Home sales surged in the United States in the early months of the pandemic. From the first quarter of 2020 to the second, the homeownership rate in the U.S. climbed from 65.3% to 67.9% – the largest quarterly increase since record keeping began in the mid 1960s. And while owning a home offers several advantages […]
Posted inCoronavirus
The COVID-19 Public Emergency is Over. Here’s What it Means for Georgia
The Gist: With the stroke of midnight, the federal declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency will expire. Thanks to wide distribution of effective vaccines, extensive testing infrastructure, and widespread immunity from vaccination or prior infection, COVID-19 will no longer hold the status of a public health emergency in Georgia. What Unfolded?: Georgia has […]
Posted inLocal
Who is Going Door to Door in Norcross?
The Gist: The next few days in Norcross will see Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, conducting a local door-to-door call-to-action drive. This nonprofit labor organization aims to enhance education and push for legislative and political advocacy to support key issues affecting working families. What Is Happening?: Working America, known for fighting for […]
Posted inYour Family
Opponents urge officials to reject Georgia Power’s $15.90 per month price hike
ATLANTA – Lawyers representing environmental groups and manufacturers asked the state Public Service Commission’s (PSC) Energy Committee Thursday to reject an agreement letting Georgia Power recover 100% of higher fuel costs incurred during the last two years from customers. The PSC’s Public Interest Advocacy staff and the Atlanta-based utility agreed last month on a plan […]
Posted inIn The News
If you thought regular mosquitos were bad, you haven’t met the Asian Tiger Mosquito
The Gist: An invasive, disease-spreading mosquito is rapidly making its way across America, and Georgians are urged to be alert. The Asian tiger mosquito, known for its distinct white stripes, is a carrier of several diseases including dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus. What You Need to Know: Zachary Smith, a seasoned pest control professional […]
Posted inEducation
Common Core is dead in Georgia
The Gist: Saying goodbye to the final traces of the Common Core, Georgia schools are all set to implement new K-12 English Language Arts standards. Today, the State Board of Education gave the green light to these standards that are expected to be in full swing after a couple of years of teacher training. What […]
Posted inIn The News
No more swimming at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands
The Gist: In a move focused on safety, Margaritaville Water Park is closing its popular lake swimming area at Lake Lanier Islands, a decision that is expected to be met with negative reactions by the park’s visitors. What Happened?: After a thorough safety review, the company has decided to close its lake for swimming. Though […]
Posted inCrime
Police shooting in Lithia Springs: What we know
The News: A confrontation in Cobb County late Tuesday night resulted in a police shooting, leaving Ricardo Tuggle and Kara Johnson injured after a domestic dispute turned violent. What Happened?: Around midnight, officers responded to a 911 call on Drennon Avenue in Austell. The caller reported that Tuggle and Johnson were at the caller’s home, […]
Posted inTips and Knowledge
Class of 2023: 23 Life Hacks for Post-Grad Vibes
Congrats, Class of 2023! You’ve persevered through a global pandemic, political upheaval, and economic inflation. As you embark on adulthood or college, here are 23 nuggets of wisdom to guide you. Seek Wisdom: Identify a few elders you admire. Observe their conflict resolution, interactions, and resilience. Consult their wisdom when in doubt. Slow Down: Adulthood […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
The Big Peach Beckons: Atlanta Crowned Best City for Recent Graduates
The Gist: Atlanta has emerged as the top large city for recent college graduates to kickstart their careers, according to a study by CoworkingCafe. The Study: The CoworkingCafe study evaluated U.S. cities across various parameters such as job opportunities, income levels, cost of living, lifestyle amenities, and other metrics. The cities were divided into three […]
Posted inEducation
This is the hardest college to get into in Georgia in 2023
Deciding where to go college is the first major life decision many Americans make. And while there are many factors to weigh when selecting a school – including cost and distance from home – many of the 16.6 million American college students today chose to enroll in the best school they could get into. It […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Meet the new principal at Marietta Center for Advanced Academics
MARIETTA — Heather Woods, a seasoned educator with a career spanning 22 years, has been named as the new principal of the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics. The news was announced by the Marietta City Schools on May 9. Woods, who has spent the last five years as assistant principal at West Side Elementary, will […]
Posted inYour Family
Odor Relief in Sight for Rock Mill Neighborhood
Relief is near for Rock Mill as DeKalb County Sanitation halts work in a waste cell at Seminole Landfill. The cell will be sealed with dirt and grass, stopping waste buildup near the homes. A new cell, built since November 2022, is set to be done by June 1. The cell sits 300 feet from […]
Posted inCrime
Operation Golden Eagle: 12 caught and charged with child exploitation in Georgia
The Gist: A three-day operation coordinated by multiple law enforcement agencies in Georgia has led to the arrest of 12 individuals for online child exploitation and related crimes in the Northwest Georgia area. What Happened?: “Operation Golden Eagle,” a multi-agency undercover investigation, aimed to identify and apprehend individuals who engage in sexually explicit communication with […]
Posted inYour Government
Kemp vetoes slew of bills
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp has been busy exercising his veto pen. The Republican governor has vetoed 14 bills the General Assembly passed during this year’s legislative session, not including nine vetoes of line items in the $32.4 billion fiscal 2024 state budget he signed late last week. The 14 vetoes were highlighted by legislation […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Atlanta History: Jacob Elsas shaped the labor movement in the New South
The Gist: A new historical marker in Atlanta commemorates the life of entrepreneur Jacob Elsas and his influential company, Fulton Bag & Cotton Mills, which significantly shaped the textile industry and labor movement in the New South Era. The History: Why It Matters: The historical marker not only preserves the story of an immigrant entrepreneur […]
Posted inYour Government
Atlanta is set to acquire the West End Performing Arts Center from Fulton County
The Gist: Atlanta plans to acquire the West End Performing Arts Center from Fulton County, with a proposed legislation to transfer ownership and provide resources for refurbishment. What Happened?: Mayor Andre Dickens announced that the City of Atlanta intends to take over the West End Performing Arts Center from Fulton County through legislation introduced to […]
Posted inSports
Rugby ATL Partners with Swift School for Rookie Rugby Program
ROSWELL — Atlanta’s professional rugby team, Rugby ATL, collaborated with Swift School on Wednesday, May 3, to introduce the Rookie Rugby program, teaching students the fundamentals of rugby. This event marked the first time Rugby ATL integrated the program into a school’s curriculum. Swift School, located in Roswell, is an independent institution that offers remediation […]
