Articles by Jeff Amy and Russ Bynum

Billions in Hurricane Helene Aid to Farmers to Start Flowing by March 21

ATLANTA (AP) — Tens of billions in aid for victims of Hurricane Helene should start flowing later this month, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pledged Wednesday, but delays are already making it hard this year for some farmers to plant …

Woman Sues Georgia Fertility Clinic, Saying She Gave Birth to Another Woman’s Baby

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Krystena Murray became pregnant after undergoing in vitro fertilization two years ago, and said she was unaware until she gave birth that the fertility clinic had made a fateful mistake. In December 2023, Murray delivered a …

Farmers Still Reeling After Hurricane Helene Ravaged Crops Across the Southeast

LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Twisted equipment and snapped tree limbs still litter Chris Hopkins’ Georgia farm more than two months after Hurricane Helene made its deadly march across the South. An irrigation sprinkler system about 300 feet (92 meters) long …

Judge Dismisses Suit Over Savannah Outlawing Guns Left in Unlocked Cars

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A judge has thrown out a lawsuit by a Georgia gun owner who sought to challenge a Savannah city ordinance that imposes fines and potential jail time for people who leave firearms inside unlocked cars. The …

Grieving Families Say Georgia Island Dock Collapse Tragedy Was Preventable

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Regina Brinson heard a crack before the metal walkway gave way beneath her feet, plunging her into the water beneath the state-operated ferry dock on Georgia’s Sapelo Island. As strong currents swept her and others who …

At Least 7 Dead After Ferry Dock Gangway Collapsed on Georgia Island

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Authorities said at least seven people were killed Saturday when part of a ferry dock collapsed on Georgia’s Sapelo Island, where crowds had gathered for a fall celebration by the island’s tiny Gullah-Geechee community of Black …

Floridians Cleaning up From Milton Hampered by Widespread Fuel Shortage

CORTEZ, Fla. (AP) — Floridians recovering from Hurricane Milton, many of whom were journeying home after fleeing hundreds of miles to escape the storm, spent much of Saturday searching for gas as a fuel shortage gripped the state. In St. …

Sign of the Times: With Debby, Georgia Neighborhood Floods Twice Since 2016

POOLER, Ga. (AP) — The water began seeping into Keon Johnson’s house late Monday night after Tropical Storm Debby had been dumping rain nearly nonstop throughout the day. By Tuesday morning, Johnson’s street was underwater and flooding inside his home …

Georgia AG Says Savannah Overstepped on Ordinance Banning Guns in Unlocked Cars

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia’s attorney general says city officials in Savannah overstepped their authority by making it illegal to leave firearms in unlocked cars. Savannah’s mayor and city council in April enacted the new city ordinance aimed at making …

Georgia Town Aims to Disrupt Student Beach Bash After Last Year’s Chaos

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Thousands of Black college students expected this weekend for an annual spring bash at Georgia’s largest public beach will be greeted by dozens of extra police officers and barricades closing off neighborhood streets. While the …