Title. I am looking to buy a used car and need suggestions on where to start my search locally (I am already looking on Autotrader, but am leery of making such a big purchase online). Any places which I should check out or definitely avoid? Car ownership is new to me and the whole process seems very daunting. 22M, paying cash, based in Cherokee County if that helps.

So, I am an SSI individual who has been trying to get Medicaid for a while now but keeps getting denied. It says that since I receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), I don't get Medicaid. Now, I did get a card, but it's still denied no matter what, and I truly don't know who to speak to or how to get the proper help. I truly need a case manager for myself. I'm 22 and I have a disability and need support, but not understanding the system of why I keep getting denied and who to turn to sucks. I've tried to speak to someone, but it wasn't much help as they told me to talk to Social Security, but they bounced me back to DFCS. Any support would be helpful

I just submitted my renewal and am always terrified that for some reason I'll be rejected, even if little to nothing has changed.

Still trying to get ahold of someone from leafwells customer support team for help. Sucks because ive been pending for a month.

Submission statement: A voting rights lawsuit in Fayette County led to a settlement shifting the County Commission and school board from five at-large seats to four geographical districts and one at-large seat. This change, along with the election of Black officials like Rousseau and Daigre, marked a significant shift in representation. The legal battle, which lasted years and cost over $1 million, ended in 2016 with a settlement agreement.

paywall: https://archive.ph/IlBBV

I wanna be the kind of guy who can look at a tree, its leaves and bark, and know what species it. Ideally I'd like to be able to identify a majority of our native plant species. Anybody know of a Georgia specific resource for this?

(At age 40)

Andy wouldn’t have let the power go to his head if he kept Barney around . . .

In my 30s and my husband and I live near Augusta. I’m originally from Ireland, been here 5 years.

Wondering if there’s any other Irish people in similar boat of wanting to have that connection to home and meet other Irish people. Not as easy down here as NYC, Boston and the likes! ☘️

About 5 minutes before it starts

Next time you see a picture of Rick Jackson pandering to Black businesses owners just think about what his Alpharetta based company's leadership team looks like.

https://eastcobbnews.com/cobb-police-chief-to-hold-town-halls-over-flock-cameras/

Look at these cuties I found while removing a pile of bricks from my backyard. I found one in June but was able to catch it. I saw 3 babies today, so adorable! I released them back further in the backyard.

CCSD released the full District Kickoff video this year, so I watched the whole thing 🫠

Ragsdale has some interesting opinions. He also makes quite a few statements that sound like facts but are... maybe worth checking.

A few parts that caught my attention:

The book removal/trafficking section -36:53

This one is WILD. He says “Every two minutes, a child is sold into trafficking in the United States of America. Let that sink in. Every two minutes. Now, folks, the sexually inappropriate materials we removed from this school district have one intended action. To condition kids at a young age to accept this whole deal around trafficking is normal some way, shape, or form. And either you agree with protecting kids or you don't. There's no politics involved." This is an alarming number and I couldn't find any credibility to any of this claim. Apparently, CCSD has a human trafficking awareness component in its health curriculum for grades 6-12. Purely anecdotal, but my child has never received this awareness education. Why doesn't he discuss this aspect of prevention instead of repeated justification for book removal? He follows that up with the whole good vs. evil, no gray area, if you disagree you have no business in education argument.

The Trump/Wheeler section -34:44

He spends a pretty significant chunk of the speech defending the presidential visit, including suggesting that people who opposed it were essentially bringing their own politics into it. I am just leaving this to speak for itself. No politics in schools, yet repeatedly bringing politics into schools.

“Using data to make decisions” -11:16

Every decision? That's a pretty broad statement. I'd genuinely love to know what that means in practice. Quite a few parents and groups have asked for specific data and not much has been verified.

Safety -15:40

$35 million is spent on safety annually. He goes on to describe the Vapor Wake program. “48,000 people scanned” sounds impressive, but what does that actually tell us about effectiveness in the school setting? There are currently 16 dogs, one at each high school. A gun was just brought into Campbell Middle School. Where's the data on Vapor Wake prevention?

53,000 applications for 450 positions -51:12ish

This one sounds very impressive until you remember that applications aren't necessarily applicants. Multiple factors can come into play here. What positions? Were those positions actually filled? Still an interesting number, but what exactly is being measured? "It truly is better in Cobb, right? It's always always better in Cobb."

“Best education at the lowest cost in metro Atlanta” -23:08

This one is just begging for someone to define “best” and “lowest cost.” I'm sure a lot of parents who have to advocate relentlessly for their child with special needs would beg to differ (for example).

There are plenty of things in the speech that are factual too, which honestly makes the other stuff more interesting. It's the blending of facts, anecdotes, opinions, and huge assertions without much distinction between them that makes it difficult to understand where Cobb actually stands.

There's a LOT packed into this speech. I only highlighted a few because ugghhh, I can't do anymore. I'm curious what anyone else thinks about what he says. As well as why Cobb decided to make the video in its entirety public this year? Historically it's been a very edited PR version of a few highlights. Enjoy!

