Southern Baptist Convention's sex abuse scandal draws federal inquiry - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ajc.com > news...Department of Justice will include several entities, each of which have committed to full cooperation.... ...Kevin Ezell, president of the Alpharetta-based North American Mission Board. The Department of Justice could not immediately be reached for comment....
House passes federal health care and climate change bill - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ajc.com > politics...House delivered another major legislative victory for President Joe Biden on Friday, approving a slimmed-down health care, tax and climate change bill that had been given up for dead by most Democrats in Congress just a few weeks ago. The vote was 220-207.... ...The GOP also attacked plans to add nearly $80 billion over 10 years to the Internal Revenue Service's budget. "Make no mistake, this will result in more IRS harassment of lower- and middle-income Americans," said U.S. Barry Loudermilk, R-Cassville....
Kemp plows more federal COVID relief money into rural broadband - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ajc.com > politics...Kemp, a Republican up for re-election this year, was critical of the package as well. He has made criticism of Democratic President Joe Biden one of the cornerstones of his campaign against Stacey Abrams.... ...Companies or communities seeking the money can apply through Kemp's Office of Planning and Budget....
GBI: Employee at Union County school shoots at vehicle in parking lot
ajc.com > news > crime...The GBI is investigating a shooting that the state agency described as an "isolated incident" at a Union County school Thursday afternoon. An employee at the Union County Primary School shot at an unoccupied vehicle in the school's parking, according to the GBI.... ...A teacher planning was going on at the time, the GBI said in a statement. Investigators did not release the school employee's name in the statement, but noted that the suspect was taken into custody. It was not clear if they were charged by Thursday night....
Zillow economist predicts dip in Atlanta home prices - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ajc.com > news > atlanta-news...Speaking to a group invited by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Skylar Olsen said that higher interest rates, economic uncertainty and the dauntingly high prices are combining to undercut buyer demand that has had so many buyers bidding against each other.... ...The average for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage in early November was 2.98%, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, commonly known as Freddie Mac, which backs many mortgages on the secondary market....
Jackson County man sentenced on Jan. 6 charge
ajc.com > news...A federal judge Friday sentenced Glen Mitchell Simon of Jackson County to eight months in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.... ...In fact, the judge seemed surprised that Simon, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct in April, hadn't faced more serious charges. "He got a break, and he had a good attorney," Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Kent Disney said. "But he shouldn't get a second break."....
Appeals court blocks voting rights ruling on Georgia PSC elections - The Atlanta Journal Constitution
ajc.com > politics...Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday blocked a judge's order that would have postponed this fall's statewide elections for the Georgia Public Service Commission after he had ruled that they discriminated against Black voters.... ...Circuit Judges Adalberto Jordan and Robert Luck in the majority. Circuit Judge Robin Rosenbaum, a Democratic appointee, dissented from the majority. Rosenbaum argued that there was no precedent for putting a lower-court ruling on hold in this circumstance....
UPS pilots ratify two-year labor contract extension
ajc.com > news...UPS pilots have voted to ratify a two-year extension of their labor contract. The Independent Pilots Association, which represents more than 3,300 pilots at UPS, reached the deal with management in June for an extension including wage increases and pension improvements.... ...UPS Airlines President Jim Joseph issued a statement saying pilots play an important role at UPS, "particularly over the past few years during the global pandemic."....
Masks are again optional for Gwinnett schools employees
ajc.com > education...Gwinnett County Public Schools lifted its mask requirement for staff members Thursday because of a lower risk of community transmission of COVID-19. The change comes just a few days into the new school year.... ...Since the new school year started, Clayton County Public Schools has been the only other metro Atlanta district to require staff to wear masks. Clayton's requirement is still in place. School districts cannot require students to wear masks due to a bill Gov. Brian Kemp signed in March....
Angelina Jolie drops daughter off at Spelman College
ajc.com > education...In this photo, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (from left), Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, Maddox Jolie-Pitt and Knox Jolie-Pitt pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film "Eternals" on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in London....