Southeast

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal created a special agency and brought in anew attorney for the state's defense in the lawsuit over water rights filed by Florida.

Virginia plans to offer federal qualified energy conservation bond financing to support the state's first program to assist public and private entities in implementing energy-saving projects.

The Cherokee County School System is negotiating with the Internal Revenue Service to settle a tax dispute, after an IRS agent contended in an audit of 2007 bonds that there was an arbitrage problem.

Florida's fiscal health is in better shape than it has been in years thanks to state spending policies, restraint using debt, and rebounding revenues, officials said.

The Kentucky Pension Oversight Board will finalize recommendations for new funding and tighter control of the state's pension systems at its Dec. 16 meeting.

A Florida anti-transit tax group asks voters to remain vigilant against future attempts to fund a light-rail commuter system after defeating a tax on Nov. 4.

Atlanta unions have filed for an appeal of the Fulton County Superior Court's Nov. 10 ruling that tossed their lawsuit challenging the city's landmark pension reform package.

The U.S. Supreme Court has appointed an attorney from Maine as case manager for the lawsuit that Florida filed against Georgia in a dispute over water rights.

The Atlanta Falcons iconic new retractable-roof stadium will now cost $1.4 billion and becomes the second-costliest stadium in National Football League history.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., plans to restructure its medical center as a separate nonprofit over the next year to adapt to the changing health care environment.