problem.

(Atlanta Business Chronicle)

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1 hurt in fight at Mexican restaurant

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- A fight at a College Park restaurant overnight sent one person to the hospital.

Police were dispatched to El Ranchero on Old National Highway at around 2:20 a.m. Monday.

The call was originally reported as a shooting, but College Park police later said the victim was not shot.

There was no immediate word on what sparked the fight or whether anyone will face charges.

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Mindy McCready dies at 37

Singer Mindy McCready (File photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. -- Mindy McCready, who hit the top of the country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career, has died. She was 37.

The Cleburne County, Ark., Sheriff's Office says that McCready was found dead Sunday afternoon with what appears to be a single, self-inflicted wound.

PHOTOS | Notable deaths in 2013

Deputies were sent to a home around 4 p.m. and found her body on the front porch. An autopsy is pending.

Coroner Waren Olmstead says he doesn't have further information on who is taking care of her two young sons.

McReady arrived in Nashville in 1994 with tapes of her karaoke vocals and earned a recording contract with BNA Records.

In 1996, her "Guys Do It All the Time" hit No. 1 and its dig at male chauvinism endeared her to females. Her other hits included "Ten Thousand Angels," also in 1996, and her album by that title sold 2 million copies.

(Associated Press)

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Mom speaks about passenger charged with slapping son

ATLANTA -- A Minneapolis woman is telling her side of the story after an Idaho businessman is charged with assaulting her crying toddler on an airplane. Jessica Bennett said her 19-month-old son, Jonah, started crying because of the altitude change. 

"That's when the man next to me said something I couldn't believe," said Bennett.

A Federal Criminal Complaint obtained by 11Alive News it stated "According to Ms. Bennett, a male passenger seated next to her in row 28, seat A, later identified as Joe Rickey Hundley, told her to shut that (racial slur) baby up. Ms. Bennett stated that Joe Rickey Hundley then turned around and slapped (her son) in the face with an open hand."

RELATED | Man charged with slapping toddler loses job

Bennett claimed Hundley's slap caused a scratch below her son's right eye.

"I couldn't believe he would say something like that to a baby or about a baby," Bennett said.  "And then to hit him? I felt like I was in another world, I was shaking."

Hundley is the President of an aircraft parts manufacturer in Idaho.  He denied striking the child or using a racial slur. He has since been suspended from his job.

11Alive News has learned that in 2007 Hundley pleaded guilty to assault after a fight with his girlfriend.

It appears there were several witnesses that saw the incident on the plane.

According to the complaint Bennett received assistance from a number of people, including passenger Todd Wooten. "Mr. Wooten was seated in row 16, seat C, and heard derogatory language coming from the rear of the aircraft," the complaint said. "According to Mr. Wooten, he saw Joe Rickey Hundley strike (the boy)."

Bennett is convinced Hundley was intoxicated when he boarded the plane, adding that he "reeked of alcohol".

Hundley's Decatur Attorney said she is sure both parties are very nice people. "We want the case to move along as it's supposed to," said Attorney Marcia Shein. "We hope it will resolve itself."

Unitech, the aerospace and defense company Hundley works for posted a statement on their website:

"We understand that authorities are investigating the recent behavior of one of our business unit executives while on personal travel. The allegations are disturbing and are contradictory to our values."

"We are taking this matter seriously. In accordance with our company's personal conduct policy, we have suspended the employee pending investigation."

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @kgrowson

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Retrial denied for convicted murderers

Christopher James (l) and Herman Lawson (Fulton County Jail)

ATLANTA -- The Supreme Court of Georgia has reversed a ruling that would grant new trials to two men found guilty of kidnapping and murder.

Christopher James and Herman Lawson were convicted in 2008 of murdering Jeremiah Ingram and Fatima Fisher on Aug. 20, 2005.

James and Lawson, who were both sentenced to life in prison, had been granted retrials by a Fulton County judge. That decision was reversed Monday.

According to information presented in court, victim Ingram and an unnamed witness used to sell drugs out of an apartment at the former Clairmont Lodge in DeKalb County. On the night of the crime, Ingram and Fisher, who were a couple, were at the apartment at around 4 a.m. when James, Lawson and two other men returned from a club.

One of the men with the defendants accused Ingram of stealing $600 worth of cocaine that he'd left at the apartment, according to witnesses. Lawson forced Ingram and Fisher into a car at gunpoint and drove them to Gun Club Road on Atlanta's west side.

