Nation

Several states are considering constitutional protections for hunting in a pre-emptive move intended to thwart efforts of advocacy groups to make shooting animals illegal.

An offshore petroleum platform exploded and was burning Thursday in the Gulf of Mexico about 80 miles off the Louisiana coast, west of the site where BP's undersea well spilled after a rig explosion.

NASA scientists flew Thursday into Hurricane Earl to gather data about what makes some tropical storms strengthen into destructive hurricanes while most fizzle.

NASA scientists flew Thursday into Hurricane Earl to gather data about what makes some tropical storms strengthen into destructive hurricanes while most fizzle.

The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the South Carolina Lottery's "Midday 3" game were:

The director of the Georgia Ports Authority says the state is falling behind in a race to deepen the shipping channel to Savannah's seaport by the end of 2014.

Line: None.

Line: LSU by 3.

Line: No line.

The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Georgia Lottery's "Midday 4" game were:

The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Georgia Lottery's "Georgia FIVE Midday" game were:

The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Georgia Lottery's "Midday 3" game were:

The winning numbers in Thursday afternoon's drawing of the Georgia Lottery's "Midday 3" game were:

A South Carolina attorney has bought the Woodlands Inn, the only property in the state with the Forbes Five Star and the AAA Five Diamond ratings for accommodations and dining.

Firefighters are keeping watch over a slow-burning fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but the main concern is smoke along roadways.