Ken Stanford

There was no sign of fear at Atlanta's Plaza Theater among the sell-out crowd at Sony Pictures' movie "The Interview" on Christmas afternoon.

Critics and early viewers agree that "The Interview" is less than a masterpiece. But thanks to threats from hackers that nearly derailed its release, it has become an event.

Republicans crowed in 2004 that freshly re-elected President George W. Bush had established a "permanent governing majority" for the GOP. Eight years later, Democrats were touting the enduring power of the "Obama coalition" to keep their party in the White House.

The Hall County Planning Commission is scheduled to start the new year with a piece of old business: a proposal for a 36-lot subdivision in South Hall.

A wintry mix of Gulf Coast thunderstorms expected to travel north, predicted snowfall in the Great Lakes and blustery conditions in the nation's midsection threatened Tuesday to snag holiday travel plans nationwide.

Federal health officials are recommending an end to the nation's lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men, a 31-year-old policy that many medical groups and gay activists say is no longer justified.

For as often as Democrats attack the conservative billionaires Charles and David Koch for their heavy spending on politics, it's actually the liberal-minded who shelled out the most cash on the just completed midterm elections. At least, that is, among those groups that must disclose what they raise and spend.

Gay marriage cases are on the Supreme Court's agenda with enough time for the issue to be argued and decided by late June.

The Dow Jones industrial average is breaking through another milestone, closing above 18,000 points for the first time following more encouraging news on the U.S. economy.