Lawson shot Ingram in the head when James told him to "just shoot him," court documents said. When Fisher tried to run, Lawson shot her as well, then left the bodies on the side of the road.

James and Lawson were granted motions for a new trial in September 2011, when a judge ruled that the two men were not granted the same critical evidence in their initial trial that was given to a co-defendant who was ultimately acquitted. A fourth defendant pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Monday's Supreme Court ruling says that "James and Lawson did not establish that the missing page could not have been obtained with any reasonable diligence ... That their co-indictee's defense team recognized that a page was missing and obtained it defeats appellees' claim of suppression."

"We conclude the trial court erred and reverse the trial court's order granting new trials to James and Lawson," the Supreme Court opinion says.

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Tonight at 11: The battle over Autism insurance coverage

Autism Facts

-Autism affects 1 in 88 kids.  1 in 54 are boys.

-More kids diagnosed with Autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.

-31 States have Autism included in insurance coverage

-Average claims indicates an avg. premium impact of 32 centers per member per month

-Cost of caring for someone with autism over their lifetime is $3.2M

BEGINNING TONIGHT AT 11P.M. ON 11ALIVE NEWS

An emotional battle is underway at the capitol and it is one that will impact everyone in Georgia, including the estimated 30,000 children with Autism and their families.

The battle is to get insurance companies to cover medical treatments for Autism.

Georgia is one of 19 states that doesn't have coverage.  The military requires coverage, as does the federal government for its employees.

Beginning Monday night at 11 p.m., we will bring you Ava's story. It's a tale of before and after you'll want to see.

Is this something Georgia can afford?  You decide.

House Bill 309 would require state health care plans to provide insurance for children with autism.  State plans include private sector and state employees.

Sign our petition for or against the effort to pass this bill and mandating insurance coverage.

To sign the petition FOR House Bill 309, requiring coverage, click here.

To sign the petition AGAINST House Bill 309, opposing coverage, click here.

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Flash flood watch until 1 p.m. Monday

Areas in green are under a flood watch until 1 p.m. Monday. (National Weather Service)

ATLANTA -- Forecasters are warning of the potential for flash flooding in Georgia as rain continues to fall in many parts of the state.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for parts of north and central Georgia. It is scheduled to run until 1 p.m. Monday.

The flash flood watch includes several Georgia cities, including Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, LaGrange and Macon.

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Pope Benedict XVI to abdicate at end of month

Pope Benedict XVI (USA Today/Getty Images)

ROME -- Pope Benedict XVI will resign on Feb. 28, his spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Monday.

The 85-year-old pope is resigning "because of advanced age," Benedict told the cardinals of the Catholic Church.

"Strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me," the pope told cardinals, according to the Vatican.

PHOTOS | Pope Benedict XVI

The last pope to resign was Gregory XII in 1415. He did so to end a civil war within the church in which more than one man claimed to be pope.

Benedict XVI, the 265th pope, is the sixth German to serve as pope and the first since the 11th century. He became pope in 2005.

He has led the church after the third-longest papacy in church history and during a time in which the church is declining in his native Europe but expanding in Africa and Latin America.

RELATED | Pope Benedict joins Twitter

Benedict's time as pope has been marked with a series of scandals and controversies, including hundreds of new allegations of sexual abuse by priests.

(CNN)

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Downed tree blocking Moores Mill Road, causing outages

ATLANTA -- A fallen tree caused headaches for commuters and outages for residents on Moores Mill Road Monday morning.

The tree is blocking the entire road near West Wesley Road NW. 11Alive traffic anchor Elle Duncan recommends taking Peachtree Battle Road as an alternate.

Georgia Power said the tree knocked the power out for about 450 customers from Moores Mill to Northside Drive. Most of those customers are back online, but Georgia Power said nearly 80 will be without power until around 1:30 p.m.

Another tree fell on Sylvan Road at Burns Drive SW in East Point overnight. The southbound lanes of Sylvan Road are blocked, but the northbound lanes are still open.

For the latest traffic conditions in metro Atlanta, visit 11Alive.com/Traffic.

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At least 3 people killed in Del. courthouse shooting

The scene outside a courthouse in Wilmington, DE, where at least 3 people were shot Monday morning. (WCAU)

WILMINGTON, Del. -- A suspected shooter at the New Castle County Courthouse killed his wife and another woman, and wounded two other people before he was shot and killed Monday morning.

