#georgia

SEC Baseball Standings: Halfway Through Conference Play The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has reached the midpoint of its 2026 baseball season, with 10 weeks of conference play completed. While nonconference games began in February, the 10-week SEC schedule determines regular-season titles and NCAA Tournament qualification. Historically, teams have needed at least 13 wins in conference play and an overall .500 record to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament field of 64. The SEC remains one of the nation’s strongest baseball conferences, having claimed the last seven national championships. Here’s the current standings after five weeks of SEC action: Georgia leads with 11-4 conference record (29-8 overall) Texas A&M is second at 9-5 (27-7) Florida and Alabama are tied at 9-6 (27-10 and 26-11, respectively) Ole Miss, Auburn, and Arkansas share third at 8-7 (26-11, 24-11, and 24-13) Mississippi State, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are at 7-8 (26-10, 25-10, 24-11, and 24-12) South Carolina and Vanderbilt lag at 5-10 (18-19) and 7-8 (21-16), respectively Missouri is last at 3-12 (20-17) The race for the SEC title and NCAA Tournament bids is still wide open, with several teams showing promise. Key Takeaways from the First Half of SEC Play Tennessee’s Turnaround The Volunteers, once struggling at 4-8 in SEC play, have made a significant resurgence. A sweep of top-10 Mississippi State in Starkville marked a turning point. Despite the Bulldogs’ recent struggles, defeating them at Dudy Noble Field was a major statement. Tennessee’s 7-8 conference record places them in the middle of the pack, but their improved performance has solidified their NCAA Tournament chances. Coach Josh Elander’s team is now viewed as a legitimate contender for the SEC title and a College World Series berth.#georgia #texas #florida #sec #texas_am

Aidan Teel Injury Update for Mississippi State Baseball vs Georgia Mississippi State baseball’s starting center fielder Aidan Teel is sidelined for Game 3 against Georgia, with the matchup set for 10 a.m. (SEC Network+) on April 4 at Dudy Noble Field. The redshirt junior, who had been a key contributor for the No. 4 ranked team, will not be in the lineup after sustaining an injury during the previous game. Teel exited the contest following a pitch that struck his right foot, prompting the team to place him in a boot for the upcoming game. He was listed as a game-time decision on the injury report, with his availability uncertain heading into the critical matchup. The injury occurred during Mississippi State’s 3-1 loss to Georgia on April 3. Teel was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning but initially stayed in the game to continue playing defense. However, he was forced to leave the field in the following inning after informing coach Brian O’Connor that he could no longer run. “After that half-inning, he went out to play defense,” O’Connor stated on April 3. “He came in and told me, ‘I just can’t run.’ Obviously, you can’t have an outfielder out there that can’t run down the baseball. So, we’ll see what he’s like tomorrow and if he’s available at all.” The absence of Teel adds pressure to Mississippi State as they seek to avoid a sweep by Georgia. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 5 in the nation, have dominated the series, winning the first two games of the three-game set. Georgia’s victory on April 2, a 10-9 decision, has put them in a strong position to secure the series. For Mississippi State, a win against Georgia would be crucial to maintaining their position in the SEC standings.#georgia #mississippi_state #dudy_noble_field #aidan_teel #brian_oconnor

Noah Sullivan Ejected During Mississippi State vs. Georgia Baseball Game STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball designated hitter Noah Sullivan was ejected from the April 4 game against Georgia during the seventh inning. The incident occurred as Sullivan struck out swinging, prompting home plate umpire Scott Letendre to eject him as he exited the batter’s box and began walking toward the dugout. The ejection took place with the game tied at 5-5 at Dudy Noble Field, marking a pivotal moment in the contest. Sullivan, who entered the game with a .250 batting average for the season, was 0-for-3 in the matchup with one walk and two strikeouts. His ejection left the Bulldogs in a critical position, as the team relied on his power-hitting ability to shift momentum. The decision to remove Sullivan from the game came after a contentious call, with the umpire citing a violation of the rules regarding conduct after the pitch. The game’s momentum shifted in the ninth inning when Drew Wyers, a pinch-hitter for Sullivan, stepped up to the plate. Wyers delivered a single, extending Mississippi State’s rally and keeping the team’s hopes alive. The single advanced a runner into scoring position, setting the stage for potential late-game drama. However, the Bulldogs ultimately failed to capitalize on the opportunity, leaving the outcome of the game hanging in the balance. The ejection of Sullivan has sparked discussions among fans and analysts about the umpire’s decision and its impact on the game’s flow. While some argue that the call was justified, others question whether the situation could have been handled differently. The incident highlights the high-stakes nature of college baseball, where a single moment can alter the course of a game.#georgia #mississippi_state #noah_sullivan #scott_letendre #dudy_noble_field

