Kelly Garrett Ivey, a 43-year-old Georgia man, received a life sentence with 50 years to serve after pleading guilty to multiple child sex crimes in Monroe and Jasper counties. Ivey’s charges included trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, cruelty to children, and attempted rape. The investigation revealed Ivey used a teenage girl’s social media to solicit child molesters, even attempting to sell her personal information on the dark web for kidnapping and sexual assault. The case came to light in 2023, prompting the FBI’s intervention and highlighting the importance of vigilance in protecting children.
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A lucky player in Georgia has won the $980 million Mega Millions jackpot, matching all six numbers: 1, 8, 11, 12, 57, and the Mega Ball 7, defying odds of 1 in 290.5 million. The winner can choose an annuity or a $452.2 million cash option before taxes. This win breaks a 40-drawing streak since the last jackpot, and the prize ranks as the eighth-largest for Mega Millions.
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The Georgia racketeering case against Donald Trump and his allies will now be overseen by Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, after several other prosecutors declined to take on the case. Originally launched by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, the case faced legal challenges that led to Willis’s removal. Skandalakis received the investigative file and is reviewing it, with a status conference scheduled for December 1. While a former U.S. attorney is skeptical the case will proceed, Trump’s defense maintains his innocence and confidence in a dismissal.
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Following a September ICE raid at a Georgia EV battery plant, Korean workers are preparing a class-action lawsuit. The workers, who were in the U.S. on business visas to train American employees, allege unlawful detention, racial profiling, and human rights violations, describing the raid as involving excessive force. The raid, which ICE called the largest-ever enforcement action at a single worksite, led to the detention of hundreds of workers before their release and return to Korea, sparking outrage and calls for clarification. Both the Korean and U.S. governments are now in talks to improve the visa system and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
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A Turkish military cargo plane carrying 20 people crashed in Georgia near the Azerbaijan border on Tuesday. Authorities, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, suggested casualties, although details were not immediately available. The C-130 aircraft was en route back to Turkey from Azerbaijan when contact was lost shortly after entering Georgian airspace, and no distress call was made. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and an investigation has been launched, with officials from Azerbaijan and Georgia offering condolences.
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The Department of Justice has requested election records from Fulton County, Georgia, related to the 2020 election, citing a provision of the Civil Rights Act and other federal statutes, despite previous investigations clearing the county of malfeasance. The request, spurred by a resolution from the state election board, seeks documents related to voter lists, ballot images, and other election materials. The department’s justification for the request, as stated in a letter from the civil rights division, is to ensure transparency and compliance with federal law, although legal experts have questioned the lack of a specific basis for requesting the records. This action aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to scrutinize voting processes, including requests for voter roll information from numerous states and the hiring of individuals who previously worked to challenge the 2020 election results.
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Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in illicit nuclear material trade within Georgia. Three Chinese citizens were apprehended in Tbilisi for allegedly attempting to purchase two kilograms of uranium, with plans to transport it to China via Russia. Authorities also revealed that other members of the criminal group coordinated the operation from China, and the group planned to pay $400,000 for the radioactive material. The arrests add to the country’s history of nuclear material incidents, highlighting the ongoing concerns surrounding the security of materials left over from the Soviet era, making Georgia a target for smugglers.
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The European Court of Human Rights has ordered Russia to pay Georgia over €250 million for human rights violations stemming from the 2008 conflict. The court determined Russia was responsible for excessive force, ill-treatment, unlawful detention, and restricted movement in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This compensation is intended for more than 29,000 victims. Despite Russia’s departure from the Council of Europe in 2022, the court maintains its liability for violations committed before that time, noting Moscow has often defied its rulings.
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As the government shutdown persists, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is diverging from many Republicans by supporting Affordable Care Act subsidies. This stance is drawing attention, particularly within her deep-red district, where many constituents rely on these subsidies. Interviews with voters in Floyd County reveal mixed but generally supportive reactions, with residents acknowledging the potential impact on access to health insurance and appreciating Greene’s perceived focus on her constituents’ needs. Supporters suggest this move indicates a practicality and a focus on addressing the needs of working Americans.
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Following the disputed election victory of the ruling Georgian Dream party, anti-government protesters attempted to storm the presidential palace in Tbilisi, leading to clashes with police who used water cannons and pepper spray. Five individuals, including protest organizer Paata Burchuladze, were arrested, and several people were injured. The demonstration, which involved tens of thousands of people, was sparked by a government crackdown on activists, independent media, and political opposition, with many leaders now imprisoned. The protest occurred on the same day as municipal elections, largely boycotted by the opposition, where Georgian Dream secured majorities, further fueling public discontent and accusations of acting in Russia’s interests.
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John Q. Hosedrinker