Tag: A.M

  • Update: Lakeshore flood advisory for Alger County until 1 a.m. EST Tuesday


    On Monday at 3:38 a.m. EST the National Weather Service issued an updated lakeshore flood advisory valid from 4 p.m. EST until Tuesday 1 a.m. EST for Alger County.

    The weather service comments, “Minor lakeshore flooding expected.”

    “Some water on low-lying roads and property along the lakeshore,” explains the weather service. “Residents on or near the shore should take appropriate action to protect property from rising water levels.”

    Breaking down weather alerts: advisories, watches, and warnings

    • Flash flood warning: Take action!

    A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is either imminent or already occurring. In flood-prone areas, it’s crucial to move immediately to higher ground. A flash flood is a sudden and violent inundation that can develop within minutes to hours, and it can even happen in areas not currently experiencing rainfall.

    • Flood warning: Take action!

    A flood warning is declared when flooding is on the verge of happening or is already underway.

    • Flood advisory: Be aware:

    A flood advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

    • Flood watch: Be prepared:

    A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

    Weathering the storm: Flood safety guidelines from the weather service

    In flood-prone regions or while camping in low-lying areas, understanding and following the weather service flood safety guidelines can be a lifesaver:

    Seek higher ground:

    If you reside in a flood-prone region or are camping in low-lying terrain, the first step to safety is relocating to higher ground.

    Adhere to evacuation orders:

    When local authorities issue an evacuation order, promptly comply. Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.

    Disconnect utilities and appliances:

    If time permits, disconnect your utilities and appliances. This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.

    Avoid basements and submerged areas:

    Avoid basements or rooms submerged in water with electrical outlets or cords. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

    Swift evacuation for your safety:

    If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping, or popping sounds, evacuate without delay. Do not enter water that may carry an electrical charge.

    Refrain from walking in floodwaters:

    Never attempt to walk through floodwaters. Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.

    Seek high ground if trapped:

    Should you become trapped by moving water, reach the highest point possible and dial 911 to contact emergency services.

    When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. It is important to never attempt to drive through water on the road, regardless of how deep it appears. According to the weather service, as little as 12 inches of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles. Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.

    Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.



    Attention residents of Alger County,

    We wanted to provide you all with an important update regarding the lakeshore flood advisory that is currently in effect for our area. The National Weather Service has extended the advisory until 1 a.m. EST on Tuesday.

    Please continue to exercise caution near the lakeshore and be prepared for potential flooding in low-lying areas. Stay informed by monitoring local weather updates and be ready to take action if necessary.

    Your safety is our top priority, so please take this advisory seriously and make sure you are prepared for any potential flooding. Stay safe, Alger County!

    Tags:

    • Lakeshore flood advisory
    • Alger County
    • Michigan weather alert
    • Flood advisory update
    • Lakeshore flooding warning
    • Alger County flood advisory
    • Lakeshore flood update
    • Weather advisory for Alger County
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    • Michigan flood warning

    #Update #Lakeshore #flood #advisory #Alger #County #a.m #EST #Tuesday

  • Winter weather advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Friday

    Winter weather advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Friday


    Cold with some snow showers on the way for tonight/Friday. Getting colder for the weekend with heavier snow Sunday PM.

    WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 a.m. FRIDAY

    • THURSDAY: Flurries, mix of sun & clouds, cold, breezy, high 35.
    • TONIGHT: Snow showers, low 27.
    • FRIDAY: Morning snow showers then flurries, cloudy, breezy, high 32.
    • SATURDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy, breezy, high 25.
    • SUNDAY: Increasing clouds, snow late, high 27.
    • MONDAY: Snow showers, potentially a wintry mix to the south, high 28.
    • TUESDAY: Cloudy, high 26.
    • WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy, high 21.

    Good Thursday morning! We will have a mix of sun & clouds today with a few flurries. Morning temps are dipping into the 20s with wind chills in the teens, so dress warm. We will warm to a high around 35 this afternoon with clouds returning this evening. A quick clipper system will race across Ohio late this evening, tonight, and early Friday. Snowfall totals by daybreak Friday will be around 1”-2” for most of Central Ohio along with a few pockets higher/lower. A few lingering flurries or lake-effect snow showers are possible in the afternoon, to the north, thanks to winds out of the northwest.

