Politics
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Policy or Prejudice?: Immigration Policies Stir Controversy in Athens
As President Trump’s new immigration policies begin to take effect, members of the Hispanic and Latino community in Athens are facing heightened uncertainty and fear. In response to the sweeping changes against immigration dozens of community members gathered for a demonstration on Feb. 6, marching from the Arch to…
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A Blue Dot in Red State: Indivisible GA10 Demands to be Heard
Even though the Athens-Clarke County Library auditorium is already packed with attendees, more try to squeeze in. The event organizers direct people to overflow rooms, but some sneak past and try to blend in with the media crews lining the room. The murmur of hundreds of local Democrats grows louder…
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US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Draws Local Responses
For the second time, President Donald Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement — a hit to climate change efforts. The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to reduce the risk and impact of climate change by calling for countries to reduce greenhouse gas…
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Potential NIH Funding Cuts Threaten Neurodegenerative Research
Possible National Institutes of Health funding cuts remain a concern for researchers and institutions nationwide, including those in the state of Georgia. On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump’s administration attempted to freeze NIH funding in order to review the current allocations and determine which grants and institutions will continue to…
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Athens-Clarke Names Former Planning Director as Interim Government Manager
Mayor Kelly Girtz has appointed former planning director Brad Griffin as the interim manager of Athens-Clarke County. Griffin will oversee the county government’s daily operations and manage more than 1,800 employees during a national search for a permanent manager. “In his role as planning director, Brad was always graceful in…
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How an Undecided UGA Student Finally Made His Choice for President
Election day is just under six weeks away when I first meet Stephen Vest. It’ll be the first presidential election for many college students, including Vest. As a 19-year-old political science major at the University of Georgia, he’s looking forward to casting his first presidential ballot in such a monumental…
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Northeast Georgians Build Community Through Local Politics
“Divisive” is the most common word to describe modern American politics, according to research by the Pew Research Center. But it might not be that might not be that simple. The U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion believes that civic engagement connects people to their communities — and…
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Athens-Clarke County Passes LGBTQIA+ Safe Haven Resolution Amid Emotional Support
The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission voted 6-2 to approve a resolution declaring the county a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ individuals, after more than two hours of public comment during its Dec. 3 session. Referred to as Resolution 22 during the meeting, it reaffirms the county’s commitment to inclusivity. It…
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Madison County Schools Reflect on Security Following Georgia School Shooting
The recent school shooting in Barrow County, Georgia, has parents and educators throughout the Northeast Georgia region worried about school safety. Victim Totals Across the Years from School Shootings (U.S.) (Data From Center for Homeland Defense and Security) As seen in the graph above, there has been an increase over…
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Mobilizing the Next Generation: How Young Voters Impact Georgia’s Future
As the 2024 elections approach, all eyes are on Georgia, a key battleground state where young voters could potentially have a significant impact on the outcome. That is, of course, if they show up to the polls. A Look at Past Turnout Historically, the 18-24 age category is the least…