5 things to know: Mom who needs meds is missing with her 5 kids

Five things you should know for Monday, August 31:

1. Janee Dichier Ruffin-Cooper, who "has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, manic depression, paranoia and schizophrenia," has had no contact with her family since Saturday. [Read the full story here]

2. Horror director Wes Craven, best known for the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies, has died. [Read more about the filmmaker here]

3. Atlanta police are investigating an overnight stabbing that left a man dead. The suspect is still at large. [Get more details here]

4. It was a tragic weekend at Turner Field. [fan's fatal fall was third since 2008 | Braves players, organizaton react to fan's death]

5. Today will start off cloudy, but there is only a 20 percent chance of rain. [Get your full forecast here]

About the Author

Staff reports

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

The state’s error rate during fiscal 2024 was exceeded by only Alaska and the District of Columbia

Gwinnett drops charges against Spanish-language reporter in ICE custody

Misdemeanor charges against journalist Mario Guevara have now been dropped in both Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

The Latest

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Rhone: Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Keep the momentum going

Featured

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.