Georgia

'Big as your hand': Invasive cannibal Cuban frogs spotted in Georgia

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

Press Room

'Big as your hand': Invasive cannibal Cuban frogs spotted in Georgia

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A Cuban tree frog rested his chin on his front legs. (Photo By DARLENE PFISTER/Star Tribune via Getty Images)

They’re hungry. They can grow nearly as big as a human hand. They’re in Georgia.

Georgia wildlife officials are concerned about an invasive species of cannibal frogs that could cause major problems in the state.

Daniel Sollenberger, a senior wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division, told the Augusta Chronicle that the Cuban tree frog could be a serious issue for Georgia wildlife.

“Like all frogs, they’re carnivores,” Sollenberger said. “They will eat a lot of insects. They will also eat anything that they can fit in their mouth. They will even eat smaller tree frogs. There’s at least some anecdotal evidence from Florida that they actually can reduce populations of native frogs. If we want to have some native wildlife left in our yards, this could be a problem.”

Officials are now urging Georgians to remove any standing water from their properties and kill the frogs if they’re spotted.

(U.S. Department of the Interior)

What are Cuban tree frogs?

Originally from Cuba, the Caymans, and the Bahamas, the invasive frogs have settled in Florida and have been found breeding on Georgia’s Jekyll Island.

The University of Georgia says the frogs love to hide out in plants like the Travelers palm and are often transported to new habitats by hitching a ride.

“They get transported around on vehicles or nursery plants,” said Sollenberger. “For instance, if you go to Lowe’s and buy a tree, and if that tree came from a nursery in Florida, there might be a Cuban tree frog hitching a ride on it.”

The U.S. Geological Survey says the Cuban tree frogs have been found in places like Vermont and Nevada.

The frogs range in size, but the larger adult females can grow to be 5.5 inches long. Adult males are typically smaller.

“They start out small, but they can quickly grow as big as your hand,” said Sollenberger. “It’s a really big tree frog. They can get three times the size of our next largest native tree frog, which is the barking tree frog.”

Most Cuban tree frogs have a brownish-green coloration, though sometimes the skin can be nearly white. Many have warts, bulging eyes, and large toe pads. The males of the species have black patches on their front feet.

What should you do if you see a Cuban tree frog?

Officials say the first step Georgians should take is to remove potential breeding spots, which are most pools or any standing water.

If you see a frog in your yard, Sollenberger told the Augusta Chronicle that you can use a common product found in grocery stores to get rid of it.

“We tell people to put Orajel on their back and that will knock them out,” he said.

Georgia who are not sure whether they have Cuban tree frogs can contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with any sightings.

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Athens-Clarke CountyUniversity of GeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Georgia

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

ATLANTA – As conflict intensifies between the United States, Israel and Iran, reactions are pouring in across the Atlanta metro area after President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.

The president confirmed on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint strike led by the U.S. and Israel.

What they’re saying:

“I have been waiting to hear this news for the last 20 years,” said Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, an Atlanta-based pastor born in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei has been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Iranians over the last three decades. He has been a very evil dictator and a very oppressive tyrant.”

Other local Iranians, like Shohreh Mir, expressed a long-standing desire for internal change rather than outside intervention.

“This was an imposed war,” Mir said. “We still very much would like for Iranian people to change the regime by themselves.”

What’s next:

Tavassoli said the Ayatollah’s death now creates a new issue.

“Ayatollah Khamenei never invested in raising a succession after himself,” he said, “so the crisis of the Iranian revolution and the Iranian regime is there is no legitimate successor.”

While the long-term duration of the conflict remains unknown, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory strikes following the attack.

“This is a huge development for day one, but the war is not over,” Tavassoli noted. “There are still many ways that things can become even more bloody and destructive in the coming days and weeks.”

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rey Llerena speaking with Iranian Americans across Georgia.

IranDonald J. TrumpNewsPolitics

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Georgia

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A person was found dead in the 5200 block of Radium Springs Road on Saturday morning, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

Body recovered in early morning water rescue call(WALB NEWS 10)

Fowler said the call came in as a water rescue. The body was recovered early Saturday, Feb. 28.

The coroner confirmed the person found was male. His identity and age remain unknown.

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