Latest news with #MichaelDoudna
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Private companies could shell out billions for new express lanes on GA 400
Over the next couple of weeks, parts of GA 400 will see occasional lane and shoulder closures as the Georgia Department of Transportation sets the stage for future construction on express lanes. The new express lanes, which Channel 2 Action News first told you about in August, will run 16 miles from the North Springs MARTA station into Forsyth County. Two lanes in each direction will run from the North Springs MARTA station to McGinnis Ferry Road, and one lane in each direction will run from McGinnis Ferry to just north of McFarland Parkway. But GDOT tells Channel 2's Michael Doudna says any closures you see in that area for now are part of its planning stages. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'We see about 270,000 cars a day on SR 400, and we know in the future, that's going to be 350,000 a day,' GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said. Some single lanes have been closed nightly for the last week as workers do Geotech work to plan ahead. Under the current plan, private companies would cover the $4.6 billion construction cost, pay $4 billion to the state and cover maintenance. In exchange, they would get 50 years of the Peach Pass user fees for those lanes. TRENDING STORIES: Manhunt underway after woman, child shot, killed at DeKalb apartment complex 'He's just out there': Grandmother very concerned about Clayton State student missing from hospital The streak of rainy days continues There is no word on how much the private companies expect to make, but the hope from the state is that it can be mutually beneficial for everyone. 'When motorists choose to use the express lane system, then it frees up space in the managed lanes, so it frees up space for all users,' GDOT spokesperson Natalie Dale said. If private companies shell out $8.6 billion for construction and payments to the state, they'll need to get $172 million a year for each of the 50 years they would get Peach Pass fees to recoup their money. The plan calls for construction to begin as early as August and be complete in 2031. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Outside agitators' blamed for ICE protest damage in Brookhaven; AG warns against violence
Six people face charges after a protest of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations that was largely peaceful through the day experienced violence Tuesday night. Brookhaven's mayor told Channel 2's Michael Doudna that the people responsible for a lot of the damage were not from the area. 'It's clear that they were outside agitators, decided to try to basically goad us into action,' Mayor John Park said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Only one of the people arrested was from Brookhaven, officials said. Around 9:30 p.m., windows were smashed on multiple police cars and fireworks were thrown. Park said those actions are a crime, not a protest. 'Pretty much all the protesters, they don't want violence,' he said. 'They want to be heard.' Estevan Hernandez helped organize the protest, speaking out against ICE operations across the country. 'L.A. was the spark, and we're seeing it travel across the country now,' he said of the nationwide demonstrations. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr on Wednesday warned against people getting violent. 'If you use violence for the purposes of changing public policy, we can and will charge you with domestic terrorism,' Carr said. For most of the evening Tuesday, hundreds of people peacefully rallied along Buford Highway. This will likely be one of multiple protests in the near future, as law enforcement will have to balance First Amendment rights with public safety. 'People have the right to be heard,' Park said. 'We support that, but our main concern is we want to keep people safe.' The same group that organized Tuesday's protest has scheduled another one Saturday in DeKalb County. TRENDING STORIES: Lithonia rapper Silentó pleads guilty, sentenced to 30 years in prison for cousin's shooting death They were once best friends, then one killed the other. We take you inside this bizarre murder case The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson dies at 82 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Giant tree crashes into another, sends it toppling onto Cobb County rental home
The severe storms that moved through metro Atlanta over the weekend knocked down several trees. In Cobb County, one giant tree crashed into another tree, starting a domino effect where the second tree landed on top of a home. Neighbors who heard it fall says it happened within minutes. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Monday, Channel 2's Michael Doudna reported outside the home on Centerview Drive, where the massive amount of damage hasn't been touched since Saturday night's storms. Doudna learned the home belongs to a rental company. A representative said no one was inside the home because it was under renovations. The rental company said it had someone scheduled to move into the home in two weeks. All of that will be put on hold for quite some time. TRENDING STORIES: Another risk for strong to severe storms Monday Power restored for thousands after storms, but some still dealing with downed trees GSP identifies man who died after tree fell on his car [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tomatoes sold in Georgia could be deadly, FDA says
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is upgrading a recall on tomatoes issued earlier this month. Tomatoes sold under the Williams Farms Repak and the H&C Farms labels were recalled because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA has now upgraded that recall to a Class I, the federal agency's highest classification. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The tomatoes were distributed between April 23 and April 28 and then packaged and sold to wholesalers and distributors in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, the FDA said. 'The old adage of when in doubt, throw it out, certainly would apply in this situation. Don't risk your health for a few dollars of tomatoes,' Craig Nielsen with the Georgia Department of Agriculture told Channel 2's Michael Doudna. TRENDING STORIES: 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Dwight Eubanks diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer 'No danger to public' after chemical spill in East Point Governor's office said it will start issuing special tax refund checks this week No illnesses have been reported, but symptoms of a Salmonella infection can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In some rare cases, the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. 'Food poisoning does not alter the color, look, or taste of food so it's hard to identify until it is too late,' Dr. Danny Branstetter with WellStar Health System said. The tomatoes came in various packing configurations, including: 5x6, 25lb (lot code R4467) 6x6, 25lb (lot code R4467, R4470) Combo, 25lb (lot code R4467) 4x4, 2-layer (lot code R4467) 4x5, 2-layer (lot code R4467) 60-count, 2-layer (lot code R4467) 60-count, 18lb loose (lot code R4467, R4470) XL 18lb loose (lot code R4467) 3ct trays (lot code R4467) [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CDC safety workers worry job cuts could hurt workplace protections
In less than two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could see its workforce cut by more than 50 percent. Channel 2's Michael Doudna spoke Tuesday with three employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, who are set to be terminated in less than two weeks. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] NIOSH is part of the CDC, and its staff checks for safety hazards such as chemicals and vehicle hazards, research aimed at saving lives. Their workforce will be drastically cut soon, and they fear it could impact protections for workers. For decades, employees at NIOSH have tried to make workplaces safer. 'We look at, of course, construction, that area,' said Anita Jones with NIOSH. 'We look at firefighters. We look at mining. We look at healthcare.' 'There are a lot of things that can harm a worker in the United States,' said Nicholas Coombs with NIOSH. 'You can get sick from pesticides. You can get sick from a chronic disease like cancer.' On April 1, more than half of the institution learned their jobs were on the chopping block, cut in the name of efficiency. 'All of us believe that when it's your job on the line, it's an emotional thing,' said Josh McKoon, Georgia Republican Party chairman. He says cuts need to be made for the fiscal health of the country, and not cutting jobs could lead to an economic catastrophe. 'Those consequences far outweigh the programmatic impacts on any of these agencies,' he said. But for those with NIOSH, they worry the cuts will not only hurt the agency, but workers everywhere. 'It harms the American workplace, it harms the American industry,' Coombs said. 'It no longer puts protections in place for if and when the other shoe drops. Unless the federal government reverses course, those on the chopping block will lose their jobs on June 2. TRENDING STORIES: Georgia Tech student dies after being shot in the head at off-campus apartment Canton man found guilty of burning boy with cigarette 20 parks to close on Lake Lanier [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
