Georgia

Georgia DNR making hunting more accessible

Published

2 years ago

January 19, 2024

Georgia DNR making hunting more accessible

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon said the agency is committed to developing accessible opportunities for people with disabilities.

Earlier in January, DNR held its third adaptive hunt since 2021 when five hunters and a hunting buddy were paired with a guide for a two-day “Hunt and Learn” experience on private property in Newton County.

The hunt, specifically designed for novice deer hunters with mobility impairments, is a priority initiative for Georgia DNR, according to a release from the agency, and reflects its commitment to providing inclusive hunting, fishing and outdoor opportunities for all Georgians.

“Making the outdoors more accessible for all Georgians has been a priority of mine since being appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources,” Rabon said. “Numerous barriers exist to getting involved in hunting and fishing and even more so for those with mobility impairments. We’re proud of our adaptive hunt program which seeks to remove many of these hurdles, giving more people the ability to enjoy the great outdoors.”

During the Hunt and Learn event, the hunters received valuable informational tools to aid them in future hunts, practice time at the rifle range, and a deer hunt utilizing recent advancements in technology, including the Action Trackchair.

Max Richardson, 17, was surrounded by fellow hunters, including his father Mitch, who watched his son fire a rifle alone for the first time using an adaptive trigger mechanism.

“What a wonderful event and opportunity for Adaptive hunters to be able to come together and share their abilities and challenges with hunting,” Max Richardson said. “Being able to fellowship with disabled hunters showed me new methods and hardware that can help me while in the field. I really hope this opens doors for more opportunities to hunt in the state of Georgia.”

The DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Jasper County launched the adaptive hunt program in 2021 following the receipt of the Center’s first Action Trackchair. The Trackchair donation came as part of the All-Terrain Georgia Initiative.

Trackchairs are all-terrain wheelchairs that feature rubber tracks and the ability to navigate a variety of obstacles. The utilization of the specialty chairs allows participants to better navigate the woods to a specialized hunting blind.

Since 2021, DNR has provided 20 mobility impaired hunters, plus a buddy, an opportunity to hunt as part of this program.

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Georgia

Georgia lawmakers seek to put ‘guardrails on’ NIL deals for high school players

Published

11 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

Georgia lawmakers seek to put ‘guardrails on’ NIL deals for high school players

Bipartisan bill aims to protect high school NIL rights

Georgia lawmakers are pushing for bipartisan legislation to safeguard high school athletes from predatory “name, image, and likeness” (NIL) contracts that can “hold them hostage” well into their professional careers.

ATLANTA – The Georgia General Assembly is tackling the issue of name, image, likeness agreements when it comes to young athletes in the Peach State.

What is an NIL deal?

The backstory:

The debate centers on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, which allow student-athletes to earn compensation through brand endorsements, social media partnerships, and public appearances.

While collegiate athletes have utilized NIL since 2021, the Georgia High School Association recently cleared the way for high schoolers to do the same.

However, Georgia lawmakers are now moving to regulate these agreements, aiming to prevent “predatory” long-term contracts that could bind minors to agents or brands well beyond their graduation dates.

What is HB 383?

What we know:

House lawmakers have introduced the “Georgia High School NIL Protection Act.” House Bill 383 would require that NIL contracts end at graduation.

An NIL contract lets high school athletes make money by using their name, image, and likeness—such as promoting a brand or posting on social media—while they’re still in school.

If passed, it will ensure high school athletes are free to negotiate new contracts if they go on to compete at the college level.

‘The genie is too far gone’

What they’re saying:

Democratic state Rep. Dewey McClain (D-Lawrenceville) is co-sponsoring the legislation. As a former NFL player, he understands how vulnerable high school athletes can be when securing an agent for NIL deals.

“Right now, before the genie is too far gone… we need to make sure we can put some guardrails on,” McClain explained.

Republican state Rep. Brent Cox (R-Dawsonville) is sponsoring the bipartisan bill. If passed, it will ensure high school athletes are free to negotiate new contracts if they compete at the college level.