    The weekend will start quiet then we get even more snow. Saturday morning the temps will be in the teens with wind chills in the single digits. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a high around 25. Increasing clouds on Sunday with a morning low in the teens again then warming to a high around 27. Snow arrives late Sunday afternoon and evening. This will be caused by a more robust winter storm expected to form in the Southern Plains and then race our direction. The center of low pressure looks to pass by just south of Ohio before it heads out to the East Coast. This would put the wintry mix in far Southern Ohio and Kentucky. Central Ohio is still projected to stay all snow with the current projections, but we will need to keep an eye on the track because if the storm shifts north then the ice will be a factor. If we stay all snow, then several inches are likely and currently it does look like the heaviest bands of snow will move across Ohio. The snow continues into Monday and should be done by Monday afternoon/evening. High temperature around 28 on Monday.

    Temps continue to get colder next week. Cloudy on Tuesday with a slim chance for flurries and a high around 26. Mostly cloudy Wednesday with a high around 21. Have a good one!



    Attention all residents: Winter weather advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Friday

    Please be advised that a winter weather advisory is currently in effect for our area until 10 a.m. Friday. The National Weather Service has forecasted a mix of snow and freezing rain, which could create hazardous road conditions and impact travel.

    We urge all residents to take precautions and stay safe during this time. Avoid unnecessary travel, allow extra time for your commute, and drive carefully if you must be on the roads.

    Please check local news and weather updates for the latest information on this winter weather advisory. Stay warm and stay safe!

    Tags:

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    • Snowstorm warning
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    • Cold weather alert
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    • Winter weather conditions

    #Winter #weather #advisory #effect #a.m #Friday

  • “We Are in Nowhere”: Luke Combs’ Wild Night in Rural Mexico Featuring Bikers, Bulls, and 3 a.m. Stirfry

    “We Are in Nowhere”: Luke Combs’ Wild Night in Rural Mexico Featuring Bikers, Bulls, and 3 a.m. Stirfry


    Country star Luke Combs might be a down-to-earth guy, generally speaking, but not even someone as humble and laidback as the “Fast Car” singer can help but find himself in some wild situations just by being a celebrity. One of those situations occurred in rural Mexico, leaving Combs to wonder if he was in mortal danger in a desolate beach town he called “nowhere desert.”

    Fortunately for Combs, he survived his rollercoaster of a work trip and got a few great stories to tell.

    Luke Combs Describes Wild Night in Rural Mexico

    During a June 2024 visit to the Joe Rogan Experience, Luke Combs described one of the wilder nights he’s had while visiting Mexico. As part of the country star’s deal with Columbia Sportswear, Combs, his manager, and three of his friends took a trip to Mexico for a Columbia photoshoot. Combs believed he was traveling to Cabo to fish for marlin with his pals while Columbia took photos of them in their sportswear. And while the last half was true, Combs et al. didn’t exactly end up in Cabo proper. 

    Instead, Combs’ driver began taking the crew outside Cabo and into what the musician called “nowhere desert.” Combs and his friends started to worry the driver was taking them to the wrong place—the first foreshadowing of the rest of the night’s events. In the end, everyone made it to the beach town safely, and Combs and his crew enjoyed a full day of fishing for marlin in their Columbia sportswear. After the Columbia representatives left, Combs and his posse settled into their lodging for the night: a small beach house built directly on the sand with hurricane-proof concrete furniture.

    The group sat around, playing guitar and swapping stories, when suddenly, Combs spotted a single headlight driving toward them from miles away. Their hackles were raised for the second time that day as they wondered if the person approaching them was dangerous. Eventually, the headlights (from an ATV) came directly to where the group sat and out walked a biker couple in their 60s from Minnesota.

    No, things didn’t get any less weird after that.

    The Country Star Showed Off His Down-to-Earth Attitude

    The older couple that came to pay Luke Combs and his friends a visit invited the group back to their place to smoke and drink. Combs admitted to Joe Rogan that the idea was “sketchy,” but he went along with it anyway, encouraging his friends to come, too. So, the group went down an empty, sandy path to the couple’s nearby beach house and began to imbibe. One of Combs’ friends asked the couple if they liked country music. Combs said the man replied, “‘Yeah, but I don’t like any of them new guys. They’re all sissies.’ My buddy’s like, ‘Yeah, there’s a couple guys that are pretty good, though.’”

    Combs’ friend pulled him aside and insisted he tell the couple who he was even if they didn’t recognize him because their grandchildren might. The country star said his buddy compared it to George Strait, saying that if that couple had hung out with Strait in their 20s, their grandparents would have loved to know, to which Combs replied, “Dude, I’m not George Strait, though.”

