Vanessa McCray

Vanessa McCray leads The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's breaking news team by identifying and launching coverage of the top stories of the day. She joined the AJC in 2017, and spent seven years on the education team where she covered higher education, and before that, Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools. She previously worked at The Blade in Toledo, Ohio, and for newspapers in northern Michigan.

Latest from Vanessa McCray

Hurricane prep: How to weather the storm in Georgia

Here’s how to prepare for possible high winds, flooding and heavy rain from Hurricane Isaias.

Heavy rain could drench Georgia, bring flash flooding before temps drop

Several inches of rain are possible through the weekend, with the wettest time period expected to stretch from Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

Shaky Knees evacuated due to severe weather

Storms force Shaky Knees evacuation with more rain possible Sunday

Severe storms could continue to roll through until 11 p.m. Saturday, and more rain is possible Sunday in Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.

Weekend heat advisory, storms expected to give way to milder Labor Day

The heat index was expected to reach 105 degrees in metro Atlanta on Sunday, but Labor Day highs are expected to be lower than in recent days.

Atlanta police recruit killed in motorcycle crash on way to work, officials say

An Atlanta Police Department employee was killed in a crash on the city’s southeast side early Tuesday, officials said.

Extreme heat prompts Georgia schools to rearrange operations and activities

The extremely hot weather is causing disruptions in some metro Atlanta schools, knocking out HVACs and prompting virtual learning where possible.

North Georgia sizzles under heat advisory; feels-like temp up to 109 in forecast

The National Weather Service expects the feels-like temperature to top triple digits this weekend and into the start of the work week.

A meteor streaks across the sky during the annual Perseid meteor shower in Spruce Knob, W.Va. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP 2021)

Perseid meteor shower in Georgia: What to know, where to watch

The Perseid meteor shower will peak late Wednesday into Thursday and line up with a new moon, providing dark skies for better viewing opportunities. But expect some clouds.

HHS Secretary Kennedy attends CDC event for anniversary of Atlanta shooting

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. marked the one-year anniversary of a shooting that locked down the CDC for hours and killed a police officer.

2 injured in bus shooting after ‘accidental discharge,’ MARTA says

Two people were injured after a gun was accidentally discharged late Wednesday on a MARTA bus, transit officials say.