1. Putting a face to Pluto's name
The long-awaited images captured by the New Horizons spacecraft were finally revealed Wednesday, giving mankind the first close-up look at Pluto ever. Scientists were surprised at the lack of impact craters but excited to see ice mountains about as high as the Rockies on the dwarf planet's surface. Read more about this landmark achievement.
2. Georgia State loses ESPY to Ole Miss
The Panthers were nominated for the ESPY for Best Upset for their 57-56 victory over Baylor in the NCAA tournament, a game most memorable for R.J. Hunter's 12 of the team's 13 final points. Ole Miss went home with the award instead. Read more.
3. Georgia schools charged with illegal segregation of disabled students
The U.S. Department of Justice charged some Georgia schools Wednesday for illegally segregating thousands of students with behavioral or psychiatric disorders. Schools involved are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. If the state does not comply with the department's new demands for integrated settings, the department could file a lawsuit to force corrections. Read more.
4. Georgia leaders seek increase in number of charter schools
Charter schools were initiated with the promise to outperform traditional public schools or close, but the recently issued Georgia State Charter Schools Commisision report showed that 62 percent of the authorized charter schools did no better than comparison school districts. Despite this track record, Georgia leaders are pushing to increase the number of charter schools. Read more.
5. Federal lawsuit alleges Dekalb mishandled traffic violations
A federal suit filed Wednesday alleges Dekalb County for illegally adjudicating traffic violations in the Dekalb Recorder's Court. According to the suit, the court was authorized to hear only county ordinance violations, yet it took advantage of citizens who were stopped on traffic offenses. Dekalb policymakers, according to attorney Marlan Wilbanks, who filed the suit on behalf of four Dekalb citizens, were trying to make up for a budget shortfall. Read more.
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