The scoop on Tuesday, Jan. 5: 5 things to know this morning

March 18, 2014 Atlanta - Gov. Nathan Deal speaks during the ninth annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), GEORGIA BIKES! and event sponsors host more than 1,000 cyclists from the metro Atlanta region for the ninth annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol. Police escorted rides depart from Decatur and Roswell. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

By Fiza Pirani

Jan 5, 2016

1. Georgia governor retreats on Syria refugee policy

Days after Attorney General Sam Olens said in a formal opinion that the state can't legally resist the resettlement of Syrian refugees, Gov. Deal rescinded an order that sought to stop the resettlement of the refugees in Georgia, clearing the way for Syrian refugees to receive food stamp benefits. Read more.

2. City makes $9 million payment to APS to help settle Beltline dispute

A spokeswoman for Atlanta Public Schools confirmed that the city of Atlanta cut a $9 million check to APS to help settle a dispute over funding of the Atlanta Beltline. Read more.

3. Falcons headed for offseason of uncertainty

The Falcons packed their bags, signed autographs and headed out to other parts of the country for their offseason after the team finished 8-8 following a 5-0 start under first-year coach Dan Quinn. Read more

4. GBI: 'Hate rhetoric is not a crime'

GBI Director Vernon Keenan's comments follow the second day that anti-government activists occupied the headquarters at a National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Oregon. Concerned citizens have contacted Georgia law enforcement, but Keenan said the GBI has no open investigation. "There has to be some kind of criminal activity," he said. "Rhetoric does not fall into that territory. Hate rhetoric isn't a crime. It's protected by the First Amendment." Read more.

5. Obama to roll out executive measures on guns

Pres. Obama is preparing to combat "the scourge of gun violence in this country" with new executive actions including required background checks for guns bought from dealers online, at gun shows. Georgia gun shop owner Kellie Weeks said this is already the law and that every time Obama speaks, new people come in and buy guns. Read more.

About the Author

Fiza Pirani

Fiza Pirani is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor.

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The scoop on Tuesday, Jan. 5: 5 things to know this morning

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