Georgia
Hurricanes Helene and Milton swept a wave of invasive species into Georgia in 2024 • Georgia Recorder
Dorothy and Toto aren’t the only ones known to hitch a ride on a passing severe weather event.
A map from the U.S. Geological Survey finds that there are 222 possible non-native species that had the potential to spread in Georgia and Florida due to storm-related flooding from Hurricane Helene, which devastated southern states including Georgia in September. The list includes 90 species considered invasive and likely to spread via flood waters.
And while the famous Kansas duo’s trip to the magical land of Oz was bad news for the Wicked Witch of the East, these out-of-place critters are potential problems for all Georgians, said Mike Worley, president of the Georgia Wildlife Federation.
“These plants or animals come into an area, and they are uniquely adapted to the area in which they evolved, and they generally will have their own set of predators, they’ll have checks on their population, but they come into a new area – and all these invasive species are getting here because we’re bringing them in some way, either intentionally or accidentally – and suddenly they find a new niche in the world where there’s no checks on them,” he said.
Without those checks, invasive species can decimate native creatures, which can disrupt the entire food chain.
“If you live in Georgia because you like Georgia, then invasives are a problem because they can fundamentally change it. They can fundamentally change the nature, they can change the very essence of what we are,” Worley added.
The species monitored in the USGS’s map include everything from plants and algae to fish, reptiles and crustaceans. The survey provides an interactive map of where different species have already been seen and where Helene-related flooding may have washed them up.
One creature on the list is the Cuban treefrog, a native to the island nation that has spread to Florida, Georgia and other spots across the continental U.S., usually through food or plant shipments, especially palm trees, or hidden in building materials.
They look cute, but the slimy little fellas can cause a lot of trouble. According to the USGS, not only do they compete with and even prey on native treefrogs, but they have been found to host diseases and parasites that can harm humans and other frogs, and their skin secretes a chemical that can irritate the skin and eyes, and they have even been observed to cause power outages when in contact with electrical equipment.
The USGS map shows they have the potential to spread via flooding around the north and south metro Atlanta areas as well as near Augusta, Peachtree City, Valdosta and Waycross.
Even plants can cause problems if they wash up in the wrong part of the world. Take the alligator weed, which grows natively in the Parana River region of South America, in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, where its hollow stems help it to float on the water in thick mats. They’ve established footholds in areas across the southeast and all along the Gulf of Mexico stowing away in ship ballast water, researchers believe.
When clusters of alligator weed show up unannounced, they can impede the flow of water, decreasing water quality and harming other species that live in the water or depend on it for food. They can be a nuisance to boaters by blocking waterways and to farmers by clogging up irrigation channels, and to add insult to injury, they make excellent breeding grounds for pests like mosquitos.
As if that weren’t bad enough, a new plant can grow from a cut off piece of an old one, which makes getting rid of them even more challenging once they have become established.
Before the storm these meanie greenies were already present in watersheds from Athens to Valdosta, and researchers say they could be popping up in new bodies of water.
But while only a wonderful wizard can control the weather, there are steps Georgians can take to keep critters where they belong, Worley said. For campers, that means not bringing in firewood from other states; for boaters, it means cleaning out your systems before moving on to the next lake or stream; and for gardeners, it can mean only planting native vegetation in your yard.
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Georgia
Notre Dame vs. Georgia score, live updates: College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl
Three teams have booked their tickets to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Who will be the fourth?
The final game of the quarterfinals — the Sugar Bowl showdown between Georgia and Notre Dame — was postponed to Thursday after a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in the early hours of Jan. 1 left 15 dead and dozens injured.
Follow the game action below (scroll for live updates).
Date: Jan. 1 | Time: 8:45 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Line: Notre Dame -1 | Total: 45.5
No one will question how well Georgia coach Kirby Smart can motivate his team, especially in a circumstance like this with his starting quarterback injured and off to the NFL. But just how well can Georgia move the ball with Gunner Stockton in the game? We won’t be surprised to see Georgia stick to its run game.