    Combs told the couple who he was and took a photo with them before heading back to their beach house. On the way back, the group encountered what would be their final and arguably scariest near-death experience: two rogue bulls wandering the street where they were walking. Combs and his friends hid behind a dumpster until the bulls passed them, after which they high-tailed it to the house. Once they got there, Combs’ manager, who had stayed behind, welcomed them in a relieved panic.

    The night ended with Combs’ manager whipping up a shrimp stirfry at 3 a.m. Not a bad work trip, all things considered.

    Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage





    Luke Combs had a night to remember in rural Mexico that could only be described as wild and unforgettable. The country singer found himself in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bikers, bulls, and a 3 a.m. stirfry that left him speechless.

    Combs was in Mexico for a private concert when he decided to explore the local nightlife with some newfound friends. What started as a casual night out quickly turned into a wild adventure as they stumbled upon a biker bar in the middle of nowhere.

    The bar was filled with leather-clad bikers who welcomed Combs and his friends with open arms. They drank tequila shots, danced to live music, and even tried their hand at riding the mechanical bull that was the centerpiece of the bar.

    As the night went on, Combs found himself in the kitchen of the bar at 3 a.m., cooking up a stirfry with whatever ingredients he could find. The dish may not have been gourmet, but it was certainly a memorable experience for the country singer.

    Despite being in the middle of nowhere, Combs felt right at home with the locals and their hospitality. He shared stories, laughed, and made memories that would last a lifetime.

    As the sun rose on the horizon, Combs realized that sometimes the best nights are the ones that happen when you least expect them. In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bikers, bulls, and a 3 a.m. stirfry, Luke Combs found a sense of freedom and adventure that he wouldn’t soon forget.

    Tags:

    Luke Combs, rural Mexico, bikers, bulls, 3 a.m. stirfry, Wild Night, country music, Luke Combs concert, Mexican culture, adventure, Luke Combs tour, late night adventure, Luke Combs fan experience

    #Luke #Combs #Wild #Night #Rural #Mexico #Featuring #Bikers #Bulls #a.m #Stirfry

  • Tornado Warning issued for metro Atlanta counties until 4:45 a.m. – WSB-TV Channel 2

    Tornado Warning issued for metro Atlanta counties until 4:45 a.m. – WSB-TV Channel 2


    ATLANTA — Across Metro Atlanta and north Georgia, people are bracing for strong storms overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning.

    There is a Tornado Warning for Coweta, Fayette, Meriwether, and Spalding counties until 4:45 a.m.

    The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for many Georgia counties until 9 a.m.

    That watch covers the following counties: Baldwin, Bibb, Bleckley, Butts, Carroll, Chattahoochee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, DeKalb, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Glascock, Greene, Gwinnett, Hancock, Haralson, Harris, Heard, Henry, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Paulding, Peach, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam, Rockdale, Schley, Spalding, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taliaferro, Taylor, Telfair, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walton, Warren, Washington, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox, Wilkes, and Wilkinson.

    Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Ashley Kramlich says a strong line of storms will be moving across Georgia between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday.

    That line brings with it a slight chance of damaging wind gusts and the possibility of brief spin-up tornadoes.

    A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Crawford, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, Talbot, and Upson counties. until 5 a.m.

    [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

    Those storms, Kramlich said, are expected to bring heavy rainfall and start moving into west Georgia around 3 a.m. and push into metro Atlanta just before dawn.

    According to Kramlich, this is the first severe storm system to threaten Metro Atlanta since Hurricane Helene on Sept. 27.

    The region has seen long stretches of calm weather, with only a trace of rain in all of October. That said, 2024 has so far been the 15th wettest year on record in north Georgia.

    Channel 2′s Bryan Mims spoke to Janasthisa DeJesus who lives in Buckhead and grew used to the uneventful weather forecasts.

    “I think it could be better,” she said of the Sunday forecast. “I’d rather more sunny days. It’s gloomy.”

    DeJesus spoke at a gas station along Peachtree Road in Buckhead, where vehicles were splashing through standing water Saturday evening.

    Peachtree Creek, which overflowed its banks during Helene, flowed calmly.

    The storm system overnight could cause flash flooding and topple trees and power lines.

    TRENDING STORIES:

    Chris Harper, who deliverers mail for the U.S. Post Office, said he doesn’t usually shy away from inclement weather, but he intends to stay dry on his day of rest.

    “I’m at home tomorrow,” he said. “So I’m good.”

    Emmanuel Park had the same idea. “Just staying off the road,” he said. “It’s the weekend. Just stay in.”

