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Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe

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Injured US military veterans find relief and awe swimming with a whale shark at Georgia Aquarium – The Boston Globe


ATLANTA (AP) — Swimming with manta rays, giant groupers, and even a whale shark brought joy and excitement to a group of injured U.S. military veterans who got to experience the healing power of water and wildlife at the Georgia Aquarium.

The swim Wednesday at the aquarium in Atlanta also gave the U.S. service people who are part of the Wounded Warrior Project a much needed respite from their recovery and the stresses of life. The organization works with injured and wounded veterans and their families.

“It gives them, you know, 30 or 40 minutes to just relax,” said Jason Bush, manager of the aquarium’s Military Salute program, which once a week brings members of the armed forces to swim or dive with marine animals.

Quentin Collins, with the Wounded Warrior Project, prepared to swim at the Georgia Aquarium.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
A person took a video of the participants with the Wounded Warrior Project swimming at the Georgia Aquarium, on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Whether it’s swimming in the water or scuba diving in particular, you’re weightless,” he added. “So physically, it takes away even for a moment physical pain that you feel when you’re on land.”

The military veterans snorkeled or swam with the giant whale shark, Yushan, stingrays, and a variety of other marine animals. After being rescued from a Taiwanese fish market several years ago, Yushan is the only whale shark in captivity in the Western Hemisphere, according to aquarium officials.

“They go in nervous and they come out saying it’s the best experience they’ve had in their life,” Bush said.

William Mund, a U.S. Marine gunnery sergeant who was wounded in Iraq, said the water helps with his blood flow. His swim with the whale shark was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing,” he said.

U.S. Army Col. Quentin Collins was wounded twice in Iraq – once by a mortar and then a second time when he drove over an improvised explosive device. Collins, who is paralyzed, said his favorite part was “surfing” with the whale shark.

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Lee Menzies, with the Wounded Warrior Project, swam on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
Antwain D’Angelo Vaughn “Dee” with the Wounded Warrior Project participated in the Veterans Immersion Program on Wednesday.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

“Actually, its wake pulled me with it,” a joyous Collins said. “So I was swimming forward and the next thing I know, I’m going backwards and I realized the whale shark is right below me.”

Quentin had not been in the water since 2020 because of his injuries. His son, Ian Collins, got to witness his it.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see my dad being able to enjoy things he couldn’t anymore,” he said. “It’s a great thing to see.”

Georgia Aquarium visitors watched as participants in the Wounded Warrior Project swam in the background.Brynn Anderson/Associated Press





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Live election results 2026 Georgia Primary Runoff Counties H-Z

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Live election results 2026 Georgia Primary Runoff Counties H-Z


FOX 5 Atlanta is tracking the 2026 Georgia primary runoff election results as voters across the state head to the ballot box to set the stage for November’s critical midterm match-ups.

Below is a listing of results and updates as precincts begin reporting across the state after polls officially close at 7 p.m. Refresh this page frequently for the latest vote counts throughout the night, and click here to check local down-ballot contests and comprehensive county-by-county breakdowns.

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For other results, click here.

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The Latest: Primary elections in Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia further test Trump’s influence

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The Latest: Primary elections in Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia further test Trump’s influence


An endorsement from President Donald Trump is worth a lot in Republican primaries. But is it worth more than $100 million in Georgia? Can it propel a congressman past an insurgent outsider in Alabama? Can it transform a candidate into a front-runner in Oklahoma?

Trump has been at the center of this year’s midterm campaigns, and his influence will be tested in different ways Tuesday as four states and the District of Columbia hold primaries.

Among Democrats, the primaries will hinge on longstanding divides between progressives and moderates as the party tries to chart the best path forward to November.

Here’s the latest:

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Alabama GOP primary is latest test of Trump’s endorsements

The president’s endorsed candidates have mostly done well so far in the midterm primaries. But the open U.S. Senate race in Alabama will be another test of his endorsement power.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, a three-term congressman, faces former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson in the GOP runoff. Trump endorsed Moore early in the campaign, but he’s been forced into a heated race with Hudson, a political newcomer.

Hudson, borrowing a page from Trump’s original playbook, has tried to depict Moore as a political insider and has urged voters to send an outsider to Washington.

Trump held a telephone rally for Moore last week.

The candidates are seeking the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who’s running for governor. The winner will face the Democratic nominee in November.

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2 open races set off a political scramble in heavily Republican Oklahoma

GOP Gov. Kevin Stitt is term-limited, and former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin vacated his seat to replace Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.

Republican Alan Armstrong, an energy executive, is filling the U.S. Senate seat for now, but state law prohibits him from seeking a full term as an interim appointee.

Rep. Kevin Hern, a four-term congressman endorsed by Trump, is running against four other candidates of lesser profile in the Republican Senate primary.

The GOP primary for governor is more crowded, with nine names on the ballot, including several prominent Republicans. That could lead to an Aug. 25 runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote to win outright.

California special election will fill former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term after his resignation

The Democrat stepped down in April following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, and other accusations of sexual misconduct.

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Swalwell was a leading candidate for California governor at the time and dropped out of the race the same month. He has denied the allegations and said he will defend himself.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported that a woman accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her in 2019 and again in 2024. She told the outlet that she had been too intoxicated to consent.

Runoffs will decide GOP nominees for Senate and governor in Georgia

Tuesday’s elections are needed after no Republican won a majority to clinch the nominations in the May primary.

In the Senate race, Rep. Mike Collins, a second-term congressman who calls himself a “MAGA warrior,” and Derek Dooley, a first-time candidate and former football coach, are facing off. The winner will try to oust Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff in a key November contest. Trump endorsed Collins on Sunday.

The primary for governor pits Lt. Gov. Burt Jones against billionaire Rick Jackson. Trump endorsed Jones last August. The winner will face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, in November.

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Polls now open in Washington, DC

Voting is underway in one of the city’s most consequential primaries in a generation.

Democrats in the nation’s capital have not had a chance to vote for a new mayor and new delegate to Congress in the same election since 1990, when gas was cheaper than $1.35 a gallon and George H.W. Bush was president.



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Arkansas baseball adds All-Sun Belt third baseman Wills Maginnis from Georgia State | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas baseball adds All-Sun Belt third baseman Wills Maginnis from Georgia State | Whole Hog Sports





Arkansas baseball adds All-Sun Belt third baseman Wills Maginnis from Georgia State | Whole Hog Sports







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