Georgia
Georgia First in the Nation to Require Police Training in Election Law
Chris Harvey had worked in law enforcement for decades and been an investigator for Georgia’s secretary of state when he was asked to take the post of chief election official back in 2015. After holding the job during what he calls the “craziest six years in Georgia’s election history,” he returned to the realm of law enforcement. He’s using what he learned to help police and election officials prepare for November.
In his new role as deputy director of the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, Harvey has implemented training that outlines the obligations and duties of law enforcement under the state’s election codes. Last month, the council made Georgia the first state to require such curriculum as part of mandatory police training.
The controversies that arose during and after the 2020 election are still alive, and threats and harassment have increased as the 2024 contest approaches. A recent survey of local election officials by the Brennan Center found that more than half are concerned about the safety of their staff and colleagues; 90 percent have worked to increase security over the past four years.
Harvey is a member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE), a group created to build closer working relations between election administrators and law enforcement. He wanted to be sure that officers in his state were well-versed in their authority around elections, including dealing with poll watchers, self-appointed observers and election officials, as well as their limits.
“The worst thing that can happen is for a police officer to respond to a scene, not know what their authority is, and not know what the laws are regulating that incident,” Harvey says. For example, Georgia law allows unpermitted, concealed carry of handguns, but forbids bringing a gun into a polling place.
The first step in making similar training possible in other states is pulling together the relevant sections of their election codes, a project CSSE and its partners have undertaken.
(Erich Schlegel/TNS)
Reference Guides
Law enforcement responsibilities regarding elections vary from state to state. For the most part, they are almost unknown to police. Harvey says he can guarantee those in his state have never read the statutes in the state’s election code that are specific to law enforcement.
This mattered less before elections and election officials operated under a cloud of manufactured distrust. Responding to the altered situation, CSSE has been distributing pocket reference guides for each state that describe the key penal provisions in its election laws, as resources for law enforcement and election officials alike.
Kathy Boockvar, who served as Pennsylvania’s secretary of state during the 2020 election, has been leading the creation of the guides, crosschecking them with lawyers and state officials. Only a handful remain to be completed, and she expects them all to be done sometime in August.
“The demand for these guides has been phenomenal,” Boockvar says. “Whether it’s law enforcement, election officials, district attorneys or nonprofits, folks who become aware of them have reached out to ask if their state is done, and if it isn’t, can their state be next.”
Georgia was among the first states to have a reference guide, and Harvey sees it as the “textbook” for his course. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training has asked him for a white paper that could help other states to develop their own training.
CSSE members are also available to fly out to jurisdictions to provide training assistance. This is a critical window for this kind of activity, says Tina Barton, CSSE vice chair. By September, election offices will begin to move completely into election mode. “We are working against the clock right now, and the clock is not our friend,” she says.
Shifting Scenarios
CSSE’s “Five Steps to Safer Elections” can facilitate conversations between election officials and local law enforcement, says Boockvar. These include guidelines and scenarios for tabletop exercises that give them opportunities to practice how they would respond to events such as threats to election workers or protests that threaten to boil over at polling places or counting rooms. “I wish none of this were necessary,” Boockvar says.
New scenarios for these exercises are being developed on an ongoing basis, Barton says, taking into account what’s being reported in the media or developments on the ground. “We’ve added in swatting, we’ve added in unknown substances,” Barton says. There’s a scenario in which a disruption breaks out when a non-citizen attempts to vote.
Barton knows what it’s like to be traumatized in the line of duty. She received numerous threats while serving as the city clerk for Rochester Hills, Mich., in 2020, including one serious enough to prompt federal prosecutors to charge the man who made it. On July 9, he was sentenced to 14 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised probation.
The fact that CSSE members are available to fly out to help with training and tabletop exercises has been reassuring to those who feel vulnerable, Boockvar says. Federal resources are also available, including the FBI’s election threats task force. Election security advisers are stationed in each of the 10 regions covered by the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA).
“If people are not in touch with their CISA regional advisers, that’s something they should absolutely do that could have impact between now and November,” Boockvar says. “Those folks can help identify gaps in their security — if they don’t know who their CISA rep is, they can contact CSSE and we can connect them.”
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, chair of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, offers an overview of its “Five Steps to Safer Elections.”
The Role Police Can Play
Harvey, the Georgia official, is aware that historically the presence of law enforcement at polling places hasn’t always been a positive, sometimes associated more with intimidation of voters than their security. He recognizes there are also practical limits preventing police from having a presence in every precinct. “Nobody thinks that’s a good idea,” he says. “Frankly, there aren’t enough cops to do that even if they wanted to.”
But it makes sense for election officials to have stronger relations with law enforcement, and not just because of safety issues. Harvey sees a lot of similarities between the two groups.
