#Georgia

New documents indicate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to spend approximately $38.3 billion on its Detention Reengineering Initiative, which includes a 10,000-person ICE detention center proposed for Social Circle, Georgia.

The Georgia Public Service Commission voted 3-2 to reject a proposal to reconsider Georgia Power's $15.6 billion plan to expand the electricity grid by 10,000 MW, a project primarily intended to serve data centers.

Nathan Gividen, a contractor in Coweta County, faces five additional felony theft by conversion charges totaling over $150,000, after Senoia police received complaints from at least 30 people regarding uncompleted construction projects.

Joseph Mays, 34, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to shooting and killing his girlfriend, Jamie Wiley, 36, and dumping her body by a creek in Ringgold, Georgia. The victim's family supported the sentence.

God Only Knows Animal Rescue in Chatsworth, Georgia, announced they might be forced to euthanize over 70 dogs by February 27th if no emergency placements are secured, following a large-scale animal hoarding incident.

An armed burglary suspect was apprehended early Monday morning after hiding in the ventilation system at Atlanta Fixtures and Sales in DeKalb County. Police recovered burglary tools and a firearm.

The DeKalb County Board of Education is considering a large-scale restructuring proposal that could close 27 schools, expand 11, and convert 8 others, as the district has seen a reduction of approximately 12,000 students.

Abelardo Avila Gomez, 46, a Mexican national previously deported in 2014, is now accused of possessing and distributing approximately 37 pounds of fentanyl from his Brookhaven, Georgia apartment. DEA agents seized 15 bricks of fentanyl weighing 17.9 kg.

An Atlanta Interim Inspector General's report concluded that six Department of Watershed Management employees abused their authority and met the elements of felony false imprisonment, after detaining colleagues in a conference room for hours to find a lost wallet.

Cobb County leaders held a press conference regarding the death of 21-year-old Atlanta resident Kyle Bassinga, who was found deceased in a wooded area of Fair Oaks Park. Police stated there were no initial signs of foul play.

One person was killed and two others were injured in a targeted shooting that occurred Monday morning on Highway 78, near Orion Drive, in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Kara Brown Braxton Jackson, 43, a former WNBA champion who played 10 seasons, died in a crash on I-285 in Cobb County, Georgia, on Saturday evening.

A Metro Atlanta family reports that Marcela Jimenez Macias was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Douglasville following a traffic stop involving her husband.

The second week of Colin Gray's trial in Barrow County began with testimony from his ex-wife, Marcee Gray, focusing on Colt's deteriorating mental health and the unstable family environment prior to the September 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

Two long-standing culinary icons in downtown Athens are set to close their doors after decades of operation, marking a significant turning point for the East Broad Street area.

Residents across North Georgia experienced a dramatic weather whiplash Monday morning as temperatures plummeted to the 20s, just 48 hours after the region hit record highs near 80°F.

Over 100 teenagers gathered at The Battery Atlanta on Saturday evening, prompting Cobb County Police to increase patrols after monitoring social media posts about a large-scale meetup.

Two separate house fires in DeKalb County on Monday morning put firefighters in a perilous situation as strong winds fanned the flames, making suppression efforts challenging.

Several Atlanta-based non-profits are preparing to lobby Georgia lawmakers to add 1,217 Medicaid waiver slots to this year's budget, significantly more than Governor Brian Kemp's proposed 100 slots.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a wave of criticism after telling Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, "I'm like you," and then mentioning his SAT score of 960 during a memoir promotion event.

At least five people were arrested in an early morning immigration enforcement operation at Hidden Valley Apartments in Decatur, Georgia. Officials have not yet released their identities or specific charges.

At least one person died and several are in critical condition after a fierce fire at Concord Crossing Apartments in Cobb County. Firefighters rescued six people from the second floor, and about 30 residents were displaced.

Three police officers shot Malik Hendrix, 23, while responding to a domestic violence call at a Savannah apartment. The object in the suspect's hand was a cell phone, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

LaGrange Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with a series of car break-ins that occurred at multiple apartment complexes from February 16 to 18. The two suspects face numerous charges related to theft from vehicles and drug offenses.

The state of Georgia has confirmed its second measles case of 2026. The patient, a resident of Bryan County, was unvaccinated and traveled outside the state before developing symptoms. Health authorities are notifying individuals at risk of exposure.

Country singer Megan Moroney confirmed a surprise show at Akins Ford Arena, Athens, on the evening of February 24, performing her new album 'Cloud 9' in its entirety. Tickets are $9, with all proceeds supporting an anti-bullying and mental health organization.

Atlanta police arrested Andre Anthony, 34, after he brandished a gun and threatened violence outside a nightclub on Edgewood Avenue SE early on Valentine's Day. The suspect faces charges of terroristic threats.

Strong winds on the afternoon of February 22 toppled a large tree onto a house on Overbrook Drive NW in northwest Atlanta. A baby inside the home was medically evaluated on site and confirmed to have no life-threatening injuries.

