The Gist: Antisemitic flyers, similar to those seen in other Georgia cities, have been found in several Alpharetta neighborhoods, sparking an active investigation by local law enforcement. What Happened?: Residents of Alpharetta were shocked and appalled when they woke up to antisemitic flyers scattered throughout their neighborhoods. The flyers bear a striking resemblance to those […]
Posted inIn The Know
Milton Leaders Want to Regulate Golf Carts and ‘flag Lots’ in the City
The Gist: Milton residents could soon see changes in how their city handles Personal Transportation Vehicles such as golf carts (PTVs), as well as how the city handles “flag lots.” The City Council is considering a new registration system for PTVs and amendments to city code related to flag lots, both of which could have […]
Posted inIn The News
A host on ‘The View’ called Macon ‘racist.’ Here’s how the city’s mayor responded
Central Georgia Focus’s Ask Mayor Miller is a monthly interview series produced by the nonprofit Macon Newsroom and the Center for Collaborative Journalism at Mercer University. Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian, who covers Macon-Bibb County government entities, hosts the show. In the July edition of the program, Macon Mayor Lester Miller talked about tax rollbacks, new […]
Posted inWeather
Severe storms and high winds are expected in Georgia today and Monday
We’re looking at a potentially turbulent weather pattern for North and Central Georgia over the next week. Today and Tonight Today, we’re facing a marginal risk, that’s a level 1 out of 5, for severe weather conditions in both northern and central parts of the state. The morning will see the brunt of the storm […]
Posted inIn The News
Mega Millions jackpot soars over 1.5 billion
The Mega Millions jackpot is on a thrilling ascent, with the upcoming draw on Tuesday, August 8, poised to potentially shatter the game’s record. The current record stands at a staggering $1.537 billion, which was claimed in South Carolina on October 23, 2018. After no ticket matched all six numbers in the Friday night draw, […]
Posted inGeorgia Places
6 Things You Didn’t Know About Gwinnett County
Named after a Signer of the U.S. Constitution Many might not realize that Gwinnett County is named in honor of Button Gwinnett, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution. While his name might not be as recognizable as other Founding Fathers, Button Gwinnett left an indelible mark on American history. After signing the Constitution, […]
Posted inCrime
Gwinnett Police Officer Accused of Child Molestation
A Gwinnett County Police officer has been arrested and charged with child molestation. Gwinnett County Police officer Patrick Ventura faces serious charges following an internal investigation initiated by his patrol supervisor last month. According to police officials, what began as a probe into discrepancies in Ventura’s patrol activities quickly escalated, drawing in the Special Victims […]
Posted inIn The News
Family of man ‘eaten alive’ by bed bugs in the Fulton County jail gets $4 million settlement
The Gist: The tragic death of LaShawn Thompson in the Fulton County Jail culminated in a record-setting $4 million settlement, marking the largest pre-litigation sum ever in Fulton County. Thompson, described by family lawyers as being ‘eaten alive’ by bed bugs, died under harrowing conditions, raising serious concerns about the state of inmate care. Backstory: […]
Posted inCrime
Thomson sees string of vehicle break-ins
Recent incidents of vehicles being broken into have rattled residents of Thomson in McDuffie County. Local authorities report a surge in cases where autos have been unlawfully entered, prompting citizens to exercise increased caution. Sheriff’s officials say citizens should lock their vehicles and avoid leaving valuables like wallets, purses, cash, and firearms in them. The […]
Posted inCrime
60-year-old Georgia man gets 18 months in prison for his role in January 6 attack on the Capitol
The Gist: William McCall Calhoun Jr., an attorney from Americus, faces 18 months in prison for his role during the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021. What Happened?: Calhoun took part in the disruption of a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to verify the 2020 presidential electoral votes. Charged with obstruction of […]
Posted inEducation
Some Fulton County schools will provide free breakfast and lunch for all students
The Gist: Fulton County Schools has opted into the Community Eligibility Provision, a federal program designed to streamline the process of providing free school meals. This change eliminates meal applications, leading to reduced administrative and printing costs and less paperwork for families. What Is It?: The Community Eligibility Provision, a component of the National School […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Meet the New CEO of Georgia Public Broadcasting
Bert Huffman ATLANTA – A veteran administrator at Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) is stepping up to become the state network’s CEO, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Friday. Bert Huffman began working at GPB in 2014 as its first vice president for development and marketing. He later became senior vice president of external affairs before being named […]
Posted inCrime
Two Charged in Slaying of 18-year-old at Norcross Apartment Complex
The Gist: Two Norcross teenagers, Salvador Ruiz Gonzalez and Andy Antonio-Herrera, have been arrested by the Gwinnett County Police Department in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Andres David Buitrago Castillo. What Happened?: The incident, which occurred in Gwinnett County, resulted in the death of Castillo. The two suspects, 16-year-old Ruiz Gonzalez and 15-year-old […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Lane Closures on I-675 in Clayton, DeKalb, and Henry Counties This Weekend
The Gist: Got plans to hit I-675 this weekend? You might want to reconsider. A concrete slab rehabilitation project in Clayton, DeKalb, and Henry counties is setting the stage for lane closures along this stretch of the interstate, affecting 10 miles from I-75 to I-285. What’s Happening?: Starting Sunday, August 6 at 8 p.m., crews […]
Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers
Georgia Emerges as a Hotspot for Home Sales. See how the state ranked
The Gist: As American homeowners vie for limited properties and face climbing prices and mortgage rates, some states are turning into sellers’ hotspots. Georgia, in particular, has made its mark as a prime hub for property sales, clinching the spot for the eighth-highest rate of new home listings nationwide. What Happened? In a study carried […]
Posted inLocal
Burn Ban Lifted in Cherokee County to Help with Storm Debris
Residents in unincorporated Cherokee County dealing with the aftermath of the recent storm now have an additional disposal option. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has agreed to lift the burn ban until October 1, providing a method for eliminating vegetative storm debris. The decision comes after the July 20 storm that resulted in substantial tree […]
Posted inEducation
Sequoyah High School Junior Nets Impressive Scholarship for Innovative Scoreboard Skills
In the world of digital scoreboard mastery, a Georgia student is making a national name for himself, netting a hefty scholarship for his standout skills. Noah Popp, a junior at Sequoyah High School in Cherokee County, has garnered the $5,000 Student Scoreboard Scholarship from Formetco Sports. Popp’s innovative use of the company’s video LED scoreboard […]
Posted inYour Government
What part do Georgia’s fake electors play in the Trump Jan. 6 indictment?
The federal indictment accusing Donald Trump of trying to stay in power after losing the 2020 presidential election includes detailed accusations of Trump and his alleged co-conspirators’ pressure on individual state officials. The central plot to overturn the election, as described in the indictment a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., handed up Tuesday, involved switching out legitimate […]
