Georgia
A broken Promise? Georgia school voucher program could have vastly inflated eligibility
Public education in Georgia will likely see sweeping changes in 2025, as the Georgia Promise Scholarship, a program that allows families to divert public education funding towards private school tuition and other educational expenses, takes effect.
However, the pool of eligible students may far exceed what many legislators anticipated when passing the bill, SB 233, during the 2024 legislative session.
The Georgia Promise Scholarship, authored by state Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming), was intended to allow students enrolled in the lowest 25th percentile of Georgia schools (based on the last two school years’ averages of the College and Career Ready Performance Index) to receive up to $6,500 each year to put towards private school tuition, school supplies, tutoring and other educational expenses. However, rules adopted by the Georgia Education Savings Authority on Nov. 18 expanded the eligibility to all those who live in such a school’s attendance zone, even if they do not attend the school.
Multiple legislators said they didn’t realize how broadly the law could be interpreted, and plan to reign in the eligibility requirement for the Georgia Promise Scholarship during the upcoming session.
“That wasn’t my understanding,” House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton) told the Associated Press.
Voucher programs have been criticized by public school advocates, who say that voucher programs divert funds from struggling schools. Though the funds would not come out of Quality Basic Education (QBE), the formula that determines how much money public schools across Georgia receive from the state each year, QBE is calculated using full-time equivalent (FTE) student counts, meaning that public schools receive less money when their enrollment drops.
In Savannah, students enrolled in one of 18 approved schools in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) could soon be eligible to apply for the Georgia Promise Scholarship. The application window is expected to open in January 2025.
Maya Homan is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY who focuses on Georgia politics. She is @MayaHoman on X, formerly Twitter.
Georgia
2026 Offensive Line Prospects to Watch for Georgia Football
Offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class to watch for the Georgia Bulldogs.
The 2025 recruiting cycle is nearing its end which means the 2026 cycle is quickly heating up. With that said, here are some offensive linemen in the class to keep an eye on for the Georgia Bulldogs this year.
Lamar Brown: A Quick, Explosive Offensive Lineman with Big Potential
Lamar Brown, a 6’4″, 280-pound offensive lineman, maybe slightly undersized for the tackle
position, but he compensates for it with remarkable athleticism and relentless drive. Despite his
height and weight being a tad below the typical size for an offensive tackle, Brown’s
explosiveness off the line of scrimmage makes him a standout player. He has an incredible
ability to fire off the ball and engage defenders quickly, setting the tone for the offensive line.
One of the key aspects of Brown’s game is his quick hands. When attacking defenders, he uses
them effectively to establish leverage and control the point of contact. His punch is fast, and his
hand placement is precise, which allows him to redirect defenders with minimal wasted motion.
This quickness is not only valuable in pass protection but also helps him in the running game
when he’s tasked with getting to the second and third levels on his blocks.
Brown’s ability to get to the second and third levels in his blocking is a key attribute that could
make him a dangerous asset at the next level. Whether it’s pushing defensive linemen down the
field in the run game or sealing off linebackers, he has the vision and the athleticism to make
these blocks consistently. His versatility is impressive, and with the right coaching and
development, he could continue to evolve into a dominant offensive tackle at the next level.
As of now, Lamar Brown is an uncommitted prospect, but his impressive athleticism, quickness,
and ability to fire off the ball make him a valuable recruit for any program looking to add an
explosive offensive lineman to their roster. It will be exciting to see where he ends up and how
his game develops in the future.
Pierre Dean: A Strong, Reliable Offensive Tackle with Size and Versatility
At 6’5″ and 305 pounds, Pierre Dean from West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North
Carolina is a physically imposing figure on the football field. His size is reasonable for the tackle
position, and he uses that frame to great effect, particularly in pass protection. Dean is able to
hold his ground against defensive linemen with ease, using his size and strength to create a
solid wall of protection for his quarterback. His ability to maintain good positioning and keep
defenders from attacking the pocket is a credit to his technique and understanding of the game.
What stands out most in Dean’s high school tape is his versatility and role as a lead blocker in
many of the team’s counterplays. He is often tasked with pulling across the formation to clear a path for the running back, which highlights his ability to move laterally and engage defenders in
space. This skill is especially valuable in a fast-paced, dynamic offense, where the offensive line
needs to be flexible and responsive to different blocking schemes. Dean’s ability to make these
key blocks in the run game, along with his strong pass protection, makes him an asset in both
the ground and air attack.
While Dean is currently uncommitted, his combination of size, strength, and different blocking
skills make him a highly talented prospect for college programs looking for a reliable and
powerful tackle. His ability to excel in both pass protection and as a lead blocker in the run
game shows a well-rounded skill set that could make him an immediate contributor at the next
level.
Desmond Green: A Massive, Talented Offensive Lineman with Dominant Blocking Skills
Desmond Green, a towering 6’4″, 354-pound offensive lineman from Timberland High School in
Saint Stephens, South Carolina, is a physical powerhouse who dominates the line of
scrimmage. Green’s sheer size and strength make him a force to be reckoned with, but it’s his
technical sound and relentless motor that truly set him apart.
Green excels in both outside and inside zone schemes, where his size and power allow him to
clear space for running backs and keep defenders at bay. He consistently finishes his blocks,
driving defenders out of the play and creating running lanes. What makes him especially
dangerous is his ability to finish plays, staying engaged with defenders until the whistle blows.
