Athens Politics Nerd
@athenspoliticsnerd.bsky.social
Independent, progressive journalism for Athens, Georgia.
I'm watching this work session and rubbing my eyes. Is Ovita Thornton killing it here? 👀
Gonna write about GICH's housing recommendations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYa...
Gonna write about GICH's housing recommendations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYa...
01-13-2026 Mayor & Commission Work Session
YouTube video by Athens-Clarke County (accgov)
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:49 PM
I'm watching this work session and rubbing my eyes. Is Ovita Thornton killing it here? 👀
Gonna write about GICH's housing recommendations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYa...
Gonna write about GICH's housing recommendations.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYa...
Fisher and Denson earned exactly the same number of contributions for their mayoral campaigns this cycle, but Fisher's donors had a bit more to spend than Denson's, resulting in a record breaking haul.
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
Fisher Raises Over $100,000 for Mayor; Denson Touts Small Donations - Flagpole
Mayoral candidate and District 5 Commissioner Dexter Fisher announced last week that his campaign has raised $115,786—possibly a record for a race where candidates rarely reach six figures. Fisher rep...
flagpole.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Fisher and Denson earned exactly the same number of contributions for their mayoral campaigns this cycle, but Fisher's donors had a bit more to spend than Denson's, resulting in a record breaking haul.
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
The Coalition of Athens Scientists is hosting a panel of researchers who have been directly impacted by federal funding cuts so we can all hear their stories.
➡️ Thursday, January 22 at 7 pm at Little Kings.
➡️ Thursday, January 22 at 7 pm at Little Kings.
January 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
The Coalition of Athens Scientists is hosting a panel of researchers who have been directly impacted by federal funding cuts so we can all hear their stories.
➡️ Thursday, January 22 at 7 pm at Little Kings.
➡️ Thursday, January 22 at 7 pm at Little Kings.
Four hundred people rallied in downtown Athens on Sunday to protest the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year old mother of three from Minneapolis, at the hands of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysfJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysfJ...
Athens demands justice for Renee Good
YouTube video by Athens Politics Nerd
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Four hundred people rallied in downtown Athens on Sunday to protest the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year old mother of three from Minneapolis, at the hands of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysfJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysfJ...
Four hundred people took to the streets in Athens this Sunday to protest the killing of Renee Good at the hands of ICE.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/justice-for-...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/justice-for-...
Athens demands justice for woman killed by ICE in Minneapolis | Athens Politics Nerd
About four hundred Athens residents rallied downtown on Sunday to protest the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year old mother of three from Minneapolis, at the
athenspoliticsnerd.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Four hundred people took to the streets in Athens this Sunday to protest the killing of Renee Good at the hands of ICE.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/justice-for-...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/justice-for-...
Rock the Ark! Jan 24!
The Ark is a local nonprofit that helps families in crisis avoid eviction and pay their bills. Now they need OUR help: they're holding a benefit concert at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, January 24.
For more information and tickets, please visit:
athensark.org/rocktheark
The Ark is a local nonprofit that helps families in crisis avoid eviction and pay their bills. Now they need OUR help: they're holding a benefit concert at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, January 24.
For more information and tickets, please visit:
athensark.org/rocktheark
January 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Rock the Ark! Jan 24!
The Ark is a local nonprofit that helps families in crisis avoid eviction and pay their bills. Now they need OUR help: they're holding a benefit concert at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, January 24.
For more information and tickets, please visit:
athensark.org/rocktheark
The Ark is a local nonprofit that helps families in crisis avoid eviction and pay their bills. Now they need OUR help: they're holding a benefit concert at the Georgia Theatre on Saturday, January 24.
For more information and tickets, please visit:
athensark.org/rocktheark
Newly elected State Rep. Eric Gisler (D) held a town hall meeting in Oconee County on Saturday where he was asked questions about a number of topics, including housing, healthcare, taxes, redistricting and more. [VIDEO]
athenspoliticsnerd.com/town-hall-me...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/town-hall-me...
Town Hall Meeting with State Rep. Eric Gisler (D) | Athens Politics Nerd
Newly elected State Rep. Eric Gisler (D) held a town hall meeting at the Oconee Veterans Park Community Center on January 10, 2026. Most of the town hall
athenspoliticsnerd.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Newly elected State Rep. Eric Gisler (D) held a town hall meeting in Oconee County on Saturday where he was asked questions about a number of topics, including housing, healthcare, taxes, redistricting and more. [VIDEO]
athenspoliticsnerd.com/town-hall-me...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/town-hall-me...