Live19 updates
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Superdome re-opens from lockdown for Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame
Law enforcement officers stand guard next to a Homeland Security armored vehicle outside of the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl on Thursday. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images) -
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CFP players to watch, key to the Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia
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Georgia
What channel is Georgia-Notre Dame Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game on today? Time, watch
Sugar Bowl postponed in wake of New Orleans tragedy
Athens Banner-Herald writer Marc Weiszer discusses how the Sugar Bowl will be affected after the tragic attack that took place in New Orleans.
Sports Pulse
The Sugar Bowl wraps up College Football Playoff quarterfinal action on Thursday.
The final College Football Playoff bracket quarterfinal features Georgia vs. Notre Dame on Jan. 2, after the game was postponed from the original Wednesday date.
Here’s what you need to know about how to watch, the College Football Playoff bowl game schedule and more.
When is the 2024-2025 Sugar Bowl tonight?
The Sugar Bowl is played at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Where is the 2024-2025 Sugar Bowl today?
The Sugar Bowl will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
What College Football Playoff bowl teams are playing in the Sugar Bowl today?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will meet in the Sugar Bowl at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Why was Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game postponed?
The 2024-2025 Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game was postponed after 15 people were killed and about 30 people were injured early Wednesday morning in New Orleans, according to USA Today. The deadly attack saw an armed man drive a pickup truck into a large crowd of people on Bourbon Street.
What time does the Georgia Bulldogs-Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game start today?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will play in the Sugar Bowl at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Watch College Football Playoff bowl games on Sling
What channel is Georgia vs Notre Dame Sugar Bowl game on tonight? How to watch College Football Playoff game today
The Sugar Bowl featuring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will air on ABC and ESPN at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Watch CFP bowl games on Fubo
How to stream, watch Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff game tonight. Where to watch today
The Sugar Bowl featuring the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs will stream on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
Watch Georgia vs. Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on ESPN+
2024-2025 Sugar Bowl predictions: Picks for Georgia Bulldogs vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish today
The six experts at USA Today favored Notre Dame over Georgia, giving the Fighting Irish a 4-2 edge. Read more about what each expert has to say.
2024-2025 College Football Playoff bowl game schedule, results: quarterfinals
Sugar Bowl
Fiesta Bowl
Peach Bowl
Rose Bowl
When are the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff bowl game semifinals?
The College Football Playoff semifinal games will be played at the site of two bowl games on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10.
Orange Bowl
Cotton Bowl
When is the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff National Championship bowl game?
The College Football Playoff National Chamionship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20:
- Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20 (ESPN).
Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.
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First it was one of the state of Wisconsin’s top signal callers leaving for Georgia.
Now add one of the state’s top running backs as well. Homestead running back Bentley Hickman made it be known on New Year’s Day that he plans to head over to one of the Southeast’s top high school football programs.
The 2026 running back announced on X that he will be leaving Homestead and heading for Georgia Class 5A state champion Milton.
Down below is the post by the running back that he put up on Wednesday afternoon.
New year, New beginnings… I am so so thankful for what Homestead High School and the district has done for me. The community, the love and support that I got there was incredible. But I will actually be finishing my last year at Milton High School in Georgia!
New year, New beginnings… I am so so thankful for what Homestead High School and the district has done for me. The community, the love and support that I got there was incredible. But I will actually be finishing my last year at Milton High School in Georgia!@CoachBenReaves… pic.twitter.com/l0wYSoMBHD
— Bentley Hickman ‘26 RB (@bentley_hickman) January 1, 2025
Hickman is one of Wisconsin’s top 2026 running backs and is coming off a strong 2024 campaign for Homestead. This past fall season, Hickman totaled 1,055 all-purpose yards and accounted for 11 touchdowns.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound back follows in the footsteps of another Wisconsin product that plans to leave for Northwest Georgia, as 2026 quarterback Brayln Albritton announced back on Christmas that he will be leaving Milwaukee Academy of Science for Milton.
With Albritton coming in to compete for the job, the quarterback has been impressive during his time at Milwaukee Academy of Science. Albritton this past 2024 season ended up throwing for 2,830 yards and 29 touchdowns.
As a freshman in 2022 with MAOS, Albritton threw for 2,447 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Follow High School On SI throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates, the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships!
Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.
To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App
— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi
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