Georgia

Georgia Tech facing backlash over policy banning DEI programs

Published

1 year ago

February 3, 2025

Georgia Tech removes DEI terms, programs

A new directive to delete any mention of words like “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion,” from Georgia Tech’s websites caught the attention of the Georgia NAACP.

ATLANTA – Georgia Tech is ending programs and eliminating websites that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a spokesperson confirmed to FOX 5.

The decision has drawn criticism from the Georgia NAACP, which is calling for a meeting with school officials.

DEI removal: Georgia Tech community responds

What they’re saying:

“It’s just disappointing. Especially because I was someone who definitely benefited from it,” said one Georgia Tech student of Hispanic heritage, who didn’t wish to be identified by name. “People should be qualified, but it also helps, coming from a more difficult background, to have a little leg up. Especially, getting into colleges like Georgia Tech.”

Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs expressed deep concern over the changes.

“We received notice from our local unit there on the college, and definitely wanted to have some questions answered,” Griggs said.

Georgia Tech removes DEI terms, programs

What we know:

Georgia Tech has confirmed it is in the process of eliminating its DEI programs, which has been an effort that has been ongoing since 2023. It did not confirm the veracity of the memo the Georgia NAACP posted, but did confirm its mandates.

Blair Meeks, a spokesperson for Georgia Tech, emailed the following statement:

“In 2023, Georgia Tech made the decision to begin discontinuing DEI programs, which included eliminating positions and realigning funding. As a critical research partner for the federal government, Georgia Tech will ensure compliance with all federal and state rules as well as policies set by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to continue accelerating American innovation and competitiveness. Efforts to examine and update our web presence are part of this ongoing work.”

The backstory:

The decision follows a broader national trend of restrictions on DEI initiatives. President Donald Trump has ordered that federal funding be eliminated to any program that supports DEI.

Last week, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was ordered to delete content related to “gender ideology.”

Georgia Tech’s recent decision appears to be part of a broader effort to align with evolving policies on DEI initiatives.

Pastor Jamal Bryant calls for 40-day ‘fast’ from Target over end to DEI policy

Griggs, the Georgia NAACP president, is concerned about the trend, and worries progress will be lost.

“It is an attempt to erase people’s identities and attempt to go back to a far-gone era,” he said. “We’re not going to allow it.”

What’s next:

Griggs has requested a formal meeting with Georgia Tech leadership to discuss the policy change and its implications.

“If it’s just happening on the website, we can only imagine what’s happening internally,” he said. “So we need to have a robust conversation.”

Students remain uncertain about the impact of the changes.

“Removing them from the websites may not actually amount to much,” another student who spoke to FOX 5 said. “But the question is what will come with that?”

The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo on Georgia Tech’s campus in Atlanta. Information was provided by a Georgia Tech spokesperson and the NAACP of Georgia.

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Georgia

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

Published

2 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

12 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

22 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.”