When University of Georgia student Avery Warner heard about the University System of Georgia’s plans encouraging everyone to wear masks in classrooms when the fall semester begins in early August, she thought it just didn’t go far enough.Her grandfather died earlier this month from COVID-19. Her father is a public health expert and her mother is a faculty member at the university.So Warner wrote a letter Wednesday to USG leaders and its Board of Regents urging them to require face coverings in classrooms. The letter included links to research showing masks can effectively control the spread...…When University of Georgia student Avery Warner heard about the University System of Georgia’s plans encouraging everyone to wear masks in classrooms when the fall semester begins in early August, she thought it just didn’t go far enough.Her grandfather died earlier this month from COVID-19. Her father is a public health expert and her mother is a faculty member at the university.So Warner wrote a letter Wednesday to USG leaders and its Board of Regents urging them to require face coverings in classrooms. The letter included links to research showing masks can effectively control the spread...WW…

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms apologized Sunday for what she said was clearly excessive force used by Atlanta Police in the arrest of two young African Americans during  Saturday night after protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.Bottoms said she ordered the firings of two of the five officers involved in the traffic stop after reviewing the body camera footage with Police Chief Erika Shields. The other three officers are on desk duty, pending an investigation.The two victims were Spelman College student Taniyah Pilgrim, 20, and former Morehouse College...…Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms apologized Sunday for what she said was clearly excessive force used by Atlanta Police in the arrest of two young African Americans during  Saturday night after protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week.Bottoms said she ordered the firings of two of the five officers involved in the traffic stop after reviewing the body camera footage with Police Chief Erika Shields. The other three officers are on desk duty, pending an investigation.The two victims were Spelman College student Taniyah Pilgrim, 20, and former Morehouse College...WW…

Rallies for justice extended outside downtown Atlanta on Saturday as events were held throughout the metro area, including in Cobb, Forsyth, Fayette and Gwinnett counties, where thousands participated.The rallies — organized to protest recent killings including George Floyd in Minneapolis — extended to a ninth day in Atlanta. An 8 p.m. curfew originally in place in the city was lifted Saturday by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The mayor has not yet made a determination for Sunday.COMPLETE COVERAGE: Article continues belowALSO: Events were held in Cumming, Marietta, Athens and...…Rallies for justice extended outside downtown Atlanta on Saturday as events were held throughout the metro area, including in Cobb, Forsyth, Fayette and Gwinnett counties, where thousands participated.The rallies — organized to protest recent killings including George Floyd in Minneapolis — extended to a ninth day in Atlanta. An 8 p.m. curfew originally in place in the city was lifted Saturday by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The mayor has not yet made a determination for Sunday.COMPLETE COVERAGE: Article continues belowALSO: Events were held in Cumming, Marietta, Athens and...WW…

Protesters made their way from downtown Atlanta and into Buckhead late Friday, damaging businesses, looting and leaving behind a path of destruction.Atlanta police officers were joined by other metro law enforcement agencies in trying to thwart the protesters. Late Friday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp deployed members of the National Guard to the Lenox area.What began Friday afternoon as a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis turned into chaos as marchers returned from the state capital to the CNN Center. Various fires were set downtown and in Buckhead, and early...…Protesters made their way from downtown Atlanta and into Buckhead late Friday, damaging businesses, looting and leaving behind a path of destruction.Atlanta police officers were joined by other metro law enforcement agencies in trying to thwart the protesters. Late Friday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp deployed members of the National Guard to the Lenox area.What began Friday afternoon as a peaceful protest over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis turned into chaos as marchers returned from the state capital to the CNN Center. Various fires were set downtown and in Buckhead, and early...WW…

