Georgia Loses; Security Heavy for Game  

Georgia’s playoff run ended Thursday with a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, a game postponed for a day after the deadly terror attack in the city’s French Quarter.

A University of Georgia student critically injured in the attack was identified as Elle Eisele, 19, of Fort Myers, Fla. No information has been released on her specific injuries or health status.

The leadup to the game saw fans scramble to extend their travel and lodging plans, with major airlines and hotels responding by offering more flexible cancellation and re-scheduling options.

Outside of the stadium, security was heavy, with police deploying Super Bowl-level protections that included road barricades, bomb-sniffing dogs, armored vehicles, and hundreds of officers on patrol.

  Carter Memorial Starts Saturday

Funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter are set to begin Saturday, including a motorcade stop at his boyhood farm, where its historic bell will ring 39 times in tribute to the nation’s 39th president. 

The events will start in Americus with the transfer of Carter’s body to the family motorcade at 10:15 a.m. at a local hospital. The motorcade will eventually travel to Atlanta, where public viewings will take place until Tuesday morning.

Carter’s family members on Thursday noted the outpouring of support since his death, saying the breadth “confirms what we have known all along: Jimmy Carter’s family extends far beyond blood relatives.”

Is Snowstorm Coming for Georgia?

Weather experts are staying cautious about a forecast model’s prediction for Georgia to get hit with a foot or more of snow toward the end of next week.

“Experience tells me not to get my hopes up for snow just yet. Stay tuned to the forecast,” a National Weather Service meteorologist said in a forecast discussion posted Thursday.

Public buzz over the forecast began building several days ago after the model predicted an arctic blast arriving next week could bring heavy snow starting Thursday or Friday.

At a minimum, Georgians can expect frigid temperatures from Tuesday through Saturday next week, with highs for metro Atlanta in the 30s and lows in the 20s.

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➤ Statewide: More than 200 private schools made the initial list of schools eligible to participate in Georgia’s new voucher program.(See List)

➤ Rural Georgia: A new state law taking effect this week aims to end the exodus of healthcare providers out of rural communities. (More)

➤ Savannah: The founder and president of the Savannah College of Art and Design was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal, lauded as a trailblazer in arts education.  (More)

➤ Effingham County: A state court judge shot himself inside a courtroom on his last day in office earlier this week. An investigation into the death and motive continued. (More)

➤ State: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr urged the state Supreme Court to uphold the removal of Fani Willis as prosecutor of the election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump. (More)

➤ Savannah: Survivors of a deadly ferry walkway collapse requested the government pay for their medical bills as well as the funerals of the seven killed. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons will need help from one of their most hated rivals to make this year’s playoffs. (See Playoff Scenarios)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks’ defense collapsed Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets, with the team surrendering 139 points in a loss. (Watch Highlights)

➤ Georgia ($950 million) ranks No. 7 and Georgia Tech ($498 million) ranks No. 47 on a list of the most valuable college sports programs. (See Full List)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW 

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➤ A 1,600-worker Tyson Foods plant in Camilla may reopen in phases starting next week, as the investigation continues into a Christmas week explosion and fire that killed one and injured others. (More)

➤ The state would help establish a retirement savings program for small businesses under a proposal expected to be introduced this legislative session by state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome. (More)

➤  Solar panel manufacturer Qcells closed on a $1.45 billion loan backed by the Energy Department, part of the financing for its 1,650-worker plant in Cartersville. (More)

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➤ Georgia replacement quarterback Gunner Stockton turned heads by driving a 1984 pickup with 300,000 miles, in stark contrast with his predecessor cruising a $300,000 Lamborghini. (More)

➤ The first babies born in Georgia in 2025 are being celebrated across the state. (See Photos)

➤ Lil Wayne and other artists will perform during Atlanta’s celebrations leading up to its hosting of the college football national championship game on Jan. 20. (Details)

How long do you keep New Year’s resolutions?

1. A week, maybe
2. A few months
3. The whole year
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Are you adjusting your thermostat because of rising electricity rates?

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What presidential ‘medical first’ is Jimmy Carter known for?

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