Georgia

Georgia Power, Delta Air Lines, state officials plan for Helene’s impact

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2024

Georgia Power, Delta Air Lines, state officials plan for Helene’s impact

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Officials with Georgia Power, airlines, and state officials are planning for Helene’s impact on Georgia as meteorologists predict a severe weather event.

“This is going to be a fast-moving wind event with rain,” said Chris Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

Government officials are making sure they’re ready to move Georgians to safety.

“Currently, you’ll see troopers out engaged in clearing major interstates and major roadways for abandoned vehicles to ensure that those evacuating areas can do so safely,” said Stallings.

With Gov. Brian Kemp declaring a state of emergency, 500 National Guardsmen and women are ready to deploy where they’re needed. Georgia Power linemen are also ready to spread across the state’s 159 counties.

FULL COVERAGE: Tropical Storm Helene

“We’ll use drone technology and damage assessment crews to go look at the lines and see where the problems are, and get linemen out into the field to fix the lines,” said Matthew Kent with Georgia Power.

Georgia Power employees will be operating their storm center 24 hours a day, even sleeping at headquarters, to keep an eye on where power outages are happening.

“We’ve been developing our smart grid and our self-healing grid over the years,” said Kent. “And one of the advantages of that is if we do see a downed powerline or a sector that is out, we may be able to reroute power to homes that are not directly impacted by that downed power line, and get them back as soon as possible.”

Airlines are also keeping an eye on Helene.

“Delta teams in our Operations and Customer Center in Atlanta continue to monitor the projected path of Tropical Storm Helene and will make adjustments to flight schedules as needed. The safety of our customers and people is our top priority,” said a spokesperson from Delta Air Lines.

“We are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Helene. We encourage our customers who are traveling to, from or through areas that could be affected by Tropical Storm Helene to take advantage of our waiver policies,” said a spokesperson with United Airlines.

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Georgia

Georgia cops’ alleged misuse of Flock license plate tracking data fuels privacy concerns

Published

3 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Press Room

Georgia cops’ alleged misuse of Flock license plate tracking data fuels privacy concerns

Georgia Flock cameras spark widespread misuse fears

ATLANTA – At least ten police officers across Georgia have been arrested and charged with misusing the Flock camera database for personal reasons, adding to growing privacy concerns about the technology.

The cameras, usually mounted to a black pole, record license plates and other data of whoever passes them.

Georgia police database tracking

What we know:

A series of recent arrests has exposed the misuse of Flock license-plate-reading cameras by police officers throughout the state.

In Greene County, Deputy Quin’sha Goss was fired on Tuesday and charged with misusing the system.

The recent arrests include five police officers in Albany, who were also charged earlier this week.

That’s alongside a lieutenant, a sergeant and a deputy in Cherokee County charged last month with violating their oath.

System audits flag searches

What they’re saying:

Flock Co-founder Paige Todd stated that many recent arrests resulted from departments utilizing a new audit assistance tool that automatically flags unusual searches.

“In this case where misuse happened, the technology itself was not creating the misuse. It was it was human beings,” Todd told FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo.

Todd argued that the public safety benefits of the technology heavily outweigh individual instances of human misconduct.

Todd explained, “best way to prevent misuse is now, every member of law enforcement out there knows that this audit exists,”

Todd added that the system has successfully helped track down thousands of individuals across the country.

“We, I believe, solve about a million crimes with our technology,” she said. “10,000 missing people have gone home because of it. This feels like pretty small in comparison.”

Privacy concerns trigger pushback

The other side:

The ACLU of Georgia called the incidents a critical wakeup call regarding constitutional protections and tracking limits. Christopher Bruce of the ACLU of Georgia said, “Jeopardizing your civil rights and civil liberties is never just an unfortunate event. You have constitutional rights, especially a right to privacy. And the question is who polices the police?”

Information security analyst Peter Tran noted that the network relies heavily on automated data collection.

“It uses AI,” Tran said.

Tran said many are uneased by the logging searchable personal data into a nationwide database.

“It becomes a privacy and security issue. So, you’re whereabouts where you shopped, your name, your address,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Dunwoody sets ‘guardrails’ for Flock surveillance cameras use

The blowback has prompted dozens of U.S. communities to end their contracts.

Videos have circulated on social media instructing people how to tear them down or disable them.

In Barrow County, the sheriff said three Flock cameras were recently damaged there.

The sheriff said damage to the devices could be considered a felony.

The Source: The information in this story is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo, who interviewed Flock co-founder Paige Todd, ACLU of Georgia representative Christopher Bruce, and security analyst Peter Tran, as well as tracking data from local sheriff offices.

GeorgiaCrime and Public SafetyTechnologyCherokee CountyNews

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Georgia

West Nile infections starting to raise concerns in Georgia

Published

13 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

West Nile infections starting to raise concerns in Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. — Positive mosquito samples for West Nile virus have been found in Fulton County, according to the Board of Health.

Officials say the samples came from the Grant Park area and that infected mosquitoes are suspected to be present in the city of Atlanta.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report this year’s West Nile infections are the highest since 2004. The disease has been transmitted by mosquitoes, with reported cases in 23 states. Most of the reported cases are considered severe.

Health officials suggest using an insect repellent registered with the EPA. Wearing long, loose-fitting clothing is also recommended.

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Georgia

Travel and Leisure listed unique experiences in each state, including GA

Published

23 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Travel and Leisure listed unique experiences in each state, including GA

It can be hard to find a truly unique experience for your next vacation. That’s where Travel + Leisure comes in.

Back in May, members of the publication’s team created a list in celebration of America’s 250th Fourth of July, highlighting a unique experience in each state “from hidden gems to iconic highlights and editor-approved favorites.”

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Most unique experience in Georgia

The Georgia spot highlighted was the World of Quercus. Here’s what writer Lydia Mansel said about it:

“The 3,800-acre property, dotted with pecan groves and cabins, isn’t your run-of-the-mill retreat. Guests are encouraged to roam the land by golf cart or on foot, visit the biodynamic vegetable garden, fish the Flint River, and connect with the ranch’s horses. Owned by Chiara Visconti di Modrone and her husband Angelos Pervanas, Quercus is a place where relaxation comes in many forms—and you can design your experience to fit your pace and preferences.”