Georgia

Safety KJ Bolden on freshman season with Georgia football and one area he wants to improve

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2025

Press Room

Safety KJ Bolden on freshman season with Georgia football and one area he wants to improve

KJ Bolden’s flip from Florida State to Georgia football was a big splash for the Bulldogs’ 2024 signing class.

Landing the 5-star rated safety boosted the secondary and was notable because Bolden played at Buford High where the Bulldogs had seen recruits often get away.

So, Bolden was asked, did he expect to have as big of a role as he did in his freshman season?

“Honestly, I didn’t know,” Bolden told the Athens Banner-Herald before Georgia’s 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. “Honestly, I just came in with a great mindset. A working mindset and mentality. Opportunity kind of approached me. Going in every day trying to learn the playbook and learn from the older guys. Once the opportunity was kind of there for me, I kind of wanted to take it.”

Bolden was the second highest graded Georgia defensive player by Pro Football Focus after defensive lineman Christen Miller, who announced Monday he’s returning for a fourth Georgia season.

“There’s so much more beyond covering people, leveraging the ball, understanding the defense,” defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann said. “There’s an amount of pressure that goes into that. And there’s nothing that can simulate being out there in live games. Lights everywhere, cameras, packed stadiums. I just think his poise and his composure in those moments has grown as he’s gained experience. He’s obviously a talented individual and he’s earned the right to be out there. But he’s made some really big plays and I think he’s just a calmer demeanor.”

Perhaps no play was bigger for the 6-foot, 185-pound Bolden than his open-field tackle on running back Quintrevion Wisner for a tackle for loss in overtime in the SEC Championship win over Texas.

“The open field tackle was cool, but it was just winning the game,” he said. “The tackle was pretty phenomenal for sure, but just winning the game and getting to celebrate with my teammates was definitely the moment I dreamed of for sure.”

Bolden averaged 39.4 snaps per game, allowing Starks to play in the slot and in the box.

“His growth is crazy,” said Starks, who announced Monday as expected he’s leaving Georgia for the NFL Draft. “From when he first got here in the spring to now, he’s just continued to grow.”

Coach Kirby Smart said Bolden showed confidence in making his checks and is “extremely smart” for a player his age.

“KJ has great instincts,” Smart said. “He’s gotten more confident as a player. …He played a lot of snaps for a freshman. He continues to grow and get better. I like his humility.”

Bolden had a chance to learn from Starks, an All-American as a sophomore, and veteran safety Dan Jackson.

Bolden finished the season fifth on the Bulldogs in tackles with 59 while playing every game and starting against Florida and Tennessee. He also had an interception and two tackles for loss.

Bolden has learned from Starks, who he called a phenomenal player and great leader.

“He comes to practice every day 102 percent ready to work. He’s a great role model. You just watch Malaki, you won’t see him do one bad thing. He’s a great decision-maker. Just getting watch him every day, Dan and those type of guys, getting to play with them, it’s definitely been amazing this season.”

Starks was named a freshman All-American by On3. His interception came in the win over Mississippi State but he pointed out he had two other would be interceptions that he dropped.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Next year, I’m going to get them back.”

Source link

Click to comment

Georgia

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

Published

7 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

Source link

Georgia

West Nile infections starting to raise concerns in Georgia

Published

17 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.

Source link

Georgia

Travel and Leisure listed unique experiences in each state, including GA

Published

1 day 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.”

Find vacation discounts with Groupon

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.”