A state senator is honoring Shirley Sherrod, the former Agriculture Department official who was forced to resign her position after being falsely accused of making racist comments. Sen. Robert Brown of Macon will present the inaugural Hosie Miller Courage Award to Sherrod on Tuesday. The award is named after Sherrod's father, a farmer from Baker County.

Gov. Nathan Deal's administration or local governments could contract with private partners to build reservoirs and other water projects in Georgia under legislation proposed by state lawmakers.

Officials with the Georgia Conservancy say, the organization has not changed its position on Savannah harbor deepening. The group is facing questions after its Savannah staff was fired and an op-ed piece raised eyebrows. In the op-ed article, published in the Savannah Morning News, Georgia Conservancy President Pierre Howard said, "We do not intend to stand in the way of deepening."

The 4.8 billion dollar mixed oxide, or MOX, plant at Savannah River Site is designed to get rid of weapons grade plutonium by turning it into fuel for commercial nuclear reactors. The National Nuclear Security Administration oversees the construction.

Sunday alcohol sales got a hearing in a state Senate caucus meeting Wednesday at the state Capitol. Following was a secret vote count that could determine whether the controversial measure makes it to a full Senate vote.