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According to the Athens-Clarke County Government, thousands of new residents are expected to move to the area in the next two decades. With housing scarcity already an issue, the mayor and commission considered changing local code to facilitate using RVs as a housing solution during a meeting Tuesday.

The Georgia Student Finance Commission has partnered with University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and private institutions to allow high school seniors to apply for colleges without paying applications fees between March 1 and 31.

Homelessness is increasing around Georgia, including in Athens-Clarke County. The mayor and commission of Athens met on Tuesday to hear from the director of a newly formed coalition of service providers, sparking questions about who decides where people with mental illness are rehoused.

The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have been investigating a death in Oglethorpe County near the Clarke County line. Medical and dental records have now identified the victim as 69-year-old David John Stewart of Double Bridges Road.

The Distraction Free Education Act, which is House Bill 340, is now sitting with the State Senate after passage by the Georgia House. It prohibits public schools students in grades K-8 from accessing personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, smartphones, headphones, tablets, and smartwatches.

To mark International Women’s Day, about 200 people turned out to protest President Donald Trump’s administration on Saturday. The protest was organized by Indivisible 10 and the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee. Shelby Branch, Chair of the Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee, says threats to abortion access motivated her to help organize the protest.

Indivisible Georgia District 10 is joining other organizations and individuals around the globe taking part in International Women’s Day activities. The observance celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. People from Athens and the surrounding areas are invited to join the rally at Athens City Hall on Saturday, March 8 at 3 pm.

Georgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath filed paperwork on Wednesday to raise money for a run for governor in 2026, becoming the first Democrat to take that step. McBath described her effort as an exploratory committee, although that could quickly become a full-blown campaign. The four-term member of Congress is best known as a gun control advocate. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is completing his second term and can't run again. On the Republican side, Attorney General Chris Carr is already running for governor in 2026 and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is widely expected to run.

Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals high schools have been recognized as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools for 2025, among 301 schools in Georgia honored by State School Superintendent Richard Woods. Clarke Central received designations in six out of seven AP Honor categories, while Cedar Shoals was named in three.

The first piece of sports betting legislation to hit the state House of Representatives this year was introduced Friday with less than a week remaining before Crossover Day – the deadline for legislation to pass either the Georgia House or Senate to remain alive for the year.