“Once they graduate high school, those contracts that they have with their agents [are] null and void,” Cox explained. “That way, they’re not held hostage in college or even at the professional level, where a cut of the money that they would make would continue to go on indefinitely without sunsets.”

The Source: Republican State Rep. Brent Cox, the bill’s sponsor, and Democratic State Rep. Dewey McClain, a former NFL player and co-sponsor, both provided quotes regarding the need for “guardrails” and “sunset clauses” to protect young athletes. Additional details regarding current NIL regulations and the scale of existing deals came from the GHSA, specifically through testimony from former executive director Dr. James R. Hines Jr.

Georgia PoliticsMoneyNewsHigh School Sports

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Georgia

Popular Connecticut bagel chain opens 1st Georgia store on the Atlanta Beltline

Published

23 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Press Room

Popular Connecticut bagel chain opens 1st Georgia store on the Atlanta Beltline

An internet-famous bagel chain that’s all about sharing and considers itself “not famous, but known,” is popping up on the Atlanta Beltline.

It’s called PopUp Bagels, and its business model is designed for offices, friend groups, and anyone who believes food is better when it’s shared.

The PopUp Bagels team, based in New York City, made its way to The A to launch Georgia’s first-ever store.

They gave CBS News Atlanta Mornings a preview of the store the day before their Friday grand opening.

“We sell community,” said founder Adam Goldberg, “Let’s grab a bag of bagels, stuff them on the table, and rip in. Maybe I’ll have a little of your schmear. You’ll have a little of my schmear, and we’ll all just schmear together.”

PopUp Bagels is officially open on the Atlanta Beltline.

CBS News Atlanta

The schmear is part of their signature selling point. It’s a bowl of cream cheese, original or flavored, that comes with your order of three, six, or 12 bagels.

The point is to rip the bagels, reveal their hot, fluffy interior, and dip them into the schmear.

There are two flavored schmears sold on a weekly rotating menu in addition to the three standard flavors of plain, salted butter, and scallion. The Atlanta store opens with a peach-flavored schmear, an exclusive temporary third option.

“It’s definitely like a social experiment,” said Janvi Patel, owner of the Atlanta shop, “It’s like so nice to just like grab like six people, get a dozen bagels, and try shmears. It’s just it’s exciting.”

PopUp managers say more stores are coming to the area, with the next set to open in Buckhead, then another in Dunwoody.

The Beltline store is open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and stays open until 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

In:

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Georgia

Georgia Hosts No. 20 Duke in Home Opener Friday – University of Georgia Athletics

Published

1 day ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

Georgia Hosts No. 20 Duke in Home Opener Friday – University of Georgia Athletics

ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia men’s tennis team will host No. 20 Duke in the home opener on Friday, February 6 at 5:30 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.  The match will be played indoors at the Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Facility.

Match 4 – Georgia vs. No. 20 Duke
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
5:30 p.m.
Lindsey Hopkins Indoor Facility
Livestreaming and scoring: https://gado.gs/91i
Instagram: @UGATennis | X: @UGATennis | Facebook: UGAMensTennis

BULLDOG BULLETIN
Fresh From the Start: Since 2000, Georgia is 24-3 in season openers. The Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech in the 2026 season opener to extend the all-time series to 75-18, including a 15-match winning streak dating back to 2011.

Bulldogs in the rankings: One doubles pair and five singles are in the rankings this week (Feb. 4):

SINGLES
WIll Jansen- No. 28
Arda Azkara– No. 39
Santiago Giamichelle– No. 63
Noah Johnston– No. 83
Gabriele Vulpitta– No. 109

DOUBLES
Derrick Chen/Santiago Giamichelle– No. 53

Last Time Out: The Bulldogs finished second in the Fort Worth bracket of the ITA Kickoff.  The Bulldogs first beat Boise State, 5-0 and after two days of snow delays, fell to TCU, 4-1.

All Time History vs Duke: The Bulldogs hold a 9-2 record against the Blue Devils. The teams last faced off since the 2011 NCAA Tournament in Stanford, California with the Bulldogs winning, 4-1.

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