MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1909, Johnny Mercer, the writer of such hits as Moon River and That Old Black Magic, as well as a co-founder of Capitol Records, was born in Savannah.

Today, we report that President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Doug Collins, a former Georgia representative, to lead the Veterans Administration. With many veterans still recovering from battle wounds, Collins will oversee one of the government's most vital agencies.

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Trial of Laken Riley's Accused Killer Begins

The trial of Jose Ibarra, accused of killing nursing student Laken Riley, began Friday in Athens. Prosecutors allege Ibarra attacked and fatally wounded Riley while she was out for a run, with evidence suggesting she resisted.

Prosecutor Sheila Ross presented graphic evidence, including DNA under Riley's fingernails, her blood on Ibarra's clothing, and video footage of his movements before and after the crime.

The case has gained national attention, fueling debates over immigration policy, as Ibarra had entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was awaiting an immigration case resolution.

Prosecutors detailed forensic and digital evidence, including security footage, a bloody jacket, and data from Riley's phone and watch, which documented her final moments.

Trump Taps Doug Collins to Lead Veterans Affairs

President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump emphasized Collins' service as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve and his status as an Iraq War veteran, praising him as a strong advocate for servicemembers and their families.

Collins represented Georgia's 9th Congressional District in Congress from 2013 to 2021, which includes Gainesville and Athens, and gained national attention as the ranking Republican on the House Judiciary Committee during Trump's first impeachment inquiry.

Although Trump supported Collins for a U.S. Senate seat in 2020, Collins lost to then-Sen. Kelly Loeffler. His VA nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation.

UGA Student Nails $800,000 College GameDay Kick

UGA Students Belle Sessions and Henry Silver teamed up on ESPN's College GameDay Saturday, winning $200,000 each after Silver nailed a 33-yard field goal.

Sessions was initially selected in a raffle for Pat McAfee's kicking contest but passed the opportunity to Silver, a lifelong soccer player. Confident under pressure, Silver had just one shot to make the kick.

McAfee raised the stakes by pledging $400,000 to hurricane relief if the kick succeeded, bringing the total prize and charitable contribution to $800,000.

Silver delivered, sending the ball cleanly through the uprights and securing the funds. Watch a video of the kick here.

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➤ Fulton County: The U.S. Department of Justice released a report detailing unconstitutional conditions at the Fulton County Jail, including extreme violence, inadequate medical care, and unsanitary living environments. (More)

➤ Atlanta: The annual Can-A-Thon food drive has begun to support The Salvation Army of metro Atlanta, with donations of canned and shelf-stable food requested to help create meal boxes for families in need. (More)

➤ Savannah: Thousands of runners participated in the "Every Woman's Marathon" on Saturday, marking the first marathon in Savannah since 2022, with a course spanning 15 neighborhoods and drawing participants from all 50 states and 12 countries. (More)

➤ Griffin: Eric Weems, a 52-year-old Navy veteran and city of Griffin lineman, tragically lost his life Wednesday in a workplace accident while working on a power project. He was remembered by family and friends as a hero for his dedication to his job and adventurous spirit. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Boating advocates urged Georgia lawmakers to separate the right to float along rivers and streams from fishing and hunting, emphasizing public access and the $1.1 billion economic impact of water recreation. (More)

➤ Douglasville: Youth Villages, a residential mental health facility, celebrated the completion of the first phase of its three-phase campaign, which includes a new administration building, a youth cottage, and over 100,000 square feet of therapeutic space. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons suffered a 38-6 loss to the Denver Broncos. Bo Nix threw four touchdowns as penalties and injuries derailed Atlanta's offense. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup games on Friday, defeating the Washington Wizards 129-117. (More)

➤ No. 12 Georgia essentially secured their spot in the College Football Playoff with a decisive 31-17 victory over No. 7 Tennessee on Saturday. (Highlights)

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➤ South Korea's CJ Logistics has opened a 24,904-square-meter cold-chain logistics center in Gainesville, equipped with a USDA-certified inspection lab and rapid freezing systems to handle refrigerated and frozen goods. (More)

➤ COOL-BINZ, a provider of climate-controlled mobile storage solutions, is opening a new franchise in Athens later this month. The franchise will be owned and operated by Larry and Lisa Oglesby. (More)

➤ Norfolk Southern announced a deal with Ancora Holdings to avoid another boardroom battle, agreeing to add an independent director and focus on operational improvements. (More)

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➤ Frontier Airlines has hidden five green piggy banks across Atlanta, each containing a $1,000 flight voucher and a one-year membership to their Discount Den® Low Fare Travel Club. (Photo)

➤ Zoo Atlanta welcomed the birth of a western lowland gorilla on Nov. 13, marking the 26th gorilla born at the zoo. The newborn female and her mother, Kambera, are under close care, with encouraging signs of health and maternal bonding. (More)

➤ Callaway Resort & Gardens kicked off its annual Fantasy in Lights event on Friday, offering guests the choice of riding the Jolly Trolley or driving through a 7-mile display featuring 10 million lights. Running through Jan. 4, the event features attractions such as a 40-foot Pixel Pine tree and Breakfast with Santa. (Video)

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