Questions should be directed to Alan Gordon at 404-536-6751 or e-mail coxnews@nytimes.com. NATIONAL PETA-CIRCUS-TIGER -- ATLANTA -- PETA's allegation that a tiger was brutally beaten during Ringling Bros.' stop in Atlanta is a total fabrication, a circus spokeswoman said Wednesday. 'I really believe this is just an activist tactic,' said Crystal Drake, regional public relations manager for Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus. 'Don't make up things about abuse that is not happening.' (Boone/Hartstein, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) FLA-POPULATION -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- After soaring for years, Florida's population arrows took a startling downward trajectory in 2008. Instead of growing by 300,000 residents a year, as it averaged for four decades, the state lost 57,000 residents. But a new study says the indicators are back up. (Abramson, Palm Beach Post) NEWS-QUESTIONS -- ATLANTA -- Q&A on the news. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) COMMENTARY HERMAN-COLUMN -- AUSTIN, Texas -- How do you like him now? Remember when you dismissed Rick Perry as kind of a wise-guy ag commissioner who had peaked as farmer-in-chief? And how you were less than awed by his razor-thin, George W. Bush's-coattails win over John Sharp to become lieutenant governor in 1998? (Herman, Austin American-Statesman) EMBRY-COLUMN -- AUSTIN, Texas -- The blame for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's overwhelming defeat should be spread rather evenly among her confidants, her paid staff, her former paid staff and Hutchison herself. Her loss to Texas Gov. Rick Perry was years in the making. It was the product of poor preparation, a failure to make hard choices and a national headwind that was out of her control. (Embry, Austin American-Statesman) SMART-MOUTH -- DAYTON, Ohio -- Nerd nation, stand tall and let freakdom ring. (Robinson, Dayton Daily News) BUSINESS FORMULA-ONE-CNN -- ATLANTA -- With Headline News, CNN once took viewers around the world in 30 minutes. CNN will be going a lot faster and to just as many exotic locales in a new international sports marketing deal. CNN International said it will plant its iconic red logo on the cars and team uniforms of Lotus Racing, which will run on the 2010 Formula One World Championship circuit that starts March 14 in Bahrain and travels the world before concluding in November in Abu Dhabi. (Markiewicz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Moving in financial and sports categories. HEALTH BONE-HEALTH -- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Weekly health column, with an emphasis on cancer, from Dr. Melanie Bone, a cancer survivor and gynecologist who practices in West Palm Beach. (Bone, Palm Beach Post) FOOD SWIRL-GIRLS -- Not available this week. SPORTS GLF-HONDA -- PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Padraig Harrington won't mind doing things the hard way at the Honda Classic. (Stoda, Palm Beach Post) BBN-CARDINALS -- JUPITER, Fla. -- Manager Tony La Russa coveted Brad Penny for years. And the right-hander felt the same way about the St. Louis Cardinals. 'I grew up a Cardinals fan,' Penny said. 'I always told my agent if I get a chance to play in St. Louis I'd love to.' Penny, an Oklahoma native, returned to the backfields of Roger Dean Stadium this spring for the first time since being traded from the Marlins in 2004. He signed with his favorite boyhood team for $7.5 million. Penny, 31, is hoping the one-year contract will put him in position for one more big payday. (D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post) FORMULA-ONE-CNN -- ATLANTA -- With Headline News, CNN once took viewers around the world in 30 minutes. CNN will be going a lot faster and to just as many exotic locales in a new international sports marketing deal. CNN International said it will plant its iconic red logo on the cars and team uniforms of Lotus Racing, which will run on the 2010 Formula One World Championship circuit that starts March 14 in Bahrain and travels the world before concluding in November in Abu Dhabi. (Markiewicz, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Moving in financial and sports categories. 