Nearly 50 law enforcement agencies in Georgia have signed cooperation agreements with ICE under the 287(g) program, allowing local police to perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions. Nationwide, there are currently 1,427 memoranda of understanding across 40 states.

Cobb County Police in Georgia confirm no signs of foul play in the death of a 21-year-old man found in the woods at Fair Oaks Park. Officials urge the community to stop spreading misinformation on social media and state the investigation is proceeding as a suicide, awaiting forensic results.

Two separate incidents this week in Sandy Springs and Gwinnett County, Georgia, involved children under 5 accidentally shooting themselves with unsafely stored firearms. Police emphasize that a $20 gun lock box could prevent such tragedies, and both families are now facing criminal charges.

Michael Masterangelo, 29, an autistic cashier at a Publix in Acworth, Georgia, has become so beloved by customers that they willingly wait over 40 minutes to check out at his register. During a Special Olympics fundraiser, his lane single-handedly raised nearly $32,000 in just six days.

Danielle Weaver, 29, a teacher at Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, has been arrested after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) determined she engaged in inappropriate conduct with a minor student. Weaver faces charges of child molestation and improper sexual contact.

The Marietta Police Department in Marietta, Georgia, has confirmed signing a 287(g) cooperation agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officially effective January 7, 2026. This is a Task Force model agreement, with only one officer assigned and no immigration arrests made to date.

Felipe Esteban Nunez, a teacher and soccer coach at Chestatee High School, has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges including rape and child molestation related to incidents from 2018-2019.

University of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton and legendary Herschel Walker made a surprise appearance with President Trump at an event in Rome, Georgia, where Trump endorsed Lt. Governor Burt Jones for the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Four individuals have been arrested following a New Year's Day shootout at a Circle K gas station in Newton County. Sheriff Ezell Brown stated that more arrests might be made as the investigation continues.

Georgia Democratic lawmakers have unveiled a voting rights bill amid escalating tensions following an FBI raid on the Fulton County election office and ongoing state Election Board meetings.

Jalen Alexander, a 14-year-old from Gwinnett County, has been named "Children's Miracle Child 2026" after triumphing over a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma through 13 rounds of chemotherapy at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

Richard Willis, the father of a 2-year-old boy who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Sandy Springs, was denied bond at his initial court appearance in Fulton County on charges of murder and child cruelty.

A Douglas County mother remains in shock after her 21-year-old son, Trevales "Tre" JaQuay Tolbert Jr., was fatally shot inside a home on Coleman Street in Atlanta's Pittsburgh neighborhood.

After more than a decade of closure, the legacy of the Butler Street YMCA — once considered Atlanta's unofficial "Black City Hall" — is now preserved and brought back to life through a new digital exhibit by the Atlanta History Center.

The Twelve Midtown Hotel in Atlanta's Atlantic Station district was ordered to evacuate after a severe power outage crippled its water filtration and pumping systems, rendering the water unsafe for use.

A 29-year-old Winder, Georgia mother faces reckless conduct charges after her 4-year-old son accidentally shot himself in the hand with a handgun he retrieved from a car's glove compartment in Gwinnett County.

A Gwinnett County, Georgia teenager has been arrested and charged with making terroristic threats after a year-long investigation into harassment and violent threats originating from the online gaming platform Roblox.

The Lunar New Year Festival 2026 in Morrow, Georgia, attracted a large Vietnamese and international crowd, becoming one of the largest and most vibrant Tet celebrations in metro Atlanta, with singing, dance competitions, and the Miss Morrow 2026 pageant.

Three individuals were arrested in Toccoa after police responded to reports of a shooting and a brawl. A subsequent search of the scene uncovered marijuana, psilocybin-infused chocolate, and THC vape cartridges.

Edrick Faust received two consecutive life sentences plus 45 additional years after a jury convicted him on 12 charges related to the rape and murder of law student Tara Baker in Athens in 2001.

President Trump spoke in North Georgia, highlighting the impact of 50% steel tariffs, announcing $18 trillion in investment commitments, and officially endorsing Clayton Fuller in the 14th District's special election.

A Fulton County jury found former Douglas County Judge Christina Peterson not guilty of misdemeanor obstruction of justice charges stemming from her 2024 arrest outside a Buckhead nightclub.

A man has died at the hospital after being shot by Gwinnett County police while responding to a domestic violence call in Lawrenceville. The GBI has taken over the investigation.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Emily Rae Staub, 27, in Decatur on charges of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material online, following an investigation that began in October 2025.

A Gwinnett County Superior Court judge has not yet ruled on the motion for a new trial filed by former Doraville police officer Miles Bryant, who was sentenced to life without parole for the kidnapping and murder of 16-year-old Susana Morales.

A father in Sandy Springs faces a second-degree murder charge after his 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a loaded 9mm handgun, left unsecured in a fanny pack on the bed.