Random thoughts on some random topics
There has been a change of plans. I was going to talk about Georgia's olive industry this week.
Category Archives: University of Georgia
Around Town: Bill Shipp on the governor’s race, Democrats, Trump and the free press
Around Town paid a call on the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame member this week, finding him in good spirits, though concerned about such things as the future of the free press in this country and the leftward march of the Democratic Party.
Number of uninsured, obesity rate drag ratings down
The state's ranking in the Commonwealth Fund report is similar to the results on other national scorecards in health care.
At what point does crying ‘lynching’ trivialize the word?
R. Kelly says boycotting his music because of the sexual abuse allegations against him amounts to a "public lynching." Bill Cosby's people say his conviction was a lynching, too.
Mauldin to retire as DA if wife successful in bid for judgeship
Mauldin's course of action will hinge on his wife's campaign for Superior Court judge in the same judicial circuit. If Allison Mauldin unseats Judge Eric Norris in the May 22 election, Ken Mauldin said he will resign after nearly two decades as district attorney for Clarke and Oconee counties.
Mace to face Boatwright in general election
More voters turned out for the Republican runoff between Mark Smith and Nancy Mace than in the actual primary.
Legislative forum turns testy on climate change
State Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, left, speaks during a Monday forum hosted by the Athens-Clarke County Federation of Neighborhoods at Cine in downtown Athens. The Republican contingent of the local legislative delegation, comprising Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville, second from left, Rep. Regina Quick, R-Athens, and Rep. Chuck Williams, R-Watkinsville, addressed issues ranging from climate change to redistricting.
With deadline approaching, coverage through health insurance law uncertain beyond 2017
Thursday: Deadline for new federal marketplace customers to apply for insurance to start Jan. 1. Those interested should go to healthcare.gov April 15: Deadline for federal income tax returns, which will charge a penalty for the first time on those without insurance the previous year Thursday is the deadline to sign up for health insurance through the federal Affordable Care Act, if you want coverage starting Jan. 1. "It will be in place for the next year," said Charles Bullock, University of Georgia political science expert. "Beyond that, we'll have to wait and see."
Flewellen appointed to Law Enforcement Task Force
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal announced Tuesday the members of the Law Enforcement Task Force, who will examine the Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Course and establish competency-based standards for any course revisions deemed appropriate.
Georgia editorial roundup
People living downstream from a massive landfill near Jesup have good reason to worry about the nearly 1 million tons of coal ash dumped there. Likewise, they have a great reason to block a project that would bring in tons more.
Family Connection to honor Acheson, Payne, Dooleys for work with young people
Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Athens will honor famed chef and restaurateur Hugh Acheson; former University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley and his wife, Barbara; and longtime Clarke County Board of Education member Vernon Payne for their long-standing commitment to area children and youth at the Changing the Picture for Athens Children awards dinner Saturday. The dinner, beginning with a 6 p.m. reception, will be at The Cotton Press at 160 Tracy St. in Athens.
A welcome and needed windfall for CAT and public transit in…
It's encouraging to see state officials acknowledge that Atlanta isn't the only community in Georgia that has serious transportation problems and needs help from the state. On Wednesday, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Chatham Area Transit is one of nine systems in the state to receive grant funding from Georgia's $75 million GO! Transit Capital program.
John Shearer: Working For Lee Anderson For 15 Years
Back in May 1984, I was spending the night at friend Kurt Schmissrauter's house, and his mother, Virginia, woke us up the next morning to say that my father, Dr. Wayne Shearer, had excitedly called.