Brazil coronavirus variant capable of reinfecting those who already had COVID-19, research suggests

Researchers found that the Brazil variant, called P.1, is between 1.4 and 2.2 times more transmissible than other coronavirus strains and appears to be better at escaping natural immunity.

‘Neanderthal thinking’: Biden calls Texas, other states’ decisions to ease COVID-19 rules ‘a big mistake’

President Joe Biden called Texas and other states’ decisions to end mask mandates and loosen other COVID-19 restrictions “a big mistake” and said it's “Neanderthal thinking.”

UGA plans to resume normal operations in fall semester

The University of Georgia provided a forecast of instructional plans for fall and summer semesters, and the school projects to resume "normal operations" by the 2021 fall semester. 

Abortion concerns prompt Catholic archdiocese warning on vaccine

Roman Catholic leaders in St. Louis and New Orleans are advising Catholics that the COVID-19 vaccine from Johnson & Johnson, newly approved for use in the U.S., is “morally compromised” because it is produced using a cell line derived from an aborted fetus.

House poised to pass landmark voting rights, ethics bill

House Democrats are poised to pass a sweeping elections and ethics bill, offering it up as a powerful counterweight to voting rights restrictions advancing in Republican-controlled statehouses.

200-year-old Atlanta tree transformed into COVID memorial

"This tree has been here for a very long time," said Peter Bahouth, who owns the property with the 200-year-old tree. "It’s seen a lot from this spot from the Civil War to the pandemic. No question, it’s the elder for the premises, it’s the right representative for the memorial."

State Farm Arena uses drone to sanitize seats

State Farm Arena is using drone technology to keep fans safe at the NBA All-Star game this weekend.  

Fauci donates his personal 3D COVID-19 model to Smithsonian

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of the U.S. government’s pandemic response, has donated his personal 3D model of the COVID-19 virus to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Georgia reflects one year after first known COVID-19 case

March 2021 will cause lots of reflection in Georgia and across the U.S. for one primary reason: The COVID-19 pandemic began to spread rapidly one year ago this month.

Woman allegedly goes on shopping spree after receiving $150K COVID-19 loan

A North Carolina woman was indicted for fraudulently obtaining a COVID-19 small business loan amounting to nearly $150,000, and is accused of using it to shop at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton and other retailers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Stonecrest mayor says power struggle is compromising his health

City of Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary offered an apology for speaking tersely to council members during an online virtual retreat during the last weekend of February. He was clearly irritated the five-member council had not yet selected one of the four people he nominated as Acting City Manager. When it became clear his pointed remarks offended some on the council Sunday, he offered this explanation during the meeting that's now posted on the city's YouTube page.

Mom warns other parents after toddler dies from swallowing button battery

A Texas mother is warning other parents after her 17-month-old toddler died last month after swallowing a battery, which started to erode while inside her body.

Young ICU nurse looks back on the early days of the pandemic

Ashlynn Peters was just beginning her nursing career when the pandemic began. Her ICU experience will stick with her for decades.

Henry County Commissioner dies from complications with COVID-19, officials say

A man who's sat on the Henry County Board of Commissioners since 2013 died Tuesday after officials said he suffered from complications due to a server case of COVID-19.