• Looks like more roads are passable today in metro Atlanta.  Still, the DOT is urging people to stay home through today to be safest.  Drivers report seeing areas of black ice which make the commute dangerous, particularly on side streets. 
  
The Georgia DOT reports that it is spending some $2 million per day on snow and ice cleanup.  They've spread 10,000 tons of de-icer on the roads. 

MARTA is running limited bus service, and a weekend rail schedule.  CCT and Gwinnett Transit have also resumed limited operations.

At least one hospital--Wellstar Kennestone in Marietta--reports they've been much busier in the latter part of the week, as folks out on the icy streets and sidewalks fall or get into accidents and injure themselves.


• President Obama again stepped into his shoes as the nation's consoler-in-chief as he spoke at a Wednesday memorial for the victims of the Arizona shootings.  The president told the capacity crowd Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords opened an eye for the first time on Wednesday.  He had visited her in the hospital earlier that day.  She has been moving her arms, and she opened her eye when two close friends from Congress were in her room and one of them squeezed her hand.  The other eye remains bandaged.  She was shot in the head at close range.
  
  
The president is again urging Americans to resist partisan bickering and embrace the idealistic vision of democracy held by Christina Taylor Green. The nine-year-old was an aspiring politician who had just been elected to her student council, and the youngest of the six people killed in Saturday's shooting.  Mr. Obama said Christina saw America with eyes "undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol'' many adults take for granted.  President Obama says the reflection and debate that should come from the tragedy should be worthy of those we have lost. He called on the country to honor the victims by treating our fellow citizens with greater civility.  

More chilling details about gunman Jared Loughner: he was kicked out of community college three months ago after several run-ins with staff. One instructor actually asked campus police to monitor her class because of him; documents describe him as "creepy" and "hostile." The school finally told Loughner's parents he couldn't re-enroll until he passed a mental health exam. He never returned.



 

• It's the most definitive statement about Aretha Franklin's health--and it's a positive one.  Aretha Franklin says her health is "superb'' one month after undergoing surgery in Detroit for an undisclosed ailment. The singer called into "The Wendy Williams Show'' yesterday and says she will soon be rebooking tour dates.
  
  
• A former Cobb County police sergeant pleads guilty to causing the death of a former officer.  Kenneth Reda faces a maximum of 15 years, with eight to serve in prison.  He and the victim, Sgt. Brent Stephens, were on Lake Allatoona when their fishing boat hit a buoy and Stephens went overboard.  Reda, who was married, waited to call 911 until he'd dropped off his girlfriend and gotten rid of the alcohol onboard.
  
  
• A 53-year-old Ohio homeless man whose silky voice made him a web phenomenon is headed to rehab for alcohol and drug dependency after an appearance on "Dr. Phil.''  Ted Williams is entering a private facility after taping the show, which airs today.  Williams' family will also discuss that Monday screaming match with his daughter at an LA hotel that found him briefly detained by police.
  
  
• The former national chairman of the SCLC is expected to surrender today after his indictment on 51 felony charges in Dayton, Ohio.  Rev. Raleigh Trammell faces accusations of grand theft, forgery and tampering with government records.  The charges stem in part from the SCLC's meal delivery program, which was run in part by his daughter.
  
  
• The sister of quarterback Brett Favre is under arrest in southern Mississippi--and not for the first time.  Hancock County Sheriff's Maj. Matt Karl says officers are "very familiar'' with 34-year-old Brandi Favre.  She was among five people arrested for a meth-making operation Wednesday.  Her rap sheet includes arrests for shoplifting and unlawful use of a weapon.
  
  
  
• A 29-year-old single mom of two is the other winner of the $380 million Mega Millions jackpot. Holly Lahti quit her bank customer service rep job this week.
  
  
  
• The KISS 104.1 weather forecast:  a mix of clouds and sun, highs in the lower 30s.