Georgia
Georgia Sen. Moore defies ban, receives warm welcome post-arrest
Rally for Georgia senator thrown out of State Capitol
Embattled Georgia Sen. Colton Moore had words for House Speaker Joe Burns who had him banned from the State Capitol over controversial remarks he made.
ATLANTA – Republican Georgia state Senator Colton Moore received a hero’s welcome at the State Capitol Tuesday following his arrest there a few weeks ago.
Who is Georgia Senator Colton Moore?
What we know:
Georgia state Senator Colton Moore is a Republican senator representing Georgia’s 53rd Senate District, which includes Dade, Catoosa, Walker and Chattooga Counties along with a portion of Floyd County.
Moore was elected to the Senate in 2022.
Why was Senator Moore arrested?
The backstory:
Georgia State Troopers arrested Moore on Jan. 16 when he tried to defy an order banning him from the House Chamber.
House Speaker Jon Burns banned Moore over controversial remarks he made about late House Speaker David Ralston.
State senator arrested at Georgia Capitol
State Sen. Colton Moore was arrested while trying to get into the House chamber before Gov. Brian Kemp’s State of the State.
Speaker Burns lifted the ban the day after Moore’s arrest, clearing the way for the Senator to attend the State of the Judiciary Address on Tuesday.
Moore entered the House Chamber without incident.
Does Sen. Moore face charges?
Sen. Moore was charged with willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer, a misdemeanor.
How did his constituents respond to his arrest?
What they’re saying:
Dozens of Moore’s supporters rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday.
One supporter said, “Cronyism is not what we need. We need every voice to be heard.”
Another supporter told FOX 5, “What happened to him and us as his constituents is completely wrong.”
How did Sen. Moore react to the show of support?
What we know:
Moore thanked supporters and told reporters, “These are just concerned citizens from all over the state.”
Sen. Moore insists his rights were violated. He had the following harsh words for Speaker Burns:
“This is the first time in our history we’ve ever seen this type of thing. It’s absolutely rogue. We burnt the Constitution to the ground last week. We have to make sure an example is set so that never happens again.”
The Source: This article is based on an original report by FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Deidra Dukes.
The US House Armed Services Committee has approved two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) concerning Georgia. The amendments were proposed by Congressman Joe Wilson (Republican).
“The Committee expresses concern over the detentions and arrests of opposition leaders, activists, and other individuals in Georgia, who are widely regarded as political prisoners, and believes that this issue should be consistently and appropriately raised at a high level in bilateral relations with the Government of Georgia and the Georgian Armed Forces.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to the House Armed Services Committee, no later than October 1, 2026, an unclassified report detailing the Department of Defense’s strategy for incorporating the issue of political prisoners into military engagement with Georgia,” the document states.
The second amendment concerning Georgia directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of State, to submit a classified report to the relevant congressional committees no later than 180 days after the NDAA enters into force. The report will examine the penetration of Russian and Chinese intelligence elements and their assets into Georgia, as well as study the potential intersection of Russian and Chinese influence and cooperation in Georgia.
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.
Georgia is being invaded by tegu lizards that are taking over the state
Argentine black and white tegus have not been a threat to humans and common household pets, but do pose a danger to native species.
USA TODAY
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.
-
Iowa28 seconds agoConvenience retailer to acquire several Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations in Iowa
-
Kentucky3 minutes agoKentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo faces a pace challenge in the Belmont Stakes – WTOP News
-
Louisiana15 minutes agoStatewide EMS conference held in Shreveport
-
Maine18 minutes ago‘What else do we have?’ Maine Democrats signal they’ll stick with Graham Platner, some with regret | CNN Politics
-
Maryland23 minutes agoFamily fights off attempted carjacking in Oxon Hill
-
Michigan30 minutes agoTarik Skubal’s final hurdle for Tigers could be rehab start at West Michigan
-
Massachusetts33 minutes agoMass. opioid deaths fall below 1,000 for first year since 2013
-
Minnesota38 minutes agoMan fatally stabbed St. Paul barbershop owner after becoming
