Author: Emily Miller

Cold weather has brought familiar wings back to the South. But this year, the seasonal movement of birds is unfolding under a darker cloud, as scientists track a stubborn rise in avian influenza across Georgia’s wild populations. As autumn slips into winter, hundreds of bird species leave the frozen edges of North America and funnel south. Lakes, fields, power lines, backyards — suddenly they’re busy again. For birdwatchers, it’s a…

Several Hardee’s locations across Georgia are caught in a wider shutdown rippling through the fast-food chain’s footprint, after a legal fight with one of its largest franchise operators ended with dozens of restaurants closing their doors, sometimes without much warning. A lawsuit that quickly turned into locked doors The trouble traces back to a lawsuit filed by Hardee’s against ARC Burger, a major franchisee backed by High Bluff Capital Partners.…

In a surprising turn for Georgia politics, former state Senator John Kennedy has resigned from his Middle Georgia seat to chase a bigger role as lieutenant governor. This move has sparked a special election with six hopefuls stepping up, including five Republicans and one Democrat, all set to compete in Senate District 18 early next year. The district covers Crawford, Monroe, Peach, and Upson counties, plus parts of Bibb and…

Fresh leaks are stirring the pot around Samsung’s next flagship lineup. The Galaxy S26 Plus, long seen as the middle child, may be about to grow up fast. A bigger screen, magnetic charging, and subtle camera changes are suddenly on the table, shaking earlier expectations. Early chatter around the Galaxy S26 line sounded calm, even boring. Same sizes, same cameras, small refinements. Now that tone feels off. A new leak…

Georgia’s rivers are calling, and this time, they’re giving people plenty of notice. Georgia Rivers has opened registration for its spring 2026 events, offering paddlers, anglers, and first-timers a chance to lock in plans well ahead of the new year. Georgia Rivers released its full canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and fishing schedule for 2026, and interest is already building. Registration for spring weekend adventures and day trips officially opened Monday, Dec.…

Stop babying a potato for an hour. A fast hybrid method — microwave first, air fryer second — is turning out fluffy, steakhouse-style baked potatoes in about 12 minutes flat, right when holiday kitchens need all the help they can get. The holiday cooking clock is broken, and potatoes are proof Holiday cooking has a funny way of stretching time. You think you’ve planned it all. Then the oven’s full,…