Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThis story was originally published at .A poll of likely Georgia voters found that a large majority believe former Vice President Joe Biden will do a better job than President Donald Trump on protecting coverage for pre-existing health conditions and on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.The findings are part of  on health care issues in what the nonprofit organization calls 10 battleground states, including Georgia.Likely voters nationally were evenly concerned when expressing their top health issue: addressing public health needs and...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThis story was originally published at .A poll of likely Georgia voters found that a large majority believe former Vice President Joe Biden will do a better job than President Donald Trump on protecting coverage for pre-existing health conditions and on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.The findings are part of  on health care issues in what the nonprofit organization calls 10 battleground states, including Georgia.Likely voters nationally were evenly concerned when expressing their top health issue: addressing public health needs and...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentWith concerns about in-person voting being less safe this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Georgians may opt to vote by absentee ballot instead.Nearly 1.1 million absentee ballots were recorded in the state of Georgia during the June 9 primary.Here is a guide to requesting and sending in your absentee ballot:Many people in metro Atlanta complained in the June 9 primary that they never received their absentee ballots. Follow the steps above and keep checking your ballot’s status at the .If your ballot has not come by the time early...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentWith concerns about in-person voting being less safe this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Georgians may opt to vote by absentee ballot instead.Nearly 1.1 million absentee ballots were recorded in the state of Georgia during the June 9 primary.Here is a guide to requesting and sending in your absentee ballot:Many people in metro Atlanta complained in the June 9 primary that they never received their absentee ballots. Follow the steps above and keep checking your ballot’s status at the .If your ballot has not come by the time early...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentFollowing legal pressure from civil rights groups, the Georgia Secretary of State has published details about the voting rights of people who still owe the government money after doing their time for felony convictions.In letters to lawyers for the Secretary of State, lawyers for the Campaign Legal Center and the Southern Center for Human Rights Georgia may be violating the National Voter Registration Act by failing to “clearly and fully inform eligible voters of the state’s eligibility requirements.”Georgia’s state constitution bars people...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentFollowing legal pressure from civil rights groups, the Georgia Secretary of State has published details about the voting rights of people who still owe the government money after doing their time for felony convictions.In letters to lawyers for the Secretary of State, lawyers for the Campaign Legal Center and the Southern Center for Human Rights Georgia may be violating the National Voter Registration Act by failing to “clearly and fully inform eligible voters of the state’s eligibility requirements.”Georgia’s state constitution bars people...WW…

Annie Kate Walls kept visiting her old house in the months after she moved.She’d drive to this street in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood, a couple miles southwest of downtown, and she checked on the outdoor cats she used to feed.“That’s the hurting part about it,” Walls said. “I’ve always been an animal lover.”Sponsored ContentWalls said her family lived on this block for 45 years. It was peaceful. She didn’t just keep pets. In the early days, her dad maintained a garden. In an old photo she holds, her dad poses with a shovel among rows of collards and turnips. He’s wearing a tie. His...…Annie Kate Walls kept visiting her old house in the months after she moved.She’d drive to this street in Atlanta’s Pittsburgh neighborhood, a couple miles southwest of downtown, and she checked on the outdoor cats she used to feed.“That’s the hurting part about it,” Walls said. “I’ve always been an animal lover.”Sponsored ContentWalls said her family lived on this block for 45 years. It was peaceful. She didn’t just keep pets. In the early days, her dad maintained a garden. In an old photo she holds, her dad poses with a shovel among rows of collards and turnips. He’s wearing a tie. His...WW…

Wahid Malik Shakur is aware of the criticism of investors like him.“At 50 now, I realize people gonna always have something to say,” he said.Investors like him are called wholesalers. They buy homes that aren’t for sale. As in, the homes have no sign out front. They’re not listed for sale online. It’s possible even the owners themselves haven’t decided to sell.As these investors have swept through south and west Atlanta, in search of rising property values, housing advocates warn they’re predatory. They say the investors try to convince homeowners to sell for less than their properties are...…Wahid Malik Shakur is aware of the criticism of investors like him.