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Athens News Matters for July 27, 2024

Recall Rundown: Judge Says Attempt to Remove Mayor Girtz Can Move Forward

Earlier this year, a local conservative activist filed a recall effort against Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz. This attempt to oust the mayor has set off a complicated string of legal actions. WUGA’s Alexia Ridley sat down with local reporter Jim Thompson, who is covering the recall effort for the Athens Banner Herald, to discuss the latest news.

“We were turning food away.” Food Bank Opens New, Larger Facility

Last week, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of their new facility on Newton Bridge Road. WUGA’s Mary Ryan Howarth attended the event and has this report.

Georgia lawmaker sees opportunities and risks in AI

Artificial intelligence seems to be everywhere these days, from big corporations to the devices in the palms of our hands. It’s also attracted the attention of state lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Georgia Senate established a special study committee on AI. WUGA’s Martin Matheny spoke to Senator John Albers, a Roswell Republican and chair of that committee, about its work and what they’re learning. Here’s that conversation.

Fewer Risks, More Protection, Says UGA Scientist of New COVID Vaccine

COVID-19 continues to disrupt lives and cause serious illness across the country, and vaccination remains one of the best ways to prevent infection. That’s according to Biao He, a professor in the Department of Infectious Disease at the University of Georgia’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

He is also the co-founder of CyanVac and Blue Lake Biotechnology, two companies that are currently testing intranasal vaccines that protect against the COVID-19 virus. He sat down with WUGA’s Emma Auer to discuss the vaccine’s progress.

Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!
Martin Matheny is WUGA's Program Director and a host and producer of our local news program 'Athens News Matters.' He started at WUGA in 2012 as a part-time classical music host and still hosts WUGA's longest-running local program 'Night Music' which is heard on WUGA and GPB Classical. He lives in Normaltown with his wife, Shaye and dog, Murphy.