Q: I was wondering why they altered the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Q: I was wondering why they altered the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.

—Marilyn Manecke, Mableton

A: The parade’s new route bypassed Broadway for the first time in its 82-year history because of the new pedestrian plazas at Times Square and Herald Square, which are no longer open to traffic, including floats. The parade’s longer 2.65-mile route, which begins at 77th Street and Central Park West, shifted from Broadway to Seventh Avenue. The route then made turns onto Sixth Avenue, Avenue of the Americas and 34th Street before reaching the flagship Macy’s store at Herald Square.

Q: How were schools allowed to use guns in their performances at the AAAAA State One Act Competition when there is zero tolerance in schools?

— Mary Schafer, McDonough

A: The rule set by the Georgia High School Association, which administers the event, says that use of simulated weapons cannot be in violation of any local board of education policy of participating school or host site, said Joyce Kay, GHSA associate executive director. The school that fired a blank during its November performance at the One Act Play competition at Bleckley County High School in Cochran received approval from the principal and associate superintendent to do so, said Nancy Herrington, the host school’s One Act sponsor. She said the decision was made in an attempt to work with the competing schools.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).