“At 50 now, I realize people gonna always have something to say,” he said.Investors like him are called wholesalers. They buy homes that aren’t for sale. As in, the homes have no sign out front. They’re not listed for sale online. It’s possible even the owners themselves haven’t decided to sell.As these investors have swept through south and west Atlanta, in search of rising property values, housing advocates warn they’re predatory. They say the investors try to convince homeowners to sell for less than their properties are...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA Clayton County sheriff’s deputy has been fired after being captured on video repeatedly punching a Black man during a traffic stop, authorities said Sunday.The deputy was being let go for “excessive use of force,” the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. It did not identify the deputy, but said a criminal investigation has been turned over to the district attorney’s office.Roderick Walker, 26, was arrested and beaten after Clayton County sheriff’s deputies pulled over the vehicle he was riding in Friday with his...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA Clayton County sheriff’s deputy has been fired after being captured on video repeatedly punching a Black man during a traffic stop, authorities said Sunday.The deputy was being let go for “excessive use of force,” the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. It did not identify the deputy, but said a criminal investigation has been turned over to the district attorney’s office.Roderick Walker, 26, was arrested and beaten after Clayton County sheriff’s deputies pulled over the vehicle he was riding in Friday with his...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentAn Atlanta City Council member introduced a proposal last week that could change the way short-term rentals operate in Atlanta.The ordinance, proposed by District 7 council member Howard Shook, would ban short-term rentals in “residential” neighborhoods.On Monday’s’ edition of “ Shook, whose district includes Buckhead, told host Rose Scott he introduced the proposal after community members voiced concerns about noise and large parties.In a statement sent to “Closer Look” via email, an Airbnb representative wrote, “The vast majority of...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentAn Atlanta City Council member introduced a proposal last week that could change the way short-term rentals operate in Atlanta.The ordinance, proposed by District 7 council member Howard Shook, would ban short-term rentals in “residential” neighborhoods.On Monday’s’ edition of “ Shook, whose district includes Buckhead, told host Rose Scott he introduced the proposal after community members voiced concerns about noise and large parties.In a statement sent to “Closer Look” via email, an Airbnb representative wrote, “The vast majority of...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia slipped to No. 46 among the states in a new ranking of health system performance, down from 42nd the previous year.The new 2020 Commonwealth Fund report on states’ health system performance, released Friday, noted that Georgia performed well by certain measures.Those include a high rate of diabetic adults having an annual hemoglobin A1c test, and improved mobility for home health patients. Georgia also improved in measures tracking children getting needed mental health care; and preventing catheter-associated bloodstream...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia slipped to No. 46 among the states in a new ranking of health system performance, down from 42nd the previous year.The new 2020 Commonwealth Fund report on states’ health system performance, released Friday, noted that Georgia performed well by certain measures.Those include a high rate of diabetic adults having an annual hemoglobin A1c test, and improved mobility for home health patients. Georgia also improved in measures tracking children getting needed mental health care; and preventing catheter-associated bloodstream...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentMany people collecting unemployment benefits in Georgia will get up to $1,800 in extra federal assistance over the next two weeks, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Thursday.The amount represents up to six weeks of $300-a-week emergency federal payments that President Donald Trump announced last month using $44 billion in federal disaster money. The president announced the plan after an additional $600 a week that was paid on top of other jobless benefits expired on Aug. 1To be eligible, Georgia recipients must already be getting at...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentMany people collecting unemployment benefits in Georgia will get up to $1,800 in extra federal assistance over the next two weeks, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Thursday.The amount represents up to six weeks of $300-a-week emergency federal payments that President Donald Trump announced last month using $44 billion in federal disaster money. The president announced the plan after an additional $600 a week that was paid on top of other jobless benefits expired on Aug. 1To be eligible, Georgia recipients must already be getting at...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGov. Brian Kemp said at this rate, he does not plan to increase coronavirus restrictions on Georgia or lock the state down again.“I don’t see us imposing any new restrictions with the numbers we’re seeing right now,” he said at an economic development event Tuesday. “I do not want to go back and start shutting things down again.”This week Kemp renewed his executive order maintaining coronavirus restrictions on businesses and a shelter-in-place mandate on vulnerable populations through mid-September.He said Georgia has “made great progress”...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGov. Brian Kemp said at this rate, he does not plan to increase coronavirus restrictions on Georgia or lock the state down again.“I don’t see us imposing any new restrictions with the numbers we’re seeing right now,” he said at an economic development event Tuesday. “I do not want to go back and start shutting things down again.”This week Kemp renewed his executive order maintaining coronavirus restrictions on businesses and a shelter-in-place mandate on vulnerable populations through mid-September.He said Georgia has “made great progress”...WW…

