Q: I saw where $800 million worth of lottery winnings went unclaimed in the U.S. How much of those lottery winnings go unclaimed in Georgia? Also, does any of that money go into the state's education system? — William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
A: About $42 million, or about 1.8 percent of the total prize money, went unclaimed in Georgia in 2012. Unclaimed prize winnings in Georgia are used to help fund the HOPE and pre-k programs, J.B. Landroche, the vice president of corporate affairs for the Georgia Lottery Corp., told Q&A on the News in an email. "Also, of this money, $200,000 is transferred annually to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for education and treatment programs for problem gambling," he wrote. Georgia Lottery players won more than $2.3 billion in 2012.
Q: Why is it that the victims shown on the news usually have their hands up leaving buildings as if they were the criminals? — E.J. Loi, Sandy Springs
A: Law enforcement officers ask hostages or victims to keep their hands raised until they can be cleared or more information can be gathered about the shooting or hostage situation. "Even though there may be only one suspect, first responders have to make sure that there isn't a second or third unknown suspect, and also, that the suspect isn't trying to pose as a victim or innocent person as a means of escape," Cpl. Edwin Ritter, a spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department, told Q&A on the News in an email. "In order to protect everyone's safety, everyone is assumed to be a suspect until known otherwise."
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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