Airport Security Lines Are Long. Here's What to Know if You're Flying Travelers are facing long waits at airport security checkpoints as the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, leading to staffing shortages and delays. With spring break in full swing, major airports in Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans are reporting wait times of up to two hours, with some advising passengers to arrive three hours before their flights. In Philadelphia, three security checkpoints were closed entirely due to a lack of staff. The shutdown has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay, as the agency is not funded by Congress. Over 50,000 TSA employees have been working without a full paycheck, and more than 300 officers have quit since the shutdown began on February 14. In Houston, nearly half of TSA staff called in sick, while a third did the same in Atlanta and New Orleans. These staffing issues are compounded by severe weather and school closures, which have further disrupted travel. President Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports if Congress does not fund the Department of Homeland Security. He promised to use ICE agents to enhance security and make arrests of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators is working with the White House to resolve the shutdown and address immigration enforcement reforms. Transportation officials warn that the situation could worsen if the shutdown is not resolved. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that a second missed paycheck could lead to more staff resigning, potentially forcing some smaller airports to close. Billionaire Elon Musk has offered to personally pay TSA staff during the funding impasse, though U.S.#georgia #texas #louisiana #department_of_homeland_security #transportation_security_administration

Ole Miss 76-72 Georgia (Mar 12, 2026) Game Recap NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 15 seed Ole Miss pulled off a stunning upset in the SEC Tournament’s second round, defeating seventh-seeded Georgia 76-72 on Thursday. The Rebels, who entered the game with a 14-19 record and had lost 12 of their previous 13 games, extended their tournament winning streak to two games after a strong first-round victory over Texas. AJ Storr led Ole Miss with 19 points, while Malik Dia added 17 to pace the Rebels’ offense. Travis Perry chipped in 16 points, and James Scott recorded 13 rebounds, seven points, and three blocks. Ilias Kamardine contributed eight points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals. For Georgia, Kanon Catchings scored 19 points, grabbed six rebounds, and recorded three steals, but the Bulldogs struggled offensively in the second half. The game took a dramatic turn in the second half as Georgia mounted a late rally. After trailing by as many as 23 points at halftime, the Bulldogs launched a 22-2 run in the final 7.5 minutes. Cain, Justin Bailey, and Jeremiah Wilkinson hit three 3-pointers within an 84-second span, culminating in a dunk by Dylan James that cut Ole Miss’ lead to 60-58. Perry answered with a 3-pointer, but Wilkinson and Catchings made back-to-back layups to keep Georgia within striking distance. Storr then scored eight consecutive points to seal the victory for Ole Miss. Ole Miss’ dominance in the first half was fueled by a stifling defensive performance. The Rebels held Georgia to just 26% shooting from the field and 8% from beyond the arc in the second half. The Bulldogs also committed 10 turnovers in their lowest-scoring half of the season. Storr’s highlight-reel steal and layup midway through the first half gave Ole Miss a 34-20 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game.#sec_tournament #georgia #alabama #ole_miss #nashville_tenn

38 Buc-ee's Get 'F' Rating from Better Business Bureau. Here's Why Thirty-eight Buc-ee's locations across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas have been assigned an "F" rating by the Better Business Bureau, the organization announced on March 11, 2026. The rating stems from the company’s failure to address 88 customer complaints submitted to the BBB. The oldest unresolved complaint dates back to March 2023, while the most recent was filed in February 2026. The BBB emphasized that the "F" grade reflects a pattern of poor responsiveness to consumer issues. The BBB’s rating system evaluates businesses based on public complaints, with grades ranging from A+ to F. A business receives an "F" when it fails to resolve a significant number of complaints or demonstrate accountability. In Buc-ee's case, the nonprofit noted that the company did not provide updates or solutions to the 88 unresolved issues. Customers reported problems such as malfunctioning car washes, defective or ineffective merchandise, and incorrect charges to credit cards. Some individuals stated they submitted complaints directly to Buc-ee's website but received no follow-up from the company. The BBB’s website clarifies that its ratings are not a guarantee of a business’s reliability but rather a tool for consumers to consider alongside other factors. The organization encourages users to review multiple sources of information before making purchasing decisions. Buc-ee's did not immediately comment on the "F" ratings when contacted by USA TODAY on March 11. Founded in 1912, the Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting transparency in business practices. It offers a platform for consumers to submit complaints, leave public reviews, and access accreditation programs for businesses.#georgia #alabama #kentucky #better_business_bureau #bucees

