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
Georgia pair charged with murder after bartender’s dismembered remains found in lake outside Atlanta
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A Georgia pair have been charged with murder after allegedly slaughtering a bartender and dumping his dismembered remains in a lake, according to authorities.
Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, were arrested on Monday for allegedly murdering Jamal Rashad Parker, 37, in a home outside of Atlanta, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Investigators discovered Parker’s remains in May in the Dog River Reservoir, located about 30 miles outside Atlanta.
Parker’s identity was confirmed using DNA comparison technology after his father contacted authorities to report that the victim’s tattoos matched his son’s ink, local station WSB-TV reported.
MINNESOTA MAN ACCUSED OF DISMEMBERING GIRLFRIENDS, HIDING BODIES IN STORAGE UNITS ENTERS PLEA
Mario Andre Barber, 46, and Brittany Amber Baker, 42, are charged with murder. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators believe the two suspects killed Parker inside a home in Douglasville where Baker lived.
Late last month, investigators were observed leaving the home with a reciprocating saw and cleaning supplies, according to WSB-TV.
Police have not disclosed if Parker knew his alleged killers. However, a GoFundMe created by a family member described the pair as “people he knew and trusted.”
SUZANNE SIMPSON’S DNA FOUND ON MURDER SUSPECT HUSBAND’S SAW THAT CAN CUT METAL
A family member described Jamal Rashad Parker as a bartender, musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit.” (GoFundMe)
The suspects pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday and are being held without bond. Both have lengthy criminal records, according to reports.
“I want them to be punished. And I don’t even think a life sentence is good enough,” Parker’s dad, Charles Parker, told WSB-TV outside the courthouse.
“It’s the kind of stuff you see on TV, but I mean … they had no remorse,” he added.
In addition to bartending at Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar in Atlanta, the victim was a musician and artist with “a beautiful soul and spirit,” according to the GoFundMe page created to cover burial costs.
Investigators believe the two suspects killed the victim inside a home in Douglasville. (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office)
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“He loved life and the people he met along his journey in life. He was a musical artist, visual artist, and a professional bartender who enjoyed creating new drinks. This has totally devastated our family and friends and has left us heartbroken,” the fundraiser reads.
The Georgia Bulldogs are trying to flip cornerback recruit Preston Glasco just over a week after he committed to the Connecticut Huskies.
Glasco, a member of the class of 2027, announced his commitment to UConn on June 10. Since committing to UCONN, Georgia has hosted Glasco on an official visit and offered him a scholarship (back on June 18).
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback has excellent length and size. Glasco has impressive athleticism and ran a 4.47-4.57 second 40-yard dash (hand timed) during a recent workout with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Glasco plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He’s unranked as a recruit, but that’s bound to change soon. The unranked cornerback plays against a stout level of competition at Grayson, who is a Georgia high school powerhouse.
Glasco has scholarship offers from Army, Yale, Boston College, Penn and more. He’s a great student and appears to be healthy after he was recovering from a surgery around this time last year. The talented Grayson cornerback has also gone on recent visits to South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Coach Kirby Smart and Georgia currently don’t have any cornerback commitments in the class of 2027.
Georgia football offers Preston Glasco
“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Georgia,” Glasco said after Georgia offered him.
Glasco visits UGA football
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The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 0-9-2
Evening: 9-6-9
Night: 2-4-6
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 0-1-2-5
Evening: 1-8-1-5
Night: 5-4-6-0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing
Early Bird: 06
Matinee: 03
Drive Time: 09
Primetime: 06
Night Owl: 02
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from June 20 drawing
Midday: 4-0-5-8-9
Evening: 3-3-9-2-2
Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 20 drawing
01-09-10-15-42
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing
01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes under $601: Can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery retail location. ALL PRIZES can be claimed by mail to: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.
- Prizes over $600: Must be claimed at Georgia Lottery Headquarters or any Georgia Lottery district office or mailed to the Georgia Lottery for payment.
When are the Georgia Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 3 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash 3 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash 3 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash 4 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash 4 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash 4 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash Pop (Early Bird): 8 a.m. ET daily.
- Cash Pop (Matinee): 1 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash Pop (Drive Time): 5 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash Pop (Primetime): 8 p.m. ET daily.
- Cash Pop (Night Owl): 11:59 p.m. ET daily.
- Georgia FIVE (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Georgia FIVE (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
- Fantasy 5: 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
- Jumbo Bucks Lotto: 11 p.m. ET on Monday and Thursday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Georgia editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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