Connect with us

Georgia

Through the Lens: 21st Annual Georgia Classic – University of Georgia Athletics

Published

on

Through the Lens: 21st Annual Georgia Classic – University of Georgia Athletics


ATHENS, Ga. – This past weekend, I had the opportunity to cover all of Georgia’s games in the 21st Annual Georgia Classic. 

With our team coming off an impressive weekend at the Clearwater Invitational in Florida, I was excited to be out at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens.

As a photographer, it is part of my job to show the action during the game, but also the moments before and after. This image of Sydney Kuma and Sara Mosley is the perfect example of a quiet moment between teammates before the intensity of competition starts. Another part of my job is to stay out of the way and the mirrorless cameras I use allow me to take photos silently which is very helpful when being close to a moment like this.

In this photo, Ellie Armistead prepares to step off the base before a pitch is thrown. When I am covering any sporting event, I always try to show how close I am to the action with detailed photos like this one. The 70-200 telephoto lens I use allows me to zoom in really close to focus on details nobody else can see. 

After a few innings, I like to get out of my position in the dugout and walk around to find a different angle or perspective. It was a beautiful day on Saturday and this photo shows that while also showing the support of the fans for our team.

 

When capturing the action of a game, there can be a lot of obstacles that get in the way of focusing your camera. This photo of Rachel Gibson pitching is cleaned up by taking an overhead angle behind home plate.

Advertisement

Whenever I am covering Georgia softball, I am always prepared for home runs. I prefer to focus on the emotion and joy of the batter rounding the bases instead of the moment the bat hits the ball. This photo of Jayda Kearney rounding third to celebrate with her coach and teammates is one of my favorites from the weekend.

With a 16-35 wide angle lens, I am able to take photos that have a perspective closer to what the human eye sees. For this photo, I crouched down for a lower angle to emphasize the focus of the photo which was Madison Kerpics running out to the pitcher’s circle.

Sara Mosley capped off the weekend with an outstanding performance at the plate on Sunday. She went 3-for-3 with two home runs and drove in five of Georgia’s eight runs. I like this photo of her celebration after her second home run because it shows more emotion than her first. Even during a game where the same thing happens twice, a small change in someone’s reaction can make a big difference for the final photo.

I am certain there will be a lot more moments like this throughout the season. Softball is always a blast to photograph and I am looking forward to the rest of an exciting season.

# @UGAsoftball #



Source link

Georgia

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia

Published

on

Why Southern Living is spotlighting serene coastal escape in Georgia


play

A quiet stretch of the Georgia coast is back in the national spotlight.

In a recent feature, Southern Living highlighted the Golden Isles as one of the South’s most serene escapes, praising the region’s undeveloped marshes, barrier islands and slower pace compared to other East Coast beach destinations.

Advertisement

Located roughly halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, the Golden Isles include Brunswick, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons Island.

Here’s what to know.

What makes Georgia’s Golden Isles different?

Unlike more densely developed beach towns in neighboring states, Georgia’s coastline is defined by tidal creeks, salt marshes and wide stretches of protected land.

“The coast of Georgia is quite different than the shores of North Carolina or South Carolina,” Southern Living wrote. “It’s wilder and quieter, and it’s much less populated with beach towns.”

While the islands offer modern resorts and vacation homes, much of the natural character remains intact.

Advertisement

One of the most photographed spots is Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, known for its haunting remains of a maritime forest scattered along the shoreline.

Where are visitors staying?

The publication pointed to several well-known properties across the islands:

  • The Cloister at Sea Island
  • Jekyll Island Club Resort
  • St. Simons Island: The Grey Owl Inn and the St. Simons Lighthouse.

Little St. Simons Island, accessible only by boat, was highlighted for its all-inclusive lodge and thousands of acres of protected marshland and upland habitat.

What can you do in the Golden Isles?

Southern Living emphasized simple, immersive experiences:

Advertisement
  • Biking under live oaks
  • Kayaking through marsh creeks
  • Horseback riding along the beach
  • Watching sunsets over the water.

