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USA TODAY

partner publisher · 2.1M followers
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How Ryan Seacrest is giving his old high school football team something it never had

The future of Dunwoody (GA) High School football is being built by more than just the players on the field. It's being built by hundreds of community members who have come together to give the Wildcats something they've never had before: a stadium of its own. Fueled by a donation from Dunwoody alum and television host Ryan Seacrest and a community-wide fundraising effort, Seacrest Stadium is officially set to break ground the week of Nov. 23, following county approval on Nov. 9. And when it opens next fall, the whole community will be able to call it their own. “I think we’re all kind of part owners of this,” said Steve Fortenberry, former teacher and president of the Dunwoody High School Community Association. “I think you’re really going to see that it wasn’t just the county building this and we show up. This is Dunwoody’s stadium. We are kind of the Green Bay Packers of the high schools.” The project has been years in the making, but it took a collective effort from the community to turn the vision into a reality. It started with a donation of more than $1 million from Seacrest, who played defensive back for the

Dunwoody, GA · 4d

WSB Channel 2 Atlanta

partner publisher · 411.0K followers
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Superintendent leaving Decatur schools with more than $400K in remaining salary

City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker announced Tuesday that she is stepping down, leaving parents surprised and raising questions about a separation agreement that will pay her more than $400,000 in future salary.

Decatur, GA · 1d

WSB Channel 2 Atlanta

partner publisher · 411.0K followers
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Cobb schools offer out-of-district enrollment as student numbers decline

Families across Georgia can apply to send their children to select Cobb County schools through a new tuition-based enrollment program.

Cobb County, GA · 2d

Marietta Daily Journal

partner publisher · 28.8K followers
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Cobb school board approves three-year contracts for principals, superintendent’s cabinet

MARIETTA — On Thursday, the Cobb County Board of Education voted 4-3 to approve three-year contract extensions for Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s executive cabinet and all of the district’s school principals. The board voted along party lines, with the four Republicans in favor and the three Democrats opposed. Democratic board member Tre Hutchins moved to amend the motion and remove the contracts, but it failed. Cobb Board of Education Chairman Randy Scamihorn said there could be no discussion of the contract extensions because they were personnel matters. The vote took place at the first board meeting since Democrat Micheal Gaza defeated Republican board Vice Chairman David Chastain in the November election, which flips the board from Republican to Democratic control in January. Jeff Hubbard, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, said the contract extensions appear to be a “golden parachute” to financially protect Ragsdale’s cabinet members once Garza is sworn into the school board. “This just smacks of protecting people as we have a new change on the board,” Hubbard said. “Basically, if I were a taxpayer in Cobb, I would be mad as (h ---).” Hubbard said administrative staff in Cobb, including executive cabinet members and principals, traditionally

Cobb County, GA · 1d

WSB Radio

partner publisher · 99.5K followers

Another metro Atlanta school district proposes consolidating five schools amid declining enrollment

The district plans to hold five information sessions and public hearings through December to give families and community members an opportunity to learn more about the proposal.

Rockdale County, GA · 2d

WSB Channel 2 Atlanta

partner publisher · 411.0K followers

Metro Atlanta school community mourns longtime teacher

A metro Atlanta school community is mourning the loss of a longtime educator remembered for her passion for teaching, laughter and encouraging spirit.

Douglas County, GA · 3d

Marietta Daily Journal

partner publisher · 28.8K followers

Cobb school board turns to out-of-county students to avoid closures

MARIETTA — Under threat of school closures, the Cobb Board of Education gave the greenlight to out-of-district admissions Thursday. The board approved the policy in a vote of 4-2-1, with Democrats Becky Sayler and Tre Hutchins voting no and Nichelle Davis abstaining. District staff first announced the “Choose Cobb” program Nov. 4. Under the program, Georgia families living outside Cobb County can send their children to participating county schools for a $600 tuition fee per student each semester. District leaders have said the program was created to boost declining school enrollment numbers in Cobb that reflect a larger phenomenon both statewide and nationally. John Floresta, the district’s chief strategy & accountability officer, said Fulton County and Atlanta have recently made plans to close some of their public schools, and Cobb must take appropriate measures to avoid a similar situation. “If we do not do something about the current state of enrollment, the only other choice will be to close schools,” Floresta said. “I don’t know how else to say that bluntly. That is just a fact of where we are.” The board changed its school admissions policy, which previously only allowed out-of-district enrollment in its virtual school program. Superintendent Chris

Cobb County, GA · 21h

CBS News Atlanta

partner publisher · 12.3K followers

South Atlanta students embrace title of "Baddest Band in the Land"

As a member of South Atlanta High School's first graduating class, Jamont Lane had dreams of being a band director. Now he's back at his alma mater leading the "Baddest Band in the Land."