The shooting happened inside the courthouse, located on 500 N. King Street at around 8:25 a.m. WCAU said at least six nearby schools had been placed on lockdown.

According to Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams, the shooter and his wife were estranged. Authorities said the shooter was in late 20s or early 30s.

Capitol police officers shot and killed the gunman, according to State Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Shavick, who spoke to DelawareOnline.com.

Ferris Wharton, a public defender and former chief deputy attorney general, said an employee of his office reported that he saw a woman who appeared to be dead in the lobby. The employee also saw bullet holes in the window by the revolving door of the courthouse that is adjacent to the parking garage. Shell casings littered the ground, according to Wharton.

"I don't know what to say,'' said Wharton, who has worked in the Wilmington courthouses for three decades. "I've never heard of anything like this happening in Delaware. It's a wild situation.''

The two wounded people were transported to Christiana Hospital. Their exact conditions are unavailable. One of the wounded is a security official at the courthouse.

"When I first heard about this, my first thought was that the only way someone could have gotten in there was to avoid the metal detectors, which is very hard to do, or go in firing," defense attorney Brian Chapman told NBC station WCAU. 

Chapman says on a daily basis there are eight to 10 Capitol Police officers on security detail inside the front of the courthouse.

"There are at least four or five rows of metal detectors when you go in, you put your belongings through, then you have to walk through the metal detectors. Then there are usually eight to 10 police with wands checking everyone and after that you still have to walk by a desk where capitol police sit," Chapman said.

(WCAU Philadelphia & DelawareOnline.com contributed to this report.)

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Volunteer today for a cancer-free tomorrow

WXIA -- 11Alive is committed to helping recruit those volunteers in honor of our loved ones and co-workers who have battled the disease and for our children's children to live in a cancer free world.

We're looking for 5,000 volunteers from Atlanta to take part in our generation's cancer prevention study and help researchers better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer.

The study is open to anyone who:
-Is willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves completing periodic follow-up surveys at home
-Is between 30 and 65 years old
-Has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer)

For more information and to sign up to participate click here.

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You get to pick the new Lay's potato chip flavor

Consumers can vote for one of three Lay's flavors to be their next mass-produced flavor. The new flavors will be available in stores beginning Tue., Feb. 12. They can choose from Chicken & Waffles flavor, Sriracha flavor or Cheesy Garlic Bread flavor (Frito-Lay)

NEW YORK (AP) - The next Lay's potato chip will taste like chicken and waffles. Or cheesy garlic bread. Or Sriracha, a hot sauce often used in Thai dishes.

Lay's is letting potato chip lovers decide which one of the three will be its newest flavor. All of them will be sold at retailers nationwide starting this week. After trying them, fans have until May to vote for their favorites. The flavor with the most votes will stay on store shelves.

But if the two other flavors sell well, they may remain in stores, too, said Ann Mukherjee, chief marketing officer at Frito-Lay. "Who knows, we don't know what's going to happen," she said. "Our intent is to keep the one that people vote for."

It's the latest promotional stunt that tries to engage customers through social media and direct interaction, much as Hasbro's Monopoly did with its recent contest that ended with the addition of a cat game token and the demise of the iron.

Lay's Chicken & Waffles, Cheesy Garlic Bread and Sriracha were suggested by three people through the company's "Do Us a Flavor" campaign. A panel of chefs and flavor experts looked though about 3.8 million submissions and selected about 20 flavors to prototype. From there, the judges picked the three finalists. Mukherjee said each dish was cooked in the test kitchen and compared with the flavored chip.

Lay's adds about one new potato chip flavor every year, said Mukherjee. Last year it launched the Lay's Classic BLT, made to taste like the sandwich.

This is the first time in Lay's 75-year history that it has let U.S. consumers choose the company's next flavor. Lay's, which is a unit of PepsiCo Inc.'s Frito-Lay snack business, has held similar contests in other countries.

Frito-Lay first tried such a contest in the United Kingdom for its Walkers brand in 2008. Fans came up with Walkers Chilli & Chocolate and Walkers Cajun Squirrel. Builder's Breakfast, which tasted like a full bacon, sausage and eggs breakfast, won. But the flavor has since been discontinued.

(Copyright © 2013, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Grammys: More than just awards

Gotye and Kimbra accept the award for record of the year, presented by Prince. (Photo: JOE KLAMAR AFP/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES -- Sunday night's 55th annual Grammy Awards kicked off swiftly: Taylor Swift that is.

