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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Hope Behind Bars: How Clarke County Jail’s Re-Entry Program Is Changing Lives
When Cheyenne walked into the Clarke County Jail four and a half months ago, she thought she was stepping into another setback. Instead, she was greeted with a support system, new connections and eventually a diploma. On Oct. 16, 22-year-old Cheyenne became the second jail resident and first female to…
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On 50th Anniversary, Lay Park Playground Faces Possible Changes
City officials and residents are split over a redevelopment plan of 295 E. Dougherty Street, where supporters expressed excitement for new parking, student housing and urbanization while others warned the project may disrupt community services, limit access to Lay Park Community Center and overlook housing needs. Lay Park Community Center…
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Athens Nonprofits Cope with Post-Shutdown SNAP Demand
Local nonprofits in Athens are continuing to feel the effects of the longest government shutdown in U.S history. “Until something gets taken away, you don’t really realize how much of a gift it is,” said Cole Phillips, CEO and Medical Director of Mercy Health Center, reflecting on the challenges faced…
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A Punch a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Woman Gains Strength While Boxing Through Parkinson’s
Rolling hills, wandering deer and quaint towns slip past the clear windows of Marcy Floyd’s car as “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” drifts out of the speakers. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Floyd makes the hour-and-a-half commute from her house in Lake Oconee to the X3 gym off Milledge…
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West Broad Complex Coverage: Clarke County School District Outlines Redevelopment Plans
Reporting II students have covered the discussions and decisions throughout fall 2025 around the Clarke County School District’s plans to repurpose and redevelop the West Broad Street School site. Nearly 80 students researched and reported on this high-interest issue in Athens. See a few of their stories below. Click the…
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Athens-Clarke County Commission Delays Vote on Homewood Hills Redevelopment Plan
Jack Murphy, chief investment officer with development group Carter, presents updated details of the Homewood Hills redevelopment plan to Athens-Clarke County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Murphy outlined the proposed residential buildings, commercial renovations and amenity areas with updates since the company’s previous proposal. (Photo/Hollis Turner) The Athens-Clarke…
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Despite New Funding, Clarke County Jail Faces Ongoing Deputy Shortages
As Clarke County Jail’s inmate population continues to rise, the sheriff’s office is facing a widening gap between the number of inmates and deputies on staff. Four inmates have died in custody since April 2025. In a press conference held in July, Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams attributed some…
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Swap Shop Strives for Visibility as Students Go Against Fast Fashion
For fourth-year University of Georgia student Kennedy Fulton, thrifting used to be about saving money. Now, it’s about something bigger. “I first started thrifting back in middle school for affordability reasons, but now it is more about sustainability,” Fulton said. “Most clothes today are cheaply made in sweatshops, and I…
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SNAP Benefit Cuts Leave Athens-Clarke Nonprofits Facing Sharp Rise in Demand
Geoff Rushing, founder of City of Refuge Athens, said Northeast Georgia has gone from “food insecurity crisis to food insecurity emergency.” On Nov. 1, for the first time in United States history, the federal government suspended benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program amid the federal government shutdown. The unprecedented…
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Groundwork: Stories of Sustainability in Northeast Georgia
A team of 20 student journalists created a news special responding to the needs of Northeast Georgia counties. Reporters traveled to five counties, spoke with residents, uncovered environmental gaps, and highlighted the solutions communities are building. Watch to see what they discovered and the solutions taking root. This is Groundwork:…