"Developers are trying to sweeten the pot ... by setting up a scholarship fund for Black students and providing office space for the Northeast Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce." flagpole.com/news/city-do...

Suzanna Karatassos (D) launched her campaign for State House district 120 on Tuesday with a strong economic populist message, promising "urgency, compassion and unapologetic honesty." athenspoliticsnerd.com/suzanna-kara...

Does the Athens-Clarke County Police Department cooperate with ICE? If so, how? A local oversight board questioned ACCPD and Sheriff John Q Williams about this last week. athenspoliticsnerd.com/oversight-bo...

"Dozens of people spoke out against closing Legion Pool at a public hearing held by UGA last week, telling administrators that the pool is important to town-gown relations." flagpole.com/featured/202...

Have you heard about this absolutely wild column that ran in the Oconee Enterprise about the District 121 election? It assumed that Eric Gisler lost -- before the results were in! -- and then chided him for not buying an ad in their paper, implying that was a reason he lost. 😅

For our neighbors who sleep outside and those who care about them, ACC Gov has a list of winter warming resources here: www.accgov.com/m/newsflash/...

Minnesota is the only state that offers families the option to receive #ChildTaxCredit payments in advance, helping them afford rising costs and achieve financial security — an approach other states should follow to better support families. www.cbpp.org/blog/advance...

“This was a victory of quality over quantity,” State Representative-Elect Eric Gisler said. “It proves that people really do understand that Georgia is at a crossroads and it’s time to take a new direction, one that restores commonsense leadership." athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-special...

Full story on the House District 121 race, which is making national news as yet another litmus test in Dems’ favor headed into 2026. H/t to @athenspoliticsnerd.bsky.social for helping out. flagpole.com/featured/202...

Representative-Elect Eric Gisler in his victory speech tonight: “This is going to be a shockwave. It will be hard work to keep this seat next year, but it sends a message right now that next year, we’re coming.”

CALL: Democrat Eric Gisler has been elected to the Georgia State House in a special election, flipping HD 121, which was previously held by Marcus Wiedower (R). Trump won 55.7% of the vote there last year.

The ACC Commission has placed a temporary ban on new data centers in Athens until standards can be developed to regulate their growth. The commission also restricted short-term rentals, approved bike lanes on Barber Street and funded Habitat for Humanity. athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-p...

Today is election day! If you live in in Oconee County or near South Milledge Avenue, Riverbend Road, Whitehall Road, Barnett Shoals Road or Whit Davis, you can probably vote in a special election today that could help shift the balance of power statewide. athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-special...

The Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board had a bunch of questions tonight on how local law enforcement interact with ICE. I think I'll be writing about it, so look for that article coming soon-ish.

The ACC Commission has delayed voting on a proposed redevelopment of the Homewood Hills shopping center on Jefferson Road. Their non-decision comes after over 45 minutes of public comment about the proposal, with people speaking both for and against. athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-d...

95% of the vote is in. Trump won this district by 22 points in 2024 as Democrats across the country continue to over perform even in the reddest districts.

ACC Manager Bob Cowell says that the data center proposed at Athena Studios does not fit with current zoning and therefore can't be built. However, they have a right to appeal this decision to a hearing officer.

Commissioner Stephanie Johnson is accusing planning commission members of having conflicts of interest and not recusing themselves. She didn't name any names but this is inappropriate, I feel. If she knows a specific instance and it really is inappropriate, she SHOULD name names. Or not say it.

Just vote on the Boards, Authorities and Commissions changes already holy crap. It's semi-important but literally I don't even care anymore. They have dragged this out so long it's crazy. Just vote!!

After a short break, the mayor and commission meeting is back! Now it's time for public comment, mostly about a proposed moratorium on new data centers in Athens. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiVj...

The commission just voted to prohibit commercial AirBnBs or other short-term rentals in agricultural neighborhood zones, light industrial zones and multifamily zones. Home occupation STRs will still be allowed in those areas.

Commissioner Dexter Fisher is making a motion to approve the redevelopment of the Homewood Hills shopping center, worried that it will continue to deteriorate -- perhaps for years or decades -- if this isn't approved.

The commission is currently hearing public comment about a redevelopment of Homewood Hills shopping center. There is comment both in favor and against. flagpole.com/featured/202...

People from Winterville are speaking out now at city hall against a new church, quite a large one, proposed at 255 Smithonia Road.

The monthly mayor and commission voting meeting has started down at city hall. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiVj...

