Georgia
Georgia football star Rodarius Thomas being held without bail after arrest on family violence charges
Rodarius “Rara” Thomas will be away from the Georgia football team for the foreseeable future. The Bulldogs wide receiver was suspended indefinitely after he was booked into jail around 3:20 a.m. Friday, Athens-Clarke County jail records show.
Thomas was arrested on charges of cruelty to children and battery. He is being held without bail.
Thomas’ arrest marks the latest in a string of legal issues involving various members of the powerhouse college football team over the past several months.
This week’s arrest marks Thomas’ second in the past 18 months. University of Georgia Police arrested the wide receiver in January 2023 on a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery.
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Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas was arrested on charges of cruelty to children and battery early Friday, July 26, 2024, in Athens, Ga., adding to the team’s recent legal woes. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
Those charges were later dropped when Thomas entered a pretrial diversion program. Details about Friday’s arrest were not immediately available.
Georgia Athletic Association spokesperson Steven Drummond said the situation involving Thomas “is a pending legal matter. We will have no further comment at this point.”
TWO GEORGIA FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARRESTED ON BACK-TO-BACK NIGHTS ON RECKLESS DRIVING CHARGES
Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart spoke at Southeastern Conference media days July 16 about attempts to address repeated driving offenses by his players.
A Georgia Bulldogs helmet during the fourth quarter of a game against the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium Nov. 4, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Smart said players have been suspended and fined through the collective that provides name, image and likeness (NIL) payments to the school’s athletes. Smart’s policy is to not make public announcements when players are suspended.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go down to the town square and publicly shame kids,” Smart said at SEC media days earlier this month. “When that happens, they go through a lot. And there’s a lot of remorse from these young men who’ve made mistakes. But our job is to educate. Continue to grow these young men.”
A team official confirmed the suspension of Thomas.
Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs open the season in Atlanta Aug. 31 in a matchup with the Clemson Tigers.
Georgia players have been involved in 24 driving-related violations (DUI, reckless driving or speeding), The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has reported, including a crash that killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023.
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Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash on Jan. 15, 2023, just days after the Bulldogs won the national title game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Georgia
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
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.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Georgia
5 things to know about Georgia mosquito problem amid heat, drought
How climate change is expanding mosquito populations in Georgia
Fight mosquitoes in Augusta—remove standing water, cover containers, fill tree holes, fix septic cracks.
Mosquito numbers are rising fast in Augusta as heat and drought linger. Here are 5 things to know — and how to protect yourself now.
1. Drought can actually boost mosquito populations
Dry conditions don’t eliminate mosquitoes. Instead, they concentrate standing water in storm drains and pipes, creating ideal breeding grounds where larvae can thrive.
2. Standing water in urban systems drives mosquito growth
Without regular rainfall to flush them out, storm drains and catch basins hold stagnant water — a prime habitat for mosquito development.
3. Georgia’s climate supports a wide range of species
From mountains to coast to the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia’s diverse environments allow dozens of mosquito species to thrive, with many found across the Augusta area and surrounding communities.
4. Only a few species pose major health risks
Of the many species present, a smaller group is linked to disease concerns, including the Southern house mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito.
5. Warming temperatures are shifting mosquito ranges
Experts say species typically found farther south are moving north as the climate warms, expanding the types of mosquitoes seen in Georgia.
How to reduce mosquito breeding around your home
- Empty, scrub or discard items that collect water, like buckets or birdbaths
- Cover containers such as rain barrels and cisterns
- Use mesh covers where lids aren’t available
- Fill tree holes and repair septic cracks
- Cover vents and exposed pipes
Mosquitoes can lay eggs that remain dormant for months — even in dry conditions — and hatch once water returns, making prevention key heading into wetter periods.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
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