The popular singer took to the stage dressed as a ringmaster and surrounded by circus/canival types as she sang her hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

RELATED | Grammy's red carpet best

"I'm sorry. I'm busy opening up the Grammys, and we are never getting back together," Swift said, changing her lyrics to fit the evening.

The night was as much about those who took to the stage to entertain as it was about who won trophies.

There were plenty of duets: British artist Ed Sheeran was joined by fellow countryman Sir Elton John for a duet of the former's hit song "The A Team," nominated for song of the year. R&B crooner Miguel who was joined by rapper Wiz Khalifa for a rendition of "Adorn." Miranda Lambert was joined by fellow country artist Dierks Bentley for a performance of their hits "Over You" and "Home." Maroon 5 was joined by Alicia Keys for performances of "Daylight" and "Girl on Fire" respectively.

Fun. performed "Carry On" and won a big one for the night: song of the year for their hit "We Are Young." Mumford & Sons offered a rousing rendition of their song "I Will Wait."

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres made singer Beyonce laugh during their introduction of Justin Timberlake, who returned to the stage after a four-year absence from the music scene.

The Grammys went sepia-toned for Timberlake's performance of his new single "Suit and Tie," which offered plenty of homage to the Rat Pack era with Timberlake in a tux with a bow-tie and a big band and similarly suited backup singers billed as "JT and the Tennessee Kids."

The first award of the night, best pop solo performance, went to Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain."

"We work so hard; we make it look so easy," Adele said in sending "big love" to the other nominees.

Jennifer Lopez presented the first award to Adele, with co-presenter rapper Pit Bull, and joked about the Grammys' reported memo asking stars to cover up.

"As you can see I read the memo," Lopez joked, wearing a black dress cut extremely high and fully exposing one leg.

Frank Ocean beat out Miguel and Chris Brown for best urban contemporary album for his "Channel Orange," and Kelly Clarkson stopped to hug -- and got stuck to via their dress beading -- Lambert after winning for best pop album.

"Miguel, I don't know who the hell you are, but we need to sing together," Clarkson said, complimenting that singer on his Grammy performance.

Host LL Cool J referenced last year's tragedy of the death of singer Whitney Houston the night before the Grammys before launching into some remarks about the importance of the award to the various performers. While they came from different parts of the world and different genres, the artists shared the same desire to make it in the industry, LL Cool J reflected.

"Cause when you get right down to it a Grammy isn't just a shiny trophy to hold on to," he said. "A Grammy is a dream come true."

It was expected to be a bit of a boys' club on CBS Sunday with a six-way tie among Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Fun., Kanye West, Jay-Z and the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach for lead nominee, as each received six nods apiece.

In keeping with the "guys night" theme, much of the Grammys occurs pre-show and some of those who won before the ceremony even aired included Skrillex, who snagged awards for dance recording, dance/electronica album and remixed recording non-classical; the Black Keys, who won rock song and rock album. The group's Dan Auerbach was named producer of the year, non-classical.

Nominees and winners in key races at the 55th Grammy Awards (winners' names in bold):

Album of the year
El Camino,The Black Keys
Some Nights, fun.
WINNER: Babel, Mumford & Sons
Channel Orange, Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss, Jack White

Record
Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson
We Are Young, fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
WINNER: Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye featuring Kimbra
Thinkin Bout You, Frank Ocean
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Taylor Swift

Song (goes to writer)
The A Team (performed by Ed Sheeran)
Adorn (Miguel)
Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen)
Stronger (Kelly Clarkson)
WINNER: We Are Young (fun.)

Best new artist
Alabama Shakes
WINNER: fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Pop vocal album
WINNER: Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
Ceremonials, Florence + The Machine
Some Nights, fun.
Overexposed, Maroon 5
The Truth About Love, Pink

Dance/electronica album
Wonderland, Steve Aoki
Don't Think, The Chemical Brothers
> Album Title Goes Here <, Deadmau5
Fire & Ice, Kaskade
WINNER: Bangarang, Skrillex

Rock album
WINNER: El Camino, The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto, Coldplay
The 2nd Law, Muse
Wrecking Ball, Bruce Springsteen
Blunderbuss, Jack White

Alternative album
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser ..., Fiona Apple
Biophilia, Björk
WINNER: Making Mirrors, Gotye
Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83
Bad As Me, Tom Waits

R&B album
WINNER: Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment
Back to Love, Anthony Hamilton
Write Me Back, R. Kelly
Beautiful Surprise, Tamia
Open Invitation, Tyrese