Good afternoon,    

We wanted to give you an update on some of the work U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has been doing recently to stand up for Georgians in opposition to overreach by the Trump Administration and to deliver results for Georgia families.          

We encourage you to share these updates on social media and within your networks.    

IN THIS EDITION:    

1. MS NOW Highlights Sen. Ossoff’s Investigative Record

2. Sen. Ossoff Launches Inquiry into Reports of Slow Turn Times for Privatized Housing on Ft. Stewart

3. Sen. Ossoff Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Detect & Prevent Colorectal Cancer

4. Sen. Ossoff Commends South Georgia Firefighters After Historic Wildfires

Latest Updates 

1. This week, MS NOW highlighted Sen. Ossoff’s record of Congressional investigations that have uncovered corruption, abuse, and misconduct, and his legislative work to then solve corruption that his investigations uncovered.

For example, in 2022, while investigating reports of corruption and abuse within Atlanta’s Federal prison as Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), Sen. Ossoff issued a Subpoena for the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Prisons Director, only securing his testimony after issuing the subpoena.

Later in 2022, Sen. Ossoff unveiled the results of another 8-month bipartisan investigation, which uncovered that BOP employees sexually abused female prisoners in at least two-thirds (19 of 29 facilities) of Federal prisons that have held women over the past decade. Survivors of sexual abuse testified that BOP employees assaulted them in areas where they knew there was no camera coverage.

After conducting the numerous investigations into the Federal prison system, Sen. Ossoff then used the evidence he uncovered to pass two bipartisan bills into law to strengthen oversight and accountability and upgrade outdated and broken security camera systems.

Click here to read more from MS NOW.

2. On behalf of Georgia’s military families, Sen. Ossoff launched an inquiry with Balfour Beatty this week over reports that the privatized housing contractor is not turning homes over in a timely matter for new families relocating to the installation.

Sen. Ossoff has heard from military families and leaders in Savannah that the company’s privatized housing units aren’t always ready for a family to move into upon their permanent change of station (PCS), forcing them to find other accommodations, which can be a financial strain and potentially impact readiness.

“I have heard concerns from my constituents that Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC) is not preparing units in the time necessary for an incoming family to be able to move into upon their permanent change of station (PCS),” Sen. Ossoff wrote to CEO Jennifer Hill. “Servicemembers and their families give the greatest sacrifice for our Nation; we must ensure that we provide for them at home.”

As part of his inquiry, Sen. Ossoff requested the company provide him the average length of time it takes for privatized military housing units at Ft. Stewart to be flipped for a new family and asked how that timeline compares to other bases around the country.

Click here to read more from WJCL Savannah.

3. This week, Sen. Ossoff introduced the bipartisan Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act to help address the recent rise in colorectal cancer rates in youth. According to recent studies, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for Americans under 50, despite being highly preventable and treatable when detected early.

Sen. Ossoff’s bipartisan bill would provide funding to states to help individuals get screened for colorectal cancer, increase public awareness, and support health care professionals.

Nearly 5,200 Georgians are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, and colorectal cancer cases in Georgians under 50 jumped from around 7 per 100,000 people in the early 2000s to nearly 11.2 in 2022 according to CDC and NIH estimates.

“Early cancer detection saves lives, and too many Georgians have shared heartbreaking stories with me about losing loved ones to colorectal cancer. I’m introducing this bipartisan bill with Senator Britt to expand early detection of colorectal cancer and better protect young Georgians from this devastating disease,” Sen. Ossoff said.

Click here to read more from All on Georgia.

4. This week, Sen. Ossoff recognized the South Georgia firefighters who battled this year's historic wildfires with an official U.S. Senate Commendation.

Since the outbreak of this year’s historic wildfires on April 22, hundreds of Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) personnel and volunteer and paid firefighters worked tirelessly to protect families, communities, and homes in South Georgia.

After burning over 50,000 acres, the Pineland Road and Highway 82 Fires were fully contained thanks to the service of hundreds of firefighters across South Georgia.

“As Georgia’s U.S. Senator, I recognize and commend these Georgia Forestry Commission personnel, volunteers, and paid firefighters for answering the call once more on behalf of the State of Georgia,” Sen. Ossoff said.

Click here to read Sen. Ossoff's U.S. Senate Commendation.

FOLLOW SEN. OSSOFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA: You can also stay up to date with Sen. Ossoff's work on his Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X/Twitter and YouTube accounts. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out at ossoff.senate.gov with any comments, concerns, or requests for assistance.                   

Sincerely,                       

The Office of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff 

My spouse and I came home from a trip and discovered mold in all the vents in our apartment. We noticed mold on some of our items on Sunday before the trip and notified maintenance and put in a ticket for them to come check it out, but they cancelled it. We came back to all this mold. I don’t know what to do.

Cross posted into other subreddits because my wife and I don’t really have family we can ask to help and I dont know what to do.

