Meimei Xu

Georgia Head Start parents, educators keep advocating after program avoids federal elimination for now Though Head Start, a free, federally funded child care program, is no longer facing complete elimination, Georgia parents and advocates say the fight to preserve Head Start is far from over.

The Trump administration received backlash after media reports of funding cuts to Head Start in drafts of the White House budget proposal.

The final proposal did not include these cuts, but Georgia advocates say the fight to preserve the child care program is not over. www.wabe.org/georgia-head...

Cuts to SNAP-Ed in Trump’s tax bill may affect long-term health, Georgia advocates say A massive tax package contains federal cuts to a program that provides nutrition and lifestyle education to families on SNAP benefits.

A massive tax package touted by President Donald Trump contains federal cuts to a program that provides nutrition and lifestyle education to families on Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. www.wabe.org/cuts-to-snap...

Georgia enacts child tax credit increase and extra $250 for children under 6 Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill Tuesday to give Georgians a new $250 tax credit for each child under age six starting next year. In addition, the law increases the amount of tax credit that Geor...

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill Tuesday to give Georgians a new $250 tax credit for each child under age six starting next year. The law also increases the tax credit for child and dependent care expenses from a 30% to 50% match of the federal credit.
www.wabe.org/georgia-enac...

City Schools of Decatur board reinstates equity policies after judges halt Trump DEI ban in schools The City Schools of Decatur board is bringing back equity policies after it previously voted to rescind them to comply with a directive from the Trump administration.

The City Schools of Decatur Board of Education is bringing back equity policies after it previously voted to rescind them to comply with a directive from the Trump administration to remove DEI policies or face the elimination of federal funds. #gapol www.wabe.org/city-schools...

Georgia university system board approves 2025-2026 tuition, consolidation of Georgia Southern and East Georgia State College The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents voted Tuesday on the 2025-2026 academic year tuition rates and to consolidate Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College.

University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents voted to consolidate Georgia Southern University and East Georgia State College Tuesday. It still needs approval from SACSCOC.

The board also set flat in-state tuition rates but increased out-of-state and country rates.
www.wabe.org/georgia-univ...

Georgia bills restricting DEI policies, explicit library materials failed, but lawmaker determined to pass in 2026 Two of highly contested state education bills — which would withhold state funding for schools with DEI policies and bar librarians from allowing minors to access explicit content — are not moving for...

Two highly contested Georgia education bills — which would withhold state funding for schools promoting DEI and bar librarians from allowing minors to access explicit content — did not pass this year. But a lawmaker behind the bills plans to push for them in 2026. #gapol www.wabe.org/contested-ge...

A Georgia anti-DEI bill advances despite contentious filibuster by Democrats As the clock neared midnight Wednesday, Georgia Democratic state senators filed 20 amendments and several motions to protest and delay a bill that withholds state funding from schools and universities...

Georgia Democratic state senators filed 20 amendments and several motions to protest and delay a bill that withholds state funding from schools and universities with programs and policies that promote DEI.

HB 127, however, still advanced on party lines. #gapol www.wabe.org/a-georgia-an...

Georgia state senators bring back a stalled bill mirroring Trump efforts to curb DEI in schools A Georgia State Senate committee has passed a substitute that guts a teacher sick leave increase bill and replaces it with language from a stalled bill that would withhold state funding for public sch...

A Georgia State Senate committee has passed a substitute measure that guts a teacher sick leave increase bill and replaces it with language from a stalled bill that would withhold state funding for public schools with DEI programs and policies. #gapol www.wabe.org/georgia-stat...

How closing the US Education Department will impact Georgia Following President Donald Trump’s executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, teacher and student organizations in Georgia are figuring out how to move forward.

Teacher and student organizations in Georgia are trying to figure out what President Donald Trump's recent executive order calling for the closure of the US Department of Education means for schools in the state.
www.wabe.org/how-closing-...

Georgia Senate passes bill removing legal protection for libraries providing 'explicit' materials to minors Georgia state senators passed a Republican-backed bill that could open up librarians to misdemeanor charges for allowing minors to access explicit or "harmful" materials.

