Morning, y’all! It’s officially the Year of the Snake. According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born under the sign of the snake are intuitive and resourceful. There’s a lot of symbolism in a snake’s shedding skin too, which can represent renewal and transformation.
📣Tragic breaking news: An American Airlines jet with 60 passengers and four crew members aboard collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday night while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, prompting a large search-and-rescue operation in the nearby Potomac River. Asked if there are any survivors, one rescue official responded: “We don’t know yet. But we’re working.”
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DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE CHICKENS
Credit: Dreamstime TNS
Credit: Dreamstime TNS
The Trump administration’s pause on communications from federal health agencies has hit Atlanta at a very awkward time. Tens of thousands of people work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, and in surrounding universities and related health organizations that partner with federal agencies for research. Their projects, and the workings of the most important health sciences hub in the region, are caught in the tangle of crossed wires.
Oh, and people are still nervous about bird flu, which has struck at least two Georgia poultry populations. And there’s a major poultry convention in town.
🔎 What the health communications pause is affecting
Area experts are worried the communications pause, which is scheduled to be lifted Feb. 1, could keep critical bird flu information from the public. That’s doubly important with the tens of thousands of people in town for the International Production and Processing Expo, sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association, the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Should you be worried? Not about the chickens, at least
It isn’t clear whether the CDC consulted with the organizers about responsible ways to hold the convention, but the event was approved by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and no animals are on display. That last detail is important — one influenza expert told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution the risk of bird flu spreading from such an event, with proper precautions in place, is very low.
It’s still a very confusing time for people in the federal health sector, who have expressed concern that the pause could indicate the administration’s mistrust of science. It’s probably a confusing time for chicken farmers, too. And for the rest of us.
Oh, and now someone has measles. Yes, the state of Georgia just reported its first case of measles for the year. The highly infectious disease was declared eliminated in 2000, but waning vaccine rates have welcomed it back into the population. Here’s what to know to keep yourself safe.
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.
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A SPENDING UN-FREEZE
In related news, Monday’s order for a federal grant program spending freeze has been rescinded by the White House Office of Management and Budget after widespread confusion over what kind of programs would be affected. A lot of essential services receive federal funding, like Medicare, Social Security, student loans, food stamps and even relief programs like Meals on Wheels.
Now, the OMB says such essential programs won’t be affected. But, they also told federal departments that Trump’s underlying executive orders targeting federal spending in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion and climate issues hadn’t changed.
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RFK ON THE STAND
Credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP
Credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was on the stand yesterday for his confirmation hearing to be Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.
To say he’s a controversial pick would be an understatement: His views on vaccines contradict known science and he has publicly pushed several unfounded health-related conspiracy theories. During his questioning, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers pressed these issues.
A primer on Kennedy’s health views
At several points, Kennedy seemed to temper his vaccine philosophies.
“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care,” Kennedy told the Senate Finance Committee.
Kennedy’s plans for public health
Republicans have said they may need to shave down Medicaid to fund the Trump administration’s proposals, so Kennedy’s plans for how to reorganize the critical health care program, which provides care to some 80 million people, were top of mind for lawmakers.
When Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is also a physician, asked Kennedy what he would do, the nominee said he didn’t have a plan to dismantle the system. He also blundered several key facts about the program, like saying it is fully funded by the federal government when, in reality , it is also paid for by states and taxpayers.
Trump has said he picked his one-time political rival to head the HSS because he would help reduce chronic disease and “Make America Healthy Again.”
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TRUMP SIGNS LAKEN RILEY ACT INTO LAW
The Laken Riley Act is now law. The measure, named after a student who was murdered on the University of Georgia’s campus in 2024, gives the federal government extended power to detain migrants accused of certain crimes. The bill was a lynchpin of Trump’s broader crackdown plan for immigration, and the signing comes as communities around the country have seen increased arrests and deportations of migrants.
Also yesterday, UGA President Jere Morehead announced an additional $1.7 million in campus security spending for the university. That’s on top of the $7.3 million in increased security measures announced last year after Riley’s death.
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HOW A CAR DEALERSHIP KEPT CUSTOMERS ON A LEASH
Credit: Thad Moore/AJC
Credit: Thad Moore/AJC
A now-defunct car dealership in Gwinnett used GPS and “kill switches” to disable cars if customers missed a payment. However, an AJC investigation into the company’s data showed the methods also stranded customers by mistake.
U.S. Auto Sales, based in suburban Georgia, had 39 locations and was known for making cars available to customers despite bad credit. In exchange, however, the cars were equipped with remote controls that allowed the dealership to disable them with a push of a button.
An analysis of the company’s internal data by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau showed the method was misused thousands of times.
In fact, the consumer protection agency sued the company’s loan-servicing arm in 2023, alleging predatory practices.
Court records and interviews revealed stories of people who were left stranded after work or in the middle of important trips. Sometimes, the AJC found, the incidents were the result of faulty systems at the company.
It’s rare that cases like this make big news, since there are so many independent car dealers around — and plenty of shady practices that go unreported. Consumer advocates hope stories like this one will shed a light on some of these methods.
Read the whole investigation here. It will remind you how important it is to have a working mode of transportation, that’s for sure.
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HAWKS SAD
Credit: Jason Allen/AJC
Credit: Jason Allen/AJC
After a few glimmers of hope earlier in the season despite injuries and inconsistencies, the Atlanta Hawks are … not doing so hot again. Forward Jalen Johnson, the Hawks’ second-best scorer, will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The team is in the middle of a losing streak, and there won’t be much mercy before the NBA trade deadline. The AJC’s Michael Cunningham says it’s probably better to focus on rebuilding for the rest of the season. And that’s fine! Recharge, focus on yourselves, Hawks. Practice self-care. Get healthy. Maybe reevaluate your roster.
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NEWS BITES
MLS and Apple will broadcast ‘Sunday Night Soccer’
Waitin’ All Day for a Sunday Aight: The Remix
Make Table & Main’s roasted delicata squash and Mutsu apple
This took me down a Mutsu apple rabbit hole. (It’s basically a cool kinda green apple.)
Eggs are expensive. Here’s what you can buy instead
Pro tip: The juice from a can of chickpeas can be a decent egg substitute in some situations. It’s called aquafaba, which sounds way better than “leftover chickpea slime.”
WNBA superstar Brittney Griner joins the Atlanta Dream
Would a dream joke here be too obvious? Probably. Welcome to the ATL, Brittney!
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ON THIS DATE
Credit: AJC
Credit: AJC
From the front page of the Jan. 30, 1936 edition of the Atlanta Journal: Piedmont Park wears colors of King Winter. Thousands forced to walk to work.
Before Snowpocalypse, we had the bounty of King Winter! But traffic woes are timeless. The accompanying article mentions derailed streetcars and contains this immortal line: “The morning rush hour found the city’s transportation system demoralized despite every precaution.” Truly, history repeats itself.
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ONE MORE THING
I’m with a friend who speaks Chinese, and in honor of Lunar New Year, she says “Nian nian you yu!” It’s a way of wishing abundance and health all year long. Another fun fact: the word “yu” means abundance, but also sounds like the Chinese word for fish, which is why fish are closely associated with good fortune in Chinese culture. Year year, have fish!
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Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at tellus@ajc.com.
Until next time.
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