The following is a statement by Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s rejection of the state’s request for standardized testing waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This morning, Chief State School Officers received a letter from Secretary Betsy DeVos stating that the U.S. Department of Education does not plan to […]
Posted inMissing
Have you seen this 17-year-old who has been missing since May?
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a 17-year-old girl who has been missing since May. According to Sheriff’s officials, 17-year-old Deondra Steward was last seen on May 28 in Douglasville. She is believed to have left of her own volition. Authorities describe Deondra as being about 5’7″ tall, weighing […]
Posted inCoronavirus
798 UGA students test positive for COVID-19
The surge of COVID cases among college students has surfaced again, this time at the University of Georgia. University officials Wednesday reported hundreds of new cases of COVID-19 in the first week of classes in Athens. Officials said a total of 821 positive tests for the virus were reported through the University’s DawgCheck reporting system […]
Posted inWeather
Be Prepared: Experts predict a record-setting hurricane season
Between dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and early indications of an especially active hurricane season, University of Georgia experts urge citizens to prepare early and remain prepared for weather-related emergencies. This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is off to a record-setting start, according to climatologist Pam Knox, who is also director of the UGA Weather Network for the College of […]
Posted inNews Blog
News Blog: Labor Day garbage pickup schedules announced
DeKalb County announces garbage pickup schedule In observance of Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, DeKalb County garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Sept. 7– Labor Day observed. No sanitation collection service. Tuesday, Sept. 8 –Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection […]
Posted inYour Government
Trump pulls ahead of Biden in Georgia by 7 points
President Donald Trump has opened up a lead on Democratic challenger Joe Biden in Georgia, according to the first poll released since last week’s Republican National Convention. In a survey of 500 likely Georgia voters conducted by Landmark Communications for Atlanta’s WSB-TV, Trump led Biden 47.9% to 40.5%. Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen received the support […]
Posted inYour Family
Elizabeth Warren wants to investigate Georgia college dorm operator
Two national Democrats have started an inquiry into a business that operates college dormitories in Georgia. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, sent a letter to Rhode Island-based Corvias Property Management, a private business that operates dormitories at several of Georgia’s public universities. Wayne State University in Detroit also […]
Posted inLocal
Lawrenceville residents will see a water bill increase soon. Here’s why
LAWRENCEVILLE — Lawrenceville residents will notice what is described by county officials as a slight increase in their water bills soon. The increase comes as Gwinnett County has agreed to take over the city’s water system. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement to purchase the Lawrenceville Water Distribution System. […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Meet Georgia’s new emergency management chief
Gov. Brian Kemp tapped a new emergency-management director for the state Tuesday shortly after extending for another two weeks health measures aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus in Georgia. Capt. Chris Stallings, a former state trooper and most recently head of a state Department of Public Safety unit tasked with protecting top elected officials, […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia mother jumps from moving car with her baby to escape kidnapping
DULUTH — A Georgia mother jumped out of a moving car with her baby to escape a kidnapping after she was carjacked in a gas station parking lot. The Gwinnett County Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a the man who kidnapped the mother and her child. The incident was captured […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Are COVID-19 deaths being over-reported? A local doctor explains
A viral meme claims that the CDC is over-reporting COVID-19 deaths and that only 6% of people who were listed as dying of COVID-19 actually died from the virus. The meme is false and springs from people who don’t understand the word “comorbidity.” What the CDC actually said was that only 6% of people who […]
Posted inYour Government
Federal judge extends Georgia’s deadline for accepting absentee ballots
A federal judge has extended the time Georgia election officials can accept absentee ballots if they are received up to three days after the general election on Nov. 3. In a ruling Monday, Judge Eleanor Ross of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia ordered that mail-in ballots that are postmarked by […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Kemp to name new state emergency chief
Georgia’s top emergency official, Homer Bryson, is retiring. Bryson is the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security Director. He has held the post since 2016. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will be announcing a new director for the agency tomorrow morning, along with naming a new chief of staff for the agency. If you’d like […]
Posted inCrime
Man shot at Gwinnett County park after football game
The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating a shooting that took place at Gary Pirkle Park at 6195 Austin Garner Road on August 29 after a semi-professional football game was cancelled. The preliminary information collected by investigators indicates that the game was cancelled after the two teams involved had a brawl in the middle of the […]
Posted inYour Government
Here’s how to get your absentee ballot in Georgia
A new online portal for Georgians to request absentee ballots is up and running so voters can avoid the usual paperwork in this November’s presidential election. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger launched ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov today, a site he said will provide voters easy access to absentee ballots while also streamlining the processing of them for local elections officials. […]
Posted inIn The News
A python was found in a backyard in Walton County
A Walton County resident found a python in their backyard, sparking concerns that the non-native species of aggressive snake might be breeding in Georgia. Pythons aren’t from around here and they have a penchant for eating dogs and cats and have been known to attack humans when threatened. According to the Georgia Department of Natural […]
Posted inTraffic & Transportation
23-year-old pedestrian struck and killed in Savannah
SAVANNAH — A 23-year-old woman died after being struck by a car in Savannah early Saturday morning. The Savannah Police Department is investigating the crash that occurred at about 3:30 a.m. According to police, 23-year-old Amber Wilson was walking in the center eastbound lane of the Forest River Bridge on Georgia Highway 204. At the […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia republicans split over Loeffler and Collins
Top Republican candidates in Georgia vying to fill former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s term in the U.S. Senate rolled out big-name backers on the campaign trail this week ahead of the Nov. 3 special election. U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, who was appointed to the seat in January following Isakson’s retirement, launched a second statewide tour […]