Rap album
WINNER: Take Care, Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1, Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good, Nas
Undun, The Roots
God Forgives, I Don't, Rick Ross
Based On A T.r.u. Story, 2 Chainz

Country album
WINNER: Uncaged, Zac Brown Band
Hunter Hayes, Hunter Hayes
Living for A Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran, Jamey Johnson
Four the Record, Miranda Lambert
The Time Jumpers, The Time Jumpers

Americana album
The Carpenter, The Avett Brothers
From the Ground Up, John Fullbright
The Lumineers, The Lumineers
Babel, Mumford & Sons
WINNER: Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt

Pop solo performance
WINNER: Set Fire to the Rain (Live), Adele
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson
Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen
Wide Awake, Katy Perry
Where Have You Been, Rihanna

Pop duo/group performance
Shake It Out, Florence & The Machine
We Are Young, fun. featuring Janelle Monáe
WINNER: Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye featuring Kimbra
Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO
Payphone, Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa

Dance recording
Let's Go, Calvin Harris featuring Ne-Yo
WINNER: Bangarang, Skrillex featuring Sirah
Don't You Worry Child, Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin
I Can't Live Without You, Al Walser

Traditional pop vocal album
Christmas, Michael Bublé
A Holiday Carole, Carole King
WINNER: Kisses on the Bottom, Paul McCartney

Rock performance
Hold On, Alabama Shakes
WINNER: Lonely Boy, The Black Keys
Charlie Brown, Coldplay
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons
We Take Care of Our Own, Bruce Springsteen

Hard rock/metal performance
I'm Alive, Anthrax
WINNER: Love Bites (So Do I), Halestorm
Blood Brothers, Iron Maiden
Ghost Walking, Lamb of God
No Reflection, Marilyn Manson
Whose Life (Is It Anyways?), Megadeth

Rock song (goes to writer)
Freedom at 21 (performed by Jack White)
I Will Wait (performed by Mumford & Sons)
WINNER: Lonely Boy (performed by the Black Keys)
Madness (performed by Muse)
We Take Care of Our Own (performed by Bruce Springsteen)

R&B song (goes to writer)
WINNER: Adorn (performed by Miguel)
Beautiful Surprise (performed by Tamia)
Heart Attack (performed by Trey Songz)
Pray for Me (performed by Anthony Hamilton)
Refill (performed by Elle Varner)

Traditional R&B performance
Lately, Anita Baker
WINNER: Love on Top, Beyoncé
Wrong Side of a Love Song, Melanie Fiona
Real Good Hands, Gregory Porter
If Only You Knew, SWV

R&B performance
Thank You, Estelle
Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.), Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Ledisi
I Want You, Luke James
Adorn, Miguel
WINNER: Climax, Usher

Urban contemporary album
Fortune, Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel
WINNER: Channel Orange, Frank Ocean

Rap performance
HYFR, Drake featuring Lil' Wayne
WINNER: N----- In Paris, Jay-Z and Kanye West
Daughters, Nas
Mercy, Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz
I Do, Young Jeezy featuring Jay-Z and André 3000

Rap/sung collaboration
Wild Ones, Flo Rida featuring Sia
WINNER: No Church in the Wild, Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean and The-Dream
Tonight (Best You Ever Had), John Legend featuring Ludacris
Cherry Wine, Nas featuring Amy Winehouse
Talk That Talk, Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Rap song (goes to writer)
Daughters (performed by Nas)
Lotus Flower Bomb (performed by Wale featuring Miguel)
Mercy (performed by Kanye West featuring Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz)
The Motto (performed by Drake featuring Lil' Wayne)
WINNER: N----- In Paris (performed by Jay-Z and Kanye West)
Young, Wild & Free (performed by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars)

Country solo performance
Home, Dierks Bentley
Springsteen, Eric Church
Cost of Livin', Ronnie Dunn
Wanted, Hunter Hayes
Over, Blake Shelton
WINNER: Blown Away, Carrie Underwood

Country duo/group performance
Even If It Breaks Your Heart, Eli Young Band
WINNER: Pontoon, Little Big Town
Safe & Sound, Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars
On the Outskirts of Town, The Time Jumpers
I Just Come Here for the Music, Don Williams featuring Alison Krauss

Country song (goes to writer)
WINNER: Blown Away (performed Carrie Underwood)
Cost Of Livin' (performed by Ronnie Dunn)
Even If It Breaks Your Heart (performed by Eli Young Band)
So You Don't Have to Love Me Anymore (performed by Alan Jackson)
Springsteen (performed by Eric Church)

Producer (non-classical)
WINNER: Dan Auerbach
Jeff Bhasker
Diplo
Markus Dravs
Salaam Remi

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Best Super Bowl ad: Budweiser Clydesdale

(USA TODAY) -- Anheuser-Busch climbed back into the saddle with the Super Bowl's top commercial - a heart-tugging tale of the bond between a trainer and the Budweiser Clydesdale he raised.

