Georgia
Georgia Delegate to the RNC talks security and rhetoric changes in a contentious political season
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — In the wake of the assassination attempt on former President Trump’s life, security is a front and center topic for those attending the Republican National Convention.
Long time Republican Party activist and Columbus resident, Alton Russell, is one of the 59 official delegates from Georgia who attended the convention. He has been to five conventions as a delegate or alternate expected security to be tight.
“They’re saying that they’ve not increased any security. But it’s obvious that they have. We had a just a little party last night — a welcome to Milwaukee — and they had seven or eight, you know things that you walk through to check your bags,” says Russell. “Security is a little bit tougher than than I think they than they had planned. We’ve got a security guy, a Secret Service guy on the bus with us as we go from one place to another.”
In addition to heightened security at the convention, the assassination attempt has drawn universal condemnation of political violence.
Sen. Ed Harbison, a Vietnam Veteran who remembers the assassinations and political unrest of the 1960s agrees with those condemnations. Harbison said the attempt on the former president’s life brought back painful memories.
“It is something that should be universally condemned. It is just reprehensible. And we should be reminded of what America is all about. People have a right to free speech and that kind of thing, but there is a line. And what happened there is just— I can’t say anything but reprehensible and should never be repeated. And we should all be standing guard against that kind of action anywhere at any time and condemn it for what it is, an assassin. It’s just something about that word just brings up, conjures up thoughts of evil doings and that kind of thing.”
Senator Ed Harbison, D-Columbus
The wake of Saturday’s events there has been call for everyone to tamp down the rhetoric in a contentious political season. Russell hopes people will take a step back and try to turn down the heat.
“Hopefully to tone down the rhetoric and somebody or whoever it is or quit saying that Trump is our next Hitler and he’s going to destroy civilization and he’s going to destroy democracy. You know, I think they need to tone that down. And I think I think Trump is saying is that he’s rewriting his Thursday night speech to start to move more towards unity. So I hope that’s what he’s going to do. And I expect that he will.”
Alton Russell, Georgia Delegate to the RNC
The RNC has just begun, with the Georgia delegation hearing from Faith and Freedom Coalition founder Ralph Reed this morning. Tomorrow morning, they are expecting to hear from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Georgia
Georgia lawmaker proposes renaming Sawnee Mountain for Trump
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A Georgia lawmaker is proposing a new name for Sawnee Mountain in Forsyth County — “Trump Mountain.”
(Forsyth County Parks and Rec)
What we know:
According to a post on social media, Rep. David Clark of Buford introduced a resolution to rename the mountain after President Donald Trump.
Clark called Trump “one of the most transformative Presidents in the nation’s history.” Sawnee Mountain is currently named after a celebrated Native American chief.
(Joyce Lupiani/FOX 5 Atlanta )
Clark is running to become Georgia’s next lieutenant governor.
Rep. David Clark joins growing race for Georgia lieutenant governor
Georgia
Weekend snow possible in parts of North Georgia
ATLANTA – While the workweek remains quiet, far eastern North Georgia and the Carolinas are bracing for a potential winter weather blast this weekend.
Chance for snow in Georgia
What they’re saying:
FOX 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Stacey says that while uncertainty remains, the ingredients for a Saturday snow event are beginning to align.
The primary window for impact is early Saturday morning through early Sunday. High-pressure conditions are expected to keep things clear through Friday, but a shifting weather pattern could open the skies just as temperatures plummet well below freezing.
By Sunday, models suggest the system will push offshore into the Atlantic, likely clearing the way for a sunny but cold end to the weekend.
Forecast could change
What they’re saying:
Current forecasting models are in “good agreement” regarding the timing of the front, though they differ slightly on how much moisture will reach the Atlanta metro area.
The European Model: Suggests the bulk of the snow will fall on the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains in the Carolinas. The big question for North Georgia is whether that moisture will cross the state line to impact eastern communities.
The American (GFS) Model: Offers a more conservative outlook, keeping the “lion’s share” of accumulation in the Carolinas and leaving Georgia with only meager flurries in the easternmost counties and higher elevations.
Georgia snow accumulation
What they’re saying:
With temperatures expected to stay below freezing all day Saturday and Sunday, meteorologists have to account for snow ratios. Typically, warmer snow (near 32°F) is heavy and wet. However, in deep cold, snow becomes “fluffier” and stacks higher.
For example, the same amount of liquid that produces one inch of slushy snow at freezing might produce two inches of dry, powdery snow at 28°F.
While an expansion into metro Atlanta is possible, it is not yet considered likely. Current probabilities favor Northeast Georgia and the Lake Country:
- Athens 40%
- Blairsville 40%
- Gainesville 30%
- Eatonton 30%
- Atlanta 20%
- Canton 20%
- Dalton 20%
- Ellijay 20%
- Rome 10%
- Carrollton 10%
- LaGrange 10%
- Griffin 10%
Sun after weekend
What’s next:
Looking toward next week, there is a silver lining. By Groundhog Day, the sunshine is expected to return. Regardless of whether the groundhog sees his shadow, a gradual warmup is likely to follow the weekend deep freeze.