    [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

    Kramlich says that most of the rain will move out of the area by Sunday afternoon.

    Here’s what you need to know:

    • Thunderstorms possible overnight Saturday and into Sunday morning
    • Rain moves out by Sunday afternoon





    Tornado Warning issued for metro Atlanta counties until 4:45 a.m. – WSB-TV Channel 2

    Attention all residents of metro Atlanta: a Tornado Warning has been issued for several counties in the area. Please take shelter immediately and stay tuned to WSB-TV Channel 2 for updates and information on the storm’s progress.

    Stay safe and follow all emergency procedures. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this severe weather event. #AtlantaTornadoWarning #WSBTVChannel2 #StaySafe

    Tags:

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    3. Metro Atlanta Tornado Warning
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    5. Severe Weather Alert Atlanta
    6. WSB-TV Channel 2 Tornado Warning
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    #Tornado #Warning #issued #metro #Atlanta #counties #a.m #WSBTV #Channel

  • Tornado watch issued through 4 a.m. Sunday

    Tornado watch issued through 4 a.m. Sunday


    SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE: A tornado watch has been issued for a large portion of Alabama, mainly along and west of I-65, through 4 a.m. Sunday. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for severe weather, including tornadoes.

    The line of severe thunderstorms will be near the AL/MS border around 9:00p CT. It will advance eastward, reaching the Birmingham metro and I-65 around Midnight. It then rolls into East Alabama, then moving into Georgia around daybreak tomorrow.

    The main threat for Alabama will come from damaging straight line winds, but a few isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out.

    Be sure and pay attention to all warnings tonight, including severe thunderstorm warnings. A good bit of tree and power line damage is likely.

    SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: An outbreak of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes is forecast across parts of the southern U.S. over the next 18 hours.

    Some rain and a few storms are over far West Alabama early this afternoon, but nothing severe. Quite frankly this is a good thing in that rain like this can help to keep the air more stable when the main dynamics arrive tonight.

    Not much has changed in our thinking.

    *The greatest tornado threat (where a few strong, long-track tornadoes are possible), is in the level 4/5 threat area over LA/MS. But a few isolated tornadoes can’t be ruled out over Alabama, mainly the western counties, late this afternoon and early tonight.

    *The “main show” for Alabama will come late tonight and into the pre-dawn hours tomorrow as a line of storms accelerates through the state. The main concern is from damaging straight-line winds, perhaps up to 70 mph in spots. But an isolated tornado or two could be embedded in the line as it moves through.

    *The line should be near the AL/MS border around 9:00-10:00, then moving quickly to the east, reaching the Birmingham metro around 1-2 a.m. The storms will move out of East Alabama by daybreak Sunday for most communities. They should show a weakening trend as they move into the eastern counties, but some risk of damaging wind will persist.

    *The late-night/pre-dawn line will have the potential to produce a good bit of tree and power line damage; be sure and treat severe thunderstorm warnings seriously tonight.

    *Ahead of the line of storms tonight, gradient winds (not related to thunderstorms) will ramp up, gusting to 40 mph in spots.

    *Additional rain amounts of 1-2 inches are expected for much of Alabama through early tomorrow morning; for now, major flooding issues are not expected.

    CALL TO ACTION: Be sure you have a reliable way of getting warnings later today and tonight; a NOAA Weather Radio is the baseline for any home or business. On your phone, be sure and have emergency alerts enabled. Know the safe place in your home (small room, lowest floor, away from windows, and near the center of the house), and have a helmet for everyone (including adults)

    If you live in a mobile home, know the location of the nearest shelter (or business that can serve as a shelter), and how to get there quickly. Have transportation available.

    BE A HERO: If you are reading this, you pay attention to the weather. Take the time to share important weather information (especially tornado warnings) with family and friends with a text or phone call. You could be the only warning they get.

    REMEMBER: Having a severe weather threat in Alabama in late December is nothing unusual. Our tornado season runs from November through May. No need to be alarmed or anxious; just pay attention to warnings, have a plan, and we will get through this just fine together.



    Attention residents of the Midwest:

    A tornado watch has been issued for our area through 4 a.m. Sunday. Please stay vigilant and be prepared to take action if necessary. Keep an eye on the weather alerts and stay tuned to local news for updates. Stay safe and take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. Let’s all hope for the best and stay prepared for the worst. #TornadoWatch #StaySafe #MidwestWeather

    Tags:

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    • Tornado safety tips

    #Tornado #watch #issued #a.m #Sunday

  • Tornado watch issued; Safe Room opens at 9 a.m. in Natchez – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

    Tornado watch issued; Safe Room opens at 9 a.m. in Natchez – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper


    Tornado watch issued; Safe Room opens at 9 a.m. in Natchez

    Published 8:50 am Saturday, December 28, 2024

    NATCHEZ — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Adams County until further notice, said Dr. Neifa Hardy, a liaison for the City of Natchez with the Adams County Emergency Management Agency.

