Morning, y’all! Here’s a philosophical question: Is it possible to have a facts-based outlook and still believe in ghosts? No particular reason, just asking. We’re absolutely jam-packed for the weekend, so take an extra swig of that fortifying beverage before you dive in.
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A BOO BAN*
Credit: Stephen B. Morton/AJC
Credit: Stephen B. Morton/AJC
Don’t you hate it when you’re trying to enjoy your picturesque neighborhood and a bunch of ghost hunters keeps making a ruckus? The Savannah city government is testing out a program to crack down on late-night walking tours of the city’s haunted locations, which residents say bring noise and other inconsiderate tourist activities to their doorsteps.
(You couldn’t pay me to go on a ghost tour, but I feel like being super polite would be in everyone’s best interests. Do you really want to annoy the ghosts?!)
The 90-day pilot program, which will ban walking tours after 10 p.m., is obviously not a hit among the members of Savannah’s bustling paranormal tourism industry. One tour company owner said he worries the rule is a step toward turning the historic downtown area into a “gated community.”
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said he wants the city to “be a great place to live first, and then a great place to visit after that.” He also offered this vivid defense of the ban:
“Everybody wants to visit Disney World but nobody wants to live in Disney World, and Savannah will not be Disney World.”
*Shoutout to reporter Adam Van Brimmer for that neat headline.
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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GEORGIA MEN AMONG CRASH VICTIMS
We’re learning more about the 67 victims of the midair crash between a small passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter outside of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. At least two of those presumed dead have close ties to Georgia.
Sam Lilley, 28, was the first officer on the American Airlines flight. He was a coastal Georgia native and Georgia Southern University graduate who, according to those that knew him, was living his dream of flying.
Ryan O’Hara, a staff sergeant in the Army, was aboard the helicopter. He graduated from Parkview High School in 2014, and his former JROTC instructor spoke fondly of him to the AJC. He leaves behind a wife and a son.
Other victims of the tragedy included two teens returning from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, along with family members and their coaches.
The American Airlines flight was bound for D.C.’s Reagan Airport from Wichita, Kansas. Flights were temporarily suspended at the hub but resumed late Thursday morning.
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POWER PLAYS
Credit: Daniel Varnado/AJC
Credit: Daniel Varnado/AJC
It’s not something we think about a lot, but computing power requires, well, actual power. Data centers, those places full of servers that drive nearly everything we do on a screen, suck up shocking amounts of energy from the grid — especially in a state like Georgia, which has become a major hub for battery manufacturers and other tech-hungry industries.
Today, Georgia Power is revealing its plan to service the ever-growing energy demands of the state. Here are some ways the company is looking to make sure customers don’t get left in the dark:
Building more: More demands? More product. The company has proposed more oil and gas-fired power plants in the state, which is a complex request. On one hand, the power needs are growing. On the other, costs will likely be reflected in customers’ power bills.
Green energy or no? Solar power is a booming business in Georgia, and Georgia Power wants to expand on that front. Current plans to meet energy demands do include some solar development, but the utility says it needs a more immediate solution that would depend on the old energy standbys.
Make ‘em pay: Last week, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved changes to Georgia Power’s rules that will allow them to charge data centers more for the energy they use.
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SHERIFFS SIGN ON TO SUPPORT ICE
Five Georgia sheriff’s offices have signed on to a controversial federal program known as 287(g), which allows local law enforcement officers to perform some of the functions of immigration agents. The five offices serve Monroe, Montgomery, Murray, Spalding and Walker counties.
Floyd, Hall, Oconee, Polk and Whitfield counties already have 287(g) agreements. And in fact, it is state law that sheriff’s offices have to sign up for the program, after the Georgia Legislature passed a bill last summer that requires state sheriffs to help enforce federal immigration law.
Proponents of the 287(g) agreements say it will make communities safer. Immigration advocates disagree. Gigi Pedraza, the executive director of the Latino Community Fund Georgia, said such programs erode trust between civilians and law enforcement.
“When people are afraid of going out and reporting crimes, it makes society weaker.” she said.
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POLITICS ROUNDUP
Credit: John McDonnell/AP
Credit: John McDonnell/AP
There’s a lot going on in politics right now, and I’m a little afraid the topics may swallow entire newsletter editions unless I give them a little home. Welcome to the pen of politics news. Please close the gate behind you. What do you think?
A new suit: Gov. Brian Kemp announced a new proposal yesterday to curb rising insurance costs. The plan would limit how and why businesses could be sued and how damages in such suits would be calculated. Trial lawyers and patient advocates are not fans, since it would limit how people could challenge corporations.
Hearings on the Hill: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services, is still going through his confirmation hearing. Sen. Raphael Warnock says he will not vote in favor after a tense exchange about Kennedy’s past comments comparing the CDC to “Nazi death camps.” Meanwhile, Georgia’s former Sen. Kelly Loeffler is close to winning her confirmation to lead the Small Business Administration.
Closer to a ban: Georgia Republicans in the state Senate have voted to advance a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing against women in both high school and college sports. State Republicans say this is a big priority for them this session.
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IT’S THE FREAKIN WEEKEND
Credit: Clayton County Water Authority
Credit: Clayton County Water Authority
Whew! I feel like I need the weekend to start now after reading all of that. (Which is really bad, because I wrote it …) Here are some fun things going on this weekend:
Family Saturday at the High: Boy I love the High. Take your kids, make some art, and learn some cool things about the exhibits. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow-in-Fire: I think they fit all of every 8-year-old boy’s favorite words into this event. It’s what you think it is. Shows on Saturday and Sunday at State Farm Arena.
Free First Saturday at Dunwoody Nature Center. We love the word “free.” 1-2 p.m.
Details about these events and many more here.
Also, I love this: A new event at the Melvin L. Newman Wetlands Center in Clayton County will feature workshops, tours, discussions and a film screening. The “We Are Water” gathering celebrates Black participation in nature and wildlife pursuits. The outdoors are for everyone! A great way to kick off Black History Month, too. More info here.
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NEWS BITES
Miguel Almiron returns to Atlanta United
You know there’s going to be one heck of a tifo for this.
A look at what the Braves’ NL East opponents did during the offseason
A terrible time to reveal I’m a Nationals fan.
‘Your chariot has arrived:’ MARTA unveils new futuristic train cars
It’s giving Disney World’s Tomorrowland vibes, and that’s a compliment.
League One Volleyball Atlanta is this city’s newest pro sports team
Semi-virtual golf and now volleyball! If you are looking to start a new pro team for a nontraditional pro sport, stay in line. (Their colors are fire, too.)
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ON THIS DATE
Credit: AJC
Credit: AJC
From the Jan. 31, 1947, edition of The Atlanta Constitution: Old Sol’ Can’t Kid Peach Trees. Dr. J.H. Wineberg, Department of Agriculture pomologist here, says there is no danger of Georgia’s valuable peach trees budding too soon as the result of the unseasonable warm weather. “It is a strange fact, but peach trees require a certain amount of cold weather to allow warm weather to force their buds,” Dr. Wineberg said.
We’re very serious about our peaches.
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ONE MORE THING
There’s a haunted doll in Key West called Robert the Doll, and just thinking about him makes my ears tingle. Google him. No, don’t! He’s scary.
Also, please send any NL East hate mail to DontMakeTheWalgreensJoke@GoNats.com. Have a beautiful weekend!
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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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