Georgia State

Fulton County, GA

Columbus, OH

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The Current GA

A state Supreme Court’s decision reversing a lower court’s ruling that a private contractor was exempt from the Georgia Open Records Act is being hailed as a win for open government.

State Supreme Court rules Open Records Act applies to private contractors working for governments

Melbourne, FL

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Akeena

A Burger King location in Melbourne, Florida, has been temporarily shut down for the third time following since 2023 after a recent state inspection that identified multiple health violations. This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding the restaurant's adherence to health and safety standards.

A dead lizard, dead roaches, rodent droppings - Florida fast food restaurant closed again

Douglas, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A man out on probation for drug charges less than a year ago and a woman from Douglas were recently arrested following a search at a local apartment. On August 7, 2024, at around 1:00 PM, Detectives from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office Drug Unit were conducting a proactive narcotics patrol in Douglas. During their patrol, a detective spotted 30-year-old Christopher Lamar Hawkins, who had outstanding warrants for fleeing police and methamphetamine possession, driving a white 2021 Kia Sorento. Hawkins was stopped in front of apartment 203/204 on N Wheeler Ave, where two detectives approached him. Breanna Henderson, 33, then came out of apartment 203 to "investigate what was going on with Hawkins" and appeared to whisper with Hawkins during his arrest. The report states that Henderson, who temporarily lived with Hawkins, began whispering with him "presumably about nefarious activities due to Hawkins's previous history with drug distribution and evading law enforcement."

Douglas Man and Woman Arrested Following Drug Bust and Search at Apartment

Coffee County, GA

Nicholls, GA

A traffic stop conducted by the Coffee County Drug Unit (CCDU) recently led to the arrest of a 23-year-old woman from Nicholls. According to a CCDU preliminary report, on July 23, detectives were conducting a proactive narcotics patrol in the area of Highway 135 and Old Pearson Highway when they observed a silver Cadillac CTS traveling towards Douglas. The vehicle failed to maintain its lane, crossing over the center line, which led to the traffic stop.

Nicholls Woman Arrested on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop in Coffee County

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Irvine, CA

NewSantaAna

The Irvine Police Department’s Spectrum team was notified of a woman shoplifting at Sephora on Wednesday. When loss prevention tried to stop her, she refused to stop. As the Spectrum team arrived, loss prevention lost the suspect in the parking lot. An excellent citizen told the officers they observed the suspect enter a white Tesla and crawl into the trunk.

Shoplifter arrested after hiding in her Tesla’s trunk at the Irvine Spectrum

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

The Lantern

One man is dead after a five-hour standoff with police Sunday morning near Ohio State’s South campus. Credit: Lantern File Photo. One man is dead after an over-five-hour-long barricade standoff with the Columbus Division of Police Sunday morning.

One dead after five-hour standoff with police in the University District Sunday morning

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

According to officials with the Southern District of Georgia, two recently unsealed federal indictments have charged 23 defendants in a series of broad conspiracies involving the use of drones to smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones into state prisons in Georgia.

23 Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments for Drone-Smuggling Drug Operation in Georgia

Texas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

When I learned the brown tarantula is also native to Missouri, I gasped, and when I say I'm not too fond of spiders of any genus is an understatement. It's psychological. They have too many legs.

It's mating season for the Texas brown tarantula also known as the Missouri tarantula

Kentucky State

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Pinehurst, NC

Town Talks

Choosing the right place to retire involves balancing affordability, access to healthcare, and proximity to loved ones. But safety is also crucial, especially for older adults.

Lovely North Carolina City Was Just Crowned America’s Safest Place To Retire

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

Florida State

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Massachusetts State

Westport, MA

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue's motto is "Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them," and it's true. Perhaps even for you too? This foster-based animal rescue organization based in Massachusetts is searching for dog lovers with space in their homes and hearts to temporarily care for a furry friend. Sandy Paws Rescue explained to their community that they're in need of foster homes for twelve dogs who will be coming to Massachusetts on Monday, August 26th, stating:

Local Dog Rescue Reveals They're In Desperate Need Of More Foster Homes

Appling County, GA

A 40-year-old man from Appling County, Christopher Eric Stone, with a significant criminal history, was recently sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to officials from the Department of Justice.

Georgia Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution

New Jersey State

New Brunswick, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. -A Middlesex County man, Kenneth Strickland, 57Kenneth Strickland, 57, from New Brunswick, has been convicted of his involvement in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Strickland was found guilty on July 29, 2024, of all six counts in a superseding indictment.

NJ Man Convicted in Large-Scale Fentanyl & Heroin Trafficking

Wyoming State

Buffalo, WY

WyoFile

The House Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming grew to more than 163,000 acres on Thursday — nearly the combined size of Denver and Salt Lake City — threatening structures, prompting evacuation orders and forcing the closure of Interstate 90.

Wildfire burns 163,000 acres in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and I-90 closure

Gloucester County, NJ

Greenwich, NJ

NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey State Police trooper from Gloucester County has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after punching a handcuffed woman in the face with a metal flashlight. The incident occurred on September 7, 2022, while the woman was detained in the backseat of a police vehicle awaiting a medical evaluation.

NJ State Trooper Admits to Punching Handcuffed Woman in the Face

NewsBreak

Fulton County Grapples with Overcrowding as Homelessness Criminalization Intensifies After New Legislation and Supreme Court Ruling

Recent legislative changes and a U.S. Supreme Court decision are stirring concerns over increased jail overcrowding in Fulton County due to the criminalization of homelessness. Senate...

Fulton County Grapples with Overcrowding as Homelessness Criminalization Intensifies After New Legislation and Supreme Court Ruling

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