This Hour: Latest Georgia news, sports, business and entertainment

Posted: Updated:

GWINNETT TB EXPOSURE

Ga. hospital warning of tuberculosis exposure

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) - State health officials and executives of a metro Atlanta hospital say more than 100 patients may have been exposed to tuberculosis.

Officials said Tuesday that an unidentified Gwinnett Medical Center employee was diagnosed with tuberculosis in mid-May. Officials say all of the facility's employees must take annual tuberculosis skin tests and the employee is expected to recover.

The hospital's Executive Vice President Alan Bier said 133 letters have been sent to patients who had the most direct contact with the worker between February and May. The letters advise patients who had contact with the employee to undergo tuberculosis testing.

Officials say no other Gwinnett Medical Center employees have tested positive for the disease.

TEACHING TEACHERS-GEORGIA

Mixed results for Ga. in teacher training report

ATLANTA (AP) - Just four teacher-training programs at Georgia's college and universities have earned high marks on a national survey that examined more than 1,000 programs.

The review by the National Council on Teacher Quality was released Tuesday and found colleges' education programs are not adequately preparing future teachers. The review criticized their admission standards, training and value.

The ratings were based on a set of key standards, such as instructing prospective teachers how to implement the Common Core academic standards, teach non-native English speakers and manage classrooms. Colleges and universities were rated on a four-star system.

In Georgia, five teaching programs received the lowest rating of no stars with a consumer alert designation.

Spokesman for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Tim Callahan, says questions have been raised about the report's methodology.

COSMETIC INJECTION DEATH

Miss. woman pleads not guilty in injection death

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi woman has pleaded not guilty to killing an Alabama woman by giving silicone injections as a buttocks enhancement.

Tracey Lynn Garner entered the plea Tuesday in Hinds County Circuit Court.

Judge Winston Kidd says he'll consider Garner's request to be released on bond. Kidd also extended a gag order to prevent attorneys from discussing charges against Garner.

The 53-year-old is charged with two counts of depraved heart murder, each punishable by life in prison.

Garner was arrested and charged last week in the January 2010 death of 23-year-old Marilyn Hale of Selma, Ala. No trial date has been set.

In September 2012, Garner was arrested and charged in the March 2012 death of 37-year-old Karima Gordon of Atlanta. Kidd on Tuesday set that trial for March 17, 2014.

BRAVES-GATTIS

Braves C Gattis on 15-day DL with strained oblique

ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Braves have placed catcher Evan Gattis on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique.

The Braves announced the move before Tuesday's doubleheader against the New York Mets. Infielder Tyler Pastornicky was recalled from AAA Gwinnett.

Gattis injured himself on his final at-bat of a 2-1 victory over the Mets on Monday night. Brian McCann was on deck to pinch hit when Freddie Freeman hit a two-run homer to win the game in the ninth inning.

The 26-year-old Gattis has been 1 of baseball's most surprising players. He earned a backup job in spring training as a non-roster player and quickly increased his role with a penchant for dramatic homers.

He is second on the Braves in homers (14) and RBIs (37) while batting .252.

FALCONS STADIUM

Conceptual design for new Falcons stadium approved

ATLANTA (AP) - The conceptual design for a new Falcons stadium in downtown Atlanta has been approved.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority's board of governors approved the design at a meeting Tuesday.

The proposal by 360 Architecture is meant to provide direction for ongoing design work and doesn't necessarily represent the final structure. It includes an exterior meant to evoke falcon wings and giant windows to showcase a view of the city at night.

Tuesday's approval clears the way for the design team to create a detailed schematic design. The stadium's design is expected to be finalized in April 2014.

State and city officials have signed off on the $1 billion stadium in downtown Atlanta. Officials estimate $200 million in public bonds will be used to build the new, retractable-roof stadium.