Athens-Clarke County
Reporting about Clarke County, Georgia. Some stories will be republished in the Athens Banner-Herald as part of a news-academic partnership with Grady Newsource.
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Plasma Donation Rising Among College Students
College student Clint Strickland enjoys going out on the town with his friends — and plasma donations help him pay for it. I make sure I plan ahead just so I could spend money without necessarily spending the money I already have,” Strickland said. Strickland is one of millions of…
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Global Pipeline Fuels Athens Christian Athletics
With a one-way plane ticket to Atlanta and dreams to fulfill, Success Nwabude’s journey began over 5,000 miles away in his home country of Nigeria at age 15. About three years later and finishing out his junior year, Nwabude now has more than 10 offers from Division I programs across…
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Rural Georgians With Disabilities Face Unique Challenges Seeking Long-term Care
Healthcare accessibility in rural Georgia is more than just a premium. For Georgians with disabilities, resources are scarce and the lack of reliable transportation can mean the loss of life-changing care. Some critical barriers for patients include having to travel more than 100 miles to vital resources, such as long-term…
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Navigating Faith, Food and Fatigue: Inside Muslim Student Life at UGA
Carrying lifestyle and religion so different from traditional American customs, Muslim Dawgs have created their own version of campus. Explore the hidden Islamic, Athens experience. Competing Cultures College students across the nation typically have their go-to pizza shops, study spots and daily schedules. Muslim students are no exception to this,…
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Athens Leaders Weigh High-Performance Construction Against Housing Shortage
In Athens-Clarke County, the push toward a 100% clean energy by 2035 is colliding with a stubborn housing shortage. For the people working to solve both problems, the tension is constant. Melinda Lord, director of Housing and Community Development for Athens-Clarke County, doesn’t hesitate when asked whether affordable housing and…
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From Campus to Clubs, Jazz Finds New Life in Athens
Jazz, a musical genre combining multiple types of music like ragtime and blues, continues to draw crowds of Athens residents from various age groups. Musicians say recent jazz performances are drawing younger audiences. This seems atypical to what they originally expected. Meanwhile, this trend is part of a broader jazz…
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How Invisible Scars Turn Pain into Purpose
Editor’s Note: This series of stories explores how individuals have turned challenging experiences and obstacles into opportunities — particularly around mental health. July 23, 2017. Freedom Day. That’s when a nightmare ended for Genesis, only six days shy of her 18th birthday. That’s when the FBI finally rescued her. The…
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Cost of Starting Over: Rebuilding After Domestic Violence, Trafficking
Starting over after domestic abuse or human trafficking often means rebuilding nearly every part of life. Survivors frequently face financial barriers, housing instability and long-term emotional challenges as they work toward safety and independence. While domestic violence and human trafficking are distinct experiences, advocates say both can leave survivors…
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Nonprofit Hope 139 Provides Homes, Support for Mothers
Hope 139, a nonprofit that provides residences and resources for mothers who are at risk or pregnant, plans to open its first three cottages in north Athens this summer. Shelley Tanner, a University of Georgia graduate who holds a degree in nursing from Emory University and has volunteered with Mercy…
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Why Composting Is Accessible, but Not Widely Practiced
As spring gardening season begins in Athens-Clarke County, some residents are rethinking what happens to their food scraps. Food waste makes up a large portion of what ends up in landfills, where it breaks down without oxygen and produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. While composting offers an alternative, it…