www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-26 09:00:00
The Georgia Senate will study higher education affordability and school absenteeism, among seven approved resolutions, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones announced. Sen. Drew Echols will lead a tourism study, highlighting tourism’s economic impact with over 400,000 jobs and $5 billion in taxes. Sen. Sally Harrell will chair a committee on social media, AI’s impact on children, and platform privacy. Other studies include services for foster youth, recovery residences, and family caregiver improvements. Recommendations are aimed for the 2026 General Assembly. The Georgia House will have 16 study committees, including one on legalized gaming, chaired by Rep. Marcus Wiedower.
(The Center Square) – The Georgia Senate will study higher education affordability and chronic absenteeism in the schools, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said.
The studies are two of seven approved by Senate resolutions.
Sen. Drew Echols, R-Alto, will chair a study on making Georgia the number one state for tourism.
“Clearly, agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia,” Echols told the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism in March. “It’s debatable whether tourism is number one or number two but it’s a big industry supporting over 400,000 jobs. In 2023, there was about $5 billion in state and local taxes that come from tourism.”
Sen. Sally Harrell, D-Atlanta, will chair the Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee. Other studies will focus on additional services and resources for transition-age youth in foster care, recovery residences and improving family caregiver services.
The committee will make recommendations for the 2026 session of the General Assembly.
“Each Senator will bring their unique experience and knowledge to these study committees, and I look forward to their expertise contributing to the work of the Senate on critical issues facing constituents across Georgia,” Jones said.
The House of Representatives will have 16 study committees. One of them will look at legalized gaming. Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, who introduced a measure during this year’s session of the General Assembly that would have put legalized sports betting before voters in November 2026, will chair that committee.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article presents a straightforward report on the Georgia Senate’s plans to study various issues, including higher education affordability, tourism, social media’s impact on children, and legalized gaming. It references specific lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties and their roles in these study committees without employing language that promotes or criticizes any particular ideological position. The tone remains neutral and fact-based, simply outlining the legislative agenda and the individuals involved, adhering to impartial reporting without signaling a clear ideological stance.
www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-07-19 18:56:21
SUMMARY: A community event in Southeast Atlanta, called “Both Sides of the Gun,” brought together gun violence victims, survivors, and former perpetrators to foster understanding and healing. Organized at Lakewood Church of Hope, the forum included panel discussions focusing on sharing experiences, bridging community divides, and offering resources to prevent gun violence. Whitney Jones, who lost her father to gun violence and later forgave his shooter, emphasized the power of reconciliation. Organizers highlighted the importance of supporting formerly incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism and crime. City officials participated, showing local government commitment to ongoing community-based violence prevention efforts.
The event brought together survivors of gun violence and those accused of committing it in Atlanta. It was meant to be a unique way to address gun violence and show how it affects everyone involved.
FOX 5 Atlanta delivers breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from metro Atlanta, north Georgia and across the nation.
SUMMARY: Anthony Kent, 19, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to shooting Statesboro Officer Joey Deloach during an April incident. Deloach was responding to reports of car break-ins at Copper Beech apartments when he was shot four times, injuring a major artery in his leg. Despite defense arguments citing Kent’s youth and behavioral issues, the judge imposed a lengthy sentence, emphasizing accountability and urging Kent to improve himself. Kent apologized in court, claiming self-defense. Police and the community supported Deloach, with authorities deeming the sentence appropriate for the severity of the crime impacting the community.
www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-07-19 05:06:05
SUMMARY: A family who attended Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” concert experienced sheer terror when the escalator collapsed beneath them at Vine City–MARTA Station. What began as the highlight of the summer quickly became a harrowing descent, with Henry, his wife Britney, and their two daughters plummeting “like a plane nosing down.” The sudden drop caused bodies to jerk in a domino effect. Henry feared for their lives and warned his wife to prepare to jump. Nine people were injured in the incident—Henry broke his leg, Britney tore ligaments in her foot, and their 13‑year‑old daughter was hurt. The family disputes reports of a stampede, calling it a mechanical malfunction caused by overcrowding, and have yet to receive an apology from MARTA. They’re considering legal action and say they won’t ride MARTA again.
A family injured in Monday night’s escalator collapse at the Vine City MARTA station is speaking out, saying the incident was not the result of a stampede, but a mechanical failure that left them fearing for their lives.
FOX 5 Atlanta delivers breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from metro Atlanta, north Georgia and across the nation.
