Nation briefs 2/17/16

Suit: Prison guard raped inmates

ATLANTA -- Three former Georgia prison inmates say state corrections officials didn't adequately protect them against sexual assault by a former high-ranking correctional officer and failed to investigate inmate complaints against the officer. Former Department of Corrections Capt. Edgar Daniel Johnson used his position of power to intimidate and force the inmates to engage in sexual acts with him while they were inmates at Emanuel Women's Facility in Swainsboro, the women allege in a lawsuit announced by their lawyers Monday. The lawsuit alleges prison officials were made aware of Johnson's behavior and failed to investigate or take any action while the women were there. The Department of Corrections fired Johnson last year, and he faces criminal charges linked to the allegations.

Man dies after hit with stun gun

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- A man who died after police used a stun gun on him at a hospital had a history of mental problems and was known to area law officers, his mother said Tuesday. Dorothy Nelson said her family has hired a lawyer and is looking for answers about the death of her son Randy Joe Nelson, 49. Court records show Nelson had at least three dozen arrests or traffic infractions since 1993. Records show officers noted at least twice, in 2009 and 2010, that Nelson had mental problems or was on medication. On Monday, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said staff at Athens-Limestone Hospital told authorities a man resisted while they tried evaluating him Feb. 3. The man threw his gown and glass vials at officers who talked to him from his room's doorway, Johnson said.

17 governors tout clean-energy pact

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Governors from 17 states said Tuesday they will work together to develop cleaner energy and transportation as they look to lead a national shift to renewable fuels. The bipartisan group said its goal is to cooperate on planning and policies. The pact -- known as the Governors' Accord for a New Energy Future -- calls for embracing new energy solutions to expand the economy and protect the health of communities and natural resources. California Gov. Jerry Brown said it includes building more sophisticated, energy-efficient regional electrical grids; pooling buying power to get cheaper clean-energy vehicles for state fleets; and lobbying the federal government for more research and development on energy storage, clean fuels and the electric grid. Missouri is not one of the states.

Groups seek to grade health care

WASHINGTON -- The government, doctors' groups, insurers and patient advocates say they're coming together on a common set of measurements for what constitutes quality health care. A collaborative representing the players Tuesday released quality measures for seven broad areas: primary care, cardiology, digestive system, HIV and hepatitis C, medical oncology, orthopedics, and obstetrics and gynecology. Insurers and government officials say they will start introducing the new measures next year.

-- From wire reports