Listen: Part one above and part two belowGeorgia doesn’t have a very big coastline; it’s only about 100 miles. But the coast it does have is lined by salt marsh, the muddy expanse of tall grass and meandering creeks between the mainland and the barrier islands.“I don’t know that anybody could look out across the Georgia salt marsh, the Golden Isles, and not be filled with ecstasy,” said Georgia writer Janisse Ray, sitting on the edge of the marsh looking towards Sapelo Island.“And what is so amazing is that we’ve protected so much of it,” she said.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the...…Listen: Part one above and part two belowGeorgia doesn’t have a very big coastline; it’s only about 100 miles. But the coast it does have is lined by salt marsh, the muddy expanse of tall grass and meandering creeks between the mainland and the barrier islands.“I don’t know that anybody could look out across the Georgia salt marsh, the Golden Isles, and not be filled with ecstasy,” said Georgia writer Janisse Ray, sitting on the edge of the marsh looking towards Sapelo Island.“And what is so amazing is that we’ve protected so much of it,” she said.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentPlaces with lots of buildings and pavement are hotter than areas that are more green. It’s called the urban heat island effect. Basically, all those surfaces absorb lots of heat from the sun, and there aren’t enough plants around to help cool things off.One advocacy group is calling attention to how hot schoolyards can get, as many metro Atlanta students return to in-person learning, and to help reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.The environmental group Trust for Public Land found that more than a third of public school students...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentPlaces with lots of buildings and pavement are hotter than areas that are more green. It’s called the urban heat island effect. Basically, all those surfaces absorb lots of heat from the sun, and there aren’t enough plants around to help cool things off.One advocacy group is calling attention to how hot schoolyards can get, as many metro Atlanta students return to in-person learning, and to help reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.The environmental group Trust for Public Land found that more than a third of public school students...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentUpdated Wednesday at 9:48 a.m.Atlanta-based railroad Norfolk Southern is leasing property in northwest Atlanta for a rail terminal. The location had been the site of a brick factory that used forced convict labor, and there and build a memorial and a park instead.Norfolk Southern is planning to build a facility adjacent to its tracks at the location, to transfer ethanol from trains to trucks or to storage.The site is mostly vacant now, but it had been the location of the Chattahoochee Brick Co., owned by former Atlanta Mayor James...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentUpdated Wednesday at 9:48 a.m.Atlanta-based railroad Norfolk Southern is leasing property in northwest Atlanta for a rail terminal. The location had been the site of a brick factory that used forced convict labor, and there and build a memorial and a park instead.Norfolk Southern is planning to build a facility adjacent to its tracks at the location, to transfer ethanol from trains to trucks or to storage.The site is mostly vacant now, but it had been the location of the Chattahoochee Brick Co., owned by former Atlanta Mayor James...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA study conducted by the University of Georgia found that 82% of farmers in the state have seen their revenue decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.The  come from a May survey of more than 800 farmers in Georgia.The report said some farmers have seen their revenue decline by more than $8,000 a week while others anticipate an annual loss of nearly $50,000.The livestock industry was hit especially hard as livestock sales barns across Georgia closed down due to the virus, Mark McCann, an official at the university, told The Valdosta Daily...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA study conducted by the University of Georgia found that 82% of farmers in the state have seen their revenue decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.The  come from a May survey of more than 800 farmers in Georgia.The report said some farmers have seen their revenue decline by more than $8,000 a week while others anticipate an annual loss of nearly $50,000.The livestock industry was hit especially hard as livestock sales barns across Georgia closed down due to the virus, Mark McCann, an official at the university, told The Valdosta Daily...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThe latest census of Atlanta’s homeless shows hundreds of people have been sleeping outside, even as shelter beds stay empty.The annual Point in Time count took place one night in January. Volunteers surveyed the city for anyone staying in shelters, under bridges or alongside buildings.The results of that effort, which the city released Wednesday, show a nearly 25% increase in the number of people who are unsheltered since last year. That translates into nearly a thousand people spending the night outdoors.And yet, on that same night, the...