Army, FAA Crews Cited in DC Midair Crash

The U.S. government said mistakes by U.S. Army pilots and an air traffic controller led to a January midair collision that killed 67 people, including commercial pilot Sam Lilley, 28, of Richmond Hill, and Army crew chief Ryan O’Hara of Lilburn.

Lilley’s family members in Georgia welcomed the government’s statement, reaffirming previous findings that Lilley and the captain of the American Airlines flight “did everything right.” Lilley was the flight’s first officer.

In court filings, federal attorneys said the Army helicopter crew failed to maintain visual separation and that an air traffic controller violated Federal Aviation Administration procedures ahead of the crash above Washington, D.C.

  UGA Early Applications Surge

The University of Georgia reported a 12.8% jump in early applications for next fall, with more than 34,000 students applying for early acceptance.

UGA admitted more than 10,700 of the early applicants, citing top-tier GPAs, test scores, and advanced coursework.

School recruiters credited the gains to expanded in-state outreach—including visits to 365 high schools—and the state’s rising graduation and retention rates are fueling interest.

The university also noted that out-of-state applications surged nearly 18%, more than double the in-state growth rate of 8.5%, reflecting a national trend of students eyeing Southern schools with strong academics and campus life.

Georgia Bids Farewell to ‘Stranger Things’

Stranger Things may be set in small-town Indiana, but its heart—and most of its filming—belongs to Georgia as its final season unfolds on Netflix. 

The Peach State takes a final bow after doubling as Hawkins for nearly a decade.

From the eerie woods of Chattahoochee Hills to the gothic halls of Oglethorpe University and the historic streets of Rome, Georgia’s diverse backdrops gave the sci-fi hit its signature look.

More than just scenery, the state’s film industry professionals and local acting talent like Priah Ferguson of Atlanta—who plays the assertive Erica Sinclair—helped make the show a phenomenon.

The end “feels emotional because I’m wrapping up my childhood,” Ferguson said.

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➤ Statewide: Recent rains are easing drought conditions in Georgia, although parts of Decatur, Grady, Thomas, and Brooks counties remain in exceptional drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map. (See Map)

➤ Savannah: Nine Line Apparel CEO Tyler Merritt offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the Forsyth Park acid attack that left Ashley Wasielewski hospitalized. (More)

➤ Fulton County: A jury awarded $56.8 million to a Vietnam veteran’s widow after a dermatologist failed to diagnose recurrent skin cancer that led to permanent disfigurement and eventual death. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: The county pet shelter opened a $4.1 million addition, featuring 10 climate-controlled buildings able to house 120 dogs as the county works to ease severe crowding. (More)

➤ Atlanta: North Atlanta High School banned personal scissors after a special needs student was stabbed, while also implementing new safety training and requiring students to leave campus promptly after dismissal. (More)

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➤ Kennesaw State football faces Western Michigan at 11 a.m. today in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, South Carolina, airing on ESPN. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London returned to practice this week for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in Week 11. He’s listed as day-to-day going into the team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech assistant coach Ryland Goede will follow offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner to the Florida Gators as an assistant coach. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Two railroad worker unions withdrew support for the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern, citing safety concerns and possible service disruptions that could increase shipping costs. (More)

➤ Deb DeWitt, the beekeeper in residence at Georgia Tech, was named Beekeeper of the Year by the Georgia Beekeepers Association for her work maintaining campus hives and mentoring students. (More)

➤ Buc-ee’s pushed back the planned opening of a Monroe County location off I-75 until 2028. (More)

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➤ Former Atlanta television news anchor Savannah Louie won season 49 of Survivor, claiming the $1 million prize. (More)

➤ Kennesaw State senior Toni-Ann McKenzie co-founded Totally Tutoring, a company to support students with autism through specialized virtual tutoring and the use of emojis. (More)

➤ Smyrna ranked as Georgia’s best city to retire in a U.S. News & World Report study, placing 87th nationally with a median home value of $448,703 and an unemployment rate of 2.6%. (More)

Have you watched Stranger Things?

1. Big fan 
2. Early seasons
3. Some episodes
4. No/other

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you been to State Farm Arena?

1. No: 42%
2. Yes: 29%
3. When it was Philips Arena: 29%

What year did Stranger Things premiere?

Show me the answer