“They’re underappreciated, they’re underpaid, there aren’t enough of them, people take them for granted and only notice them when they do something wrong,” he says. “The funny thing is, both are generally fine with that — they don’t want to be front and center.”
Don’t sleep on the Yellow Jackets heading into the 2026 season.
They have several big games in conference play against some of the conference’s elite. As they have shown us before, they are no stranger to pulling off big-time victories and shocking the college football world, especially as an underdog. Let’s talk about three reasons why the Yellow Jackets can beat the ACC elite this upcoming season.
1. They’ve Done It Before
Georgia Tech is no stranger to beating top ACC teams in the Brent Key era. They have done it consistently, multiple times. There are a myriad of examples to point to. You can go to the North Carolina game back in 2023, played in primetime on the Flats.
The Yellow Jackets defeated top pick and now New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in a 46-42 victory. You can go back to the 2024 season in Ireland when the Yellow Jackets upset then No.10 Florida State 24-21. In that same year, Georgia Tech knocked off future No.1 overall pick Cam Ward and the No.4 Miami Hurricanes, handing them their first loss of the season in a 28-23.
There are many other examples I can point to illustrate this point, but you can see the Yellow Jackets never back down and come to play when it matters most against the elite teams in the conference. They have done it with a good offense and an opportunistic defense. With Louisville, Clemson, and Virginia Tech on the schedule, they should be primed to do it again in 2026.
2. Georgia Tech Has An Identity
It is pretty simple: under head coach Brent Key, this Yellow Jackets team has an identity and a culture that sets it apart. They want to play physical, smash-mouth football and dominate you in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Coach Key has meant what he said this offseason about getting more size and girth, but also having offensive linemen who can move. It was one of the reasons why they were aggressive in the portal and one of the reasons why they are having success with the 2027 cycle.
When you look at Georgia Tech, they are going to run the football and play good defense. That makes the job easier for a first-time starter in Alberto Mendoza, who has a lighter load with the moves made this offseason. When you play in those major matchups, you have to lean on something to come out on top, and what better way than the true identity of your team?
3. The Defense Will Be Much Better
From top to bottom, the Yellow Jackets are poised to be much better defensively. When you look at the depth of the roster, the new defensive scheme, the talent level, and the hunger, you have a team that should be one of the better units in the conference. In order to beat the conference elite, you have to have a good defense that can travel and make plays late in games to seal it for you.
While Georgia Tech showed glimpses of that a season ago, the consistency in November just wasn’t there. With Jason Semore becoming the new defensive coordinator and a more attack-style, aggressive man-to-man defense, Georgia Tech should be equipped to force more turnovers and make a difference by getting the ball back to the offense.
The spring gave us a good glimpse of what the defense could look like despite so many injuries and players out. The defense flat-out shut down the Yellow Jackets, creating constant pressure and causing havoc for an offense trying to find its footing in the spring game. While some will say to take it with a grain of salt, it is clear that the Yellow Jackets will be a much better unit in 2026.
Follow
Pennsbury Baseball Zuckerman District One Championship PIAA
Pennsbury junior Brendan Zuckerman smacks an RBI single to left in the Falcons’ 7-run first inning of District One 6A championship victory
Ryan Zuckerman is last on the alphabetical list of the 335 college and high school baseball players attending the June 22-27 MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix.
What the 2023 Pennsbury graduate did in his lone season at Georgia Tech has garnered him plenty of attention from MLB scouts regardless of where his name is on a list that includes Holy Ghost Prep grad Aiden Robbins, a Texas outfield standout who is expected to go as early as late in the first round, fellow Pennsbury graduate Joe Tiroly, an infielder from Virginia, and Pennsbury senior right-handed pitcher Keller Bradley.
MVP of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the conference champion Yellow Jackets, second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and leader in home runs (23) and RBIs (79, tied for eighth in the country) for the high-powered Georgia Tech offense are just a few of Zuckerman’s notable accomplishments heading into the July 11-13 draft. He is projected to go toward the middle of the 20 rounds.
“It’s pretty surreal for sure,” said Zuckerman, 21. “It’s something I dreamed of my whole life.”
In a season filled with memorable moments, perhaps most impressive was Zuckerman being named ACC Tournament MVP after hitting three home runs with six RBIs and batting .571 (8 for 14), culminating in a 13-6 championship game win over North Carolina in Charlotte. He also was a first-team All-ACC selection at third base.
Zuckerman and Georgia Tech went into the NCAA Atlanta regional as the nation’s No. 2 seed. Though the 50-11 Yellow Jackets ended up being eliminated by losing twice to Oklahoma, including 8-7 in 10 innings for the regional title, Zuckerman can only rave about his experience at Georgia Tech.
“If you would have told me that’s how the season for me and each of us on the team would’ve gone, I would’ve been extremely happy,” Zuckerman said. “It was probably the best decision I ever made in my life.”