But it was a horse race.

This was the Super Bowl when ads with heart got all the love in USA TODAY'S Ad Meter, which, for its 25th anniversary, vastly expanded in scope by going online to 7,619 pre-registered panelists.

Procter & Gamble's Tide laundry detergent pulled off a close No. 2, ahead of many Super Bowl regulars, with gentle humor.

Its ad had an image of football legend Joe Montana miraculously appearing in a salsa stain on a rabid fan's jersey.

The miracle stain causes a media uproar and becomes a relic of worship until the fan's wife - who happens to be a Baltimore Ravens fan - washes the stain out with Tide.

The Budweiser winner is about a guy who breeds and raises a Clydesdale horse, only to wistfully watch it leave for the big-time. Then, three years later, at a big-city parade, man and horse re-unite in an emotional embrace.

"That was absolutely heart-warming," says Tyler Stocks, an Ad Meter panelist and journalist from Greenville, N.C. "When I think of Budweiser, I think Clydesdale horses."

For A-B, whose major-brand beer sales have taken a hit in recent years, it's a return to marketing glory after slipping out of Ad Meter's top five last year. Through the years, A-B has won 12 Ad Meters, more than any other advertiser.

Executives were toasting the win at A-B Sunday night. Paul Chibe, vice president of U.S. marketing, says he's incredibly proud of the Clydesdale ad. It "touches a chord," in consumer hearts, he says.

The baby Clydesdale featured in the A-B ad was born on Jan. 16. Prior to the big game, A-B launched a social media campaign asking consumers to suggest names for the young horse. Among the names offered up: Barley, Buddy and Brewster. A-B expects to announce the foal's name on Tuesday.

For P&G, the road to nearing advertising nirvana has been long, slow but focused. Its ads have continued to improve from pure product demonstrations to humorous slices of life with product as hero.

The team behind the Tide ad debated whether to pre-release the commercial to get early buzz, or to keep it as a surprise on Sunday night - and decided to go for the surprise.

"It looks like our strategy paid off," says Sundar Raman, marking director for Procter & Gamble North American Fabric Care.

Chrysler's two-minute spot for Ram pickups, in third place, focused on a celluloid hug for the American farmer, featuring photographic images of farmers and work.

For the ad's narrative, the carmaker used a commentary by radio broadcaster Paul Harvey, who died in 2009. He extolled the virtues of American farmers, whose hard work, he says, puts them as about as close to God as anyone can get.

A second two-minute Chrysler ad for Jeep was a touching salute to the military serving away from home.

Chrysler proved a couple of things Sunday night that every Super Bowl marketer would do well to consider: Patriotism still sells. And so do longer tales told well, even in an age of instant YouTube clips.

The game featured some 55 commercials that cost 40 advertisers $3.8 million to $4 million per 30-second slot for the airtime on the CBS broadcast, which was expected to be watched by up to 111 million viewers.

The game was marred by a 31-minute delay due to a stadium blackout that may have lost some second half viewership.

In a statement, CBS said no advertiser lost air time due to the power outage and that "all commercial commitments during the broadcast are being honored."

For the first time in years, the Super Bowl took place at a time of relative national calm, unlike the air of uncertainty during last year's game, when America stood at an economic and political crossroads.

So, with a decent chunk of the American public feeling a bit better, many other Super Bowl advertisers figured it was time to let loose.

Many commercials were overflowing with spectacle, scantily-clothed bodies and visual and audio pyrotechnics. This must be what viewers really want, right?

Wrong, according to Ad Meter's panelists. Turns out what they really wanted weren't ads that went whiz, bang and pop. They favored ads that told a simple story with a wisp of wonder. Folks wanted ads that made them feel good.

"It's almost unfathomable to believe corporate sponsors paid millions of dollars to create those overall woeful ads, and then, paid even further millions to show those ads during the Super Bowl," says Kitty Grubb, an attorney from Seminole, Fla.

