Politics
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GA Supreme Court Rules No Do-Over For Athens-Clarke 6th District Commission Race
The Supreme Court of Georgia unanimously rejected a lawsuit that was filed after Athens-Clarke County District 6 Commissioner Jerry NeSmith died. When NeSmith died, Athens-Clarke County voided his votes and declared runner-up Jesse Houle the winner. The group that filed suit argued that Athens-Clarke County should not have…
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Jackson County Candidates to Discuss Issues in Virtual Forum
The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum will feature candidates running in elections ranging from the 9th District congressional race to state house and state senate candidates vying for their chance to represent the public under the gold dome. Candidates for the Jackson County 1st District county commission…
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Athens Political Candidates Aware Of, Addressing ‘Fake News’ on Social Media
Deborah Gonzalez, who is running for district attorney in Georgia’s Western Judicial Circuit, knows the importance social media can play for her campaign. She is also aware of the amount of misinformation that can spread through social media channels, so Gonzalez has made an effort to make sure she is…
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Athens Officials Address Challenges With New Voting Machines
Athens-Clarke County officials are noticing some difficulties as they switch over to a new voting system, which was authorized by the Georgia General Assembly. Commissioner Melissa Link said the system is complicated but with any new system, there will always be confusion. “I think you could throw all the money…
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New SPLOST Has Implications for Future of Work in Athens
A 1% sales tax is being implemented once again in Athens-Clarke County after a Special Local Option Sales Tax was approved by referendum on Nov. 5, 2019. This most recent SPLOST—to fund a set of construction and improvement projects—was approved by 78 percent of the nearly 9,000 ballots cast, which…
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Magic Mushrooms Decriminalization Making Progress, Still Far Behind Cannabis
While marijuana is being decriminalized or legalized in states and municipalities across America, there is a new push to decriminalize psilocybin. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic substance famously found in more than 200 kinds of mushrooms that are collectively referred to as “magic mushrooms” or “psychedelic mushrooms.” Zane Bader…
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School Board Meeting Tonight Will Decide Fate For Clarke County Superintendent
The Clarke County School Board will meet tonight, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss if the current school superintendent, Demond Means, will continue in his job. Means announced his discontent with the school board and his intent to resign at a Nov. 21 school board meeting. https://youtu.be/a1OgZPgFAVA Clarke County…
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‘Breaking Bread’: How Food Brings Georgia and General Assembly Together
Terry England has a pretty full plate. As the State Representative for District 116 in Barrow County, he currently serves as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. For much of his life, however, food and agriculture have also played a large role. England lives on a farm that has been…
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Close Georgia Governor Race Reason Why Democratic Debate Held in Atlanta
Some candidates may not make it to the next Democratic debate in December, but some members of one group of people will. Protestor Bob Kunst said he’s been to more than 100 events in support of President Donald Trump. Kunst showed up at the Democratic Debate in Atlanta wearing his usual…
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Democratic Debate Coming to Georgia: Expert Says State May Turn Purple
The fourth Democratic presidential debate happened last night in Westerville, Ohio, but the fifth, on Nov. 20, will be held in Georgia. Why Georgia? Georgia has a strong potential to become purple state, according to University of Georgia Political Science Professor Charles Bullock. This is due to the close gubernatorial…