Cybercrime is on the rise in Georgia and around the country. Georgia ranked 11th in internet-related complaints last year, up from 13th in 2023, according to the FBI’s newly released Internet Crime Report 2024. The potential losses of $420 million represented a 40% increase between 2023 and last year. Nationally, internet crime complaints rose to […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia Man Accused of Using AI to Create Child Sex Abuse Images
A Gilmer County man faces dozens of charges after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly using artificial intelligence to turn regular photos into child sex abuse material. What We Know: Ronald Richardson, 48, was indicted on Wednesday, April 16, on 76 counts of sexual exploitation of children. Investigators say Richardson used AI technology to […]
Posted inCrime
Swatting Call Targets Nancy Grace’s Home
A late-night scare rattled a Buckhead neighborhood after a 911 call claimed someone had been shot at the home of television host Nancy Grace. Police rushed to the scene, but found no one hurt and no sign of a crime. 🚨 What We Know: Just after 10:25 p.m. on April 22, Atlanta police responded to […]
Posted inContext
Holocaust Remembrance Day Brings Faiths Together As Antisemitic Incidents Hit Record High
Neighbors in Marietta are coming together tonight for a moment that matters. Congregation Etz Chaim and the Catholic Church of Saint Ann will stand side by side to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day, also known as Yom HaShoah. The event starts at 6 p.m. at Etz Chaim on Indian Hills Parkway, with a guided tour of […]
Posted inCrime
Homeless Woman Dies at Cobb County Jail
A homeless woman died Tuesday, April 22, while in custody at the Cobb County jail. Officials are now working to determine what happened and why. What We Know: Bunnie Large, age 42, died at the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office Adult Detention Center. The Cobb County medical examiner is reviewing her death to find out the […]
Posted inEducation
Could Transparent Wood Replace Plastic? A Kennesaw State Researcher Thinks So
Discarded plastics are among the leading contributors to pollution worldwide, but Kennesaw State University researcher Bharat Baruah believes transparent wood could serve as a viable alternative. The professor of chemistry and biochemistry is exploring whether specially processed transparent wood can replace plastic in consumer electronics, packaging, and many other goods as a more ecofriendly solution. “It […]
Posted inLocal
Learn About North Fulton’s Growth Plans at Futures Summit
Residents and business leaders in North Fulton will get a front-row seat to the region’s future this spring. The North Fulton Futures Summit is set for May 15, bringing together leaders from six cities for a morning of big ideas and bold plans. 🌅 What We Know: The summit kicks off at 7:30 a.m. and […]
Posted inHealth
Air Pollution in Georgia is Getting Worse: Why Should You Care?
Metro Atlanta suffers the third-worst levels of ozone pollution, otherwise known as smog, in the Southeast, according to a study released Wednesday by the American Lung Association. The group’s annual “State of the Air” report also ranks the Atlanta region fourth-worst in the Southeast for particle pollution, known colloquially as soot. The new report measured air quality […]
Posted inHealth
Water Main Issue Disrupts Service For South Perry Residents
If you live in the southern part of Perry, you may have noticed your water is not running as usual. Crews are working right now to fix a water main problem that is causing service disruptions across several neighborhoods. 🚰 What We Know: People living south of Gaines Drive, near the Fairgrounds, Perry Preserve, and […]
Posted inEconomy
Consumer Confidence Plunges As Economic Worries Grow
Americans are feeling the pinch as confidence in the economy takes a sharp dive. New numbers show people are more worried about their money, their jobs, and their plans for big purchases than they have been in years. 🧠 What We Know: The latest WalletHub Economic Index, released today, shows consumer confidence is down nearly […]
Posted inCrime
Pine Straw Scammers Are at it Again in Georgia
A scam involving overpriced pine straw has resurfaced in multiple Georgia cities, targeting older residents with deceptive lawn care offers that balloon into bills totaling thousands of dollars. What We Know: The Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office issued a fresh warning about so-called “pine straw travelers” operating across Georgia. These scammers offer to lay pine straw […]
Posted inCrime
20-Year-Old Sentenced to Life for Child Sexual Abuse in Cobb County
Cooper Hamilton, a 20-year-old Cobb County resident, will spend life in prison plus 20 years after pleading guilty to 25 counts related to child sexual exploitation and abuse. Cobb County Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole handed down the sentence after Hamilton admitted to multiple charges of aggravated child molestation and sexual exploitation of children. […]
Posted inYour Vote
Election Preview: Candidates Line Up For Georgia Governor and Senator
The 2026 race for Georgia governor is shaping up with candidates from both parties now entering the race. Gov. Brian Kemp cannot run for a third term, leaving the keys to the governor’s mansion up for grabs. Meet the declared candidates Democratic Atlanta Sen. Jason Esteves announced his candidacy Monday with an introduction video highlighting […]
Posted inCrime
Two Young Adults Shot on Bloomfield Drive in Macon
A 19-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man are in critical condition after a shooting Tuesday morning on Bloomfield Drive in Macon. What We Know: Deputies with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3000 block of Bloomfield Drive after someone called the Macon-Bibb Emergency 911 Center just after 10 a.m. about a shooting. When […]
Posted inMissing
Elderly Man With Dementia Missing From Canton Home
85-year-old Byron Jones disappeared from his Canton home yesterday evening around 6 p.m., according to the Canton Police Department. Jones, who suffers from dementia and other medical conditions requiring medication, left in his dark blue Toyota Camry with Georgia license plate TBX7562. A Flock camera spotted his vehicle near downtown Jasper at 7:40 PM, approximately […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
MARTA Launches New Online Trip Planner for Riders
MARTA has introduced a new online trip planner aimed at making travel easier for its customers. The web application gives riders real-time information about bus and train arrivals, schedules, routes, and service alerts. The mobile-friendly tool is designed to simplify trip planning and reduce the need for printed maps and paper schedules. It supports MARTA’s […]
Posted inNews You Can Use
Give Beach-Nesting Birds Space: How And Why
Georgia beaches attract more than just tourists this time of year. Shorebirds and seabirds are setting up nests in the sand, and they need your help to survive. 🏝️ What We Know: Beach-nesting birds like American oystercatchers, Wilson’s plovers and least terns are laying eggs right now on Georgia’s coastal areas. These birds build simple […]
Posted inNews You Can Use
2025/2026 Georgia Deer Hunting Season: Tips for Novices and Beginners
So you’ve decided to embark on your first deer hunting trip. You’ve come to the right place, the hunting season in Georgia can be both exhilarating and daunting. Our beautiful state offers great terrains and an abundance of wildlife, making it an ideal location for beginners to hone their skills. With this guide written in […]