This trait is indicative of his tenacity and his understanding of the importance of every block.
Green’s ability to control defenders in the run game, whether it’s on zone runs or power plays,
shows that he has the physicality and the skill to be a dominant presence on the offensive line.
He doesn’t just block, he finishes, and that’s a quality that coaches look for in their offensive
linemen. His ability to work in both inside and outside zone schemes provides versatility, making
him a strong asset for any team looking for a powerful and skilled blocker.
Currently uncommitted, Desmond Green’s combination of size, power, and technical skill makes
him an effective recruit for college programs in need of a dominant offensive lineman. His
strength and blocking ability, along with his willingness to play through the whistle, indicate that
he has the potential to be a key contributor at the next level.
Conclusion
These three uncommitted prospects—Lamar Brown, Pierre Dean, and Desmond Green—each
bring unique and valuable skills to the table. Whether it’s Brown’s athleticism and quickness,
Dean’s size and quickness, or Green’s power and finishing ability, each of these players has the
potential to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. It will be interesting to see where
they land and how their skills develop over the coming years.
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Georgia
Zackery's 21 points lead Clemson in 70-59 victory over Georgia Tech
In what Clemson defines as GRIT after dark, the Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets might as well have hit snooze for the first half of this 9:00 PM tipoff.
Both teams were groggy early on, but Clemson (14-4, 6-1 ACC) finally shook off the cobwebs to secure a 70-59 victory Tuesday night at the McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta.
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Jaeden Zackery was the spark plug for the Tigers, leading the team with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He also grabbed six rebounds and three steals, putting relentless pressure on Georgia Tech’s guards all night.
His defensive tenacity wore down a thin Yellow Jackets (8-10, 2-5 ACC) rotation, which saw only seven players hit the court—and just six for the majority of the game.
Ian Schieffelin sealed the game with a dagger three-pointer to end a late 9-0 Georgia Tech run.
Schieffelin stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals, bouncing back in a big way after a two-point outing against Florida State.
While the Tigers had a game-high 19-point lead with 8:27 left, they let Georgia Tech crawl back into it, allowing the Yellow Jackets to cut the lead to single digits late. Clemson’s defense, however, held firm, and Schieffelin’s timely shot put the game out of reach.
Clemson’s offensive balance was key, with four players scoring in double figures.
Chase Hunter contributed 14 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line despite a rough 3-for-9 shooting night from the field.
Viktor Lakhin added 10 points and six rebounds, though he struggled from beyond the arc, missing all four of his attempts.
Clemson’s bench managed just two points in 34 minutes, a rare off night.
Both teams came out ice cold. Georgia Tech missed its first six three-point attempts and started 1-for-12 from the field, managing only two points in the game’s first nine minutes.
Clemson didn’t fare much better early, missing its first six threes and shooting just 4-for-14 to start. Despite the sluggish opening, the Tigers managed an 8-2 lead by the under-12 media timeout.
By the final buzzer, Clemson had improved its shooting numbers, finishing 23-for-52 from the field (44.2%), 8-for-23 from deep (34.8%), and 16-of-20 from the free throw line (80%).
Georgia Tech ended the night shooting 35.2% from the field and 35% from three, going 19-for-54 and 7-for-20, respectively.
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The win moved Brad Brownell to 22-9 all-time against the Yellow Jackets.
While it wasn’t the prettiest win, in the grind of ACC basketball, style points don’t matter. The Tigers made the plays when it counted, now looking ahead to their next challenge.
And it’s a big one.
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Clemson sits tied with Louisville for second in the ACC standings, with a crucial road test ahead against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Pitt, coming off its second ACC loss of the season—against Louisville, the team that handed the Tigers their lone conference defeat—will be eager to bounce back.
With the race to catch Duke intensifying, this game is key for the future of both teams.
Tipoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM on January 18 at the Petersen Events Center, with the game set to air on the CW Network.
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Georgia
Finding Solutions: Georgia Rehabilitation Institute supporting those with disabilities
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Making sure people with disabilities have the same support, resources and opportunities as everyone else – that’s the mission of the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute.
They once provided medical services through the Walton Rehabilitation Hospital which was sold back in 2013.
With the funds from the sale, GRI is finding solutions in supporting local groups with the same mission.
It’s a facility located on 13th Street with a strong message outside, “love where you live Augusta.”
It’s also a place you’re sure to find something to love on the inside.
The 523 gallery is filled with artwork created by artists with disabilities.
“Each year we add to it, so we continue to populate the gallery with artwork done by various people throughout the state of Georgia as well as local artists,” said Dennis Skelley, president/CEO of the Gerogia Rehabilitation Institute.
Skelley says the gallery is just one of several ways they support people with disabilities.
“The two things that always surface as top priorities are accessible housing and accessible transportation,” said Skelley. “Both of those are expensive endeavors and by partnering with organizations who are in that business or look provide those services we find that we can do more.”
Skelley says that’s why they’ve partnered with the augusta transit to upgrade bus stops by adding ramps and sidewalks.
“Last year we selected six locations and upgraded those bus stops to be fully accessible and we are in the process of choosing six more this year and we will do the same thing,” he said.
“We really want to make Augusta a community for people with disabilities to live, work and play,” said Skelley
As for accessible housing, GRI is currently working with Augusta Housing and Community Development to renovate six homes as well as build a new duplex that will be fully accessible.
A project we plan to follow once it gets going.
The 523 gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, you can visit the GRI’s website here.
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