Georgia state senators passed a Republican-backed bill that could open up librarians to misdemeanor charges for allowing minors to access explicit or “harmful” materials.
www.wabe.org/georgia-sena...

Bill addressing student chronic absenteeism unanimously passes Georgia Senate Georgia state senators unanimously passed a bill Wednesday intended to address chronic absenteeism, which refers to when students miss 10% or more of the school year.

Georgia state senators unanimously passed a bill Wednesday intended to address chronic absenteeism, which refers to when students miss 10% or more of the school year. #gapol www.wabe.org/bill-address...

Democrats, advocates urge Georgia AG to drop out of lawsuit they say could affect disability accommodations Democratic legislators, disability advocates and parents are saying that a move by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr to block a Biden administration rule could strip federal disability accommodation...

Democratic legislators and advocates are protesting Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's decision to sign the state onto a lawsuit to block a Biden rule classifying gender dysphoria as a disability. Advocates say the suit could strip federal disability protections. www.wabe.org/democrats-ad...

Gwinnett County school board fires Superintendent Calvin Watts The Gwinnett County Board of Education ended Superintendent Calvin Watts' contract prematurely by a vote of 3-2 on Friday.

Update: Board Chair Adrienne Simmons wrote in a statement that "new leadership is needed at the helm" to achieve the board's vision, "which entails looking forward and not solely backward." A national search for superintendent will take place.
www.wabe.org/gwinnett-cou...

City of Atlanta will opt out of statewide limit on property tax increases to keep local base freeze The City of Atlanta intends to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption, which limits annual property tax increases by freezing property values based on a yearly assessment of consumer price i...

The City of Atlanta intends to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption — which limits property tax increases by freezing property values based on a yearly assessment of consumer price index — in order to maintain the existing local exemption. For WABE News: www.wabe.org/city-of-atla...

Gwinnett board of education prematurely ends Superintendent Calvin Watts' contract The Gwinnett County Board of Education ended Superintendent Calvin Watts' contract prematurely by a vote of 3-2 on Friday.

The Gwinnett County Board of Education ended Superintendent Calvin Watts’ contract prematurely by a vote of 3-2 on Friday. For WABE News: www.wabe.org/gwinnett-boa...

Metro Atlanta school districts plan to opt out of homestead tax exemption. Here's a full list of public hearing dates Major metro Atlanta school districts are intending to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption, which puts a cap on yearly property tax increases. Here is our full list of public hearings resi...

Major metro Atlanta school districts intend to opt out of the statewide homestead tax exemption, which will cap yearly property tax increases. Many of them have cited concerns about a decrease in school funding. Here are some of the upcoming public hearings: www.wabe.org/metro-atlant...

Georgia Democratic leaders plan to challenge Gov. Kemp's legislative proposals this session After Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address on Georgia's achievements and his legislative goals, state Democratic leaders are preparing to advance their priorities as...

After Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address on Georgia’s achievements and his legislative goals, state Democratic leaders are preparing to push back on tort reform, medical insurance and details of the governor’s school safety proposals. www.wabe.org/georgia-demo...

Georgia State Sen. Colton Moore arrested for attempting to enter House chambers after he was banned Georgia State Patrol officers arrested Republican Georgia state Sen. Colton Moore for trying to enter the House chambers after House Speaker Jon Burns banned him from the floor.

Georgia State Patrol officers arrested Republican Georgia State Sen. Colton Moore on Thursday for trying to enter the House chambers after House Speaker Jon Burns banned him from the floor. Moore is being processed for misdemeanor obstruction at the Fulton County Jail. www.wabe.org/georgia-stat...

Georgia Gov. Kemp proposes additional $50 million in school safety funds after Apalachee shooting Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proposed an additional allocation of $50 million in one-time funds toward school safety grants on Monday amid widespread calls for increased safety funding after a school shoot...

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp proposed an additional allocation of $50 million in one-time funds toward school safety grants on Monday amid calls for increased security measures after a Barrow County school shooting in September.