But viewers loved the ads about heart-felt reunions. For A-B, man and horse. For Chrysler, soldier and family.

Chrysler's high-scoring ad positions it not only as a marketer whose messages must be watched, but as one whose designs and sheet metal for historic brands like Jeep and Ram trucks may suddenly be worth a second look.

"This is the kind of ad that America needs to see . . . hope, love, faith, patriotism . . . all of the things that America is desperately looking for . . . and needs," says Frank Slezak, a fashion photographer from Horsham, Pa.

Doritos, meanwhile, finished fourth with an ad about a father whose daughter talks him into prancing around in a tutu for a bag of Doritos).

RELATED | Marietta man, goat make Dorito Super Bowl ad

For the eighth consecutive year, Doritos turned to consumers to create and select its Super Bowl spots. It has fully embraced social media and crowd sourcing, asking consumers to not only create its Super Bowl commercials but also select, via online voting, the ads that will air.

Other Super Bowl ad trends on Sunday:

Social chit-chat. A common thread for manytop-scoring ads: They'd been viewed on YouTube and talked about on Facebook and Twitter for days. Increasingly, advertisers are embracing a new social media platform that demands advertisers give the goods early - well before the game - so that millions of folks can see them long before the clutter and confusion of The Big Game.

Ads go long. Who'd a thunk, in an age of instant gratification, that two advertisers would choose to air three Super Bowl spots that are each two-minutes long? Chrysler did it twice. And Samsung jumped on the train, with a spot featuring three actors in search of the next big thing - who happens to be LeBron James. (Isn't he already a big thing?)

Presto chango. The magic of magic never fails to allure. Toyota featured Big Bang star Kaley Cuoco as a wish-granting genie. Bud Light featured Stevie Wonder as a voodoo kingpin who rabid football fans seek out in New Orleans.

Sex with a twist. Sexy babes sipping soda or ogling guys just don't have the Super Bowl thrill any longer. Perhaps that's why GoDaddy put super model and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl Bar Refaeli into a 30-second ad in which she French-kisses a be-spectacled, chubby geek for a full 18-seconds. The close-up smackeroo was an utter turn-off for many viewers.

"If it wasn't a Super Bowl commercial, I would have turned the channel." says Jamie Thomassen, a public relations executive from Des Moines, Iowa.

How Ad Meter was done

For the 25th anniversary of Ad Meter, USA TODAY opened the panel vote to all consumers for the first time. To participate, consumers registered at admeter.usatoday.com. The day of the Super Bowl, panelists were asked to log in to a password-protected site and vote on every ad - from the coin toss until the end of regulation play (including halftime) - giving each ad a score from 1-10. The scores from the 7,619 qualified voters on Sunday were then averaged and ranked.

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2 suspects arrested for trafficking teens

Kamau Benjamin (l) and Anthony Means

ATLANTA -- Two men were arrested and two trafficked teenagers were rescued when police executed a search warrant in DeKalb County last week.

DeKalb County Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said 28-year-old Kamau Benjamin and 22-year-old Anthony Means are accused of trafficking a 16 year old and an 18 year old.

The men were arrested Jan. 30 at an apartment on Valley Bluff Drive in north Atlanta.

PHOTOS | Mug Shots: See 'em to believe 'em

Parish said the suspects' victims were targeted and groomed for sex trafficking because they were runaways. The 18 year old told police she had been exploited since she was 16.

Investigators also believe the two girls were abused, raped, forced to take drugs and deprived of food, Parish said. Both victims are receiving specialized treatment.

Police are now trying to track down men who paid to have sex with the victims.

Benjamin and Means were charged with trafficking, rape, false imprisonment and marijuana possession.

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Burglary suspect caught in the act

DUNWOODY, Ga. -- A homeowner's quick thinking landed a burglary suspect behind bars in Dunwoody Monday morning.

PHOTOS | Mug Shots: See 'em to Believe 'em

Dunwoody Police Officer Tim Fecht said the owner of a home on Hidden Branches Drive woke up to discover her back door open and some of her electronics placed nearby.

When the homeowner saw the suspect's silhouette inside the house, she returned to her bedroom and called 911, Fecht said.

The suspect ran when police arrived, but officers surrounded the area and caught him. He was identified as 22-year-old HT Smith.

Smith is being held in the DeKalb County Jail on a burglary charge. Fecht said investigators are now trying to determine if he is responsible for other recent burglaries in Dunwoody.

