FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1735, a group of Scottish Highlanders sailed bound for Georgia. General James Oglethorpe recruited the soldiers to solidify the English claim on the North American continent against Spanish forces.

UGA tends to hog the headlines, but today in Top Stories, we preview Saturday's clash between Notre Dame and Georgia Tech. It ought to be quite a match-up, now that Tech has a dynamic passing attack as well as a running game.

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Judge Tosses All Seven New Election Rules

A Fulton County judge ruled that seven new election rules enacted by the Georgia State Election Board are unconstitutional and void, preventing them from taking effect for the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

The rules addressed ballot counting, poll watcher access, and election certification and were challenged in two lawsuits filed by political groups and election officials.

The judge's decision questioned the board's authority, suggesting that these changes should have been recommended to the Georgia General Assembly rather than imposed through emergency rules.

Republican officials defended the rules as necessary to prevent voter fraud.

Trump Courts Women Voters in Townhall

Former President Donald Trump participated in a Fox News town hall in Cumming, addressing women voters and discussing key issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion rights.

Trump pledged to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports if elected president, stating, "We absolutely stop it."

The audience responded positively to Trump's remarks, aligning with his stance that biological differences create unfair advantages.

On immigration, Trump vowed to eliminate sanctuary cities, arguing they harbor criminals, and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris's handling of migration. He emphasized his plans to restore law and order, pledging to empower police forces and return the country to normalcy.

Notre Dame versus Georgia Tech Preview

Notre Dame, currently on a four-game winning streak, brings its eighth-ranked scoring defense into a Week 8 matchup against Georgia Tech.

The Fighting Irish's defense will be challenged by Georgia Tech's rushing offense, which ranks 25th in the nation, averaging over 204 yards per game.

Georgia Tech enters the game with momentum, having won its last two games to improve to 5-2, but it faces a difficult task against Notre Dame's defense.

The matchup could hinge on Notre Dame's ability to contain the Yellow Jackets' rushing attack and Georgia Tech's much-improved passing, as the team is averaging 240 yards per game through the air.

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➤ Athens: The Athens Area Humane Society will offer free pet vaccines this Saturday to support local animal health efforts. (More)

➤ Glynn County: Officials are seeking significant pay raises for assistant magistrate judges, citing the need to better compensate the roles. (More)

➤ Valdosta: The Kairos Prison Ministry is celebrating over 25 years of service at Valdosta State Prison, focusing on faith-based inmate rehabilitation. (More)

➤ Holly Springs: Business owners are regrouping after a devastating fire that impacted their operations earlier this week. (More)

➤ Georgia: Students from Georgia have again exceeded the national average on the ACT, continuing their strong academic performance. (More)

➤ Sandy Springs: Police officer Jansenn Redcay is biking 1,129 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Sandy Springs, Georgia, to raise awareness and funds for ZOE International's efforts to combat child trafficking. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Morehouse School of Medicine has been selected as one of three HBCUs to receive $18 million in funding to support research and academic programs. (More)

➤ The No. 4 ranked Bulldogs of UGA will travel to take on the top-ranked Texas Longhorns in Austin on Saturday. (See Details)

➤ Atlanta Braves radio announcer Kevin McAlpin has announced that he will be stepping away from the job after 12 seasons with the team. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins told reporters that he thinks the Falcons have "every chance" to compete for and win a Super Bowl this season. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | NBA | NHL | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Buc-ee's is planning to open its fourth Georgia location in Monroe County, near the Rumble Road exit off I-75 in the Smarr-Forsyth area. If approved, construction could take about 15 months, bringing approximately 200 full-time jobs to the area. (More)

➤ Farmers affected by recent natural disasters in the state will receive $207.7 million in federal relief. (More)

➤ Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a breakthrough technology that enhances plant disease resistance without compromising growth, addressing a long-standing challenge in agriculture. (More)

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➤ Atlanta's new Arthur M. Blank Hospital is deploying a fleet of robots to transport medications, linens, and other supplies, streamlining operations and allowing staff to focus more on patient care. (More)

➤ A dramatic video captured the rescue of a woman and her dog stranded in the Chattahoochee River, highlighting the heroic efforts of local responders. (Video)

➤ The Jack-O'-Lantern Jubilee will return to North Augusta despite recent disruptions from Hurricane Helene, with the community rallying to bring back the fall celebration. (Details)

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