Georgia

Trillions of Cicadas will ascend onto Georgia in the coming weeks. Here's why this time is different

Published

2 years ago

April 13, 2024

Trillions of Cicadas will ascend onto Georgia in the coming weeks. Here's why this time is different

Cicada-geddon to hit Georgia soon

This year is special because the Great Southern Brood is popping up at the same time as the Northern Illinois Brood. It’s the first time they’ve coincided since 1803, and biologists say that won’t happen again until 2245.

Soon, trillions of periodic cicadas will ascent from Georgia’s dirt for the first time since 2011.

The insects’ deafening mating call has become music the Dr. Nancy Hinkle’s ears. She’s an entomology professor at the University of Georgia.

“This is the emergence of the 13-year cicada called the Great Southern Brood,” Hinkle said. “It’s a novelty. It’s a great excuse to take your grandkids to the mountains, look for periodical cicadas, and explain the life cycles to them.”

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Hinkle said they’ve spent the last decade underground, patiently waiting for the ground to get to a perfect 64 degrees this year.

“These cicadas will emerge only where their parents were 13 years ago,” she said.

This year is special because the Great Southern Brood is popping up at the same time as the Northern Illinois Brood.

It’s the first time they’ve coincided since 1803, and biologists say that won’t happen again until 2245.

While Metro Atlanta won’t get a double dose of the screaming critters like parts of the Midwest, Hinkle says the next few weeks will be prime for cicada eavesdropping in North Georgia.

“Particularly the very western, very northwestern part of the state,” she said. “That’s where we found some of the largest numbers 13 years ago in the emerged.”

It’s tough to say how many cicadas will make their voices heard across the south, but some estimates are in the quadrillions.

Hinkle expects them to go back underground by late June.

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Georgia

If Georgia Democrats want to win the governorship, we must let Republicans in

Published

6 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Press Room

If Georgia Democrats want to win the governorship, we must let Republicans in

Opinion

Former GOP Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan has the best shot at defeating the GOP in November’s general election.

Democratic candidate for governor Geoff Duncan walks in to file paperwork to run for election at the Capitol in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

By Michèle Taylor – For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

42 minutes ago

I was fresh out of college when I worked on my first presidential campaign for the Democratic candidate in 1988.

Over the years, I have worked on campaigns across Georgia and the nation. I have served as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee’s national finance committee and as our country’s United Nations human rights ambassador under President Joe Biden.

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Biden and Obama both evolved in their political positions

Ambassador Michèle Taylor is a lifelong Democrat who served in the Biden administration. She is a professor of the practice at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech. (Courtesy)

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Duncan showed he is willing to fight against Trump

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Georgia

Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe

Published

18 hours ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe

ATLANTA (AP) — Swimming with manta rays, giant groupers, and even a whale shark brought joy and excitement to a group of injured U.S. military veterans who got to experience the healing power of water and wildlife at the Georgia Aquarium.

The swim Wednesday at the aquarium in Atlanta also gave the U.S. service people who are part of the Wounded Warrior Project a much needed respite from their recovery and the stresses of life. The organization works with injured and wounded veterans and their families.

“It gives them, you know, 30 or 40 minutes to just relax,” said Jason Bush, manager of the aquarium’s Military Salute program, which once a week brings members of the armed forces to swim or dive with marine animals.

Quentin Collins, with the Wounded Warrior Project, prepared to swim at the Georgia Aquarium.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

A person took a video of the participants with the Wounded Warrior Project swimming at the Georgia Aquarium, on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Whether it’s swimming in the water or scuba diving in particular, you’re weightless,” he added. “So physically, it takes away even for a moment physical pain that you feel when you’re on land.”

The military veterans snorkeled or swam with the giant whale shark, Yushan, stingrays, and a variety of other marine animals. After being rescued from a Taiwanese fish market several years ago, Yushan is the only whale shark in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, according to aquarium officials.

“They go in nervous and they come out saying it’s the best experience they’ve had in their life,” Bush said.

William Mund, a U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant who was wounded in Iraq, said the water helps with his blood flow. His swim with the whale shark was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said.

U.S. Army Col. Quentin Collins was wounded twice in Iraq – once by a mortar and then a second time when he drove over an improvised explosive device. Collins, who is paralyzed, said his favorite part was “surfing” with the whale shark.

Lee Menzies, with the Wounded Warrior Project, swam on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Antwain D'Angelo Vaughn — Antwain D’Angelo Vaughn “Dee” with the Wounded Warrior Project participated in the Veterans Immersion Program on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Actually, its wake pulled me with it,” a joyous Collins said. “So I was swimming forward and the next thing I know, I’m going backwards and I realized the whale shark is right below me.”

Quentin had not been in the water since 2020 because of his injuries. His son, Ian Collins, got to witness his it.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see my dad being able to enjoy things he couldn’t anymore,” he said. “It’s a great thing to see.”

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Georgia

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Press Room

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Opinion

Seven small and rural Peach State cities are hosting exhibits as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street ‘Voices and Votes’ program.

Georgia’s inaugural “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit launched Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Putnam County Administrative Building. This is a partnership of Georgia Humanities, Georgia Writers Museum and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street initiative. (David Plazas/AJC)

Our soon-to-be 250-year-old democratic republic endured major stress tests recently that shook the faith of citizens across the political spectrum.

A presidential assassination attempt at the April 25 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner engendered conspiracy theories on social media that further pushed people into their corners.

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Celebrate your republic across the state

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AJC Opinion Editor David Plazas (center) stands with Georgia Writers Museum board member Chip Ward (left) and board president Lou Benjamin (right) at the inaugural “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibit in Eatonton, Georgia on April 25, 2026.

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Civility is more than mere politeness

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David Plazas joined the AJC as opinion editor in 2025. His goal is to create the ultimate platform for conversations, debates and idea exchanges in the South. He spent 25 years at the USA TODAY Company working his way from reporter at The News-Press in Fort Myers, Florida, to statewide opinion and engagement editor at The Tennessean in Nashville.

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