Killing people who aren't fighting back is a war crime, IF we're at war. If we're not at war, it's just plain murder. #ProsecuteHegseth www.politico.com/news/2025/11...

When Julie Mauck, chair of Moms of Liberty in Oconee, tried to silence Athens Pride, they fought back in court. In Nov., Mauck was dealt her second decisive loss on appeal, putting her and the Coalition for Liberty on the hook for Athens Pride's legal fees. athenspoliticsnerd.com/athens-pride...

"Maybe it's time to bring politics back to the dinner table. A lot of people don't know the scope of what's happening." Happy Thanksgiving! 😅 www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn-r...

Even though SNAP benefits are flowing again, Athens' food emergency is not over, according to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. athenspoliticsnerd.com/nega-food-ba...

The Human Rights Campaign evaluates over 500 US cities every year on the LGBTQ+ inclusiveness of their laws, policies and services. This year, thanks to the ACC Police Department, the local government scored an "A" for the first time. athenspoliticsnerd.com/acc-gov-scor...

If you live in Oconee County or southeast Clarke, you can vote in a special election today that can help swing the balance of power statewide. You can vote at the elections office downtown (155 E. Washington Street) from 8-5 Monday through Wednesday this week. athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-special...

The nonprofit Mayday Health flew a banner over Sanford Stadium to remind everyone that abortion pills are available by mail in Georgia, despite the abortion ban. athenspoliticsnerd.com/abortion-pil...

Democrat Eric Gisler is running to become the next state rep for district 121. His Republican opponent is Mack “Dutch” Guest IV. Early voting is going on now at the ACC Elections Office (155 E. Washington Street) and the Tennis Center (4460 Lexington Road). athenspoliticsnerd.com/interview-wi...

"The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate allegations against Chief Steffman. The investigation revealed that Steffman misused the automated license plate recognition systems to harass and stalk multiple individuals." @404media.co gbi.georgia.gov/press-releas...

They're coming after your THC, bro! "the new language would prevent “the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including delta-8, from being sold...while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products.” flagpole.com/news/news-fe...

At a town hall meeting last week, Georgia Power representatives promised upgrades to the Eastside electrical grid that will stop the continued power outages on that side of town. athenspoliticsnerd.com/georgia-powe...

The commission will be designating Superbowl Sunday 2026 as our one Sunday a year when establishments with D, E or F alcohol licenses can serve alcohol.

Commissioner Ovita Thornton, who has stated multiple times that she opposes "social justice" resolutions, now is advocating for a resolution in support of the community around the rock quarry who say they have been impacted. "Nobody gets no water," Thornton says, until the community is made whole.

Yikes. We need to stop contracting with Flock Safety, y'all. This is awful. I can't vouch for Benn Jordan's reliability but it seems legit to me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB0g...

The commission is discussing tightening up their short-term rental ordinance to prohibit commercial STRs in agricultural neighborhood zones, light industrial zones and multifamily zones. Commercial STRs are currently allowed in these zones as a special use.

The ACC Commission is hearing about a potential resign of the Homewood Hills shopping center right now. It will include some townhomes and two apartment buildings.

The monthly mayor and commission agenda-setting meeting is about to start. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr28...

Seems fair! Capitalism is truly the most efficient and best way to distribute resources. No notes.

What is the through line for many of the cities who have ended up getting the brunt of federal escalation? Black leaders, and especially black leaders who are defending their immigrant constituents. The enemy is not just immigrants, it is multiracial democracy. boltsmag.org/north-caroli...

Y'all. What are we doing? We've got to do something about climate change. 😱 www.earth.com/news/study-a...

The first debate in the 2026 Mayor's race was on Saturday and I've got the highlights for you here! www.youtube.com/shorts/Rnm01...

Unless the page hasn't been updated yet today, it looks like there will be just two candidates in the Dec. 9 special election in State House District 121: Eric Gisler (D) Mack “Dutch” Guest IV (R) I've already interviewed Gisler. I wonder if Dutch would be willing to interview as well?

The 2026 local election is kicking off early in Athens! Russell Edwards and Drew Abney, hosts of the AthChat podcast, held the first mayoral debate of the election cycle on Saturday at Cine. athenspoliticsnerd.com/2025-athchat...

I'm on the left, but I hate government shutdowns really for any reason. It's a failure of government. Now that SNAP funding is secured, anyone who still wants to shut things down can do it in January. I understand why they did it but I can't say I hope they do it again.

Democratic senators are still getting paid and don’t need SNAP, but of course some gave in as soon as they were personally affected by flight delays.