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Memorial Service for Ed Koch in New York City

NEW YORK (AP) - Ed Koch is getting a subway station in Manhattan named after him.

The former New York City mayor died Friday of congestive heart failure at age 88.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney will join officials on Monday to announce that the station at East 77th Street and Lexington Avenue will be re-named "Mayor Ed Koch subway station." Maloney says Koch called it his favorite stop, where he often campaigned.

Officials have introduced legislation in the Council to rename the station in honor of the quintessential New Yorker whose funeral is set for Monday.

Former President Bill Clinton will speak during the morning service at Manhattan's Temple Emanu-El.

Mourners will also hear about Koch's other fierce loyalty: Israel. The Israeli consul general is set to speak, along with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Associated Press

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Beyonce electrifies Super Bowl halftime show

Singer Beyonce performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

NEW ORLEANS -- Live, she was dead-on.

The force of nature that is Beyonce answered any and all questions about her commitment to authenticity with a dynamic Super Bowl XLVII halftime performance that apparently sucked all of the power out of the the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

The R&B superstar, clad in a brief, black-leather outfit by little-known New York designer Rubin Singer (with boots by Proenza Schouler), opened with a brief medley of Love On Top, which led into 2003 smash Crazy In Love.

The opening salvo put to rest the now seemingly minor flap over her using a pre-recorded track of the national anthem for President Obama's second inauguration. (If anything, the audience in the cavernous, acoustically challenged dome might have benefited from pre-recorded tracks in this instance.)

The singer, who practiced with her band and dancers for several days this week under a vast tent space along the banks of the Mississippi River, looked polished and poised throughout as she strutted around a neon-rimmed stage, with the lights forming two facing profiles of her. A troupe of similarly clad all-female dancers mimicked her moves for End of Time and Baby Boy, then her producers pulled out visual tricks, including holograms and kaleidoscopes, that quadrupled her power.

The long-rumored reunion with former Destiny's Child mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams materialized to a joyous reception as they launched into the group's hits Bootylicious and Independent Woman, and Beyonce's solo smash Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). Short and sweet, the regrouping was a highlight.

The show guaranteed a boost for Beyonce's busy spring: She's recording her fifth studio album, expected in 2013; she'll be the subject of a documentary profile, Life Is But a Dream, that premieres Feb. 16 on HBO; and she'll star as Queen Tara in the 3-D animated film Epic, out May 24.

To close the 14-minute set, Beyonce regained the solo spotlight, kneeled on the stage and waved her long tresses for the emotional show-stopper Halo.

And with her final note, Mardi Gras, which put its schedule on hold for the big game, resumed in earnest.

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Adairsville storm victim to be laid to rest

ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. -- A funeral will be held Monday for the one person killed in the tornado that hit Adairsville last week.

Anthony Raines, 51, died when a tree fell on him at his home Wednesday morning.

RELATED | Adairsville stunned, working to recover
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Raines will be laid to rest at 2 p.m. at R. Dudley Barton & Son Funeral Home in Adairsville.

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Teacher creates musical history

CUMMING, Ga -- Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school are among the toughest classes students can take and, in many cases, they involve a lot of memorizing.

But, AP U.S. History teacher Thomas Wolff, has found a way to help his students retain what they learn.

Name a period in U.S. History, and it's likely Wolff has written a song about it.

His songs about the past help teens in the present better plan for their testing future.

"This is AP U.S. which is a comprehensive class which begins in the pre-colonial period and goes up to the present day, where they have to learn a lot of material," said Wolff, a teacher at South Forsyth School.

Taking in all that material is easier when its set to music - and you might think that's a bit silly for juniors in high school.

"It's not about what's corny or not," said Avari Tavater-Teidemannd. "It's about learning the information; that's pretty much the most important part. So any way we can retain the information is just incredible."

Wolff recognized that when he brought in his guitar years ago.

They ALL get into songwriting with a research project.

"They're graded on how much historical detail are in each song.

"At first when I entered the Wolff's Den, I was sort of wary of his teaching methods, but when he go into the music stuff, because I love music so much, I got into it," said Nick Cichy, a junior.

Nick and other students join Wolff on stage in the school auditorium, for a popular music history review for the entire school.

Best of all, the singing translates.

"We have a record of that learning taking place by his test scores," said Jeff Cheney, a junior.

Parent Jennifer Orechwa nominated Wolff for 11Alive's Class Act Award.

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