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Vice President Harris attends voting rights roundtable in Atlanta

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Vice President Harris attends voting rights roundtable in Atlanta


ATLANTA — Vice President Kamala Harris visited Atlanta on Tuesday for an event focused on voting rights across the United States.

She held the roundtable discussion alongside voting and civil rights advocates and Congress members.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Harris said during the event. “The attacks are clear. There is, I believe, a full-on intent to attack fundamental freedoms and rights.”

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The vice president’s visit to battleground Georgia comes after a federal judge ruled that mass challenges to voters’ eligibility did not violate federal law.

A judge also ruled to uphold GOP-drawn political maps that preserved Republican majorities in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly.

“What is happening in the country… anti-voter laws, laws that limited drop boxes, have made it illegal to even provide food and water to people standing in line often for hours,” Harris said.

However, in August 2023, a federal judge ruled that providing water and food to those waiting in line was, in fact, allowed.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party wrote, in part:

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“Hopefully Vice President Harris will use her time in Atlanta to acknowledge that the dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric used by the Biden administration about common sense voter integrity reforms were mistaken.”

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7th Congressional District Rep. Lucy McBath said, “Make sure that as we go forward that people do have the ability to exercise what’s important to them and that’s the ballot box when they vote.”

Harris said, “When we look at the state of Georgia, it is ground zero on this issue.”

In a statement, the secretary of state accused the Biden administration of pushing election misinformation.

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The vice president said she would return to Washington D.C. and compel Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.

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Atlanta, GA

Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors

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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.

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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.

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Atlanta, GA

Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest

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Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest


Police at the Mall of Stonecrest (FOX 5)

The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.

What we know:

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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.

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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:

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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. 

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Atlanta, GA

The Pulse: Are pajamas really banned at the airport?

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The Pulse: Are pajamas really banned at the airport?


The show highlights a tongue-in-cheek social media “ban” on pajamas and Crocs at Tampa International Airport that sparked national debate over travel etiquette. The crew also covers the Atlanta Hawks’ bold “Magic City Monday” promotion featuring famous lemon pepper wings and halftime performances by T.I.. Additionally, the segment dives into Gen Z’s “loud breakup” trend on TikTok and ends with a nostalgic defense of the Burger King Whopper.



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