    Hardy said the Adams County Safe Room will open at 9 a.m. Saturday at 323 Liberty Road, Natchez.

    According to the National Weather Service in Jackson, a tornado watch is in effect for Southwest Mississippi, including Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Claiborne, Warren, and Wilkinson counties and Concordia, Catahoula, and Tensas counties in Louisiana.

    The National Weather Service forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms likely today, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 74. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.

    For Saturday night, showers are likely, and possibly, a thunderstorm before 9 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 54. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

    Sunday’s forecast is for sunny skies with a high near 66. Sunday night should be clear, with calm winds and a low of 48.



    Attention Natchez residents: A tornado watch has been issued for our area. Please stay alert and be prepared to seek shelter if necessary.

    The Safe Room will be opening at 9 a.m. for anyone in need of a secure location during the storm. Please take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety.

    Stay tuned to Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper for updates on the weather situation. Our team is here to keep you informed and safe during this potentially dangerous weather event.

    Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Take care, Natchez!

    Tags:

    tornado watch, safe room, Natchez, Mississippi, community newspaper, emergency preparedness, weather alert

    #Tornado #watch #issued #Safe #Room #opens #a.m #Natchez #Mississippis #Community #Newspaper

  • A.M. ATL:  Rates still rising

    A.M. ATL: Rates still rising


    Morning, y’all! Expect high temperatures around 70, with a chance of rain and some scattered storms this afternoon.

    Get ready for a look inside Atlanta’s soon-to-open Public Safety Training Center, Donald Trump’s latest Georgia-based nomination — and the Falcons’ bold move at quarterback. Plus reader submitted book recommendations!

    But first: light bills a-blazing.

    ***

    UP IN SMOKE

    The cost overruns for Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro has contributed to Georgia Power rate increases.

    Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

    icon to expand image

    Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

    Good gracious, y’all. They’re doing it again.

    The state Public Service Commission unanimously approved yet another Georgia Power rate hike for folks like you and me. Starting Jan. 1, we’ll see our monthly electricity bills jump about 3.5% — or a little less than six bucks, on the average.

    In and of itself? That’s just kind of annoying.

    But the bigger picture is approaching bank-breaking territory, if it’s not already there.

    • As my esteemed AJC colleague Drew Kann reports, the hike that got green-lighted Tuesday is the sixth since the start of 2023.
    • Overall, the average residential customer stands to pay $43 more per month than they were just two years ago.

    I’m making fuzzy-number estimates here — but that equates to darn near a 33% total increase. Even Commissioner Bubba McDonald suggested execs at Georgia Power and its revenue relishing parent, Southern Company, “suck it up a little bit.”

    (He then voted for the increase anyway, of course.)

    To be clear: Some of these rate hikes have been your garden variety annual increases. Others are tied to rising fuel prices and the enormous cost overruns associated with Plant Vogtle’s nuclear reactors.

    • And we’re not out of the woods yet!

    By the summer, we’ll know how much Georgia Power will charge for the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene.

    Which left thousands of people without, you know, electricity. But I suppose that’s neither here nor there.

    Not signed up yet? What’re you waiting for? Get A.M. ATL in your inbox each weekday morning. And keep scrolling for more news.

    ***

    FEELING PEACHY

    Republican electors Jenny Eckman (left) and Denise Burns high five after casting their votes for Donald Trump and JD Vance at the Georgia state Capitol.

    Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

    icon to expand image

    Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

    Several hours after Georgia’s 16 Republican electors formally cast their votes for Donald Trump, the president-elect announced plans to appoint Herschel Walker — the former UGA football star and failed U.S. Senate candidate — as his ambassador to the Bahamas.

    Which seems like a pretty plum gig, if you can get confirmed.

    ***

    STILL CHUGGING ALONG

    A Fulton County judge sentenced Shannon Stillwell, a former defendant in the “Young Slime Life” gang and racketeering case, to probation and five years banishment from metro Atlanta on Tuesday.

    • A trial for the case’s remaining defendants is tentatively set for February — and both sides expect it to go much more quickly than the record-breaking first installment.