Morris Brown College trustees have removed the interim title from its president.Kevin James is now the permanent president of the historically black college, located near downtown Atlanta, the school announced Friday. James had been interim president since March 2019.“I look forward to continuing this great work in collaboration with the board of trustees, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other shareholders to resurrect this historic college back to prominence,” James, 42, said in a statement. “We will continue working to obtain accreditation, ensure financial stability, build a strong...…Morris Brown College trustees have removed the interim title from its president.Kevin James is now the permanent president of the historically black college, located near downtown Atlanta, the school announced Friday. James had been interim president since March 2019.“I look forward to continuing this great work in collaboration with the board of trustees, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other shareholders to resurrect this historic college back to prominence,” James, 42, said in a statement. “We will continue working to obtain accreditation, ensure financial stability, build a strong...WW…

The University System of Georgia announced Monday afternoon that all of its 26 colleges and universities will conduct online instruction for the rest of the semester, with “extremely limited exceptions” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Students are not allowed to return to campus until they receive permission from their institution, the University System said in its announcement.“Additionally, residence halls will be closed, with minimal exceptions for students unable to return home, or who cannot find housing elsewhere. Students will receive specific instructions from...…The University System of Georgia announced Monday afternoon that all of its 26 colleges and universities will conduct online instruction for the rest of the semester, with “extremely limited exceptions” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Students are not allowed to return to campus until they receive permission from their institution, the University System said in its announcement.“Additionally, residence halls will be closed, with minimal exceptions for students unable to return home, or who cannot find housing elsewhere. Students will receive specific instructions from...WW…

The Georgia Board of Regents, acknowledging the ongoing financial hardships many students and parents are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic, voted Tuesday to hold tuition and fees at the current levels for the University System of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities for the upcoming school year.It is the second consecutive year for a cost freeze, following the board’s vote not to raise tuition during the initial economic uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. It’s also the fourth time in six years the board has voted not to increase tuition.The fall 2021 semester tuition at...…The Georgia Board of Regents, acknowledging the ongoing financial hardships many students and parents are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic, voted Tuesday to hold tuition and fees at the current levels for the University System of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities for the upcoming school year.It is the second consecutive year for a cost freeze, following the board’s vote not to raise tuition during the initial economic uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. It’s also the fourth time in six years the board has voted not to increase tuition.The fall 2021 semester tuition at...WW…

The statistic is troubling.Georgia is vaccinating people at a slower pace than any U.S. state, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.Slightly less than 30,000 doses per every 100,000 Georgia adults have been administered as of Thursday, the data show. Alaska, which is first among states, has nearly twice that vaccination rate. New Mexico is not far behind.And Georgia has consistently been near the bottom since federal officials began posting vaccination data.In response, Gov. Brian Kemp has repeatedly criticized news coverage of the vaccination rate, citing other...…The statistic is troubling.Georgia is vaccinating people at a slower pace than any U.S. state, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.Slightly less than 30,000 doses per every 100,000 Georgia adults have been administered as of Thursday, the data show. Alaska, which is first among states, has nearly twice that vaccination rate. New Mexico is not far behind.And Georgia has consistently been near the bottom since federal officials began posting vaccination data.In response, Gov. Brian Kemp has repeatedly criticized news coverage of the vaccination rate, citing other...WW…

Atlanta native Jason Butler graduated with a marketing degree from Savannah State University in May 2008 with dreams of returning to his hometown and getting a good job.The job search was difficult because of the worldwide economic crisis that became known as the Great Recession. Nonetheless that November, Butler’s first student loan payment was due, about $100, he recalled.Like many college graduates then and now, when money is tight, Butler deferred some loan payments. In some instances, he made partial payments. The stopgap measures were temporary solutions. Butler, who said he was...…Atlanta native Jason Butler graduated with a marketing degree from Savannah State University in May 2008 with dreams of returning to his hometown and getting a good job.The job search was difficult because of the worldwide economic crisis that became known as the Great Recession. Nonetheless that November, Butler’s first student loan payment was due, about $100, he recalled.Like many college graduates then and now, when money is tight, Butler deferred some loan payments. In some instances, he made partial payments. The stopgap measures were temporary solutions. Butler, who said he was...WW…