Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Tuesday, April 16, 2013  Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced Tuesday that Smokey, the state arson canine has passed away after a brief illness.

Monday, February 04, 2013  Updated with video; According to fire Investigators with the Georgia Insurance and Fire Commissioner office has ruled a Sunday afternoon fatal fire in Crisp County as accidental.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013  Updated with video; Next week is Severe Weather Awareness week in Georgia and state officials are reminding homeowners to prepare in case of disaster.

Sunday, December 16, 2012  Arsonists may have torn down the insides of the new Mind of Christ of the Living God Ministries building in Coffee County but the foundation still stands strong, including the congregation.

Monday, December 10, 2012  A Sunday morning fire in Coffee County has Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens offering a $10,000 reward for information.

Monday, December 03, 2012  After Finch Elementary in south Atlanta was evacuated for carbon monoxide, state officials want to try and make it mandatory to have detectors in public places.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012  Updated with video; For FOX 31’s Facebook story of the day people wanted to know what fire hazards they should be aware of when cooking their holiday meal.

Friday, October 19, 2012  Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens presented awards Thursday recognizing winners of the annual “Excellence in Fire Safety” awards, and the winning students of the statewide Fire Safety Poster and Essay contests.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012  State Fire Safety Commissioner, Ralph Hudgens, stopped in Moultrie today to promote a new program titled, "Operation Safe Home."

Friday, October 05, 2012  Updated with video; Throughout next week, Commissioner Hudgens, and fire departments around the state, will be spreading the word about fire safety.

Saturday, September 15, 2012  Insurance and Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced today that an arrest has been made in connection with four house fires spanning three months in Lanier County.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012  A Sunday afternoon fire at the Leesburg Publix caused damage nearing $1000.

Wednesday, April 06, 2011  Utility crews continued to work to restore power to thousands of Georgians who lost their electricity, and communities were trying to recover from the storms that killed six people around the state and caused heavy damage.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010  Georgia's insurance industry is launching a new campaign aimed at curbing rising insurance fraud cases.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010  Healthcare and insurance professionals came together in Albany today to address the future of health insurance. The main topic of discussion was implementing  the recently passed Healthcare Reform Act.