NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal judge in New Orleans is set to preside over a fairness hearing for a proposed class-action settlement of economic damage claims spawned by BP's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

During Thursday's hearing, the London-based oil giant and a team of private plaintiffs' attorneys will urge U.S. District Judge Carl

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The last of 3 former Jackson police officers charged in a bribery case has pleaded guilty.

WAPT TV reports (http://bit.ly/STyodv) Anthony Ricardo Payne changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Jackson, one week before his trial was to begin.

Two other former officers, Monyette Quintel Jefferson and

COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - A 42-year-old woman has been charged with felony embezzlement after being accused of stealing money from a business in Columbus.

WTVA TV reports (http://bit.ly/T7XWRN) Columbus police arrested Amy Watts of West Point.

Police say Watts allegedly took cash from Title Cash on Highway 45 North.

The case remains under investigation,

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