Blog Topic: Breaking News

In the Loop: Pro-Medicaid Protesters Booted from GOP Convention

By Blake Aued | May 15, 2015 7:09pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones

ACC Commissioner Kelly Girtz speaks at a rally for Medicaid expansion outside the Classic Center.

About 100–150 protesters were kicked out of the Classic Center during the Georgia Republican convention this afternoon as they waved signs and chanted slogans in favor of expanding Medicaid to an estimated 650,000 Georgians who lack health insurance.

The rally started outside at about 5 p.m. “There are people dying every day single day just because we’re not expanding Medicaid,” said Tim Denson of Athens for Everyone.

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In the Loop: Marco Rubio: The American Dream Is Dying

By Blake Aued | May 15, 2015 4:16pm

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio received what sounded like a stronger response from Republican convention delegates at the Classic Center than New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with a largely autobiographical speech.

Rubio—who, unlike Christie, has announced his presidential candidacy—highlighted his life story as the son of working-class Cuban immigrants. In a speech reminiscent of President Jimmy Carter’s “malaise” lament, he said the American Dream that propelled him to political power is dying. America is weak abroad, and the economy is improving, but not as fast as it should, he said.

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In the Loop: Fire Destroys Abandoned Athens Mill

By Blake Aued | May 15, 2015 11:15am

Photo Credit: Video still via Fox 5.

A 200-year-old abandoned cotton mill off Macon Highway was destroyed in a fire Thursday night.

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Homedrone: R.I.P. Athens Musician Carl Lindberg

By Gabe Vodicka | May 15, 2015 5:57pm

Carl Lindberg

The sad word spread around town this evening that Carl Lindberg, a well known and highly respected Athens musician known for his work with groups like Grogus, Old Skool Trio and Squat, has died.

Flagpole has not yet been able to confirm the cause of death, but tributes have begun pouring in on Lindberg's Facebook page.

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In the Loop: UGA Public Affairs VP Tom Jackson Steps Down

By Blake Aued | May 1, 2015 4:06pm

Tom Jackson, the University of Georgia's longtime vice president for public affairs, is resigning Aug. 1 to take a position as "heritage communications executive."

President Jere Morehead announced in a Friday afternoon news dump that he has appointed a search committee to seek a replacement, with the new title of vice president for communications and marketing. Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum will chair the committee.

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In the Loop: Mayor Denson Proposes Sunday Bus Service

By Blake Aued | April 27, 2015 1:15pm

Photo Credit: Blake Aued

Athens Transit buses will run on Sundays if the Athens-Clarke County Commission approves Mayor Nancy Denson’s 2016 budget—at least for a year.

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In the Loop: UGA Won't Punish Student-Activist Adam Veale Over Protest Arrest

By Blake Aued | April 24, 2015 8:27pm

Photo Credit: Laura James

Adam Veale speaks at a rally at the Arch on Friday, backed by Adam Lassila (who was arrested alongside him at a demonstration in favor of expanding Medicaid) and Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Melissa Link (right).

Adam Veale was one of a dozen protesters who knelt down on the Georgia Capitol steps, held out their arms to be handcuffed and were led away to jail.

They were part of a Mar. 2 Moral Monday protest urging the state government to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid to the hundreds of thousands of Georgians who earn too much money to qualify for the current program, but not enough to purchase health insurance on the private market, even with Obamacare subsidies.

Not only does Veale face a disorderly conduct charge—his court date hasn’t been set, and he’s hopeful it will be dropped—but the University of Georgia sophomore political science major faced university discipline as well. He turned down an “informal resolution” (sort of a plea deal) involving community service and a black mark on his permanent record, and so faced a disciplinary hearing today.

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In the Loop: Police Want Help Solving an Eastside Shooting

By Blake Aued | April 21, 2015 4:48pm

Athens-Clarke County police are asking citizens for help finding the people responsible for gunfire at an Eastside apartment complex.

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In the Loop: Leslie Petch Lee Named Interim Medical School Dean

By Tom Crawford | April 21, 2015 3:51pm

Leslie Petch Lee has been named interim campus dean at the medical school located on the University of Georgia campus, effective May 13.

The UGA medical school is affiliated with the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) under the formal name of Georgia Regents University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.

“There is a strong consensus that Dr. Lee, who has served as a leader at the partnership campus essentially from its beginning, is a terrific choice for interim campus dean,” said Dr. Peter F. Buckley, dean of the Medical College of Georgia at GRU.

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Homedrone: Neutral Milk Hotel Plays Orange Twin May 10

By Gabe Vodicka | April 21, 2015 6:58pm

Hold on to your butts (er, beards?): For just the second time since resurfacing in 2013, acclaimed indie-folk outfit Neutral Milk Hotel will play their hometown.

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