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThe latest census of Atlanta’s homeless shows hundreds of people have been sleeping outside, even as shelter beds stay empty.The annual Point in Time count took place one night in January. Volunteers surveyed the city for anyone staying in shelters, under bridges or alongside buildings.The results of that effort, which the city released Wednesday, show a nearly 25% increase in the number of people who are unsheltered since last year. That translates into nearly a thousand people spending the night outdoors.And yet, on that same night, the...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentIn a back-to-school season unusually fraught with uncertainty, two high school teachers in Albany, Ga., are going viral for their creative approach to raising students’ morale.Callie Evans and Audri Williams, teachers and cheerleading coaches at Monroe Comprehensive High School, rapped about virtual learning and the COVID-19 pandemic in a music video that has garnered thousands of likes and comments in two days.“What better way to release all of the anxiety, doubts & fears of the school year than to dance & turn up,” Williams captioned an...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentIn a back-to-school season unusually fraught with uncertainty, two high school teachers in Albany, Ga., are going viral for their creative approach to raising students’ morale.Callie Evans and Audri Williams, teachers and cheerleading coaches at Monroe Comprehensive High School, rapped about virtual learning and the COVID-19 pandemic in a music video that has garnered thousands of likes and comments in two days.“What better way to release all of the anxiety, doubts & fears of the school year than to dance & turn up,” Williams captioned an...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThe Cherokee County School District it will close Woodstock High School due to possible exposure to the coronavirus.The district says Woodstock has 14 positive cases of COVID-19 with another 15 pending. Almost 300 students and staff at the school have been quarantined.The news comes one day after Cherokee County closed Etowah High School for the same reason. A photo of Etowah students standing close together without face coverings went viral last week.Teachers and students at Woodstock will follow a plan similar to Etowah’s, according to...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentThe Cherokee County School District it will close Woodstock High School due to possible exposure to the coronavirus.The district says Woodstock has 14 positive cases of COVID-19 with another 15 pending. Almost 300 students and staff at the school have been quarantined.The news comes one day after Cherokee County closed Etowah High School for the same reason. A photo of Etowah students standing close together without face coverings went viral last week.Teachers and students at Woodstock will follow a plan similar to Etowah’s, according to...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia’s rate of COVID-19 cases among children is greater than the national average, according to a new report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.Nationally, more than 97,000 new child cases were reported in a two-week period ending July 30, . That’s a 40 percent increase in cases.Few children have died from the disease, and kids are less likely to develop severe symptoms when they get it. But child cases can increase the spread of the infection among the population at large.The jump in...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia’s rate of COVID-19 cases among children is greater than the national average, according to a new report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.Nationally, more than 97,000 new child cases were reported in a two-week period ending July 30, . That’s a 40 percent increase in cases.Few children have died from the disease, and kids are less likely to develop severe symptoms when they get it. But child cases can increase the spread of the infection among the population at large.The jump in...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentOfficials are hoping more technical expertise in polling places will lead to fewer delays and shorter lines as Georgians go to the polls Tuesday for the primary runoff election.In June, there were only one or two technicians per county, and that led to problems troubleshooting the state’s new voting machines when technical problems arose. In addition, many poll workers were new and didn’t have hands-on training. That snarled lines, especially early in the day in larger counties such as Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett.For Tuesday’s runoff, metro...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentOfficials are hoping more technical expertise in polling places will lead to fewer delays and shorter lines as Georgians go to the polls Tuesday for the primary runoff election.In June, there were only one or two technicians per county, and that led to problems troubleshooting the state’s new voting machines when technical problems arose. In addition, many poll workers were new and didn’t have hands-on training. That snarled lines, especially early in the day in larger counties such as Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett.For Tuesday’s runoff, metro...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday vetoed a bill that aimed to bring more transparency and accountability to contractors for state health care plans.House Bill 991 would have allowed a newly formed committee to examine records related to health care contractors for the state and compel the Department of Community Health to respond to questions about these contracts.Kemp, in his veto statement, said that the bill would have violated the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government.