NATIONAL ROUNDUP

Georgia Inmates Care for Rescued Horses
The high price of hay and the crappy economy are being blamed for the high number of horse owners who are giving up and abandoning or neglecting their animals around the country.

In Georgia, a dozen inmates at Pulaski State Prison are helping to rehabilitate abandoned and neglected horses that have been impounded by the state.   In the state's first prison horse-rescue farm female inmates are learning skills needed to become a certified veterinary technician through Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. Read.

Rapper DMX pleads guilty to drug, theft charges

Rapper DMX has reached a plea deal on multiple drug possession, theft and animal cruelty charges, reports the Associated Press.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of animal cruelty, one count of theft, and one count each of felony possession of marijuana and a narcotic drug.

A Maricopa County Superior Court commissioner has set a sentencing hearing for Jan. 30.
Additional charges will be dismissed then.

The 38-year-old rapper has been arrested several times in Arizona in the past year and missed several court dates.

Authorities alleged that DMX gave a false name and Social Security number when being treated at a Scottsdale hospital in April. He was indicted on felony charges of theft and taking someone's identity.

The animal cruelty charge, a misdemeanor, came from an August 2007 raid that Maricopa County sheriff's deputies conducted at DMX's Cave Creek home. Authorities investigating a report of animal abuse found three dead dogs, guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.