Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan unveiled his proposal Wednesday to restore a hate-crimes law in Georgia for the first time in 16 years, setting up a legislative showdown over a measure that’s gained momentum amid protests demanding racial justice.Duncan, a Republican, worked late Tuesday with his aides to finalize a version of the bill that is substantially different from the measure that’s been stalled in the Senate for more than a year after narrowly passing the House.The proposal, which he detailed at a 10 a.m. press conference, would make a hate crime a stand-alone charge instead of an add-on...…Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan unveiled his proposal Wednesday to restore a hate-crimes law in Georgia for the first time in 16 years, setting up a legislative showdown over a measure that’s gained momentum amid protests demanding racial justice.Duncan, a Republican, worked late Tuesday with his aides to finalize a version of the bill that is substantially different from the measure that’s been stalled in the Senate for more than a year after narrowly passing the House.The proposal, which he detailed at a 10 a.m. press conference, would make a hate crime a stand-alone charge instead of an add-on...WW…

Democratic members of the Georgia Senate on Thursday released a  they say the state should pursue to change the way the state handles policing — starting with passing hate-crimes legislation.The package of bills calls for a wide array of additional changes, including regulating police body cameras, repealing the “stand your ground law” and banning police use of chokeholds.A range of people including , members of the  and activists have increased their calls on the Georgia Senate to approve a bill that would enhance the penalty of those convicted of committing hate crimes.The...…Democratic members of the Georgia Senate on Thursday released a  they say the state should pursue to change the way the state handles policing — starting with passing hate-crimes legislation.The package of bills calls for a wide array of additional changes, including regulating police body cameras, repealing the “stand your ground law” and banning police use of chokeholds.A range of people including , members of the  and activists have increased their calls on the Georgia Senate to approve a bill that would enhance the penalty of those convicted of committing hate crimes.The...WW…

A Georgia Senate panel on Monday took the first step toward putting guidelines in place to if workers, customers or visitors contract COVID-19., shepherded the legislation through his committee on Monday, amending a bill that initially would have created a specialty license plate for the Georgia Tennis Foundation.The legislation would protect businesses, organizations and health care providers from March 14, the date Gov. Brian Kemp declared a public health emergency, through two years after the emergency order expires. The current order is set to expire June 30.Article continues...…A Georgia Senate panel on Monday took the first step toward putting guidelines in place to if workers, customers or visitors contract COVID-19., shepherded the legislation through his committee on Monday, amending a bill that initially would have created a specialty license plate for the Georgia Tennis Foundation.The legislation would protect businesses, organizations and health care providers from March 14, the date Gov. Brian Kemp declared a public health emergency, through two years after the emergency order expires. The current order is set to expire June 30.Article continues...WW…

A federal judge will hear arguments Monday from opponents of Georgia’s abortion law urging him to rule the measure unconstitutional. one of the nation's strictest abortion laws, outlawing the procedure in most cases once a doctor can detect fetal cardiac activity. District Judge Steve C. Jones in October the law from going into effect while the case plays out in court. It was set to take effect the first day of this year.The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia wants Jones to make the injunction permanent. The group, on behalf of several abortion rights advocates and providers, ,...…A federal judge will hear arguments Monday from opponents of Georgia’s abortion law urging him to rule the measure unconstitutional. one of the nation's strictest abortion laws, outlawing the procedure in most cases once a doctor can detect fetal cardiac activity. District Judge Steve C. Jones in October the law from going into effect while the case plays out in court. It was set to take effect the first day of this year.The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia wants Jones to make the injunction permanent. The group, on behalf of several abortion rights advocates and providers, ,...WW…

The number of abortions performed in Georgia increased by more than 2,100 — or more than 7% — last year, according to new from the state Department of Public Health.After falling over the past decade, 2019 marked the second consecutive year the rate of reported abortions performed increased in Georgia.The latest figures, for 2019, were released less than two weeks after a federal judge that would have banned the procedure in most cases when a doctor could detect fetal cardiac activity — typically about six weeks into a pregnancy.State records show 30,656 abortions were performed in 2019 at...…The number of abortions performed in Georgia increased by more than 2,100 — or more than 7% — last year, according to new from the state Department of Public Health.After falling over the past decade, 2019 marked the second consecutive year the rate of reported abortions performed increased in Georgia.The latest figures, for 2019, were released less than two weeks after a federal judge that would have banned the procedure in most cases when a doctor could detect fetal cardiac activity — typically about six weeks into a pregnancy.State records show 30,656 abortions were performed in 2019 at...WW…

With bars closed and restaurants suspending eat-in dining as Georgia tries to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many people have rushed to the state’s liquor stores to stock up and have their drinks at home.Each time Gov. Brian Kemp announced efforts to limit the movements of residents, liquor store sales went up.Liquor store managers said they first saw a spike in sales around March 16, the day the state .Randall Heard, the owner of Marietta Wine Market, said overall sales have increased, even though he’s operating on limited store hours.“I’d say we’re up about 25%,” Heard...…With bars closed and restaurants suspending eat-in dining as Georgia tries to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, many people have rushed to the state’s liquor stores to stock up and have their drinks at home.Each time Gov. Brian Kemp announced efforts to limit the movements of residents, liquor store sales went up.Liquor store managers said they first saw a spike in sales around March 16, the day the state .Randall Heard, the owner of Marietta Wine Market, said overall sales have increased, even though he’s operating on limited store hours.“I’d say we’re up about 25%,” Heard...WW…

A civil rights organization said a bill approved  aimed at  will actually do the opposite if an officer is murdered — spurring a Republican senator to say the legislation may need a closer look.American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young  the new offense creates confusion in how the law will be applied.“In their haste to silence Georgians’ demand for police accountability, the state Legislature has produced a severely flawed bill that may substantially reduce penalties for deliberately killing a police officer,” Young said.As part of a ...…A civil rights organization said a bill approved  aimed at  will actually do the opposite if an officer is murdered — spurring a Republican senator to say the legislation may need a closer look.American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young  the new offense creates confusion in how the law will be applied.“In their haste to silence Georgians’ demand for police accountability, the state Legislature has produced a severely flawed bill that may substantially reduce penalties for deliberately killing a police officer,” Young said.As part of a ...WW…