I have a high tolerance for presidential pressure on the Fed. But threatening legal action is WAY over the line!
Mr. President -- you control both houses of Congress. You can make changes to the Federal Reserve Act if you want! Why not try the democratic process?
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Mr. President -- you control both houses of Congress. You can make changes to the Federal Reserve Act if you want! Why not try the democratic process?
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Trump team escalates attack on Fed's Powell with criminal indictment threat
The Fed chief called the move a "pretext" to gain more influence over the setting of interest rates.
www.reuters.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:45 PM
I have a high tolerance for presidential pressure on the Fed. But threatening legal action is WAY over the line!
Mr. President -- you control both houses of Congress. You can make changes to the Federal Reserve Act if you want! Why not try the democratic process?
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
Mr. President -- you control both houses of Congress. You can make changes to the Federal Reserve Act if you want! Why not try the democratic process?
www.reuters.com/business/fin...
My thanks to the person who played this at the ICE Out for Good rally today. 😍
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCG...
They Might Be Giants - The Communists Have the Music (Official Video)
YouTube video by ParticleMen
www.youtube.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:39 PM
My thanks to the person who played this at the ICE Out for Good rally today. 😍
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCG...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCG...
Last night, concerned residents held a candlelight vigil in downtown Athens for Renee Good and the other victims of ICE violence over the past year.
January 10, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Last night, concerned residents held a candlelight vigil in downtown Athens for Renee Good and the other victims of ICE violence over the past year.
This week, the ACC Commission approved a large student apartment complex to be built near Lay Park, shelved another development at Homewood Hills and tweaked their sidewalk obstruction ordinance.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-n...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-n...
Commission narrowly approves large student apartment complex near Lay Park | Athens Politics Nerd
Tempted by a large public benefit package, the Athens-Clarke County Commission narrowly approved a new student apartment complex near Lay Park in a split 6-4
athenspoliticsnerd.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:41 PM
This week, the ACC Commission approved a large student apartment complex to be built near Lay Park, shelved another development at Homewood Hills and tweaked their sidewalk obstruction ordinance.
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-n...
athenspoliticsnerd.com/commission-n...
"Unfettered might does not make right. It makes for instability, upheaval and war."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Donald Trump poses a threat to civilization | Robert Reich
The moral purpose of civilized society is to prevent the stronger from attacking the weaker. The US was founded on that principle
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:00 AM
"Unfettered might does not make right. It makes for instability, upheaval and war."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Athens Politics Nerd
1. ICE will kill you.
2. Trumpists will lie to justify it.
3. Because they are all thug trash.
2. Trumpists will lie to justify it.
3. Because they are all thug trash.
January 8, 2026 at 1:10 AM
1. ICE will kill you.
2. Trumpists will lie to justify it.
3. Because they are all thug trash.
2. Trumpists will lie to justify it.
3. Because they are all thug trash.
This is going to keep happening until we stop it. We need to take action.
January 8, 2026 at 1:00 AM
This is going to keep happening until we stop it. We need to take action.
"Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey [said], 'they are already trying to spin this as an action of self defense,' referring to ICE. 'Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is b---s---.'"
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Minneapolis woman shot and killed by ICE officer
Federal officials called it a "vehicle ramming" incident, while local officials said that video evidence shows “that is b---s---."
www.nbcnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:46 PM
"Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey [said], 'they are already trying to spin this as an action of self defense,' referring to ICE. 'Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is b---s---.'"
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
This is really bad, y'all. 😵
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
This Flock Camera Leak is like Netflix For Stalkers
YouTube video by Benn Jordan
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
This is really bad, y'all. 😵
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-...
The Staunton, VA police dept terminated their contract with Flock Safety last month.
"The City of Staunton wants to make it clear that the Flock Safety CEO’s narrative does not reflect the city’s values."
Your move, Athens.
www.ci.staunton.va.us/Home/Compone...
"The City of Staunton wants to make it clear that the Flock Safety CEO’s narrative does not reflect the city’s values."
