Atlanta, GA
Suspected stalker follows Atlanta family onto plane at DC airport
Mother describes security scare on Delta flight
A security scare on a Delta Air Lines flight had an Atlanta-area mother and her family terrified. Officials confirm a man was able to make it onto an Atlanta-bound plane at Washington Dulles International Airport without a boarding pass for that flight.
ATLANTA – The end of a family trip to the nation’s Capitol took a terrifying turn on August 4 when Lauren Benton and her family showed up for their Delta Air Lines flight at Washington Dulles International Airport, that is when she says a man got too close for comfort.
“I would go so far as to say stalking us,” she said.
Benton said they noticed the man after going through security. She says he followed the family of four to a seating area and at one point joined Benton and one of her young daughters in the women’s restroom.
“My heart was racing, and my immediate attention was drawn to my children,” Benton said. “Where are they? And I need to keep them close to me now.”
Eventually, they went to board their Delta flight home to Atlanta, but that is when the situation got worse. The man followed them onto the flight and sat right next to them.
“I was just questioning his intentions the entire time and I know that child trafficking is absolutely a growing problem here in the United States and so that was the first thing that came to mind,” Benton said.
She says she reported him to a flight attendant, and eventually he was removed because he should not have been on board. Officials confirmed the passenger had a ticket, just not on that Delta flight.
Airport officials say the passenger was not charged.
Lauren Benton says she and her family were stalked at Washington Dulles International Airport with the person even following them onto a Delta Air Lines plane even though he did not have a boarding pass for that flight. (Supplied)
The airline tells FOX 5 it is investigating. In a statement it said, “Delta has processes in place for gate agents and flight crews to verify that individuals onboard aircraft prior to departure are customers that are booked on that particular flight. Delta is reviewing the matter in question internally and has been in touch with airport authorities in conjunction with this review.”
“I was shocked and felt nauseous, I could not believe the magnitude of the safety breach,” Benton said.
Benton says her sense of safety at the airport was shattered. She hopes others take note of this situation.
“If your gut is giving you the sense that something is off and wrong, don’t be afraid to speak up,” she said.
Benton says her young daughters are scared after this. She says she is frustrated with the lack of response here and says Delta needs to do more.
This story is being reported out of Atlanta
EMS crews often face waits of an hour — or more — to transfer patients into hospital care.
A medical crew wheels a patient across the parking area into Grady Memorial Hospital after parking across the street because the ambulance bay was full on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)
Some Georgia ambulances are reaching hospitals with a patient on board and then shifting into park.
And waiting.
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A ambulance leaves the parking bay outside the Marcus Trauma and Emergency Center at Grady Memorial Hospital on Friday, May 1, 2026. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)
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Asia Simone Burns is a rapid response reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.
Atlanta, GA
Two Georgia residents monitored after cruise ship hantavirus outbreak, health officials say
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is actively monitoring two Georgia residents who recently returned home after disembarking from the MV Hondius, the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak that has raised concerns among global health officials.
According to DPH, both individuals are currently in good health and have shown no signs of infection. They are adhering to the latest recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak, which was first reported earlier this week, has health experts on alert due to the rare nature of hantavirus transmission aboard cruise ships.
According to CBS News reporting, the virus typically spreads through contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, and human-to-human transmission is considered extremely rare. The MV Hondius incident marks an unusual case, prompting heightened surveillance and coordination between public health agencies worldwide.
CBS News further reports that the cruise ship, which had been traveling through polar regions, has been thoroughly sanitized, and all passengers have been advised to monitor their health closely.
The CDC and international health agencies are working to trace possible sources of exposure and ensure that protocols are in place to prevent further spread.
At this time, the Georgia DPH emphasizes that there is no immediate risk to the public.
The two monitored residents continue to remain symptom-free, serving as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and rapid response in managing emerging infectious disease threats.
ATLANTA – Ticket prices for FIFA World Cup matches in Atlanta are climbing into the thousands of dollars as demand grows for games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
What we know:
On FIFA’s website, some premium tickets for group-stage matches were listed starting around $2,200. Prices for Round of 16 matches increased by nearly another $1,000.
One semifinal ticket in Atlanta was listed for more than $14,000.
Atlanta’s first World Cup match is scheduled for June 15, with Spain set to face Cabo Verde.
While ticket prices continue to rise, the outlook for many U.S. hotels is less optimistic. The American Hotel and Lodging Association said bookings in most host cities are below projections.
The group cited several factors, including fewer international travelers, concerns over visa delays and rising costs.
Atlanta, however, is meeting or exceeding hotel booking expectations, according to the industry group.
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