Q: I am curious as to why the land is being cleared and the trees are being cut down on the eastbound side of I-20, between the perimeter and Panola Road.

—Amy Whitworth, Covington

A: This is part of the operational improvement project on I-20 east, Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman Mark D. McKinnon told Q&A on the News. He wrote in an email that the project includes "the addition of barrier-separated collector-distributor (CD) lanes, modification of general purpose lanes and ramp improvements from just west of the I-20/I-285 interchange to the I-20/Panola Road interchange, in the eastbound direction only." The $36 million project began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed July 31, 2013. The work is being done by C.W. Matthews Contracting Co.

Q: Why is Arizona exempt from Daylight Saving Time when all of the other states in the lower 48 do it?

—William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch

A: States weren't required to adopt Daylight Saving Time, and Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that don't to it, according to NationalGeographic.com. Arizona doesn't observe it because of the state's extreme heat, according to a 1969 Arizona Republic article that was cited in an article on ABC15.com in Phoenix. "If Arizona were to observe Daylight Saving Time, the sun would stay out until 9 p.m. in the summer (instead of 8 p.m., like it does currently)," the station reported.

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

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Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com