Atlanta-based Piedmont Healthcare has agreed to pay $16 million to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicare and Medicaid. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday that Piedmont billed the government insurance programs for procedures at the more expensive inpatient rates instead of the less costly outpatient or observation rates. “Billing […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Georgia surpasses 70,000 coronavirus cases
New numbers released by the Georgia Department of Public Health show that the number of cases in Georgia continue to increase sharply, along with hospitalizations and deaths from the disease. As of the health department’s 3 p.m. status update Thursday, the state had a total of 71,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19, adding 1,714 cases since […]
Posted inYour Family
New bill would cut down on the number of tests Georgia students take
Georgia students would have fewer standardized tests to submit to at the close of each school year under legislation that passed out of the General Assembly Thursday. The change eliminates four year-end tests in high school and one in the third grade from the trove of assessments required annually for third graders through seniors in […]
Posted inYour Community
Clayton County hosts virtual Town Hall on police reform
Clayton County is giving residents a chance to ask law enforcement officials questions about police reform and community engagement. As part of its Engage Clayton Virtual Town Hall, the county is inviting residents to attend via Zoom and submit questions for the Town Hall that will be held at 6 p.m. June 30. The forum […]
Posted inEntertainment
WATCH: Woman who has never left Georgia leaves state for the first time
Over 35 million Americans have never left the state where they were born. A new video series by Tastemade aims to change that, partnering with Hyundai to take the less-traveled among us outside the borders of their home states. The series, called The Un-Adventures made its way to Georgia for its June 17 episode, which […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Georgia lawmakers vote to expand unemployment benefits amid COVID-19 uptick
The General Assembly passed legislation Wednesday to keep in place certain unemployment benefits that were expanded in Georgia during the coronavirus pandemic. Final passage of Senate Bill 408, by Sen. Brian Strickland, comes as Georgia continues grappling with the economic fallout from coronavirus, which prompted roughly 2 million people to file unemployment claims and shot […]
Posted inYour Family
A rabid cat bit and scratched three people and a family dog in Forsyth County
A cat that later tested positive for rabies bit and scratched three people and a family dog in Forsyth County. Officials are warning residents not to attempt to feed or rescue stray domesticated dogs and cats. If you have stray animals on your property call animal control. People should always avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs, […]
Posted inEvents
Lacrosse tournament this weekend in Snellville billed as largest event since COVID-19
SNELLVILLE — T.W. Briscoe Park will be the site of a major lacrosse tournament this weekend that organizers are saying is the largest event since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down normal operations in early spring. The Georgia Southern Shootout Lacrosse Tournament is expected to draw 1,000 players and family members. “We are very happy that […]
Posted inFood
DeKalb County will distribute 2,400 bags of chicken and produce to residents
DeKalb County is continuing its popular food distribution program, giving residents chicken and Georgia Grown produce Saturday. The county will host its third food distribution event at three drive-thru locations at which 2,400 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of Georgia Grown fruit and vegetables and a 10-pound bag of frozen chicken hind quarters. […]
Posted inCrime
Suspects in Ahmaud Arbery case indicted
The three men who were arrested in the Ahmaud Arbery case were all indicted by a Grand Jury Wednesday. According to Cobb County District Attorney Joyette M. Holmes, Glynn County’s Grand Jury indicted Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael and William R. Bryan on malice and felony murder charges in the Feb. 23, 2020, death of Ahmaud […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Georgia has third consecutive day of more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases per day
Georgia continues to report more than 1,000 new cases of coronavirus per day. Wednesday marked the third consecutive day that the state has reported more than 1,000 new cases and the sixth day in June with more than 1,000 new cases. Georgia added 1,703 new cases to its total Wednesday, bringing the total number of […]
Posted inFood
Last chance to order food from mobile farmer’s market in Gwinnett
Now is your chance to stock up on fresh, local produce and meat before your Independence Day cookout. Gwinnett County is hosting the next Georgia Grown To Go drive-thru farmer’s market at Coolray Field Thursday, June 25 from 3 to 7 p.m. Residents can pre-order boxes of produce from local farmers for a reduced rate […]
Posted inYour Family
Yes, young adults can catch coronavirus
This article was reported and written in collaboration with WebMD The number of young adults testing positive for COVID-19 has increased dramatically in recent weeks across many states. The spike among those ages 20-39 could be explained by a combination of increased testing, rejection of social distancing and masks, and a continued misconception among young […]
Posted inYour Government
Hate Crimes bill passes in Georgia
Georgia lawmakers reached across the aisle Tuesday to pass a contentious hate-crimes bill that aims to protect people in the Peach State from acts of violence or property damage perpetrated because of the victim’s race, sex or gender. House Bill 426 was pushed through the Senate after stalling there for more than a year, following […]
Posted inCrime
Woman suspected in fire at Wendy’s in Atlanta in custody
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that the woman police were seeking in connection with the fire at the Wendy’s where Rayshard Brooks was shot and killed by police has been apprehended. The Sheriff’s department located Natalie White, the suspect in the Wendy’s fire, Tuesday afternoon and has booked her into the Fulton County […]
Posted inCoronavirus
Georgia has had more than 10,000 coronavirus hospitalizations
Georgia passed the 10,000 mark for hospitalizations for COVID-19 today, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The state reported 170 new hospitalizations today, bringing the total to 10,123. There have been 2,174 ICU admissions statewide. Georgia also reported 1,750 new cases of coronavirus today, marking the second time this week that the number […]
Posted inYour Government
Bill that would let voters decide fate of Glynn County Police Department passes House
The Gist: The Georgia House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow voters to decide whether or not to abolish the Glynn County Police Department passed with near unanimous support, passing 152-2. Timing: The item would appear on the November ballot in Glynn County. If voters were to approve the measure, the Glynn County […]
Posted inWeather
Severe weather expected in most of Georgia Tuesday afternoon
The National Weather Service is predicting severe weather throughout most of the state this afternoon. According to the weather service, showers and isolated thunderstorms will start in northwest Georgia and will spread South and East throughout the day. The strongest storms are expected to hit central Georgia in the afternoon and evening hours. Expect damaging […]
