National

Missouri-based Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling a third type of dry dog food because of salmonella concerns.  All three products were made at a Gaston, S.C., plant, where production was suspended April 8. The plant is the same one that made mold-contaminated food that killed dozens of dogs nationwide in 2005. A statement Monday from the company said the latest recall involves its Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food. ...Read more

Dick Clark, the television host who helped bring rock `n' roll into the mainstream on "American Bandstand," has died. He was 82.  Spokesman Paul Shefrin says Clark died but did not provide further details. Clark had continued performing even after he suffered a stroke in 2004 that affected his ability to speak and walk. ...Read more

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas has fired football coach Bobby Petrino.
     Athletic director Jeff Long announced his decision Tuesday night, saying he "knowingly misled" and engaged in reckless behavior during his relationship with a female football employee half his age.
     The 51-year-old Petrino was injured in an April 1 motorcycle accident. ...Read more

The Agriculture Department says that starting next fall, schools can stop feeding students a common ammonia-treated ground beef filler dubbed "pink slime" by critics. The department says it will give school systems a choice of beef patties made with the lean finely textured filler, or less lean bulk ground beef without it.  Concern about the ammonia-treated filler exploded last week as a social media topic. The Agriculture Department says the filler is safe. ...Read more

STATEWIDE ...Read more

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has scheduled a visit to Alabama before the state's primary March 13. Santorum's campaign announced he will speak to the Alabama Policy Institute in Mobile at 6 p.m. Thursday. The speech is at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center. Santorum's visit comes after two days of campaigning in Alabama
by Republican opponent Newt Gingrich.

Associated Press

Whitney Houston dead at the age of 48.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Whitney Houston, who reigned as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, has died. ...Read more

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says the federal government has approved his request for assistance for survivors of severe weather last week in two counties.  The governor said Wednesday that individual assistance was approved by President Barack Obama for Jefferson and Chilton counties. A request for individual assistance for Perry County residents is still under review by the federal government. ...Read more