Atlanta, GA · 2d

Marietta Daily Journal

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Longhorns get big test with Houston County

Friday’s first-round Class AAAAAA playoff matchup will pit Kell’s depth against Houston County’s star quality. The Bears (5-5) feature Colorado State-committed running back Austin Stinson, who has rushed for 1,727 yards and 24 touchdowns, and highly recruited wide receiver Jeffery Thomas, who has 979 yards and 10 touchdowns on 72 receptions. “They have a really special running back and a big offensive line,” said Kell coach Bobby May. “For us, we need to stop their best players and take away what they do best. There are still some other players who can make plays, but we feel like if we can make them get to their third option, we’ll feel really confident.” The Longhorns (8-2) counter with Georgia Tech commit Moonie Gipson at running back, who is nearing 100% after rehabbing the ankle injury he suffered in last season's playoffs. Gipson has 612 yards and 11 touchdowns, but the Longhorns also have two other ballcarriers with more than 400 yards rushing this season. Senior wide receiver Brock Burrus has committed to West Virginia and has a 1,000-yard season, but junior quarterback Boston Pierce, Cobb County's leading passer, has completed passes to 10 different receivers. Burrus averages 27.5 yards a reception

Houston County, GA · 1d

Gwinnett Daily Post

partner publisher · 2.9K followers

Archer survives tough region for state playoff trip

When the Class AAAAAAA high school brackets were finalized last weekend, Archer and North Cobb drew a familiar opponent in the first round. The two teams played each other the previous two years in the regular season, so Friday’s state playoff matchup makes it three straight seasons. North Cobb won both previous meetings, 28-14 at home in 2025 and 49-21 at Archer in 2024. Archer reached the postseason while navigating an incredibly tough schedule that included No. 3 overall seed Carrollton before a region slate that featured No. 2 Newton, No. 12 Grayson and No. 19 South Gwinnett. The Tigers were off last week after a 49-23 loss at Newton in Game 10. After losing record-breaking Jordan Do to graduation off last season’s team, Archer still leans heavily on its quarterback, Jamal Ambler. The junior has 1,797 passing yards and 17 TDs, along with 241 rushing yards and three TDs. His top targets are Robbie Dunn Jr. (65 catches, 722 yards, nine TDs), Avery Booth (34-433-3), Jayden Davis (24-312-3) and Gary Isaac (23-175-4). Archer’s defensive playmakers include Joshua Booker (68 tackles, three for losses, five caused fumbles), Kevin Gwibuka (65 tackles, three for losses, four interceptions, two caused fumbles, one

Lawrenceville, GA · 2d

Marietta Daily Journal

partner publisher · 28.8K followers

New PSR produces unlikely matchup between Marietta and Buford in Round 1

Marietta has a tall task ahead this Friday night, as the Blue Devils will travel to Buford to take on the Wolves in the first round of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs. Blue Devils coach Cameron Duke spoke highly of Buford’s talent and coaching, acknowledging the tough task ahead of the Blue Devils this week. The Wolves (10-0) are the No. 3 team in the nation according to MaxPreps. The new PSR system for playoff seeding implemented by the Georgia High School Association this season impacted both teams. Marietta (6-4) and Buford were both negatively impacted by playing two out-of-state games, which don’t carry the same weight in the formula as in-state games do. Marietta is the 24th-seeded team in Class AAAAAAA, while Buford is No. 9. Duke said the way the Blue Devils’ two out-of-state games affected their seed may impact how they approach scheduling moving forward if changes aren’t made. “We’re grateful for the opportunities that we had to go play the NFL Academy and play St. Cloud, who’s a playoff team down in Florida, and I believe Buford would say the same thing about playing Mallard Creek out of North Carolina and Miami Central out of Florida,” Duke

Marietta, GA · 1d

fox5atlanta.com

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Conyers hosts undefeated Heritage playoff clash

New Manchester High School travels to Conyers to face an undefeated Heritage High School football team in the first round of the playoffs as the visitors seek their first Round of 16 berth since 2020.

Conyers, GA · 15h

Rome News-Tribune

partner publisher · 16.4K followers

Darlington outlasts Mt. Bethel in first-round playoff game

MARIETTA — In the grand scheme of the season, very few would have expected Mt. Bethel Christian to be in a position to host a state playoff game in 2026. But despite a 6-4 season in their first year of region play, the 16th-seeded Eagles were unable to defend home turf, falling 42-38 to No. 17 Darlington and its option-heavy offense Friday in the first round of the Class AA-AAAA Private state tournament at Arrow Field. “It’s almost impossible to prepare for a triple-option in a week, but we did the best we could, and I think our guys went all-out,” Mt. Bethel coach Damon Dawson said. “We were neck and neck as far as our (playoff) ratings, and that’s what the score reflects. In the end, there were some plays that went their way, some fourth downs we didn’t stop, and here we are.” Mt. Bethel (6-5) had no answer defensively for Darlington (6-5) as the Tigers averaged 8.9 yards per carry on 46 attempts. But in the end, one could point to Darlington’s special teams blocking an Mt. Bethel extra point and breaking up a pair of 2-point conversions as the difference-maker. “It’s playoff football in Georgia, so

Rome, GA · 19h

Courthouse News Service

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Emory University defends firing professor over Charlie Kirk comments

ATLANTA (CN) — Emory University has asked a judge to throw out a lawsuit from a professor who was fired over a Facebook post about the assassination of controversial right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk. Anna Kenney, an associate professor of pediatrics at the school from 2013 until her firing last...