I report:
www.wabe.org/georgia-gov-...

Metro Atlanta schools closing due to winter weather on Friday School districts around metro Atlanta are closing ahead of the predicted winter weather on Friday, with some schools switching to remote work.

School districts around metro Atlanta are closing ahead of the predicted winter weather on Friday, with some schools switching to remote work. www.wabe.org/metro-atlant...

A proposed Georgia deepfake election interference law could return As the legislative session approaches in Georgia, some lawmakers are looking to target disinformation and misinformation, including a revamp of a previously failed bill criminalizing the use of deepfa...

As the legislative session approaches in Georgia, some lawmakers are looking to target disinformation and misinformation, including a revamp of a failed bill criminalizing the use of deepfakes to influence elections. Here's the debate surrounding this legislation.
www.wabe.org/a-proposed-g...

10 local shops around metro Atlanta to find holiday gifts If you’re tired of big box gift ideas, here is a list of local stores around metro Atlanta where you can find stocking stuffers for the holidays.

If you're shopping for holiday gifts in Atlanta this weekend, consider giving these local shops a visit!
www.wabe.org/10-local-sho...

A record 3.7 million Georgia travelers projected for the holidays Georgians will break traveling records for the holidays this year, AAA projects.

Georgians will travel in record-breaking numbers during the holidays this year.

AAA projects that 3.7 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles from home from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1 this year, beating last year’s record of 3.6 million.
www.wabe.org/a-record-3-7...

Two Jimin songs land on Atlanta's 2024 top 5 most streamed Spotify songs Jimin's "Who" and "Like Crazy" took first and fifth place for Atlanta listeners for the 2024 edition of Spotify Wrapped.

BTS Jimin’s “Who” and “Like Crazy” took 1st and 5th place for most streamed songs in 2024 on Spotify for Atlanta listeners, though he wasn't on US or global top 10 lists. #BTS #Jimin #kpop #atlanta
www.wabe.org/two-jimin-so...

Georgia lawmakers propose sweeping AI policies, privacy and ethics laws Georgia lawmakers are recommending that all state bodies, cities, counties and school systems create “comprehensive” policies to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Georgia lawmakers are recommending the creation of “comprehensive” AI policies for all state bodies, cities, counties and school systems. The report by the Georgia Senate Study Committee on AI also supports criminalizing disinformation spread by AI. #gapol www.wabe.org/georgia-lawm...

School board member Eshé Collins wins runoff election for Atlanta City Council seat Metro Atlanta residents returned to the polls Tuesday for runoff elections for six races in the City of Atlanta and DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

Eshé Collins, an Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education member and attorney, beat former school administrator Dr. Nicole Evans Jones for the Atlanta City Council Post-3 At-Large seat. #gapol

See all the metro Atlanta runoff race results here: www.wabe.org/school-board...

Georgia Department of Education names security and support as 2025 legislative priorities after Apalachee school shooting Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, the Georgia Department of Education is pushing for school safety and support measures and initiatives for academic and educator success,

Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, the Georgia Department of Education is pushing for increased safety measures in light of the Apalachee High School shooting earlier this year, such as one SRO in every school. #gapol #georgiaeducation

I report for WABE News:
www.wabe.org/georgia-depa...

Goodr unveils free grocery store for Atlanta Public Schools families Atlanta Public Schools students and families can now find free groceries at a Goodr store in the APS Student and Family Support Hub in Southwest Atlanta.

Atlanta Public Schools students and families can now find free groceries at a Goodr store in the APS Student and Family Support Hub in Southwest Atlanta.

Hunger relief company Goodr created the grocery store to support families living with food insecurity.
www.wabe.org/goodr-unveil...

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‘We all need our village’: Home-visiting programs are adapting to Georgia’s evolving maternal health crisis Georgia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. Home visiting programs are designed to address these disparities by offering regular in-home visits by a maternal and child healt...

Black Georgians face the highest risk for pregnancy complications. They are also more likely to face barriers to accessing timely, respectful care, according to the CDC.