    ***

    COLUMNIST CORNER

    » Bill Torpy weighs in on Georgia’s prison crisis (sorry, commissioner), calling it a reflection of our collective inhumanity.

    » Nedra Rhone, meanwhile, riffs on the recent legal wrangling over cancer-causing hair relaxers — and says it’s important for those companies to face accountability.

    ***

    EYEING AN OPENING

    Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith speaks in front of the Public Safety Training Center's fire tower, which will help firefighters practice flame-battling techniques.

    Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

    icon to expand image

    Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

    After more than three years of controversy, the death of a protester and tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, Atlanta’s Public Safety Training Center is set to open soon.

    The AJC’s Riley Bunch got a tour of the new facility in South DeKalb, which includes training sites for police and fire personnel.

    ***

    THE A.M. ATL BOOK CLUB

    After revealing the AJC’s best Southern books of 2024, I asked y’all to offer some reading recs of your own (Southern or not, published this year or not, didn’t matter). Here’s a quick sampling of the submissions!

    Tyler’s two cents: Everyone seems to love “The Women,” which is historical fiction about nurses during the Vietnam War; I haven’t read “The Demon of Unrest,” but Larson is a nonfiction genius; and “Demon Copperhead,” a modern Southern retelling of “David Copperfield,” is truly excellent.

    ***

    PENIX TIME

    Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. warms up before the team's September game against the Chiefs.

    Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP

    icon to expand image

    Credit: Brynn Anderson/AP

    The Falcons still have a path to the playoffsand they’re changing starting quarterbacks.

    Head coach Raheem Morris announced the move to rookie Michael Penix Jr. less than 24 hours after Kirk Cousins’ latest dismal performance, calling it “a football decision.” As opposed to one based on Cousins’ big ol’ contract, presumably.

    Columnist Michael Cunningham says it’s the right choice.

    ***

    EAT YOUR FEELINGS

    West Egg Cafe closes Dec. 29, ending a 20-year run of providing breakfast, brunch and community to Atlanta’s Westside. But you can keep the memories alive with recipes for West Egg classics like churro waffles, fried chicken hash and black bean cakes!

    ***

    MORE TO EXPLORE

    » Atlanta’s tallest tower snags a law firm tenant

    » Justice Department sues city of Brunswick over homeless shelter

    » Georgia man sentenced for assaulting police in Jan. 6 riot

    » TLC, Teddy Swims, Megan Moroney on Seacrest’s New Year’s Eve show

    ***

    ON THIS DATE

    Dec. 18, 1903

    Man can fly! The brothers in Kitty Hawk have proven it so!

    OK, so those weren’t The Atlanta Journal’s exact words about the Wright brothers’ historic plane flight. But the paper was pretty jazzed: “The machine flew for three miles in the face of a wind blowing at the registered velocity of 21 miles an hour, and then gracefully descended to earth at the spot selected by the man in the navigator’s car as a suitable landing place.”

    ajc.com

    Credit: File photo

    icon to expand image

    Credit: File photo

    ***

    PHOTO OF THE DAY

    ajc.com

    Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

    icon to expand image

    Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

    AJC photographer Miguel Martinez captured the Renaissance-y scene at a recent Bartow County planning commission meeting discussing a possible quarry at the 14,000-acre Pine Log wildlife area. Residents worry attempts to conserve the site are a “pipe dream.”

    ***

    ONE MORE THING

    Tell your kids or grandkids that “Bluey” — that lovable cartoon dog from Down Under — is getting her own movie. For real life!

    ***

    Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at tyler.estep@ajc.com.

    Until next time.





    Hey Atlanta early birds, it’s time for your A.M. ATL update!

    Unfortunately, we have some not-so-great news to report today. Rates are still on the rise in our beloved city. Whether you’re filling up your gas tank, grabbing a cup of coffee, or paying for groceries, you may notice that things are getting a bit more expensive.

    But don’t worry, Atlanta. We’re a resilient bunch, and we’ll get through this together. Keep an eye on your budget, look for deals and discounts, and remember to support local businesses whenever you can.

    Stay strong, stay positive, and let’s keep pushing forward. We’ve got this, A.M. ATL! #ATLstrong #RisingRates #SupportLocal

    Tags:

    1. A.M. ATL
    2. Atlanta rates
    3. Rising rates
    4. Financial trends
    5. Economic growth
    6. Rate increases
    7. Atlanta economy
    8. Market analysis
    9. Business news
    10. Atlanta financial update

    #A.M #ATL #Rates #rising

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