Posted inEducation

Here’s your chance to weigh in on Georgia’s English and language arts standards

The state Board of Education has posted a new set of English and language arts (ELA) standards and asked the public to weigh in by May 1.    The public comment period is the next step in a lengthy process of revising the state’s standards for ELA education across all grade levels.   “Truly, the documents that […]

Posted inHealth

Here’s how the doctor shortage crisis in Georgia compares to other states

The United States has been battling a doctor shortage for a few years. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how big the problem is. Medical institutions have been warning that there could be a shortage of up to 124,000 primary care physicians and specialty care doctors nationwide within a decade, according to research by the Association […]

Posted inCrime

Scam Alert: No, the IRS will not ask you to pay your taxes with gift cards

The Marietta Police Department is cautioning residents about a recurring gift card scam and emphasizing that the IRS will never request payments in the form of gift cards. Scammers are contacting unsuspecting individuals, posing as officials from organizations or claiming to have money owed, in an attempt to persuade them to purchase gift cards and […]

Posted inCrime

Police crack down on street racing in Atlanta

The Gist: A crackdown on illegal street racing in Atlanta led to multiple arrests and impounded vehicles, as local law enforcement agencies joined forces over the weekend to protect public safety. Action-Packed Weekend: From April 1 to April 3, Atlanta’s streets were the scene of a coordinated effort by the Atlanta Police Department, Georgia State […]

Posted inLocal

Henry County holds active shooter training in wake of Nashville school shooting

In the wake of the tragic shooting at a small Presbyterian school in Nashville, Tennessee, which claimed six lives, including three children, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office is set to hold its second Active Threat and Security Response Training Seminar. The event aims to educate community members on how to handle active threat situations and […]

Posted inEvents

Goodwill is having an Earth Day Donation Drive. Here’s what you need to know

The Gist: Goodwill of North Georgia is hosting an Earth Day Donation Drive from April 3-22 encouraging people to donate gently used items and offering a $500 prize to one donor each week. The initiative aims to keep items out of landfills and create more job training and placement opportunities for local job seekers. The […]

Posted inWeather

Rain and thunderstorms move through Georgia today

Georgia residents can expect widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms to continue moving eastward across the state today, according to the latest update from The National Weather Service. The inclement weather brings potential risks, and residents are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions. More organized thunderstorms are expected to develop later this morning and […]

Posted inTraffic & Transportation

Padlock Mountain Road in Floyd County will be closed for two days. Here’s why

The Gist: Padlock Mountain Road in Floyd County will be closed for two days for essential cross drain replacement work, affecting local traffic. What Happened?: Floyd County Public Works announced the temporary closure of Padlock Mountain Road, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4. The road closure is necessary to replace two failed cross […]

Posted inYour Government

Georgia lawmakers failed to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from mining

The push by a large coalition of Georgia legislators to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from mining failed this session even before legislators could vote on a panel to study ways to protect the diverse wildlife refuge. The failure of Georgia legislators to pass bills designed to protect the Okefenokee natural resource, was another blow to […]

Posted inCrime

Norcross teen arrested in Roswell hit-and-run that injured elderly pedestrians

The News: A 17-year-old from Norcross is facing multiple charges after being arrested in connection to a hit-and-run crash in Roswell that left two elderly pedestrians critically injured. What Happened?: On April 1 at about 6:30 a.m., The Roswell Police Department received a 911 call from a passerby who discovered two injured women in their […]

Posted inFire

Downed power lines cause fire on Slygo Road in Dade County

The Dade County Sheriff’s Office has issued a transit alert for the 5000 block of Slygo Road, urging residents to avoid the area and find alternate routes. The alert, posted on the department’s social media accounts, warns that multiple trees have fallen, causing road blockage and subsequent fires. Authorities report that the fallen trees have […]

Posted inCrime

18-year-old arrested in killing of Albany teen

ALBANY — An arrest has been made in the homicide that occurred in the 900 block of Willowwood Drive in Albany. 18-year-old Kaleb Brown was apprehended April 1, and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, and tampering with evidence in the shooting death of 17-year-old Keshawn Hunt. The Albany Police Department took […]

Posted inGeorgia By The Numbers

The average Georgia resident tips 16% for fast food

Millions of hospitality industry workers – including most servers and bartenders – rely on tips for a majority of their income. In over a dozen states, tipped bar and restaurant workers earn a minimum wage of just $2.13 an hour. That comes to just over $17 for an eight-hour shift, with the rest of their […]

Posted inCrime

Smyrna Man Sentenced in $3.3 Million COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme

The News: A Smyrna resident, Rowlando Hatter Jr., has been sentenced for his role in a $3.3 million multi-state COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud scheme. Hatter and his co-conspirator, Clyde Parker, used the personal identifying information of over 100 victims to fraudulently obtain benefits from state workforce agencies across five states. What Happened?: According to prosecutors, […]

Posted inWeather

Weekend Weather: A cold front moves through Georgia this weekend

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for portions of North and Central Georgia, warning of severe thunderstorms and the potential for isolated tornadoes late tonight and into Saturday. Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the primary hazard associated with this weather event. A line of thunderstorms is forecast to develop […]

Posted inHealth

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Parts of Monroe County

The Gist: A Boil Water Advisory has been announced for some Monroe County water system customers, specifically affecting those residing on Talmadge Road and Boxankle Road. The advisory is expected to last until at least Saturday afternoon, April 1. What Happened?: Monroe County water system customers living on Talmadge Road or Boxankle Road, from its […]

Posted inEducation

Forsyth County education chief and sheriff respond to threats against schools

Forsyth County school superintendent Jeff Bearden and Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman released the following joint statement about threats against Forsyth County Schools this week in the wake of the school shooting in Nashville. The full statement is below. March 30, 2023 The heart-breaking school shooting in Nashville has been difficult for many of us. […]

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