The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report with all information coming from the FOX 5 Storm Team.
Georgia
Georgia football projected defensive depth chart, starters for 2026 season
ATHENS – With the transfer portal closed and the NFL draft deadline past, we know what Georgia’s roster next season will look like.
The Bulldogs had 15 players depart the program via the transfer portal, while four players declared early for the NFL draft. Seniors such as Daylen Everette, Oscar Delp and Brett Thorson will all move on to the NFL.
With so much turnover, it can be hard to know how things stand with the Georgia roster.
But after the frenzy of early January, we now know that the Bulldogs will have one of the most talented rosters in the sport.
As the offensive depth chart below shows, the Bulldogs bring back plenty of key contributors. There are some holes that need to be filled, specifically in the secondary, but Georgia has a number of promising players eager to step up.
Georgia football 2026 depth chart, defense
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin (Soph.), Xzavier McLeod (Jr.)
- Jordan Hall (Jr.),
- Nasir Johnson (R-Soph.), Carter Luckie (Fr.), Preston Carey (Fr.)
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall (Jr.), Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko (R-Fr.)
- Valdin Sone (Fr.)
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris (Sr.), Amaris Williams (Jr.)
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (R-Soph.), JJ Hanne (Soph.)
- Justin Greene (R-Soph.),
- AJ Lonon (Fr.), PJ Dean (Fr.)
Analysis: Much like the wide receiver position on the offensive side of the ball, don’t focus too much on who lines up where. Georgia is going to move guys around on the front. For a group that was super young this past season, Georgia brings back plenty of experience while also having a lot of upside. It could easily be the best defensive line Georgia has had since the 2021 Georgia team. With how Griffin finished this past season, he could very well be one of the best players in the country with further development.
Outside linebacker:
- Quintavius Johnson (Jr.)
- Isaiah Gibson (R-Fr.), Chase Linton (R-Fr.), Darren Ikinnagbon (Soph.)
- Khamari Brooks (Fr.)
Analysis: Harris will help here and Johnson really played well to close the 2025 season. It will be very interesting to see how Gibson, Linton and Ikinnagbon develop this offseason, as the Bulldogs will lean on them to help a pass rush that was among the worst in the SEC.
Inside linebacker:
Mac:
- Justin Williams (Jr.)
- AJ Kruah (R-Fr.)
- Nick Abrams (Fr.)
Money:
- Raylen Wilson (Sr.), Chris Cole (Jr.)
- Zayden Walker (Soph.)
- Elijah Littlejon (Fr.), Terrence Penick (Fr.)
Analysis: Even losing a likely first-round pick in CJ Allen, Georgia is simply loaded at this position. Cole and Wilson will see the field plenty, while Williams figures to soak up a lot of Allen’s former snaps. With how much talent Glenn Schumann has at the position, it will very interesting to see how Georgia gets Walker on the field. He’s a clear talent, as his performance against Texas and Alabama showed.
Cornerback:
Right cornerback:
- Ellis Robinson (R-Soph.)
- Braylon Conley (R-Soph.)
- Justice Fitzpatrick (Fr.)
Left cornerback:
- Demello Jones (Jr.), Gentry Williams (Sr.)
- Jontae Gilbert (R-Fr.), Caden Harris (Fr.)
Analysis: Robinson’s emergence as one of the best cornerbacks in football helps solve the departure of Daylen Everette. Georgia went into the transfer portal to add Williams and it will be interesting to see how he and Jones split reps in the secondary. Georgia likes the 2026 signees it got in Harris and Fitzpatrick, though the latter enters Georgia having suffered a significant knee injury at the end of his high school career.
Free Safety:
- KJ Bolden (Soph.)
- Jaylan Morgan (R-Fr.), Jordan Smith (Fr.)
Strong Safety:
- Kyron Jones (Jr.),
- Zion Branch (Sr.), Ja’Marley Riddle (Jr.)
- Todd Robinson (R-Fr.),
- Blake Stewart (Fr.)
Star:
- Rasean Dinkins (Soph.), Khalil Barnes (Sr.)
- Tyriq Green (Fr.), Zech Fort (Fr.)
Analysis: Like at cornerback, Georgia dipped into the transfer portal to add reinforcements. Riddle is more likely to help at the safety spot, while Barnes could very well help at the star position. Jones is worth watching, given how much time he missed in the second half of the season due to injury. Georgia really likes Dinkins and don’t be surprised if one of the four freshmen safeties finds a way to make an impact for the Bulldogs.
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