5 things to know tonight: Braves trade Mallex Smith, Shae Simmons; John Lewis denounces Jeff Sessions’ AG nomination and more

1. Braves trade Mallex Smith, Shae Simmons to Seattle for prospects. The Braves traded outfielder Mallex Smith and relief pitcher Shae Simmons to the Seattle Mariners for a pair of left-handed pitching prospects, Luiz Gohara and Thomas Burrows. [Read more]

2. John Lewis denounces Jeff Sessions' attorney general nomination. U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta, excoriated U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions' attorney general nomination on Wednesday, implying in testimony that the longtime Alabama senator would only look out for "some of us." [Read more]

3. Cobb vlogger cited by code enforcement for home business. A popular video blogger has been cited for violating county code by creating and uploading videos from the Cobb home he shares with his collaborators. [Read more]

4. Multiple shell casings found after shooting in parking lot of DeKalb Zaxby's. Employees of a DeKalb County Zaxby's restaurant hid in a nearby Pizza Hut after police responded to a report of shots fired Wednesday afternoon. [Read more]

5. Gov. Nathan Deal calls for 2 percent teacher pay raise, big projects. Gov. Nathan Deal proposed Wednesday a 2 percent pay raise for Georgia teachers and a massive building program that includes borrowing $105 million to build a state courthouse on the site of the old archives building down the street from the Capitol. [Read more]

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.

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

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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.