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October 13, 2006 - One of the "big trends" of the South since World War II was the shift from a rural, farm-based culture to an urban one. And where urban areas were created, suburbs soon followed. In recent years, suburban growth has slowed nationally, but it's still on the march in the South.

October 13, 2006 - The following is a special Facing South report on work at Smithfield Foods, the meat-processing giant with its main pork plant -- the largest in the world -- in Tarheel, N.C. Earlier this month, Smithfield -- already the country's largest hog and pork producer, and fifth-largest beaf producer -- bought out ConAgra Foods Inc.

October 12, 2006 - The World Bank and Columbia University yesterday released a report calling on governments to institute comprehensive approaches to easing the effects of natural disasters. Incidents related to such events killed more than 90,000 people in 2005, setting a new record.

October 12, 2006 - A recent American Bar Association report on Florida's death penalty prompted Florida newspaper editorials this week. Attorney Mark R.

October 11, 2006 - Hastings Wyman, the long-time editor of the useful Southern Political Report, sees the scandals surrounding Florida Rep. Mark Foley (R) having a big impact on races in Florida and the rest of the South this November:

October 11, 2006 - When the U.S. public began turning against the Iraq war, especially in late 2004/early 2005, the Bush Administration began talking less about "freedom" and more about "democracy," the new rhetoric focused on turning over the reins of power to the Iraqi people.The corollary of the self-rule frame was that, as the citizens of Iraq took greater power -- including assuming control of police and military functions -- the U.S. presence would decline. As recently as last month, officials were touting cuts in Iraq troop levels by spring 2007.No more, reports the Associate Press today:

October 10, 2006 - The Center for Digital Government, a trade association for providers of information technology to state and local governments, has released results of a recent survey ranking the Top 10 State Technology Leaders for 2006.