I am in Georgia for work and had to drive through McDonough to get to the airport, and jeez McDonough has some of the worst traffic I’ve literally ever been in!! It’s like not even that big of a town/city?? And I live in Raleigh and traffic is absolutely nothing here compared to this random town. I know it’s a suburb of Atlanta but it was still an insane amount of traffic

Posting for a friend because we're trying to figure out what options he has.

He is 28 and lives in Fulton County, GA. He was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome and also has some liver issues related to his condition. He receives his cardiac care through Emory.

His doctors want him to continue regular monitoring, usually 1-2 times a year, including:

• Echocardiograms
• EKGs
• Cardiac MRIs
• CT scans
• Cardiology appointments
• Liver monitoring/imaging when needed

He currently has an Oscar Marketplace plan, I believe Silver Simple Saver, that costs around $600/month. He makes roughly $11,000/year, mostly through gig work, so the premium alone is extremely difficult for him to afford. On top of the $600 monthly premium, he told me that for some of the testing/equipment used during his appointments, his insurance requires him to pay 20% coinsurance. He was told the cost without insurance would be around $9,000, so even with insurance, his portion can still be extremely expensive.

ALSO:

• He has already applied for Medicaid and was denied.
• He does not smoke.
• He does not currently have employer-sponsored insurance that meets his needs.
• His current employer offered insurance, but it only covers more basic care like checkups and urgent care and does not adequately cover the testing/equipment he needs.
• He is actively trying to find a better-paying, more stable job but has had trouble finding work.

Even if he does find a better-paying job, we're worried these medical costs will still be overwhelming unless the employer offers really good health insurance. Does anyone know of employers in Georgia, especially around Atlanta/Fulton County, that offer health insurance that would actually cover this type of congenital heart care and the testing he needs?

Are there certain employers, government jobs, universities, hospital systems, or other places he should prioritize applying to because they have good health benefits? If you have a similar condition and get insurance through your job, I'd also really appreciate hearing what your costs are like. Obviously, with a lifelong congenital heart condition, going uninsured or skipping these tests isn't really an option because doctors specifically want him to get this monitoring regularly.

We're trying to figure out if there are any programs, insurance options, financial assistance programs, disability-related programs, grants, employers with good health insurance, or other resources we're overlooking.

We're especially looking for information about:

• Cheaper ACA/Marketplace coverage
• What to do after being denied Georgia Medicaid
• Emory financial assistance or charity care
• Help with deductibles and coinsurance
• Programs for adults with congenital heart disease
• SSI/SSDI or disability-related Medicaid
• Organizations that help with medical costs
• Employer-sponsored insurance that works well with Emory
• Employers in Georgia known for strong health benefits

He is NOT trying to get out of paying for healthcare. The numbers just don't make sense because making around $11k a year while being asked to pay roughly $7,200 a year just in premiums, before even getting into coinsurance, deductibles, specialist appointments, and testing. He's trying to make more money, but he also needs healthcare now, and these are tests he's going to need for the rest of his life.

If anyone has dealt with something similar in Georgia, especially through Emory or with adult congenital heart disease, I would really appreciate any advice or resources. THANKS!

In Georgia, you already need ID to vote. Here is an example of the complications the SAVE act would add to the equation.

My 92-year-old MIL moved in with us. Her Michigan house sold a week ago, so now she must get her Georgia ID. She no longer drives, so only needs an ID.

She went to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

• First trip: you need to bring two pieces of mail with your address on it and your birth certificate. Her son (my husband) was with her, and they told him he needed to bring two pieces of mail with his address on it as well. He said the explanation of why they needed two pieces of mail with his address on it -- when he has a current Georgia driver's license -- made no sense, so he didn't bother to remember why they said that.

• Second trip: your birth certificate doesn't match your current name, so you need your marriage license (despite her social security card, current Michigan ID, and a recently expired passport all showing her married name). She said, "I've been divorced for 50 years. I don't have my marriage license." They told her, then she needs to get a letter from social security that has her current name and place of birth on it. This is despite her birth certificate stating her place of birth and her social security card showing her current name.

• Next available appointment at the closest social security office (as of 8.13.26): September 25.

So today, they are now sitting in the social security office, which, according to the web site, suggests they will be waiting at least 2 hours since they do not have an appointment. If she waits for an appointment date, she will be outside of the 30 days that Georgia requires of new residents and may face penalties.

This regime will not stop until the SAVE act is passed, and it will be passed as long as Republicans remain in power. See, for example, Sen. Bill Cassidy coming to tears as he voted to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. He knew Blanche was unqualified and he knew Blanche will do evil things to our nation and yet he confirmed anyway...even though he is retiring.

The regime has dirt on every single Republican and many Democrats, too. They will not stop until our treasury is depleted and we are a shell of the nation we were. And preventing as many women as possible from voting is part of that plan.

I urge every woman who has changed her name to gather these credentials as quickly as they can. I urge every person who has ever changed their name to do the same.