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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Athens’ De-Icing Chemicals Raise Waterway Concerns
Winter storms bring more to Athens-Clarke County than snow and ice. After the slush melts, salt crystals and sand linger on streets and sidewalks until the next rainstorm washes those materials toward storm drains, ditches and nearby waterways. During the two winter storms in Athens during 2026, Athens-Clarke County Emergency…
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Hyperlocal Forecasting Sharpens Winter Storm Predictions in Athens
When winter storms threaten Athens, accurate forecasting can be crucial to the safety of thousands. Georgia’s varied landscape stretches the limits of broad, statewide forecasting, often prioritizing metro areas like Atlanta over smaller cities. At the University of Georgia, students in the Weather Dawgs are closing that gap by using…
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Athens Mayoral Candidates Talk Issues in February Debate
Candidates for Athens mayor — Mara Zuniga, Tim Denson, Dexter Fisher and Lakeisha Gantt — faced off at a public forum at Ciné on Feb. 7. Immigration enforcement, rapid growth and homelessness emerged as key issues shaping the future of Athens. Hosted by AthChat podcast co-hosts Drew Abney and Russell…
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Athens-Clarke County Jail Population Increases
The average daily population at the Athens-Clarke County Jail has increased to well over 400 and has even peaked at more than 500 inmates over the past year, straining staffing and increasing costs for the county. The increase reflects a combination of bond policy changes, poverty, mental health challenges and…
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Athens Mayor, Commissioners To Decide Future Of Data Center Moratorium After Public Input
The Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are expected to decide Tuesday whether to extend the moratorium on data centers as concerns over water, power use and rising utility costs have dominated the local conversation. Meanwhile, state lawmakers including Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) are weighing legislation that could eliminate tax incentives for the industry.
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Chromebooks, Clarke Central Work Get Funding Approval at School Board Meeting
The Clarke County Board of Education unanimously approved purchasing 3,000 Chromebooks for middle schoolers for $1.42 million at its monthly meeting Thursday. “This is an effort to create equity across the entire school district in our middle school buildings,” said Mumbi Anderson, board president and District 6 representative. “Not everyone…
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‘People Are Fed Up’: Community Members Protest Against ICE, Trump Administration Policies
Chants mixed with passing car honks at the Arch in downtown Athens on Jan. 20, as approximately 100 protestors rallied against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Trump administration policies. The protest was a part of a larger movement across the U.S. “People are fed up and they want…
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UGA, Athens Community Participate in Protest Against Trump, ICE
Approximately 100 protestors lined the sidewalks in front of the Arch on the University of Georgia campus Tuesday during a protest organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation. Protestors carried signs during the noon walkout made by PSL or brought from home with messages that expressed anti-ICE views and…
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Sweet Pea Club: Teaching Multi-Generational Stewardship for the Environment
The Sweet Pea Club is a weekly event run by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s education department that teaches young children about the importance of environmental stewardship. The club meets on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden, with each week focusing on a…
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Students Spread Sustainability through EcoReps
With more than 6,200 first-year students enrolled in 2025, the University of Georgia’s growing freshman class presents both excitement and sustainability challenges. The Eco-reps program is using that growth as an opportunity to educate students on environmentally friendly habits. Sadie Eubanks, a second-year EcoRep, joined the program her freshman year…