state officials

Last year's standardized tests in Georgia showed an unusually high number of eraser marks, prompting allegations of widespread cheating in Georgia's public schools.

More than 50 schools in Atlanta were flagged for cheating. Official investigations are under way, as parents and state officials try to figure out what happened.

Federal and now state officials are looking for fraud throughout Wall Street. The Associated Press reports that New York's attorney general is investigating eight banks to see whether they misled credit ratings agencies, in order to secure higher rating for investments they were selling.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports federal prosecutors are working with securities regulators to investigate several Wall Street banks to determine whether they misled investors in the marketing of mortgage securities.

State officials in Maine say witnesses who reported seeing a drowning snowmobiler on a lake were probably looking at an otter enjoying a snack.

Three people reported last week that they saw a snowmobiler wearing all black and a black helmet. Authorities did find pieces of crawfish indicating at least one otter had been feeding there.

State officials say the state’s new $5 surcharge for strip club visitors will not violate the clubs’ First Amendment free speech rights.