Atlanta, GA
Decatur schools launch new security measures and mental health support for students
The city of Decatur is outlining the steps it’s been taking to boost security at schools.
This spring, the school district says it is launching a new reporting system and placing a deeper emphasis on students’ mental health through wraparound services.
The district says it’s responding to national trends in school incidents and working to align with standards set by the state legislature.
“Any student in grades 4 through 12th grade, if they see something and they want to say something, 24 hours a day, there is someone on the other end of that line that will be able to walk them through those next supports,” said Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker.
“I like that there’s a plan in place,” said Sarah McFarland, a parent in the school district. “I think that when crisis hits, a lot of times, people go into fight or flight, and I think it’s very valuable that they have their steps in place.”
The district says it is prioritizing students’ psychological safety along with their physical safety through its latest measures. Its new reporting program is inspired by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, is being implemented so the district can be in lockstep with other sizeable school districts throughout the state also installing these reporting systems.
Parents and the district say concerns over security are heightened because of the political climate.
“I want to make sure that children are able to receive education and not feel threatened because it is their right to have an education in this country,” McFarland said.
Decatur’s police and fire departments are partnering in the reporting program. The district also revived its school resource officer program this school year, placing two SROs at middle and high schools.”
Atlanta, GA
Drama mars finish of half-marathon national championships in Atlanta
The 2026 Publix Atlanta Marathon, which served as the USA Track & Field Half Marathon Championships, met chaos Sunday in the women’s half marathon event.
Three runners — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — were led off course by an official race vehicle with less than 2 miles to go. The nearly-half-mile error, according to data from Hurley’s Strava account, cost the runners their top-three finishes.
m’I“ eht os ehs nees derocs gniyas .ecalp dessip ”ffo htnin ,enil si ni hsinif sessorc sa nialCcM
htiw .niw eht eht enil si tsrif hsinif dessorc detiderc dna ylloM nroB
ohw emit-eerht driht eht etats derocs ,rennur rennur si si morf remrof rof gnihsinif dehsinif noipmahc sa dna detceffa a llewsoR ,tagruK ,yelruH pihswolleF .naitsirhC .ht31 ,ht21
pot ot eerht eht eht eht tops esaeler ecar yfilauq .rezinagro no morf rof srehsinif yllacitamotua ta gnidrocca a a dlroW ASU kcarT ehT maeT gninnuR daoR ,bulC ,spihsnoipmahC atnaltA scitelhtA 6202
saw saw saw ot eht .dettimbus tsetorp tsetorp ,detcapmi revewoh delif deined yb setelhta laeppa dna na a ,FTASU gnidroccA
eht“ on“ nihtiw saw saw ot ot ereht eht eht eht eht taht .tnemetats koobelur stluser stluser esruocer detsop tniop redro redro fo fo fo ton ”,noitceridsim dekram yruj ti si dnuof .hsinif hsinif ”,lanif denimreted esruoc deredisnoc tub ta sa retla osla yletauqeda gnidrocca FTASU FTASU ehT ehT
htiw eht eht ton si rof tsrif amard hsurb sihT xilbuP .nohtaraM
s’raey erew saw saw esu ,deifitrecnu elbanu ot ot semit rieht eht eht eht eht taht naht trohs srennur stluser gniredner .ecar ecar sreifilauq fo swen erom htnom gninaem nohtaram lluf rof teef ,ecnatsid derevocsid esruoc eb sa decnuonna osla retfa a ehT .nohtaraM tsaL notsoB 455
elihW“ lliw ew ew ,dilav ,degnahcnu ,gniniart .emit emit siht eht eht tnemetats dias gninnur stluser niamer terger ”,noitingocer tnapicitrap laiciffo fo fo on hcum .ekatsim ,nohtaram nohtaram ssel woh wonk otni ni traeh og yreve troffe sevresed ylpeed tnemtimmoc ta era dna dna dna dna tnemeveihca a a kcarT ehT hciR ,haneK ,bulC OEC atnaltA
Atlanta, GA
Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Popular gathering spots across metro Atlanta saw heightened law enforcement presence Saturday night following rumors of potential “teen takeovers.”
Authorities say a similar event last weekend led to more than a dozen teenagers and adults being taken into custody. In response, agencies across the metro area are stepping up patrols in several high-traffic areas, including the Beltline and the Cumberland Mall and Battery districts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9 juveniles, 8 adults charged after weekend ‘takeover’ event at The Battery
Along the Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta police confirmed they increased staffing levels as a precaution. An APD officer on scene told Atlanta News First that officers are maintaining an enhanced presence due to the takeover rumors. An Atlanta News First crew observed multiple people put in handcuffs and an APD officer at the Beltline said four guns had been confiscated.
Multiple patrol units were visible along the Beltline, with officers monitoring foot traffic and briefly detaining several individuals. Police said the show of force is intended to deter large, disruptive gatherings before they begin.
Cumberland Mall to have teen curfew Saturday after ‘takeover’ at The Battery
In Cobb County, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deployed its mounted patrol unit, with four deputies on horseback circling the mall. Units from the Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol were also seen monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity in the area.
Electronic message boards and posted signage between Cumberland and The Battery warned visitors of the increased law enforcement presence. Officers said the goal is to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s arrests and ensure public safety.
For now, officials say the evening remains calm, but they are prepared to respond quickly if large crowds begin to form.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
-
World4 days agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts4 days agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Montana1 week ago2026 MHSA Montana Wrestling State Championship Brackets And Results – FloWrestling
-
Denver, CO4 days ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Louisiana7 days agoWildfire near Gum Swamp Road in Livingston Parish now under control; more than 200 acres burned
-
Technology1 week agoYouTube TV billing scam emails are hitting inboxes
-
Technology1 week agoStellantis is in a crisis of its own making
-
Politics1 week agoOpenAI didn’t contact police despite employees flagging mass shooter’s concerning chatbot interactions: REPORT