This week on Athens News Matters: Athens-Clarke County commissioners strapped in Tuesday for a marathon four-plus-hour meeting, tackling items like a new health care contract for the county’s diversion center, a new east side fire station, a moratorium on short term rentals, and much more. WUGA’s Alexia Ridley sat down with District 6 Commissioner Jesse Houle for a recap and some big news about Houle’s political future. Today is Veterans’ Day – a time when we pause to thank veterans and active service members for their service. But, a recent study shows that some military families are facing serious challenges. That research, from the University of Georgia, shows that one in eight military families used food bank resources to make ends meet, an increase from pre-pandemic numbers. WUGA’s Martin Matheny spoke with Dr. Catherine O’Neal, associate professor of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Georgia, and Dr. Mallory Lucier-Greer, associate professor of Human Development and Family Science at Auburn University, on how military families are utilizing, and at times underutilizing, community resources to alleviate food insecurity. Post-pandemic supply chain challenges and the increase of long-haul truckers taking other jobs has left Georgia with a driver deficit. With a nationwide industry shortage of about 80,000 drivers, getting new truckers on the roads is more important than ever.