Armenia, Georgia Forge Power Grid Connection The Armenian government has approved a grant agreement for the Caucasus Power Grid EU NPF Phase II project with the Reconstruction Loan Bank, as revealed during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. The initiative aims to link the power systems of Armenia and Georgia through a high-voltage direct current converter station. This station, with a final capacity of 1050 MW, will be located near the Georgian border in Ayrum, according to reports from Armenian media. The project will connect the two countries on the Georgian side via a 500 kV overhead line from the substation in Marneuli, while the Armenian side will use a 400 kV overhead line from the 400/220 kV substation in Ddmashen. This connection is expected to increase the electricity exchange capacity between Armenia and Georgia from the current 200 MW to 350 MW in the first phase. Subsequently, the capacity could be expanded to 1050 MW, depending on the demand of the regional market. The construction of new overhead power lines is projected to enhance the quality of energy services, foster regional cooperation in the energy sector, and create conditions for integrating the power systems of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. The total budget allocated for the project, excluding taxes, is 188.75 million euros. However, the updated estimated cost, provided by a consultant in November 2024, amounts to 542.75 million euros. The project is part of broader efforts to strengthen energy infrastructure in the South Caucasus region, aiming to improve reliability and efficiency in power distribution. By linking the two countries’ grids, the initiative could also support regional energy security and reduce dependency on external suppliers.#georgia #armenia #reconstruction_loan_bank #caucasus_power_grid_eu_npf_phase_ii #ayrum

Weather Impact Alert: Severe Storms Expected Overnight Damaging wind gusts are expected overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning as a tornado watch remains in effect for areas south of Atlanta, spanning central and southern Georgia. The affected counties include Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Pike, Putnam, Rockdale, and Spalding, with the warning in place until 8 a.m. A weather impact alert has been issued for a cold front moving through the region late Wednesday evening into early Thursday. This front is expected to bring a line of showers and thunderstorms, with storms already active in Alabama and Mississippi showing potential for severe weather as they move eastward into Georgia. Forecasters anticipate the storms to reach the metro Atlanta area between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Despite the weakening of the cold front, atmospheric instability is likely to sustain some storm strength as they progress. The Storm Prediction Center has elevated much of north and west Georgia, including Atlanta, to a Level 1 out of 5 Marginal Risk for severe weather. The primary threat involves damaging wind gusts, though hail and an isolated brief tornado cannot be ruled out. The marginal risk area extends southwest along the Georgia-Alabama state line and down past Columbus. Forecast models suggest the storm line could briefly intensify later in the evening as an upper atmospheric disturbance moves across the Gulf states, pushing the storms eastward. The Storm Prediction Center has expanded the Level 2 risk zone to parts of west Georgia. As the storm system moves south and east overnight, it is expected to gradually weaken due to less favorable atmospheric conditions across central and north Georgia.#atlanta #georgia #cold_front #storm_prediction_center #tornado_watch

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has emerged as one of Europe’s most dynamic creative players, shining brightly in Paris St-Germain’s Champions League campaign. The 25-year-old Georgia winger, known for his electrifying pace and vision, has been central to PSG’s success this season, contributing seven goals and three assists in nine Champions League matches. His performances have made him the club’s top scorer in the competition and the player with the highest overall goal contributions. As PSG prepares to face Chelsea in the last-16 first leg, Kvaratskhelia’s journey from humble beginnings to elite footballing status offers a compelling narrative of perseverance and talent. Kvaratskhelia’s roots trace back to Tbilisi, where he grew up in a modest Soviet-era apartment block. His family home, unremarkable on the outside, became the foundation of his footballing career. His father, Badri, a former Dinamo Tbilisi player and Azerbaijan international, and his mother, Maka, played pivotal roles in shaping his path. Despite football being his life, the road was not without challenges. As a teenager, Kvaratskhelia faced financial struggles, but his determination led to a breakthrough when he joined Lokomotiv Moscow in 2017. There, he earned his first significant salary, which allowed him to fund his father’s life-saving heart surgery. His rise accelerated in 2019 when Lokomotiv Moscow won the Russian Cup, marking Kvaratskhelia’s first major honor. A subsequent move to Rubin Kazan saw him win the best young player award twice in the Russian league. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 forced him to leave the country, prompting him to return to Georgia and sign with Dinamo Batumi. Just months later, in July 2022, he joined Napoli for £9.5m, a move that proved transformative.#napoli #georgia #khvicha_kvaratskhelia #paris_st_germain #dinamo_tbilisi