After a solid sophomore season at Pitt in which he hit .295 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 48 runs scored, Zuckerman believed transferring would help him develop into a more pro-ready player and allow him to win more games. And Georgia Tech checked all the boxes
In addition to his career-best home run and RBI numbers, Zuckerman led Georgia Tech in 2026 with 24 multi-RBI games while establishing career-highs in batting average (.345), runs (71), hits (80), walks (37), slugging percentage (.720) and on-base percentage (.438). He batted fifth in the order.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Zuckerman, who always had a strong arm, also worked hard to improve his defense at third base, resulting in 15.99 defensive runs saved for the season, which was the 13th-highest total in college baseball.
“I like to say I’m arguably the best third baseman in the country,” he said.
As a senior playing third at Pennsbury, Zuckerman hit .465 with an on-base percentage of .563, plus six doubles, six home runs, 23 RBIs and scored 26 runs.
“In high school, he was incredible for us,” said Pennsbury head coach Joe Pesci. “(A year ago), he decided to go from a mid- to low ACC team to the best team in the ACC. Surrounding himself with amazing players at Georgia Tech, he’s kind of elevated his game.”
Since the conclusion of the collegiate season, Zuckerman has been working out in preparation for the MLB Draft Combine and, ultimately, the draft. He’s been splitting his time between Yardley and Atlanta.
MLB teams have indicated Zuckerman’s power bat and defense are two of his strengths, while he’s focusing on improving his swing selection and making more contact at the plate.
Zuckerman is looking forward to hearing his name called by one of the 30 major league clubs. Whether a team views him as a third baseman, first baseman, corner outfielder or even second baseman doesn’t really matter to him.
“I think right now I’m in a great position to go and play professional baseball and start my journey up to the big leagues,” Zuckerman said. “The goal is not to get drafted – it’s to play MLB.”
Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly is a sports columnist for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
Georgia
Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A Georgia pair have been charged with murder after allegedly slaughtering a bartender and dumping his dismembered remains in a lake, according to authorities.
Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were arrested on Monday for allegedly murdering Jamal Rashad Parker, 37, in a home outside of Atlanta, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Investigators discovered Parker’s remains in May in the Dog River Reservoir, located about 30 miles outside Atlanta.
Parker’s identity was confirmed using DNA comparison technology after his father contacted authorities to report that the victim’s tattoos matched his son’s ink, local station WSB-TV reported.
MINNESOTA MAN ACCUSED OF DISMEMBERING GIRLFRIENDS, HIDING BODIES IN STORAGE UNITS ENTERS PLEA
Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, are charged with murder. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators believe the two suspects killed Parker inside a home in Douglasville where Baker lived.
Late last month, investigators were observed leaving the home with a reciprocating saw and cleaning supplies, according to WSB-TV.
Police have not disclosed if Parker knew his alleged killers. However, a GoFundMe created by a family member described the pair as “people he knew and trusted.”
SUZANNE SIMPSON’S DNA FOUND ON MURDER SUSPECT HUSBAND’S SAW THAT CAN CUT METAL
A family member described Jamal Rashad Parker as a bartender, musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit.” (GoFundMe)
The suspects pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday and are being held without bond. Both have lengthy criminal records, according to reports.
“I want them to be punished. And I don’t even think a life sentence is good enough,” Parker’s dad, Charles Parker, told WSB-TV outside the courthouse.
“It’s the kind of stuff you see on TV, but I mean … they had no remorse,” he added.
In addition to bartending at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Atlanta, the victim was a musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit,” according to the GoFundMe page created to cover burial costs.
Investigators believe the two suspects killed the victim inside a home in Douglasville. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“He loved life and the people he met along his journey in life. He was a musical artist, visual artist, and a professional bartender who enjoyed creating new drinks. This has totally devastated our family and friends and has left us heartbroken,” the fundraiser reads.
-
Lifestyle16 minutes agoDid you know? Alan Greenspan and Ayn Rand were close friends
-
Education23 minutes agoThe Man of Faith Who Heard a Righteous Call in the Founding Credo
-
Technology26 minutes agoNvidia says its AI data center design runs hotter to use a lot less water
-
World31 minutes agoTrump says Colombia’s ‘El Tigre’ will be a ‘great president’ as socialist opponent launches legal challenge
-
Politics38 minutes agoDOJ investigating NYC coffee shop over hostile social post about pro-Israel politician
-
Health41 minutes agoPopular mommy blogger dies at 48 two years after devastating cancer diagnosis
-
Sports46 minutes ago2026 World Cup Goals: Every Group-Stage Score Ranked From Best To Worst
-
Business53 minutes agoBed Bath & Beyond begins reopening in California with a bonus: Old coupons will be honored
