Morning, y’all! It’s cold out there — and snow is on the way.
Lots more on that in a moment, plus today’s National Day of Remembrance for Jimmy Carter, another member of the Chrisley family landing in legal trouble and the Falcons’ high school coach of the year.
Let’s get to it.
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WINTER IS COMING
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
Credit: Ben Hendren for the AJC
Need to get something done?
Do it today. Then stay home ‘til Sunday.
That’s the general message from state and local officials as a winter storm approaches metro Atlanta.
- “We are actively monitoring the approaching winter storm and taking action now to ensure our communities are prepared for any possible impact,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.
Here’s the latest intel.
The forecast: There’s a winter storm watch in place from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Meteorologists say to brace for “significant accumulations of snow, sleet and freezing rain.”
The northern suburbs could get between 2 and 3 inches of snow, which looks set to arrive around 9 a.m. Friday. Areas closer to I-20 are likely looking at 1 to 2 inches, with more sleet and freezing rain mixed in as you head south (and as the day progresses).
Don’t expect much melting until Sunday.
The schools: No announcements just yet from the major metro Atlanta school districts, re: potential Friday closures. But they’re keeping an eye on things — and barring a major shift in forecast, it sure seems like you’ll have your kids at home.
- On the sports front, most of the weekend’s big high school wrestling tournaments are moved up or pushed back.
Their prep: Fear not, friends. Kemp said crews started spreading brine and salt on roads north of I-20 overnight. The city of Atlanta did the same, with some 200 workers on call to get ‘er done.
Other metro governments plan to pretreat roadways, too.
- They say they’ve learned a lot from 2014′s road-ravaging Snowmageddon.
Your prep: You’ve probably been through this before. But should you need it: here’s how to prevent burst pipes; how to keep your pets safe; and how to navigate black ice.
Headed to the grocery store? Maybe skip the milk and bread hording and buy stuff to make one of these 40 delicious soups instead!
Much cozier.
Stay tuned to AJC.com today and throughout the weekend for all the latest updates.
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HEADED HOME
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
After two days of tributes and visitors at the U.S. Capitol, former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral at the Washington National Cathedral is set for 10 a.m. (Find streaming video, live updates and other coverage at AJC.com.)
After that his remains return to Georgia, where Carter’s personal pastor is getting ready for a private Plains ceremony — and the biggest sermon of his life.
- “It’s just been unbelievable — to watch the people who have made their way to come and see him lie in repose has been extraordinary,” the Rev. Tony Lowden told the AJC. “All of these moments have been incredible.”
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APALACHEE ANGST
Barrow County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 14-year-old student Wednesday after he allegedly brought a gun to Apalachee High — the same school where a September shooting left four people dead.
The school canceled classes today.
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REALITY BITES
The general manager of Buckhead’s Twin Peaks sports bar told police that reality TV star Chase Chrisley — 28-year-old son of federally incarcerated Todd and Julie Chrisley — assaulted him after being told to leave.
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QUARRY INCOMING
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Bartow County’s only local commissioner greenlighted the rezoning necessary to establish a 500-acre mining operation on part of the former Pine Log Wildlife Management Area.
- Dozens of residents and environmentalists opposed the move, which comes amid a yearslong battle over the once-public land.
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MINDING OUR BUSINESS
» Atlanta’s Delta Air Lines kicked off its appearance at a big Las Vegas tech conference by announcing plans for a new AI chatbot. Because everyone wants to argue with a computer when their travel plans go awry.
» Atlanta Tech Village officially moved into its South Downtown digs, a positive step in the area’s latest revival efforts.
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THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF LIFE
Credit: Courtesy photo
Credit: Courtesy photo
At the end of every season, the Falcons name a high school coach of the year. This year’s honor goes to longtime Carver High coach Darren Myles — whose efforts go well beyond the football field.
“We have kids whose fathers are not in their lives, raised by single mothers, where the only structure and discipline they get is when they come here consistently,” Myles said. “Those are the championships we’re winning over here.”
- Bulldogs: Reporter Conner Riley takes a look at where Georgia football stands after a rather eventful first transfer portal window.
- Gambling: A new poll conducted by UGA found that nearly two-thirds of registered Georgia voters support legalizing proper sports betting, which the Legislature will take up for the seventh straight year.
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T-SHIRT TIME
The T-shirt design contest for this year’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race is now open. The winner gets a cash prize — and the pride of seeing thousands of folks wearing their work on Independence Day.
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MORE TO EXPLORE
» 5 killed in NW Georgia house fire
» MARTA CEO: ‘We’re devastated’ by bus driver’s fatal shooting
» Report: Metro Atlanta housing affordability improved slightly in 2024
» Atlanta-area theater to fill almost any vessel with popcorn for $5 for one day
» Analysis ranks Atlanta best city in U.S. for singles looking to date
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ON THIS DATE
Jan. 9, 1961
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter signed up for classes at the University of Georgia — and after enduring a last-minute legal fight and on-campus attacks, officially became the school’s first Black students.
Credit: File photo
Credit: File photo
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PHOTO OF THE DAY
Credit: Ethan Swope/AP
Credit: Ethan Swope/AP
The same weather system driving our looming winter weather is also fueling devastating wildfires in Southern California. Associated Press photographer Ethan Swope captured firefighters battling flames in Altadena.
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ONE MORE THING
Drip those faucets, folks!
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Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at tyler.estep@ajc.com.
Until next time.
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