Willis Grilled by Senate Panel

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Wednesday faced sharp questioning from a state Senate committee over her now-dismissed prosecution of President Trump in the 2020 election case.

Willis said she did not know how many millions of dollars her office spent on prosecuting the case. Often during her three hours of testimony, she responded to questions by saying she did not remember or know.

Committee members said they will use the hearing to guide recommendations for possible legislation, including the use of state funds, open records laws, and the composition of grand juries in Georgia.

Willis, a Democrat who had resisted attempts to compel her to testify and did not show up last year when subpoenaed, called the hearing a witch hunt driven by GOP members’ political ambitions.

  Howard Wins State Senate Seat

Atlanta dentist Dr. Jaha Howard narrowly defeated fellow Democrat and former state Rep. Roger Bruce in a runoff election Tuesday to represent Senate District 35, winning by 52% to 48%.

Howard will replace Jason Esteves, who resigned to run for governor.

Ahead of the election, much of the Democratic establishment coalesced behind Bruce, who served in the state House for 22 years before retiring in 2024.

Howard, a former Cobb County school board member, won handily in Cobb County, while Bruce was the top vote-getter in Fulton County.

Hawks’ Star Nears Return

The Atlanta Hawks recalled Trae Young from workouts with their G League affiliate, signaling the star point guard’s imminent return from a knee injury suffered in late October.

Young rejoined the team for practice this week and could suit up as soon as today against the Charlotte Hornets.

In other injury news, the Hawks will be without big man Kristaps Porzingis for at least two more weeks due to an illness.

The 15-12 Hawks were ranked No. 16 in ESPN’s latest NBA Power Rankings released Wednesday.

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➤ Evans: Jacob Spears, 18, of Evans, was identified as one of the nine students injured in the fatal weekend classroom shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island. He was shot in the stomach while taking a final exam and is recovering. (More)

➤ Athens: A car crashed through a Kroger store on Tuesday, with four people suffering non-life-threatening injuries. (More)

➤ Statewide: The federal government will send an additional $350 million to Georgia for Hurricane Helene recovery. Some storm victims are skeptical the aid will reach those most impacted. (More)

➤ Gwinnett County: Some parents are objecting to the new school policy that will require 6-year-olds to enter first grade instead of kindergarten. A state lawmaker plans to introduce a bill to allow for parental choice. (More)

➤ Moultrie: Two escapees from the Colquitt County Jail were captured hours later, ending a manhunt that prompted public warnings and a reward offer. (More)

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➤ Buford defeated Carrollton 28-21 to win the Class 6A high school football championship on Tuesday, a matchup that pitted two of the top-ranked prep teams in the nation. (More)

➤ Former Atlanta Hawks finance executive Lester Jones Jr. pleaded guilty to wire fraud after allegedly embezzling $3.8 million from the team over nearly a decade. His sentencing is set for March 24. (More)

➤ Fox Sports named Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann as a prime candidate to fill Michigan’s coaching vacancy. (More)

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

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➤ Quad will close its Upson County printing plant in March after 30 years, eliminating more than 200 jobs and prompting local efforts to support displaced workers. (More)

➤ State Farm Arena in Atlanta ranked seventh worldwide and fifth in the U.S. among non-stadium venues in Billboard’s annual report on most utilized arenas, hosting 94 major events in addition to Atlanta Hawks basketball games. (More)

➤ New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit claiming Georgia-based UPS deducted pay for seasonal workers’ unused lunch breaks and forced some to clock in well after their shifts. UPS denied what it called “the unfounded allegation of intentionally underpaying” employees. (More)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: “This time, you’re the collateral.”

The cracks in the system aren’t just cracks anymore. 

• Debt levels are at historic highs.
• Consumer savings are drained.
• Wall Street is on edge.
• Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

➤ Researchers are tracking several massive great white sharks that have migrated into waters off Georgia and South Carolina. (More)

➤ Churches across Bulloch County will host candlelight services, pageants, and worship events through Christmas Day to celebrate the season. (More)

➤ Worth County capped an undefeated season by beating Toombs County in the Class A Division I high school football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, its first football title since 1987. (More)

Have you been to State Farm Arena?

1. Yes
2. When it was Philips Arena
3. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever experienced a white Christmas? 

1. Yes: 58%
2. No: 42%

What was the name of the arena the Atlanta Hawks played in before State Farm Arena?

Show me the answer