Atlanta, GA
Atlanta mayor's task force recommends changes to inspector general's operations
Atlanta OIG meets recommendations with friction
The City of Atlanta’s Inspector General Shannon Manigault claims recommendations by the mayor’s task force would make her job less effective.
ATLANTA – It has been no secret that the Atlanta mayor’s office and the inspector general (IG) do not always see eye-to-eye.
Now, that riff may be widening.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) was created in 2020 after a federal probe into corruption at Atlanta’s City Hall led to several people going to prison.
Atlanta shaken by new ‘pay to play’ scandal involving city officials: report
Many city employees, and even the mayor’s office, have complained about IG Shannon Manigault’s tactics and procedures. That is why the mayor created a temporary task force to take a closer look at her office.
Some residents do not like the task force’s recommendations to the city council.
“NPU-N voted unanimously to authorize me to communicate with council our strong support for the office of the Inspector General and our absolute objection to recent efforts by the Dickens administration to defame our watchdog. I urge you to vote against resolution 24.R4518,” NPU-N chair Amy Stout told the council.
The task force’s recommendations are numerous. To name just a few, they have suggested the OIG have its own board, separate from the Ethics Office, to report to.
The recommendations also clarify that the IG must notify an employee if they are a target of an investigation and the employee is allowed to have counsel present during an interview.
The task force also recommends that an investigation can be initiated only if clear justification can be defined, not suspicion.
Inspector General Manigault did not mince words.
“The approval of the recommendation to have the city attorney craft legislation and policies and procedures pursuant to the findings of the body. All of these things are serious. The short of it is, many of these recommendations, if implemented, would render this office, Office of Inspector General, in name only,” said Inspector General Manigault.
Task force member and Atlanta City Councilman Howard Shook said a lot of work went into the recommendations.
“She sees that as her needing the most authority she can possibly have to do the best job she can do, but we found no model where the Inspector General operates entirely independently of anybody or anything,” Shook explained.
The council held the measure on Monday. The recommendations are expected to be revisited again in two weeks.
The Source: This information was reported by FOX 5 Atlanta’s Aungelique Proctor.
Atlanta, GA
Winter Storm Watch issued for parts of north Georgia; snow possible this weekend in Atlanta
CBS News Atlanta is tracking the chance for snow across north Georgia and possibly parts of metro Atlanta this weekend.
Will it snow in Atlanta this weekend?
This will not be a sleet or freezing rain event like the storm that moved through last weekend. Forecast models show temperatures cold enough from the upper atmosphere down to the surface to support snow only.
There is still uncertainty about how much snow will fall and exactly where it will accumulate.
While forecast models agree precipitation would fall as snow, not sleet or freezing rain, they differ on how much snow could reach northeast Georgia.
The forecast depends on an area of low pressure expected to develop in the Gulf of Mexico and move off the coast of the Carolinas. That system would spin counterclockwise and pull moisture inland.
There is plenty of cold air already in place ahead of the system, which could allow measurable snow in the Carolinas and possibly north Georgia.
The American forecast model brings a couple of inches of snow to areas such as Blairsville, Gainesville and Athens on Saturday. The European model has been more aggressive, showing higher snow totals across eastern and northeastern Georgia by late Saturday.
Snow would begin Saturday morning and continue through the afternoon and evening.
Winter Storm Watch issued for parts of Georgia
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for northeast and east-central Georgia, including the North Georgia mountains, Gainesville, and areas just east of Eatonton. The watch also includes metro Atlanta.
The winter storm watch is in effect from Friday evening through Sunday morning and means snow accumulation of up to 2 inches is possible in the affected areas.
Fulton County and parts of metro Atlanta could see only a few flurries, while northeast Georgia may receive a couple of inches or more of snow by the end of Saturday.
Forecasters will continue to monitor model trends to determine whether snow totals increase and whether the storm system shifts farther west, which would raise snow chances for metro Atlanta.
The forecast hinges on the exact track and strength of the low-pressure system along the Carolina coast. The closer the system moves inland and the stronger it becomes, the greater the potential for snow in north Georgia.
Extreme Cold Watch Saturday, Sunday
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for all of north and central Georgia, in effect from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon.
