Georgia

Georgia Delegate to the RNC talks security and rhetoric changes in a contentious political season

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

Georgia Delegate to the RNC talks security and rhetoric changes in a contentious political season

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life, security is a front and center topic for those attending the Republican National Convention.

Long time Republican Party activist and Columbus resident, Alton Russell, is one of the 59 official delegates from Georgia who attended the convention. He has been to five conventions as a delegate or alternate expected security to be tight.

“They’re saying that they’ve not increased any security. But it’s obvious that they have. We had a just a little party last night — a welcome to Milwaukee — and they had seven or eight, you know things that you walk through to check your bags,” says Russell. “Security is a little bit tougher than than I think they than they had planned. We’ve got a security guy, a Secret Service guy on the bus with us as we go from one place to another.”

In addition to heightened security at the convention, the assassination attempt has drawn universal condemnation of political violence.

Sen. Ed Harbison, a Vietnam Veteran who remembers the assassinations and political unrest of the 1960s agrees with those condemnations. Harbison said the attempt on the former president’s life brought back painful memories.

“It is something that should be universally condemned. It is just reprehensible. And we should be reminded of what America is all about. People have a right to free speech and that kind of thing, but there is a line. And what happened there is just— I can’t say anything but reprehensible and should never be repeated. And we should all be standing guard against that kind of action anywhere at any time and condemn it for what it is, an assassin. It’s just something about that word just brings up, conjures up thoughts of evil doings and that kind of thing.”
Senator Ed Harbison, D-Columbus

The wake of Saturday’s events there has been call for everyone to tamp down the rhetoric in a contentious political season. Russell hopes people will take a step back and try to turn down the heat.

“Hopefully to tone down the rhetoric and somebody or whoever it is or quit saying that Trump is our next Hitler and he’s going to destroy civilization and he’s going to destroy democracy. You know, I think they need to tone that down. And I think I think Trump is saying is that he’s rewriting his Thursday night speech to start to move more towards unity. So I hope that’s what he’s going to do. And I expect that he will.”
Alton Russell, Georgia Delegate to the RNC

The RNC has just begun, with the Georgia delegation hearing from Faith and Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed this morning. Tomorrow morning, they are expecting to hear from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.

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Georgia

Georgia brothers sentenced for Georgia Lottery fraud scheme

Published

3 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia brothers sentenced for Georgia Lottery fraud scheme

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – Two Georgia brothers have been sentenced after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they defrauded the Georgia Lottery more than a dozen times over a years-long period.

Brothers accused of lottery fraud

What we know:

Quinton Watts, 27, and Phillip Watts, 31, both of Sparta, were sentenced Thursday after being arrested for defrauding the lottery.

The GBI began investigating the men in August 2024 at the request of the Georgia Lottery Commission. Agents said the brothers stole money from video poker-style machines—commonly known as Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM)—across more than 12 counties between June 2021 and September 2024.

The two were charged with multiple felony charges, including racketeering, lottery ticket fraud, theft by taking, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Lottery fraud sentencing

What’s next:

Columbia County Superior Court Judge Barry A. Fleming sentenced Quinton Watts to 20 years in prison, followed by 45 years of probation. Phillip Watts was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 35 years of probation. Both men were ordered to pay $86,000 in restitution to the Georgia Lottery Commission. Judge Fleming also banned both men from Columbia County, prohibited them from entering any stores involved in the case, and barred them from playing COAMs.

What are COAMs?

Dig deeper:

COAMs are arcade-style machines regulated by the Georgia Lottery and are typically found inside gas stations and convenience stores. The machines award points that can be exchanged for in-store items, gas credits, or Georgia Lottery tickets. The machines are legal as long as they are properly licensed. Under Georgia law, customers may only redeem credits for specific non-cash rewards.

The Source: Information in this article came from a release posted on the GBI’s website.

LotteryGeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Georgia

Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon

Published

15 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon

What did social media have to say after UNC beat Georgia Tech on a snowy, Saturday afternoon in Atlanta?

An easy, dominant win is the best way for teams to keep their fans happy. That’s exactly what the UNC basketball team did on Saturday afternoon, controlling Georgia Tech from start to finish in a 91-75 victory.

North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) won its second-straight conference road game, a welcomed sight after losing its first three. The Tar Heels shot a solid 46 percent (36-of-79) from the field and, perhaps a more impressive mark, sank 92% (11-of-12) of their free throw attemps.

UNC took amazing care of the basketball, turning the ball over twice compared to 12 turnovers for the host Yellow Jackets (11-11, 2-7 ACC), who lost their third-consecutive outing. North Carolina scored a whopping 18 points off Tech’s 12 turnovers, which averages out to 1.5 points per turnover.

If you predicted Caleb Wilson to have another big game, you guessed correctly. Wilson finished his afternoon with a team-high 22 points, his 15th time reaching the 20-point plateau this season. This broke a previous tie with Tyler Hansbrough, the best collegiate basketball player to come through Chapel Hill, for most 20-point games by a freshman.

Henri Veesaar continued showcasing why he’s a top center in the country, recording a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Seth Trimble stepped up to lead the Tar Heels’ backcourt, recording 18 points (most amongst guards), four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Luka Bogavac made his case for a starting lineup return, netting 16 points off the bench.

UNC makes its long-awaited return home on Monday evening, hosting Syracuse in a 7 p.m. tip-off. For now, though, North Carolina players, coaches and fans can celebrate alike.

Take a look at social media for some postgame reactions from Saturday’s domination of Georgia Tech, which proved a needed big win before a big week ahead:

Easy work for the UNC offense

We agree, Caleb Wilson is awesome

Luka’s big day fueled the UNC win

It’s always a good day to…

Agreed – from start to finish

The doctor ordered a good one today

What can’t he do?

Win #17!

You can’t shake him!

Plenty of positive postgame thoughts!

Cue the excitement!

Are the Heels on fire?

He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player…soak it in!

Can I get a…

Are the shoes lucky?

That’s two straight on the road!

Statistically, UNC played awesome today

Recipe for success.

General Wilson back at it!

Make that three in a row!

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Georgia

Doctor urges precautions as below-freezing temperatures stick around in Georgia

Published

1 day ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Doctor urges precautions as below-freezing temperatures stick around in Georgia

January 31, 2026 / 10:12 AM EST
/ CBS Atlanta

With freezing temperatures sticking around and snow falling in parts of Georgia, a metro Atlanta doctor is warning about the dangers the cold can bring.

With snow and cold temperatures in the forecast this weekend, many may want to get outside and play. It’s all fun and games, but there are some risks, including hypothermia and frostbite.

Both can happen to humans and pets during cold temperatures.

To avoid it, you will want to keep a few things in mind.

Dr. Marjada Faith says, if you’re going outside, layer up with jackets, scarves, and gloves. You should also try to limit your time outdoors in general during such low temperatures.

“A common question parents ask is, ‘How long can we play out in the snow?’ My recommendation is always going to be time intervals, 15 minutes,” Faith said.

Shivering, exhaustion, or fumbling hands are signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is damaged skin, commonly affecting your nose, ears, fingers, and toes.

If you do get hypothermia or frostbite, Faith says you should get any wet clothes off immediately and try to rewarm your body with blankets.

As the cold temperatures stay put, it’s best to stay inside and stay warm if you can.

In:

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