Your move, Athens.
www.ci.staunton.va.us/Home/Compone...
www.ci.staunton.va.us
January 7, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The Staunton, VA police dept terminated their contract with Flock Safety last month.
"The City of Staunton wants to make it clear that the Flock Safety CEO’s narrative does not reflect the city’s values."
Your move, Athens.
www.ci.staunton.va.us/Home/Compone...
"The City of Staunton wants to make it clear that the Flock Safety CEO’s narrative does not reflect the city’s values."
Your move, Athens.
www.ci.staunton.va.us/Home/Compone...
"'In my experience, some projects are going to spread their wings and fly, some projects are going to need a lot of nurturing, and some are just not going to work out,' Mayor Kelly Girtz told Flagpole. The mall redevelopment, he said, is one of the latter."
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment Plan Goes Back to Square One - Flagpole
For years Georgia Square Mall has been on life support, and now it appears that a proposal to redevelop it is on death’s door, too. An attorney for The Leaven Group, headed by local developer Mark Jen...
flagpole.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:44 PM
"'In my experience, some projects are going to spread their wings and fly, some projects are going to need a lot of nurturing, and some are just not going to work out,' Mayor Kelly Girtz told Flagpole. The mall redevelopment, he said, is one of the latter."
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
flagpole.com/news/city-do...
Commissioner Melissa Link is observing a moment of silence in honor of the capitol police officers who died due to the injuries they sustained on January 6, 2021.
Today is the 5-year anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol and on our country's democracy.
Today is the 5-year anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol and on our country's democracy.
January 7, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Commissioner Melissa Link is observing a moment of silence in honor of the capitol police officers who died due to the injuries they sustained on January 6, 2021.
Today is the 5-year anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol and on our country's democracy.
Today is the 5-year anniversary of the attack on the US Capitol and on our country's democracy.
Commissioner Dexter Fisher has been chosen to continue as mayor pro tem in 2026.
January 7, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Commissioner Dexter Fisher has been chosen to continue as mayor pro tem in 2026.
The commission voted to delay making a decision about TSPLOST 2026 until January 20.
January 7, 2026 at 1:22 AM
The commission voted to delay making a decision about TSPLOST 2026 until January 20.
Some commissioners are repeating the mostly false idea that other cities drop off people experiencing homelessness here in Athens.
People come here for services. It's not county governments busing people here, it's people from other counties coming here for various services. There's a difference.
People come here for services. It's not county governments busing people here, it's people from other counties coming here for various services. There's a difference.
January 7, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Some commissioners are repeating the mostly false idea that other cities drop off people experiencing homelessness here in Athens.
People come here for services. It's not county governments busing people here, it's people from other counties coming here for various services. There's a difference.
People come here for services. It's not county governments busing people here, it's people from other counties coming here for various services. There's a difference.
The commission has voted unanimously to allow the Homewood Hills shopping center redevelopment to be withdrawn, instead of it being shot down completely.
This means the developer can come back with another plan more quickly. They'd have to wait a year if it was voted down.
This means the developer can come back with another plan more quickly. They'd have to wait a year if it was voted down.
January 7, 2026 at 12:44 AM
The commission has voted unanimously to allow the Homewood Hills shopping center redevelopment to be withdrawn, instead of it being shot down completely.
This means the developer can come back with another plan more quickly. They'd have to wait a year if it was voted down.
This means the developer can come back with another plan more quickly. They'd have to wait a year if it was voted down.
The Core spaces downtown student development passes 6-4, with Commissioners Taylor, Fisher, Johnson and Myers voting against it.
January 7, 2026 at 12:41 AM
The Core spaces downtown student development passes 6-4, with Commissioners Taylor, Fisher, Johnson and Myers voting against it.
This commission meeting is becoming an open mic night. Commissioners are just complaining about whatever topic is on their minds.
There is an agenda, y'all! This is why these meetings take forever. Maybe they should follow the agenda.
There is an agenda, y'all! This is why these meetings take forever. Maybe they should follow the agenda.
January 7, 2026 at 12:39 AM
This commission meeting is becoming an open mic night. Commissioners are just complaining about whatever topic is on their minds.
There is an agenda, y'all! This is why these meetings take forever. Maybe they should follow the agenda.
There is an agenda, y'all! This is why these meetings take forever. Maybe they should follow the agenda.