The chairman of a state Senate committee formed to investigate allegations swirling around Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ election interference case against Donald Trump vowed Friday to oversee a fair but thorough probe. “This is not going to be a partisan process,” Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, said during the initial meeting of the Senate […]
Posted inCrime
Russian Mobster Sentenced in a $9 Million Fraud Scheme Involving Exotic Car Leasing in Georgia
The Gist: Mani Chulpayev, the leader of a sophisticated car leasing fraud that catered to drug traffickers, was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay over $4.6 million in restitution after a multi-agency investigation. The Details: Chulpayev operated in the Atlanta and Miami areas from 2009 to 2016, exploiting banks and aiding drug traffickers with […]
Posted inIn The News
Okefenokee’s Crossroads: Conservation Efforts Clash with Mining Interests
UNESCO World Heritage Site designation would double visitation at the Okefenokee Swamp Park, create about 750 long-term jobs, and deliver $60 million in annual economic impact, according to a new study. The report, commissioned by The Conservation Fund, would generate an additional 800,000 annual visits to the Okefenokee in addition to the more than 800,000 […]
Posted inMissing
Authorities Seek Public’s Help to Locate Missing Teen, Hannah Moody, in Georgia
The Gist: Hannah Moody, last seen in Stockbridge’s Swan Lake area, is missing, prompting a call for public assistance. The Details: Hannah Moody disappeared on February 4. She was last spotted in the Swan Lake area of Stockbridge. Authorities believe she might be in Atlanta, Stone Mountain, or Henry County. Efforts to locate her are […]
Posted inLocal
Free Tax Preparation Offered at Clayton State University’s College of Business
💼 The Gist: Clayton State University teams up with United Way to offer free tax preparation services to those earning under $79,500 a year, aiming to support the community and enhance student learning. 📝 The Details: The College of Business at Clayton State University continues a 37-year tradition of community service by providing free tax […]
Posted inLocal
City of Mulberry Proposal Awaits Brian Kemp’s Signature
🏡 The Gist: The Georgia House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 333, proposing the creation of the City of Mulberry in northeastern Gwinnett County, pending Governor Brian Kemp’s approval. 📜 The Details: Spearheaded by House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration (R-Auburn) and State Senator Clint Dixon (R-Gwinnett), the bill aims to offer residents local control […]
Posted inRepresenting You
Georgia Republicans Continue Their War on Books
Some conservative state senators want Georgia to become the latest state to pull out of the American Library Association, a nonprofit organization that supports libraries and accredits the schools that train them. On Wednesday, the Senate Government Oversight Committee heard testimony from Georgia’s top librarian who said the Georgia Public Library Service is already not […]
Posted inNational
Supreme Court Appears to Be Leaning Toward Trump in Colorado Ballot Case
U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments Thursday in a landmark case over whether former President Donald Trump should be barred from the 2024 presidential ballot. A majority of the justices, including liberal members of the court, expressed skepticism about a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that said Trump, the GOP presidential frontrunner, is […]
Posted inNational
Classified Document Case Report Raises Questions About Joe Biden’s Memory
(The Center Square) – President Joe Biden won’t be charged with a crime for his handling and sharing of classified documents, but the report clearing him of wrongdoing raises questions about his memory. The 81-year-old President is seeking another four-year term. After years of gaffes, on and off the campaign trail, the 388-page special counsel report highlights […]
Posted inRepresenting You
Are Unions a Good or Bad Idea for Georgia?
The Republican-controlled state Senate passed legislation Thursday Democrats charged would make it harder for unions to organize in Georgia. Senate Bill 362, which passed 31-23 along party lines, would prohibit businesses seeking state economic development incentives from voluntarily recognizing the establishment of a union if a secret-ballot election option is available. The measure also forbids […]
Posted inIn The News
Vice President Kamala Harris Was in Georgia Wednesday. Here’s What She Said
Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Savannah on Tuesday as part of a new effort by the Biden administration to campaign heavily on abortion rights ahead of the 2024 election. In the first stop of her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour to take place in the South, Harris spoke solely on the topic before an […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Cobb Teen Charged in Crash that Killed Two Teens in Cherokee County
🚨 The Gist: Oliver Luis Roman, an 18-year-old from Powder Springs, was arrested on multiple charges, including vehicular homicide, after a deadly crash in Woodstock that took two teenage lives. 🛑 The Details: The Cherokee community is grappling with the aftermath of a car crash on Towne Lake Parkway. The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office has charged […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia Brothers Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement During January 6 Attack
Two Georgia brothers have been arrested for assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Cepane Sarty, 38, of Marietta, and Seth Sarty, 45, of Rockmart, are charged with the felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers during the attack, which disrupted a joint session of Congress […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
Political Powerhouse: Georgia Ranks 4th in The Nation for Black Political Engagement
📊 The Gist: In a recent report, WalletHub ranks Georgia fourth nationwide in political engagement among African Americans, highlighting significant participation in elections and representation in Congress. 🔍 The Details: The study assessed states on black voter turnout and registration for recent elections, and representation in the U.S. House. Georgia shone with: 📈 By The […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
‘Wheres My Tax Refund?:’ Atlanta is Among the Nation’s Most Anxious Cities When it Comes to Taxes
📊 The Gist: Atlanta stands out for its high level of anxiety over tax refund delays, according to a recent study. 🔍 The Details: Business resource LLC.org’s analysis shows Atlanta at the sixth spot nationwide for “tax refund restlessness,” with the city logging 627,070 Google searches about tax refund status during tax season. That’s 125,635 […]
Posted inThe Georgia Chronicles
Georgia Day Marks State’s 291st Anniversary with an Educational Video Premiere
📚 The Gist: On February 12, Georgia celebrates 291 years since its founding with a special video aimed at educating students on the state’s rich history. 📹 The Details: To honor the 291st anniversary of Georgia’s establishment on February 12, 1733, the Georgia Historical Society is set to release an engaging educational video. This new […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia Republicans Pass Controversial Bill Banning No-Cash Bail
The Georgia House of Representatives gave final passage Tuesday to legislation adding a long list of offenses ineligible for no-cash bail. The ban on no-cash bail applies to both violent and non-violent crimes, from murder and rape to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and white-collar crimes including forgery and financial transaction card fraud. […]
Posted inCrime
An 81-Year-Old Man Is Accused of Killing His 71-Year-Old Wife at A Lawrenceville Assisted Living Facility
The Gist: Detectives are investigating a domestic incident after a woman was found dead at a Lawrenceville assisted living facility. The Latest: Detectives have charged 81-year-old Richard Hayden with malice murder, aggravated assault and felony murder. He is being evaluated at a nearby hospital for reasons unrelated to the incident and will be transported to the […]
