ATLANTA – Zoo Atlanta was evacuated Saturday afternoon due to a hoax threat, according to Atlanta police.

What we know:

The Atlanta Police department said officers determined the call was “false.”

FOX 5’s Annie Mapp was at the zoo and spoke with visitors who said they were denied entry and told that the facility had been evacuated.

Mapp reported seeing staff members sitting outside the zoo gate and a heavy police presence in the area. K9 officers were also spotted outside Savannah Hall.

What they’re saying:

Zoo Atlanta released the following statement: 

“Zoo Atlanta received a bomb threat late this afternoon. While this may be the latest in a series of unsubstantiated threats made to organizations around the U.S. in recent weeks, out of an extreme abundance of caution, all Members, guests, and Zoo team members were safely evacuated from Zoo grounds. Law enforcement responded quickly and has confirmed the Zoo is safe.”

What we don’t know:

The exact nature of the hoax has not been released. 

FOX 5 is working to learn more about the situation and has reached out to officials for additional information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The VA of Augusta held a hiring fair Saturday to recruit health care workers as part of efforts to improve veteran care.

Leaders said staffing has improved over the last two years, with the vacancy rate now down to 12%.

The hiring fair comes as medical students are graduating and the VA of Augusta works to rebuild trust and its workforce.

“So we want to afford them an opportunity to join our team, you know, as they enhance or start their new, embark on their new careers,” said James Doelling, interim executive director at VA Augusta Healthcare System. “But we’re also looking for seasoned people, somebody that’s looking for a change. And to me, be part of the most noble mission there is, caring for our nation’s heroes. Those people that have served us, it’s time for them to be served and get the best care anywhere.”

The Augusta VA has a four-star rating from Medicare.

Join us Monday, May 18, in Washington, DC and states across the nation for a Moral Monday Peace and Nonviolence Rally outside the White House.

Repairers of the Breach is organizing clergy, impacted people, faith leaders, advocates, and people of moral conscience to gather in prophetic public witness against war, systemic racism, militarism, poverty, voter suppression, environmental injustice, attacks on immigrants and LGBTQ people, and the false moral narrative of religious nationalism.

This Moral Monday action comes one day after the White House’s planned “Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise, & Thanksgiving” gathering. During Monday’s action, nationally recognized clergy and moral leaders will publicly challenge the distorted theology being used to justify war, attacks on democracy, and policy violence against poor and vulnerable people.

Grounded in the prophetic traditions of justice, truth-telling, nonviolence, and solidarity with the poor, clergy leaders will preach publicly in the streets near the White House before hundreds gathered in person and thousands more joining online across more than 20 livestream and social media platforms.

Bishop William J. Barber II, President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach, will lead the gathering alongside nationally recognized bishops, rabbis, pastors, imams, faith organizers, impacted people, and moral advocates from across the country.

We gather because our nation continues to spend billions on war while communities struggle for healthcare, housing, education, living wages, environmental protection, and voting rights. We believe faith must never be used to sanctify destruction, injustice, or extremism.

Join us for public prayer, testimony, preaching, songs, and disciplined nonviolent moral witness.