A Georgia Congressman has introduced a bill that aims to get military-grade weapons and equipment out of the hands of local law enforcement agencies. Today, Rep. Hank Johnson, a Democrat who represents Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, re-introduced the bipartisan Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2021 that would place restrictions and transparency measures on the “1033 program,” […]
Posted inSunrise Report
The Sunrise Report: New laws start to take shape
Good morning, Georgia! State lawmakers passed a flurry of bills yesterday in one of the two busiest days of the legislative session. Yesterday was known as Crossover Day, the last day a bill can be voted on in one chamber to cross over to the other chamber — it is also a day that gives […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia is one step closer to eliminating the citizen’s arrest law
Legislation to overhaul Georgia’s Civil War-era citizen’s arrest law inspired by the murder of Ahmaud Arbery last year passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on Monday. House Bill 479, which now heads to the Georgia Senate, is a follow-up to the hate-crimes law the General Assembly passed last June in the aftermath of the […]
Posted inCrime
Georgia may start prosecuting 17-year-olds as juveniles instead of adults
The Georgia House of Representatives has passed House Bill 272, sponsored by House Juvenile Justice Chairwoman Rep. Mandi Ballinger. This bill, which is now headed to the Georgia Senate, seeks to bring the majority of 17-year-old alleged offenders under the purview of juvenile court — a policy change long sought by juvenile justice reform advocates, legislators, parents and, […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia senate passes major voting reform bill
A major overhaul of Georgia’s absentee voting system and other election changes brought by Republican lawmakers passed in the state Senate Monday by a party-line vote, sparking cries of voter suppression from Democratic leaders. The wide-ranging bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan, R-Carrollton, was one of 12 measures focused on election changes up […]
Posted inYour Government
Crossover Day 2021 in Georgia: Election reform, health care reforms pass
Today is Crossover Day in Georgia, a big day for passing bills in the state legislature. Below is a live stream of the progress made by the legislature today. If you’re not sure what Crossover Day is, click here. Refresh to see updates. Health Care Reform: The house passed HB 454, unanimously. The bill would […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia looks to gift cards to clean up video gambling machine issues
Owners of convenience stores and restaurants featuring coin-operated amusement machines (COAMs) would be able to sell gift cards to players under legislation the Georgia House of Representatives passed Monday. The use of gift cards would go a long way toward cleaning up the industry by discouraging the illegal cash payouts that have long plagued COAMs, […]
Posted inIn The News
Should Georgia use daylight or standard time?
The Georgia House of Representatives and state Senate are at loggerheads over how Georgians should tell time. The House passed legislation last Friday calling for the Peach State to observe daylight saving time all year. That followed action the Senate took the week before to put Georgia on standard time permanently. The one thing both […]
Posted inIn The News
Can you help find this missing 35-year-old Atlanta woman?
Update: According to the Atlanta Police Department, Allison Varnell was located and is in good health. ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department is asking for your help finding a 35-year-old missing woman. Allison Varnell was last seen at 988 Hill St. SE. According to police, Allison is a white female, about 5’5″ in height and […]
Posted inIn The News
Car crashes into Savannah post office, killing one
SAVANNAH — A 67-year-old customer at a post office in Savannah was killed Saturday morning when a car crashed into the Eisenhower Drive Post Office. The crash resulted in one death and three injuries. According to the Savannah Police Department, An 82-year-old woman was attempting to park her Toyota Corolla in the parking lot at […]
Posted inCrime
Five charged in death of Decatur man who was beaten and shot
DECATUR — With the surrender today of another suspect, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says a total of five men are now in custody in connection with a shooting death last month. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit, with the U.S. Marshals, the DeKalb County Police Department, and the Brookhaven Police Department K9 Unit, made […]
Posted inCrime
Police investigate homicide at Norcross apartment complex
NORCROSS — The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating a shooting that resulted in the death of a man at a Norcross apartment complex just after 3 a.m. Saturday. The shooting occurred at 1023 Seasons Parkway in Norcross. When officers arrived, they found the man dead from a gunshot wound in the breezeway of the […]
Posted inCrime
An Idaho man has been charged with hacking City of Newnan computers
The Story: Robert Purbeck, of Meridian, Idaho, made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Boise, Idaho. Purbeck was indicted in the Northern District of Georgia on March 2, for computer fraud and abuse, access device fraud, and wire fraud. The Charges: According to Acting U.S. Attorney Erskine, the charges, and other information […]
Posted inFood
Curbside alcohol could become legal in Georgia
Cocktails-to-go edged closer to becoming a reality in Georgia with passage in the state Senate Friday of a measure allowing restaurants to sell curbside alcoholic beverages in tightly sealed containers with takeout food. Sponsored by Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, the bill would permit Georgians ages 21 and older to buy up to two mixed drinks […]
Posted inCrime
Victim identified in fatal shooting on I-85
Update: The victim in this case has been identified as Corey Detiege, a 33 year old from Sugar Land, Texas. The motive for the shooting is still unknown. NORCROSS — The Gwinnett County Police Department is investigating a shooting on I-85 South near Jimmy Carter Blvd. The shooting occurred at 3 a.m. Friday morning. According […]
Posted inOdd News
Tom the turkey strikes again
Tom the turkey had another run-in with Kennesaw law-enforcement yesterday. This time the feathered tormenter of the police department was spotted on top of an SUV. Below is the report from Kennesaw Police officers as shared on social media. Today we received a call in reference to someone attempting to enter an auto, to either […]
Posted inYour Government
Georgia House halts horse racing
A legislative committee Thursday rejected a proposed statewide referendum to legalize pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in Georgia amid questions on both its wording and lack of details. Members of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee questioned the last half of the wording of the proposed ballot question at the end of the constitutional […]
Posted inYour Community
Seven Cobb County libraries will reopen this month
Seven Cobb County Public Library branches will reopen on a limited basis starting March 15. The seven libraries will return to in-person limited services and will be under the health and safety guidelines of Cobb County and public health authorities for preventing the spread of coronavirus, officials said. The facilities will be open for the public […]