Transit through Georgia Surpasses 2,000 Flights Daily Amid Middle East Airspace Closure The sky over Georgia has become one of the busiest transit routes between Europe and Asia after the closure of airspace over several Middle Eastern countries due to ongoing military conflicts in the region. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of transit flights passing through Georgian airspace, with estimates now reaching 1,500 to 2,000 flights per day. This level of traffic represents a historic milestone for the country’s aviation sector. Previously, an average of about 642 aircraft crossed Georgian airspace daily. However, the recent surge in traffic is attributed to airlines rerouting flights to avoid restricted or closed airspace in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, and the Persian Gulf states. As a result, Georgia has become a critical alternative pathway for commercial aviation, generating significant revenue for the nation. Airlines operating these routes pay navigation fees to the state-owned Sakaeronavigatsia, which manages the country’s airspace. According to the company’s financial report for 2024, the average fee for a single transit flight was 516 lari (approximately $189). With the current volume of traffic, the Georgian airspace could generate between $280,000 and $375,000 daily from transit flights alone. The increased demand has also prompted discussions about the long-term economic impact of this shift. Sakaeronavigatsia’s 2024 financial report noted that 234,293 flights passed through Georgian airspace, contributing $44.6 million in revenue. The company employs 844 staff, including 117 air traffic controllers, and its infrastructure relies on a network of radar stations across the country.#iran #middle_east #iraq #georgia #sakaeronavigatsia

The Weinstein Firm Reports Surge in Personal Injury Claims Amid Georgia's Rising Traffic Fatalities DeKalb County continues to experience some of Georgia's highest traffic crash and pedestrian fatality rates, with 136 traffic deaths and 45 pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2022 alone, according to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety. The Weinstein Firm, a personal injury law practice based in Decatur, has reported a sustained increase in demand for legal representation as the county ranks second in Georgia for both total traffic fatalities and pedestrian deaths. State data reveals DeKalb County recorded over 33,000 crashes in 2022, resulting in more than 9,500 injuries, placing it among the top three counties in the state for collision-related injuries. Michael Weinstein, an attorney at The Weinstein Firm, highlighted the challenges faced by accident victims in the region. "Residents of DeKalb County face significant risks on local roads, and when crashes occur, insurance companies immediately deploy tactics designed to minimize payouts," he said. Georgia's modified comparative fault law allows insurers to assign partial blame to victims, reducing settlement values before legal representation is involved. Combined with the state's two-year statute of limitations, unrepresented victims often accept settlements below their actual damages. The heightened accident risk in DeKalb County reflects broader statewide trends. Georgia ranked fifth nationally for traffic fatality rates in the first half of 2024, with 1.08 roadway deaths per 100 million miles traveled, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.#georgia #the_weinstein_firm #dekalb_county #national_trial_lawyers_top_100 #michael_weinstein

Ukrainian tennis player Anhelina Kalinina secured her place in the second round of the WTA 125 tournament in Antalya, Turkey, with a hard-fought three-set victory over Georgian opponent Ekaterine Gorgodze. The match, which lasted two hours and 35 minutes, saw Kalinina triumph with scores of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Kalinina, currently ranked 189th in the world, faced Gorgodze, who is ranked 158th, in a closely contested encounter. The result marks a significant step forward in her campaign at the event, which offers a total prize pool of $115,000. The win positions her to advance further in the tournament draw. In the upcoming round, Kalinina will face the winner of the match between Czech Republic’s Dominika Salková, ranked 131st, and Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan, who is ranked 328th. This sets up an intriguing challenge as Kalinina continues her pursuit of deeper success in Antalya. The tournament has provided a platform for lower-ranked players to compete against higher-ranked opponents, with Kalinina’s performance highlighting her resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. Her progression to the second round underscores her potential to make a meaningful impact in the tournament. The outcome also reflects the competitive nature of the WTA 125 circuit, where players from diverse rankings and backgrounds converge to vie for substantial prize money and valuable ranking points. Kalinina’s victory adds to the excitement of the event, drawing attention to her growing presence on the international tennis scene. As the tournament progresses, Kalinina’s next match will be a critical test of her skills and mental fortitude. Her ability to navigate the challenges of the draw will determine whether she can extend her run and achieve greater success in Antalya.#wta_125 #antalya #anhelina_kalinina #ukraine #georgia