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Local Nonprofits Offer Free COVID-19 Testing Today

By Alexia Ridley • 4 minutes ago

Free COVID-19 testing is available for members of the community and anyone else in Winterville this afternoon. Shawanda Johnson, the Family Connection-Communities in Schools Neighborhood Leader for the area says the testing is particularly timely coming after the Thanksgiving holiday.

WalletHub Releases 2020 Holiday Budget by City Report

By Alexia Ridley • Nov 25, 2020

While families around the nation are preparing for Thanksgiving this week, many are already planning for Christmas. The personal finance website WalletHub recently released its 2020 Holiday Budgets by City report as a guide to help shoppers stay on track during this holiday shopping season.

Jill Gonzalez is an analyst with WalletHub.

"We looked at 570 cities, Athens came in at 561st, so in the bottom ten numbers here, and a holiday budget on average is $375."

Georgia Opens Application for Medical Marijuana Producers

By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution • Nov 25, 2020

Georgia has opened the application process for businesses who want to manufacture cannabis oil for medical use in the state.

The General Assembly legalized the treatment for a limited number of conditions five years ago, and the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has now approved the process that would allow roughly 14,000 registered patients to receive it, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The application, accessible via the group’s website, must be received by 2 p.m. on Dec. 28.

Annual Thanksgiving Day Charity Feast for Project Safe Continues

By Alexia Ridley • Nov 25, 2020

A Thanksgiving holiday tradition will continue this year in Athens. FIVE Bar and Chuck’s Fish will be hosting the 6th annual Thanksgiving Day Charity Feast for Project Safe. A traditional, boxed meal will be prepared by chefs and offered curb-side.

Athens Farmers Market to Host Holiday Market

By Alexia Ridley • Nov 25, 2020

The Athens Farmers Market is hosting its first annual holiday market this Saturday. The market is aimed at celebrating the craftsmanship of local artists and creators while supporting small businesses.

Masks will be required, hand sanitizer provided and attendees are encouraged to practice social distancing. The event is 8 am until 4 pm. Visit the Athens Farmers Market Facebook page for more information. More than 40 artisans are participating in the event.

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Athens News Matters

Athens News Matters: 11/20/2020

By Alexia Ridley, Chris Shupe & Martin Matheny • Nov 20, 2020

This week on Athens News Matters:

Athens News Matters: Western Downtown Historic District

By Jeanne Davis • Nov 20, 2020

Athens-Clarke County Commissioners voted this week on the creation of a western downtown historic district. However, the proposal has divided downtown property owners, as well as some ACC Commissioners. WUGA’s Jeanne Davis explains reasons behind opposing opinions and what the approval means for many building owners.

Athens News Matters: Athens Economy Update

By Chris Shupe & Jessica Wurst & David Bradley • Nov 20, 2020

For more than six months, the local economy has been struggling with the effects of the pandemic. David Bradley, CEO and president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, tells us how local businesses are coping, and what we can expect to see in the upcoming winter months.

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Biden Is Good News For Europe But China Challenges Await

By Frank Langfitt • 33 minutes ago

President-elect Joe Biden has chosen a national security team that backs traditional U.S. alliances, which has been met with relief in much of Europe after nearly four years of hostility from President Trump.

Take Antony Blinken, Biden's nominee for secretary of state. He spent part of his childhood in Paris, speaks impeccable French, and is an avowed supporter of the trans-Atlantic relationship.

President-Elect Biden Names Core Members Of His Economic Team

By Brakkton Booker • 34 minutes ago

Updated at 11:45 a.m. ET

With the American economy on uneven footing as coronavirus cases surge nationwide, President-elect Joe Biden formally announced top members of his incoming economic team on Monday.

New Zealand Charges 13 Parties Over Deaths At White Island Volcano

By Bill Chappell • 41 minutes ago

New Zealand's government has filed charges over the volcano eruption that killed 22 people on White Island last year, saying operators that brought tourists to see the country's most active volcano failed to follow health and safety rules.

Officials say 47 people were on the island when the volcano erupted in the early afternoon of Dec. 9, sending a plume of ash, toxic gas and rocks some 12,000 feet into the sky. Rescue crews rushed to find survivors, and recovery teams spent roughly two weeks trying to find victims.

Biden Announces More Historic Appointments To Economics Team

By editor • 2 hours ago

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