Forecasters warn of dangerously cold wind chills, ranging from 10 degrees below zero in the north Georgia mountains to single digits above zero in central Georgia, creating hazardous conditions for anyone spending time outdoors. Officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves, pets, and exposed pipes as the frigid air moves in.
Stay with CBS News Atlanta for the latest updates on this weekend’s snow potential.
Atlanta, GA
Metro Atlanta native Teddy Swims to headline Super Bowl LX Tailgate Concert
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Metro Atlanta native Teddy Swims will headline the Super Bowl LX Tailgate Concert.
Swims, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter from Conyers, will bring his blend of R&B, country, soul and pop to the pregame show outside Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Feb. 8, the NFL announced Wednesday.
“The Super Bowl is one of those events I grew up watching with my dad and brothers and have always dreamed of being at and performing!” Swims said in a statement. “Coming from a football family – I played and watched my whole life – the Super Bowl was a favorite pastime for me and my family to get around and hang together. It’s an honor to be a part of it and kick off the game!”
Bay Area rapper LaRussell will open for Swims.
The Tailgate Concert is set to begin at 3:50 p.m. ET.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Metro Atlanta school districts warn of consequences as student ICE walkouts spread
Hundreds of students across metro Atlanta have already walked out of class this week, and with more demonstrations planned, several Georgia school districts are now speaking out.
Officials are warning that while student voices matter, disruptions during the school day will carry consequences.
On Tuesday, large groups of students left class at Archer High School and Parkview High School as part of protests tied to immigration enforcement concerns. More walkouts are planned for Wednesday in Newton, Paulding, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties, according to organizers. Last week, hundreds of students also walked out at Meadowcreek High School.
The demonstrations follow a broader wave of student activism earlier this month. On Jan. 20, metro Atlanta students joined a nationwide walkout in solidarity with Minnesota residents protesting an immigration crackdown in that state. The “Free America Walkout” took place that afternoon at universities and high schools across the region. At Lakeside High School in DeKalb County, more than 1,000 students participated. Walkouts also occurred at Emory University, Kennesaw State University, and other locations, ending with a citywide rally at Hurt Park in downtown Atlanta.
As protests continue, school districts are emphasizing safety, instruction, and adherence to student codes of conduct.
In Cobb County, school officials said they are aware of efforts by outside groups to recruit students for a rally related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30. The district said those efforts encourage students to leave class or authorized school areas during the school day, which officials say would disrupt learning.
“While we respect the right of students to express their views in a non-disruptive way, students are expected to be in class and engaged in learning throughout the school day,” the district said in a statement.
Cobb County warned that violations of the student Code of Conduct, including skipping class or leaving authorized areas, could lead to disciplinary action, including out-of-school suspension and the loss of parking, sports, or extracurricular privileges. District leaders also cautioned that such consequences could have long-term impacts that may be considered by colleges or future employers.
The Paulding County School District issued a similar message to families, saying it has seen online posts, potentially from individuals or activist groups outside the community, encouraging student walkouts or demonstrations tied to ICE-related events.
While the district said it respects students’ rights to peaceful expression, officials said the suggested actions could jeopardize student safety and disrupt academic instruction. Any activity that interrupts the instructional day or involves leaving campus without permission is not school-sponsored and will result in discipline under district policy, the statement said.
“Our focus is providing a safe, positive learning environment focused on instruction, and classes will continue as scheduled throughout the week,” Paulding County officials said, adding that administrators and safety staff will monitor campuses to maintain order.
In DeKalb County, district leaders acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding recent national events and said they recognize students’ desire to speak out on issues they care about. The district emphasized its commitment to developing globally engaged citizens while maintaining safe and orderly schools.
“Students have the right to free expression; however, that expression must occur in a manner that does not disrupt instruction or compromise their safety,” the district said.
DeKalb County encouraged students to work with school administrators to find school-approved ways to share their perspectives, such as facilitated discussions or service activities. The district also reminded families that walkouts and other disruptive actions are prohibited under the Student Code of Conduct and may result in discipline based on the severity and context of the behavior, in accordance with state law.
With more walkouts planned in the coming days, districts across metro Atlanta say they are urging families to talk with students about appropriate civic engagement, balancing the right to be heard with the responsibility to keep schools safe, and focused on learning.
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