Undercover Agents Target Child Predators in Columbus

November 13, 2017, 3:14 pm

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Undercover agents with a Georgia task force that targets child predators launched Operation Hidden Guardian, a five day undercover sting to round up men seeking sex with children.

Agents posing as minor children had 600 exchanges on various social media and Internet platforms. 400 of those initiated the conversation.

One suspect, a school custodian drove all the way from North Carolina for a chance encounter.

The suspects range in age from 22 to 55 years old with various backgrounds. A military instructor, a research assistant and car wash attendant among those arrested.

All of the men looking for underage sex encountered cops for the first time during the operation, extremely rare according to agents.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

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Keurig Cuts Ties With Hannity Over Moore Coverage

November 13, 2017, 4:31 pm

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(CNN) – A battle is brewing between Keurig, Fox News host Sean Hannity and his fans.

Keurig pulled its advertising from Hannity’s show, over his coverage of Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Moore is accused of having sexual or romantic relationships with teen girls when he was in his 30’s.

On his show, Hannity appeared to agree with a producer who suggested the encounters were consensual.

Hannity later apologized, saying he misspoke and was not totally clear.

In response to Keurig cutting ties with Hannity, his fans called for a boycott of Keurig products.

Fans took to social media, posting videos of themselves smashing Keurig coffee pod machines.

Moore has denied any sexual misconduct and calls it a politically motivated attack ahead of the December 12th special election.

Qualcomm Rejects $130 Billion Broadcom Bid

November 13, 2017, 4:38 pm

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San Diego, CA (KSWB) – Qualcomm has rejected an unsolicited $130 billion takeover bid by Broadcom that would have been the second-largest deal in American corporate history.

Qualcomm’s presiding director Tom Horton said Broadcom’s proposal dramatically undervalues the company.

Qualcomm is famous for inventing 2G and 3G wireless network technology and now sells the mobile chips for smartphones and the radios that enable cellular communications.

Broadcom makes chips for wired broadband communications, including modems, Wi-Fi, switches and routers.

Evening Sports Headlines: November 13th

November 13, 2017, 4:38 pm

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Bitcoin Surges $900 in 14 Hours

November 13, 2017, 4:42 pm

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(CNN) – Bitcoin is on an exceptionally wild ride.

The digital currency gained as much as $920.00 Monday, before losing some ground to trade near 6,500.

It has had a price swing of nearly 30% over the past week.

Analysts said that volatility has spiked after plans to split bitcoin into two were dropped last week amid a backlash from owners and fans of the currency.

The proposed split would have allowed for faster transaction processing speeds.

The currency has gained nearly 600% this year, and its price has doubled from as recently as mid-September.

Despite several major endorsements, analysts are divided on the future of the alternative currency.

SCOTUS to Consider Political Apparel at Polling Places

November 13, 2017, 4:45 pm

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(CNN) – The Supreme Court will consider whether it’s okay to wear political apparel at polling places.

At issue is a Minnesota law banning voters from wearing political badges, buttons and other insignia at the polls.

The plaintiff in the case says he was temporarily blocked from voting over a “Don’t Tread on Me” T-shirt he wore to his polling place.

His lawyers argue that the ban is unconstitutional, arguing that Supreme Court rulings that ban campaign materials and soliciting at polling places does not include apparel and the like.

But lawyers for the State of Minnesota say lower courts have determined that speech restrictions inside polling places are legal as long as they are reasonable and viewpoint neutral.

Consumers Expected To Spend 3.4% More This Holiday Season

November 13, 2017, 4:51 pm

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(CNN) – The holiday shopping season is less than two weeks away and it’s set to be a big one.

Consumers are expected to spend $967.00 on average.

That’s according to this year’s annual survey by Prosper Insights and Analytics for the National Retail Federation.

It is a 3.4% jump from last year, when shoppers said they would spend an average of $935.00

National Retail Federation president CEO Matthew Shay cited increased employment and rising incomes for the jump in spending.

The NRF’s holiday spending forecast predicts that November and December retail sales will be between $678.8 billion and $682 billion.

That represents an increase of between 3.6% and 4%.

Chipotle Says It’s Not To Blame For Actor’s Illness

November 13, 2017, 4:54 pm

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Portland, OR (KATU) – Chipotle says it didn’t cause an actor’s illness.

“Supergirl” actor Jeremy Jordan blamed the Mexican restaurant via Instagram for getting him sick, and putting him in the hospital.

