Across the region

Agencies suggest cuts of hundreds of jobs

COLUMBIA --- Hundreds of South Carolina state jobs would be cut and some subsidized health care would be slashed under recommendations state agencies sent Friday to Gov. Mark Sanford as lawmakers search for ways to trim spending.

State revenues have been slumping, and the $7 billion spending plan approved by lawmakers is in danger of heading into the red. The cuts aren't set in stone, however. Mr. Sanford wanted agency chiefs to suggest how they would cut as much as 10 percent of their budgets -- more than what is needed.

The Department of Disabilities and Special Needs listed $19 million in potential cuts, including reducing financial and caregiver assistance for families of people with mental and physical disabilities and cutting 19 people from the payroll.

The agencies that met the deadline Friday recommended cutting more than 900 jobs.

Nichols' attorneys not allowed to withdraw

ATLANTA --- Attorneys for courthouse gunman Brian Nichols tried to withdraw from the case Friday, but the judge denied the request, saying it was too late to quit.

Defense lawyer Robert McGlasson told the judge Friday that the defense team could no longer represent Mr. Nichols because of allegations against another defense attorney.

The arguments were cited as prosecutors prepared to introduce letters Mr. Nichols wrote to Lisa Meneguzzo, a Connecticut woman who was implicated in helping plan an escape plot. The letters accused defense lawyer Jacob Sussman of wrongdoing.

Computer theft lands 3 cargo workers in jail

ATLANTA --- Three former cargo workers have been sentenced in the theft of $100,000 worth of laptop computers shipped through Atlanta's airport.

Michael Creecy, 27, and Archie Robinson, 38, both of Atlanta, were sentenced Thursday to a year in federal prison, and Jermaine Campbell, 25, of East Point, got four years' probation. They each pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal an interstate and foreign shipment.

Prosecutors said Mr. Creecy, who worked for Swissport Cargo Services at the airport, recruited forklift operator Mr. Campbell and Mr. Robinson, a truck driver, to divert 112 Hewlett-Packard laptops from Shanghai to an apartment complex, where the computers were distributed.

-- Edited from wire reports