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Bill banning cellphones in grades K-8 passes committee | Georgia

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-18 13:46:00

(The Center Square) – Creation of cellphone bans for Georgia students in kindergarten through eighth grade was recommended Tuesday through legislation approved by the Children and Families Committee of the state Senate.

The ban would last from “bell to bell,” said Rep Scott Hilton, R-Peachtree Corners, the bill’s sponsor. The bill doesn’t address high schools but doesn’t keep school districts from enacting cellphone policies for grades 9-12. 

“What we’ve thought we’d do is create a culture of cellphone free in those grades and as kids matriculate to high school it won’t be such a shock to the system when they get to high school,” Hilton said. “This was the easiest bite at the apple.”

The bill leaves it up to the school districts to determine how to store the cellphones.

Hilton said the school districts must also create emergency communications protocols. 

“I spent a lot of time,” Hilton said, “talking to sheriffs and safety personnel who have all told me, ‘Scott, in the case of emergency, the very last thing we want is children to have cellphones in their hands. We need them to listen to clear instructions as to where they’re to go and once they are safe, absolutely, reunify them with their phones, with their parents.'” 

Georgia’s neighbor to the south, Florida, was the first state to pass a cellphone ban in schools. California, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia also have bans while nearly two dozen other states are considering them, according to committee testimony. 

The House passed the bill earlier this month. The committee’s 4-1 approval now goes to the full Senate.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Beaufort County warns of rabies and distemper threat to pets, animal officials urge vaccinations

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www.wsav.com – Danielle Cobb – 2025-09-14 17:10:00

SUMMARY: Beaufort County Animal Services warned residents of recent threats of rabies and distemper outbreaks. Both diseases are deadly; distemper spreads rapidly among animals, while rabies is zoonotic and nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Rabies is common in local wildlife like bats, raccoons, and foxes, and occasionally in stray cats and dogs. Vaccination is crucial to protect pets, as unvaccinated animals exposed to rabies face a six-month quarantine, while vaccinated pets have a ten-day quarantine. If a pet is bitten or a rabid/distempered animal is spotted, report it to the health department and Department of Natural Resources immediately.

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Jonesboro band culture responsible for global legacy | FOX 5

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-09-14 16:13:45

SUMMARY: Jonesboro High School’s marching band has earned invitations to perform at prestigious events: the New Year’s Day Parade in London and the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. With 120 students from a Title I school, these opportunities are monumental, often representing students’ first trips outside Georgia. The band director emphasizes the community’s crucial financial support, as costs for London alone reach $300,000, with Pasadena estimated at $200,000-$250,000. Fundraisers, GoFundMe, and Cash App campaigns are underway. Students like junior Gabrielle Bailey express pride and excitement to represent their city and state on global stages, showcasing their talent and dedication.

Jonesboro High School’s Majestic Marching Band is preparing for an extraordinary series of performances. Students credit the …

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AP Top 25 college football rankings show Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and USC breaking through

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www.wsav.com – MAURA CAREY, Associated Press – 2025-09-14 13:23:00

SUMMARY: Ohio State, Penn State, and LSU remain the top three in the Week 4 AP Top 25 poll. Miami rose to No. 4 after dominant wins over USF and Georgia, while Georgia Tech entered the Top 25 following a 24-21 upset of Clemson. Texas A&M jumped into the top 10 after beating Notre Dame, which remains ranked despite an 0-2 start. Oregon dropped to No. 6 despite a strong win. Clemson, South Carolina, and Notre Dame suffered setbacks, risking their rankings. The Heisman race shifts as preseason favorites falter. Voters consider factors beyond scores, emphasizing performance quality and common opponents.

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