Georgia

Chattanooga closes Wilson Road bridge connecting Tennessee to Georgia for structure repair

Published

3 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Chattanooga closes Wilson Road bridge connecting Tennessee to Georgia for structure repair

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Wilson Road bridge has shut down as of Thursday night after a recent state inspection identified structural deficiencies.

The bridge, which connects Georgia and Tennessee, will be fully closed to all traffic and remain that way until repairs are completed that satisfy Tennessee Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration safety requirements.

Errol Williams with the city of Chattanooga says he believes the impact on nearby residents and commuters will be manageable.

“There are multiple routes that they can take, which is funny because a lot of the residents in that area are familiar with those ways of getting to and from. But that plan is in place,” Williams says.

Chattanooga Public Works crews have installed warning signs and barricades and city officials are coordinating detour routes with Walker County.

Northbound Detour Route:

Turn onto Glentana Street
Continue onto Maple Street
Turn left onto Williams Street
Continue onto Hooker Road northbound to reconnect with your route

Southbound Detour Route:

Turn onto Workman Road
Turn onto Rossville Boulevard southbound
Turn onto McFarland Avenue southbound
Merge/Continue onto Maple Street
Continue onto Glentana Street to reconnect with your route

The city says they’re working to identify the scope, funding and project delivery plan needed to address deteriorating structural elements and return the bridge to service.

After a repair plan is created and executed, the bridge will be re-inspected before it reopens.

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Georgia

Argentine tegus up to 56 sightings in GA. Have you seen these invaders?

Published

14 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Argentine tegus up to 56 sightings in GA. Have you seen these invaders?

Georgians pride themselves on Southern hospitality, but there’s one animal that’s overstayed its welcome.

The state department of natural resources and its partners are working hard to remove the Argentine tegus trying to build a home here.

What is a tegu?

The tegu is a large, invasive, commonly black and white lizard from Argentina. They can grow up to 4 feet long and weighing 10 pounds or more, according to Georgia Wildlife. Unlike some other lizards, the tegu rarely climbs more than a few feet off the ground, but they are strong swimmers.

From late fall and through the winter months, tegus head into burrows for brumation, a hibernation-type period, to avoid freezing temperatures. They usually breed in the spring and typically lay 35 eggs per year which have a 60-day incubation. They may live up to 20 years.

What does a tegu look like?

The Argentine tegu has mottled black and white skin. The colors are often arranged into a banding pattern across the back and tail. Hatchlings display similar markings, but typically have bright green heads. The green fades after they reach about one month of age.

Where have tegus been reported in Georgia?

The University of Georgia runs an interactive map with detailed info about tegus in Georgia. Over the last few years, there have been 56 reports spread out across counties across the state. Here are the counties with the most reports:

Tattnall County: 16
Toombs County: 10
Gwinnett County: 5

Are tegus dangerous?

Although not considered aggressive toward people, tegus will defend themselves if threatened, according to Georgia Wildlife. They can react fast and lash with their tails. They also have sharp teeth and claws and strong jaws.

Tegus also represent a natural threat because they have few predators and can multiple quickly. They eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds—including quail and turkeys—and other reptiles like the American alligator and gopher tortoise which are protected species. They will also eat chicken eggs, fruit, vegetables, plants, pet food, carrion and small live animals.

Can you kill a tegu if you see it?

Tegus can be trapped or killed on private property in Georgia with the landowner’s permission and using legal methods in accordance with local ordinances, animal cruelty laws, and safety precautions.

Also, on public Wildlife Management Areas, tegus can be killed with firearms legal for the current hunting season. Using traps to catch tegus is not allowed. Anyone who sees a tegu on a WMA should also alert that region’s Game Management office.

How do you report a possible tegu?

Contact Georgia DNR when you see a tegu in the wild, dead or alive. These reports help biologists document occurrences and respond effectively. Note the location, take a photo if possible and report the sighting:

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.

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Georgia

Lambert rising freshman is second-youngest winner of Georgia Women’s Amateur

Published

24 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Press Room

Lambert rising freshman is second-youngest winner of Georgia Women’s Amateur

ATHENS — Kylie Chung of Cumming chased down two accomplished college players to become the second-youngest winner of the Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Not bad for a girl won won’t start high school until this fall.

Chung, 14, a soon-to-be freshman at Lambert High School, birdied the final three holes at Athens Country Club to shoot 5-under 67 to finish 6-under 210. She won by two shots over defending champion Ava Merrill of Johns Creek, who plays at Vanderbilt, and Mary Mille of Savannah, who plays at Ole Miss.

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Georgia

Prices climb as Georgia gas tax break ends

Published

1 day ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Prices climb as Georgia gas tax break ends

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on

For two months, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state gas tax, saving drivers 33 cents per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on diesel. For the average driver who fills up twice a week, that adds up to more than $60 back in their pocket.

“I think it’s uncalled for. It’s very much uncalled for,” said Marie Okafia, a driver.

Looking for alternatives

The sharp spike in prices has some drivers looking for a different way to get to work. Rebecca Serna, executive director of Propel ATL, said riding a bike is a cost-cutting measure, and more people are already doing it.

“We’re seeing more bike lanes, more scoot lanes,” Serna said. “The cost of car ownership has gone up dramatically, but the cost of these other types of transportation have stayed relatively the same. So, it can really save families a lot of money.”

The city has added several miles of protected bike lanes in recent months, making the commute safer for anyone ready to ditch the pump. Propel ATL also noted the opening of the southeast and southside Beltline, connecting to those new bike lanes.

Impact on families

For Georgia families already stretched thin, the timing couldn’t be worse. The price increase affects not just what drivers pay at the gas station, but what they’ll give up somewhere else.

“We’re already grappling with high cost of food, and then we have to face this too. They both go hand-in-hand,” Okafia said.

Atlanta is bringing back its e-bike rebate program this fall. You can learn more about the program and the nonprofit Propel ATL here.

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