Atlanta, GA · 20h

theqgentleman.com

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Dr. Kevin James Thanks Anonymous Donor for $700,000 Gift to Morris Brown College

Morris Brown College just got a major boost, and its president couldn’t hide his excitement. Dr. Kevin James took to LinkedIn this week to share that an anonymous donor had given $700,000 to the historic Atlanta HBCU. “We needed this good news!” James wrote. “To the anonymous person who...

Atlanta, GA · 2d

cobbcountycourier.com

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Life University’s Lights of Life shines into 37th season with more than 1 million lights

Life University distributed the following press release about its annual holiday lights display:. Drive-through display lights up Marietta Nov. 26 through Dec. 31, with $15 per vehicle admission. Life University will flip the switch on more than 1 million twinkling lights Thanksgiving night, Nov. 26, launching the 37th annual Lights...

Marietta, GA · 1d

appenmedia.com

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Plan would close Mimosa Elementary, merge middle schools

ROSWELL, Ga. — Officials from Fulton County Schools have proposed closing Mimosa Elementary School and consolidating students attending Haynes Bridge and Holcomb Bridge middle schools. The changes are part of a redistricting plan proposed for Geographic Region C — schools north of the Chattahoochee River — to address school...

Fulton County, GA · 1d

Gwinnett Daily Post

partner publisher · 2.9K followers

Peachtree Ridge hosts Hillgrove in state football opener

Peachtree Ridge’s success early in the football season not only brought a state playoff berth, but also a first-round home game Friday against Hillgrove. The Lions, who started 6-0, have lost three of four, though all three were to state playoff teams — No. 4 seed Brookwood, No. 6 North Gwinnett and No. 29 Norcross. It eked out a 40-34, double-overtime win over Duluth to avoid a four-game losing streak. Both of the past two games — the win over Duluth and the loss to Brookwood — were played without starting quarterback Zain Belfield. Despite last week’s setback against Brookwood, the Lions got standout defensive play from R.J. Parks (13 tackles, two for losses, two sacks), Britt Finley (13 tackles) and Donovan Macombe (10 tackles). Cayden Macon was a bright spot on a slow offensive night with four catches for 56 yards. Manny Jimenez made his only field goal attempt, a 45-yarder, and punted seven times for a 39.4-yard average. Hillgrove closed its regular season a hot streak with four straight victories with two over state playoff teams, No. 23 Harrison and No. 27 North Atlanta. Class AAAAAAA First Round Hillgrove Hawks (3-AAAAAAA) Coach: Justin DeShon Record: 7-3 Seed: No.

Powder Springs, GA · 2d

Rome News-Tribune

partner publisher · 16.4K followers

Nelson returns home to lead Pepperell girls hoops

When Pepperell High School named Leah Nelson as the new girls basketball coach back in April, the Dragon Nation was bringing a Floyd County native home after more than three decades. Nelson began her association with the hardwood in Rome, and then her family moved west across the boarder to Cherokee County, Alabama, when she was in the eighth grade. She would play on two high school state championship teams and then set what was then a record for games played at the University of Alabama with 129 (a total still in the Crimson Tide top 10 at No. 7). Nelson went on to an extensive career in coaching and education, one she decided to add a new chapter to in the Lindale community after retiring from the Alabama public school system. “I actually decided to cross the state line,” said Nelson prior to seeing the Lady Dragons in game action at a scrimmage Tuesday at Unity Christian. “I’m actually from Rome. My parents wanted to retire in Centre (Alabama) on the golf course, so we moved. I went to high school in Cherokee County. Otherwise, I would have gone to Coosa. My brothers graduated from Coosa. “I’m a native.

Lindale, GA · 1d

Gwinnett Daily Post

partner publisher · 2.9K followers

Two Gwinnett school board members speak out on retention bonuses

Two Gwinnett County school board members are, in their individual capacities, addressing teachers concerns on the retention bonuses that educators found out they would not receive this week. Board Chairwoman Tarece Johnson-Morgan and Board member Rachel Stone reiterated Gwinnett County Public Schools’ stance that the bonuses were always contingent on whether the district received funding from the state to pay the teachers. They were quick to point out they were not speaking on behalf of the entire board, however. “Right now, social media is full of anger, rumors, and half-truths,” Johnson-Morgan said. “Some of it comes from real pain. Some of it is meant to divide us: teachers against leaders, and neighbors against public schools.” GCPS officials told teachers on Monday that they would not receive retention bonuses this year because there was no funding to pay for it. The announcement quickly took off on social media after district officials accidentally sent it to parents as well as educators. District officials told the Daily Post that the message, which was signed by Chief Financial Officer Masana Mailliard and Interim Chief Human Resources J.W. Mozley, stands as the district’s official statement on the retention bonus issue. “The supplement was contingent on

Gwinnett County, GA · 1d