This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org. For nearly two weeks, lawyers in a 19th floor courtroom in downtown Atlanta have examined Georgia’s shifting demographics, pored over socio-economic data and scrutinized the boundary lines […]
Posted inMissing
11-year-old Who Didn’t Return Home from School in Bibb County Found
Update: Bibb County Sheriff’s officials say Jaymez Wilburn has been found and reunited with his family. The original story is below. The Gist: Concerns are mounting for the safety of 11-year-old Jaymez Wilburn, who disappeared after school on Thursday. Bibb County law enforcement is on the case, combing through Adams Avenue and asking locals to […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia state troopers want higher pay
Lt. Col. William “Billy” Hitchens ATLANTA – Pay raises of $11,000 for state law enforcement officers during the last two years still haven’t solved recruitment and retention challenges for a Georgia State Patrol forced into a bidding war. “Agencies are competing over an ever-decreasing pool of candidates,” Lt. Col. William “Billy” Hitchens III, deputy commissioner […]
Posted inEducation
Cobb Education Chief Defends Removing Books
The Gist: Superintendent Chris Ragsdale addressed rumors and provided clarification about several recent controversies in the Cobb County School District, including the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, book fairs, and the presence of explicit material in school libraries. What Happened: Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale tackled multiple instances of what he termed “misinformation” at […]
Posted inCrime
Homicide Probe: ‘Soldiers of Christ’ Members Arrested Following Woman’s Death
The Gist: Detectives in Gwinnett County have arrested five adults and one juvenile, all related to a religious group calling themselves “Soldiers of Christ,” for their alleged involvement in a woman’s death. The case is now under investigation as a homicide. What Happened?: Officers first discovered the body inside a car’s trunk parked at 3555 […]
Posted inCrime
Atlanta police search for armed and dangerous homicide suspect
In the early hours of Sunday, September 3, a fatal shooting occurred at 2430 Piedmont Rd NE in Atlanta. A man was found suffering from a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities have identified the suspect as Randy King, born in 2001, and are urging the public to assist in […]
Posted inCrime
Suspect caught in Tuesday night hit-and-run in Cobb County
AUSTELL — A hit-and-run crash late Tuesday night left two residents injured on Cardell Road. According to police, a white 2005 Honda Accord came to a halt in the southbound lane near 2135 Cardell Road due to mechanical issues. The driver, Deborah K. Wright, 63, remained in her vehicle with the driver’s door open and […]
Posted inCrime
SWAT standoff in Roswell: What we know
The Gist: An armed man is dead after a standoff and exchange of gunfire with SWAT at Roswell RaceTrac. What Happened?: On Tuesday night, an adult male brandishing a handgun was spotted at the RaceTrac at 420 E. Crossville Rd., leading to an almost two-hour standoff. Police identified the man as Raheem Freeman, age 28, […]
Posted inThe Public Record
The Public Record: The Saga of Fani Willis and Jim Jordan
The Players Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Congressman Jim Jordan, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary are at the center of a dispute of Donald Trump’s indictment in Fulton County. Willis, a formidable force in Georgia’s legal scene, has been the DA since 2021. Congressman Jordan, a heavyweight in national politics, leads […]
Posted inHealth
What’s Going on with COVID in Georgia?
ATLANTA – COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths in Georgia are rising but remain well below levels seen during the coronavirus pandemic, State Epidemiologist Dr. Cherie Drenzek said Tuesday. About 17.000 Georgians were hospitalized with the virus during the past week, an increase of 16% over the previous week, Drenzek told members of the Georgia Board of […]
Posted inYour Family
Relief At The Pump: Brian Kemp Suspends Georgia’s Gas Tax Again
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp is suspending the state sales tax on gasoline and other motor fuels for the second time in a year and a half, citing increasing prices at the pump. The latest suspension will take effect at 12 a.m. Wednesday and run until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 12. Kemp blamed the Biden administration […]
Posted inGeorgia Places
Georgia’s Top Spots for Apple Picking: A Taste of Fall in the Peach State
When the air turns crisp and leaves start showing off their autumn colors, apple picking becomes the go-to weekend activity for many Georgians. A beloved fall tradition, it offers more than just delicious fruit; it’s an experience best enjoyed with family and friends. So grab a basket and get ready, because here are the best […]
Posted inEducation
Georgia Tech, UGA Make List of Top-10 Public Universities in the Country
The Arch on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens ATLANTA – Georgia has landed two of its universities among the ranks of the top-10 public universities in the nation. Georgia Tech is third in rankings platform Niche’s rankings of the 10 best public universities, while the University of Georgia placed ninth on […]
Posted inSpecial Features
The Interplay Of AI And Vessel Tracking: Shaping The Future Of Maritime
The vast expanse of the world’s oceans has long been a realm of mystery and opportunity. Vessels of all sizes navigate these waters, connecting nations, transporting goods, and supporting various industries. In this digital age, the union of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and vessel tracking, often called ‘ship tracker,’ is revolutionizing the maritime industry. This interplay […]
Posted inYour Family
Credit Card Debt Soars in Georgia: Here’s How Much the Average Person Owes
The Gist: Georgians are pulling out the plastic more than ever, ranking seventh in the nation for the biggest increase in credit card debt in the second quarter of this year. What Happened?: The personal-finance website WalletHub released new Federal Reserve data showing a surge in credit card debt across the United States. In Georgia […]
Posted inCrime
Thomson Community in Shock as Fatal Shooting Unfolds Late Saturday Night
Late Saturday night, Thomson residents faced a violent tragedy when a man was found dead and a woman injured in a shooting. Steveance Tate, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the unnamed woman was later released from an Augusta hospital after treatment. According to the GBI, at about 11 p.m., McDuffie County 911 […]
Posted inGeorgia Places
6 Must-Visit Spots for Fall Activities in Georgia
Fall in Georgia is more than just a season; it’s a sensory experience filled with colorful leaves, cool air, and the sweet scent of autumn. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, outdoor adventures, or simply a way to enjoy the season’s offerings, the Peach State has something for everyone. From apple picking in the mountains […]
Posted inEducation
Georgia may shrink dual enrollment options for high school students
About 45,000 Georgia students participated in dual enrollment last year, taking college-level classes for both college and high school credit. If those students were all packed into one district, they would be the eighth-largest district in the state, said Jennifer Phinney, dual enrollment program specialist at the Georgia Department of Education. “It’s a significant population […]
