The perennial push to legalize gambling in Georgia hit the General Assembly Thursday for the first time in this year’s legislative session. A state Senate committee took up two similar measures asking Georgia voters to decide whether to legalize pari-mutuel betting on horse racing and two accompanying “enabling” bills outlining how the industry would operate […]
Posted inYour Family
Georgia education department gives $5.26 million to help students with dyslexia
The Georgia Department of Education is awarding $5.26 million in grants to help school districts improve literacy outcomes and support students with dyslexia.
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Macon woman killed while crossing street
According to sheriff’s officials, 57-year-old Vickie Elaine Smith, of Macon, was walking east across Houston Road near Broadway when she was struck by a vehicle.
Posted inWeather
High winds and rain expected in Georgia this afternoon
High winds will give way to showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and showers will stay through Friday morning.
Posted inYour Family
Georgia lawmakers push for state health insurance plan transparency
A House committee Tuesday approved a bill that would require more public disclosure about Georgia health plans serving Medicaid patients and state employees and teachers. Members of the House Health and Human Services Committee did not voice any objections to the measure, which now goes to the Rules Committee in that chamber. The legislation was […]
Posted inFire
Apartment fire breaks out in Athens at 2:30 a.m.
ATHENS — Athens-Clarke County Fire & Emergency Services units were dispatched to an apartment complex at 155 Ramona Road for a structure fire Wednesday at 2:30 a.m. The first arriving engine officer reported dark, heavy smoke conditions at the front side of the apartment coming from the doorways and windows. Police officers at the scene […]
Posted inEntertainment
Dino Safari at North Point Mall adds birthday party room
Dino Safari: A Walk-Through Adventure is announcing several new additions to its limited time, fan favorite walk-through journey. The dino destination launches weekly story times, a virtual reality experience and a brand-new birthday party room. The immersive exhibit also rolled out new ticket pricing and bundles. “We’ve seen an overwhelming response since the exhibit first opened […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
Road Closure Alert: DeKalb Industrial Way to close Friday
On Feb. 18, a portion of the northbound lane along DeKalb Industrial Way, at eastbound Lawrenceville Highway, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while crews work to install valves on new ductile iron pipe. Message boards will be placed at the intersection. This section of DeKalb Industrial Way will reopen on Friday, […]
Posted inCrime
Gwinnett County road rage incident leaves three injured with gunshot wounds
Three people were shot during a road rage incident in Gwinnett County Tuesday evening. According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, 25-year-old Shormoi Martin, of Buford, has been arrested following the incident. Martin is being charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm during a Felony. Gwinnett Police officers were dispatched to a person shot […]
Posted inYour Family
Georgia takes steps to keep bird flu outbreak out of state
The state is taking steps to prevent the spread of a highly contagious form of bird flu that has broken out in commercial and backyard poultry operations in three states. The Georgia Department of Agriculture issued an order Wednesday immediately canceling all exhibitions, shows, flea market or auction sales, swaps and meets involving poultry and […]
Posted inCrime
Police chase leads to shooting in Stephens County
TOCCOA — A police chase in Toccoa ended in gunfire Tuesday afternoon just after 1:15 p.m. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, a Stephens County deputy attempted a traffic stop on Yearwood Road in Toccoa on a man driving a Chevrolet Silverado. GBI officials say the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado refused to stop and […]
Posted inCrime
Past racial slurs an issue in hate crimes trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers
The three men facing federal hate crimes charges in the death of Ahmaud Arbery will have to overcome a jury’s reactions to racial slurs in text messages and conversations as evidence that the murderers were motivated by race when they gunned down the 25-year-old Black man on a Brunswick-area street on Feb. 23, 2020. Tuesday […]
Posted inYour Government
Roswell mayor puts brakes on charter changes
ROSWELL — After proposing a round of significant changes to the city charter to be voted on Monday night, Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson says he is killing any immediate plans of revising the city charter. At a committee meeting Tuesday night, Wilson apologized again for how the process was handled and said the council would […]
Posted inRepresenting You
Representing You: Georgia lawmakers take on Facebook and Twitter
Legislation prohibiting giant social media platforms from censoring content based on the author’s viewpoint cleared a Georgia Senate committee Tuesday. Reining in social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter has become a national issue since the companies suspended former President Donald Trump’s accounts a year ago. Republican-controlled legislatures in Florida and Texas have adopted laws […]
Posted inCrime
Scam Alert: Atlanta police officers don’t call demanding money
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department is warning residents of someone using several police department numbers to make threatening phone calls to citizens and demanding money to clear citations. Police officials say no one from the police department will call you soliciting money to clear an outstanding warrant or parking ticket. This tactic is commonly […]
Posted inYour Family
Who really benefits from Georgia’s ‘Freedom to Farm’ bill?
A controversial bill making it harder for property owners living in agricultural areas to file nuisance lawsuits against nearby farms or livestock operations got its first airing in a legislative committee Tuesday. Supporters of the Freedom to Farm Act have inserted changes into the original bill targeting hog farms and chicken houses, livestock operations that […]
Posted inSponsored
Report shines light on Atlanta’s ‘Barriers to Business’
Making diners happy is easy for Atlanta chef Joey Ward. The hard part was satisfying City Hall when he opened Southern Belle, a restaurant that serves farm-to-table cuisine in a historic building with a speakeasy nestled inside. The startup process was so complicated that even agency officials lacked clear answers. When Ward called for help, […]
Posted inHome & Garden
What is Georgia’s unpredictable weather doing to your garden?
While some U.S. regions, such as the Northeast and Midwest, have experienced consistent cold throughout the winter of 2022, the Southeast region, including Georgia, has seen a winter with varied temperatures. Those unpredictable temperatures, alongside moisture and frost, may have had a direct impact on plant survival, as plants’ ability to thrive or perish is […]