“Two-thirds of the proposed...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday vetoed a bill that aimed to bring more transparency and accountability to contractors for state health care plans.House Bill 991 would have allowed a newly formed committee to examine records related to health care contractors for the state and compel the Department of Community Health to respond to questions about these contracts.Kemp, in his veto statement, said that the bill would have violated the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government.“Two-thirds of the proposed...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA new report from finds Hancock County, located in central Georgia, has the nation’s highest rate of “youth disconnection” — young adults out of school and work.And, despite recent gains in disconnection rates following the Great Recession, the report predicts the COVID-19 pandemic will cause disconnection to “spike dramatically.”The organization noted, “the number of disconnected youth will easily top six million and could swell to almost one-quarter of all young people.”On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Kristen Lewis, director of...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA new report from finds Hancock County, located in central Georgia, has the nation’s highest rate of “youth disconnection” — young adults out of school and work.And, despite recent gains in disconnection rates following the Great Recession, the report predicts the COVID-19 pandemic will cause disconnection to “spike dramatically.”The organization noted, “the number of disconnected youth will easily top six million and could swell to almost one-quarter of all young people.”On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Kristen Lewis, director of...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentLive performance venues across Georgia are encouraging fans to participate in the Georgia Day of Action by visiting  on Tuesday and submitting a pre-written message of support to be sent to their local representatives.In Georgia, that means the message will be delivered to Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Among the requests is for them to back the bipartisan  and the , which according to the National Independent Venue Association, “would ensure the survival of live performance venues across the nation.”The message goes on to say that...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentLive performance venues across Georgia are encouraging fans to participate in the Georgia Day of Action by visiting  on Tuesday and submitting a pre-written message of support to be sent to their local representatives.In Georgia, that means the message will be delivered to Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Among the requests is for them to back the bipartisan  and the , which according to the National Independent Venue Association, “would ensure the survival of live performance venues across the nation.”The message goes on to say that...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia’s 26 public universities could lose nearly $500 million in room, board and student fees if no students return to campus this fall, according to information obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via a public records request.The University System of Georgia made the estimates as some faculty, staff and students pressure administrators to conduct all classes online, or at least offer that as an option, in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections.Regents and University System Chancellor Steve Wrigley have...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentGeorgia’s 26 public universities could lose nearly $500 million in room, board and student fees if no students return to campus this fall, according to information obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via a public records request.The University System of Georgia made the estimates as some faculty, staff and students pressure administrators to conduct all classes online, or at least offer that as an option, in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infections.Regents and University System Chancellor Steve Wrigley have...WW…

Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA hospital in Georgia has announced it will close in October due to financial difficulties officials say was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.“It has become increasingly difficult for small, critical access hospitals to survive in rural areas across the country and here in Georgia,” Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center CEO Kim Gilman said Friday in a news release announcing the hospital’s closure.The Randolph County Hospital Authority, which oversees the hospital, unanimously voted in favor of the move, WFXL-TV reported. “Within...…Sponsored ContentSponsored ContentSponsored ContentA hospital in Georgia has announced it will close in October due to financial difficulties officials say was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.“It has become increasingly difficult for small, critical access hospitals to survive in rural areas across the country and here in Georgia,” Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center CEO Kim Gilman said Friday in a news release announcing the hospital’s closure.The Randolph County Hospital Authority, which oversees the hospital, unanimously voted in favor of the move, WFXL-TV reported. “Within...WW…