Public beaches like East Beach on St. Simons Island remain open to visitors, while golf courses on Jekyll Island and St. Simons offer year-round play.

The region’s history also plays a major role. Visitors can climb the St. Simons Lighthouse, explore historic districts in Brunswick or learn about Gullah Geechee heritage through local organizations.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/georgias-golden-isles-11906085.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Georgia

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering $2B in Georgia tax relief

Published

on

Gov. Kemp signs amended FY 2026 budget, delivering B in Georgia tax relief


Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp on Tuesday signed HB 973, the amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

The amended budget includes $2 billion in income and property tax relief, alongside investments in education, public safety, mental health, transportation and rural development.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones praised Gov. Kemp, saying the budget…

“Makes critical investments in middle-class families, mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation and Georgia’s veterans community.”

Key allocations in the amended budget include:

Advertisement
  • Education and Workforce Development: $325 million to endow the DREAMS Scholarship, a new needs-based scholarship program; $6 million for a Career Navigator tool; and funding for new and expanded programs at University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia institutions.
  • Public Safety: $150 million for Department of Corrections bed space, $9.7 million for additional corrections officers, $15 million for a new K-9 training facility, and $50 million to help communities address homelessness, including among veterans.
  • Mental Health: $409 million to design and construct a new Georgia Regional Hospital to expand mental health bed capacity.
  • Transportation: More than $1.6 billion to extend and expand I-75 express lanes in Henry County; $185 million for SR 316 interchange conversions; $100 million for rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement; and $250 million for local maintenance and improvement grants.
  • Rural Georgia: $15 million for rural site development grants; $35 million for a new natural gas infrastructure program; and $8.9 million for the Georgia Forestry Innovation Initiative.

Governor Kemp says the state’s conservative budgeting approach has allowed Georgia to provide tax relief while making “generational investments.”



Source link

Continue Reading

Georgia

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’

Published

on

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’


Middle Georgia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has issued a statement regarding the U.S. and Israel’s joint strikes on Iran over the weekend.

According to other WGXA articles, based on reports as of early March 2026, the United States and Israel have launched major, coordinated military operations against Iran, labeled in reports as “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Midnight Hammer”. This follows months of failed nuclear negotiations and escalating regional tensions.

RELATED | Hegseth insists US-Israel strikes on Iran are ‘not Iraq, not endless’

WGXA asked Middle Georgia DSA, the largest activist organization in Middle Georgia, for their opinions on the strikes, and they responded with this:

Advertisement

The strikes on Iran, carried out by the United States and Israel, mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal act of aggression. The Iranian people do not deserve to live in fear of American bombs and of the instability of regime change. Americans do not want our tax dollars and the lives of our people to be wasted on opening up a new war in the Middle East, or on bombing girls’ elementary schools. We want relief from the affordability crisis. We want peace. Middle Georgia DSA unequivocally condemns these attacks and any politicians who cannot do the same. We do not want this, we do not deserve this.

DSA added that they are not currently planning any protests at this time, and that they “remain focused on improving the conditions of people who live within our communities directly, and do not feel a protest is the best strategy to deliver on that.”

Middle Georgia DSA condemns U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, calls escalation ‘illegal’, March 2, 2026 (Image is meant to say 2026 instead of 2025, Courtesy of GCSU Mutual Aid)

However, GCSU Mutual Aid, a grassroots, community-led initiative focused on collective care and resource sharing within the Milledgeville and broader Middle Georgia area. While not an official department of Georgia College & State University (GCSU), it frequently operates in coordination with student-led groups and local residents to address gaps in traditional social safety nets.

RELATED | GCSU encourages peaceful expression ahead of national ICE walkout

GCSU Mutual Aid is planning a protest for Wednesday, where they will be “Marching for Democracy” in retaliation to recent events in the U.S.

Advertisement
Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Stick with WGXA as we keep you ready for what’s next.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending