We call it the lake, but what’s its name? Lake Thurmond is the official one, unless of course you call it something else. For 20 years, it’s been the great lake name game. It’s “Out There…Somewhere” with News Channel 6’s George Eskola.

Georgia would require that new drivers take a written license test in English under a bill being considered by state lawmakers.

Three years after adopting one of the nation’s stiffest stances on sex offenders, Georgia lawmakers are rethinking some of the crackdown’s toughest provisions.  After complaints from civil rights groups and round after round of costly court challenges, powerful Georgia lawmakers are looking to soften some of the very parts of the law that incited the greatest debate.

The Georgia Senate has voted to strip the public defender council of its authority.  The proposal would turn over control of the state defender
system to its director, Mack Crawford. The board, which now makes key financial decision, would become an advisory panel. The plan passed by a 32-21 vote Thursday and now goes to the House.

Georgia lawmakers trying to hack $2.2 billion from the state’s budget have grown frustrated with the state’s higher education system. They say it hasn’t born its fair share of the cuts.  Angry legislators have made veiled threats and introduced a handful of proposals aimed at exerting more control.

There’s nothing like a debate over Sunday alcohol sales to bring young partisans together.  The Georgia Federation of Young Republican Clubs and the Young Democrats of Georgia announced Tuesday they are joining forces to support a Senate plan to allow sales to sell alcohol on Sundays.

The Georgia Senate has approved legislation which would allow prosecutors to seek life without parole against convicted killers without first pursuing the death penalty.

Some Georgia lawmakers want to designate April as Confederate Heritage and History month.  Legislation was introduced in Georgia’s House and Senate on Friday that would celebrate the Confederate States of America.

Legislation to allow the Sunday sales of alcohol in Georgia is making a comeback.

Georgia legislative leaders have voted to put
off a 2.5 percent cost of living increase for state lawmakers.

Seventeen states and DC have passed cell phone restrictions for teenagers. Now, Georgia lawmakers plan to look at a measure when next year’s session begins that would ban talking or texting except in an emergency. Tell us if you think this is a good idea, in our web poll. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker reports.

State Representative Ben Harbin, plead guilty today to reckless driving charges stemming from a May 2007 car crash in Atlanta.