But a Chipotle spokesman tells CNN that they investigated the situation and no one else reported claims of illness from that restaurant.

Still, Chipotle’s stock dropped on Monday.

Since 2015, the restaurants have been plagued by outbreaks of e-coli and norovirus, causing hundreds of people to get sick.

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Auburn Places Two Basketball Support Staff Members on Administrative Leave

November 13, 2017, 6:21 pm

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Auburn basketball support staff members, Frankie Sullivan and Jordan Verhulst have been placed on administrative leave.

 

This comes as a result of Auburn’s internal investigation into the program.

It is the latest development surrounding the Chuck Person pay-to-play bribery scheme.

Sullivan is a former Auburn basketball team captain and currently works as a video coordinator.

Verhulst is in his fourth season with the program.

Auburn Athletics Statement: “The Auburn Athletics Department has placed men’s basketball support staff members Jordan Verhulst and Frankie Sullivan on administrative leave until further notice based upon the university’s ongoing investigation into the men’s basketball program.”

Kirby Smart Reacts to Gus Malzahn’s post-game Comment

November 13, 2017, 6:41 pm

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The Deep Souths oldest rivalry had it’s fair share of trash talk.

Following Auburn’s impressive victory a mic caught Gus Malzahn clearly saying “we whopped the dog crap out of them.”

Kirby Smart reacted to that comment today, “I’ll be honest with you, when you perform the way they did on the field you earn the right to say really whatever you want, so I don’t get into what Gus says and he probably doesn’t get into what I say.”

DOJ to Consider Clinton Special Counsel

November 14, 2017, 3:45 am

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(CNN) – The Department of Justice is considering a special counsel to investigate possible ties between Hillary Clinton and Russia.

It stems from the sale of the Canadian uranium mining company, Uranium One to Russia’s atomic energy agency, Rosatom, while Clinton was Secretary of State.

President Trump and other Republicans have said Russian interests attempted to donate to the Clinton foundation to persuade Clinton to support the deal.

The unproven claims are already being investigated by House Republicans, but now federal prosecutors will decide if the case needs additional review.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is currently heading an investigation into any connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Deal announces Innovation Fund Accelerator award winners

November 14, 2017, 3:49 am

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NEWS RELEASE

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the six award winners who will participate in the Innovation Fund Accelerator, a competitive grant opportunity that provides funding to local educational agencies, regional educational service agencies, traditional public schools and charter schools to develop innovative programs that address challenging and complex educational issues.

“The Innovation Fund Accelerator connects leaders in education with additional resources to develop innovative solutions that improve student achievement,” said Deal. “By investing in programs that address the challenges facing our education system today, we are building a stronger foundation for Georgia’s students to succeed in the classroom of tomorrow and the workforce of the future. Congratulations to the award winners and we look forward to learning how each innovative program will improve opportunities for student growth and success.”

Award winners will receive a $10,000 grant to support activities directly related to Innovation Fund Accelerator participation. Upon successful completion of the Innovation Fund Accelerator, participants can apply for an additional grant of up to $45,000 to pilot the innovative programs they developed.

Programs supported by the Innovation Fund Accelerator must align with one of the four following priority areas: applied learning with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education, development and replication of blended and personalized learning school models, birth-to-age-eight language and literacy development, and teacher and leader development for high-need schools.

The grant award winners and their respective programs are listed below:

Applied Learning with a Focus on STEAM Education

Peachcrest Elementary School
DeKalb County School District
The Peach Goes Green

West Jackson Elementary School
Jackson County School System
AIM Higher

Birth-To-Age-Eight Language and Literacy Development

Carrollton City Schools
Literacy Without Limits

Villa Rica Elementary School
Carroll County School System
Improving Early Literacy

Teacher and Leader Development for High-Need Schools

Department of Juvenile Justice
Operation Turnaround: Recruit, Retrain, and Retain

Latin Grammar School
Fulton County Schools
Teachers are Brain Surgeons

Descriptions of the programs are attached.​

About the Innovation Fund
The Innovation Fund invests in public education entities that develop and scale programs that enable Georgia educators to improve student performance and tackle our state’s most significant education challenges. In 2011, the Innovation Fund began as a $19.4 million grant competition created under Georgia’s Race to the Top (RT3) Plan. To continue the Innovation Fund’s work beyond RT3, Deal appropriated state funding for Fiscal Years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Since its inception, the Innovation Fund has invested more than $33 million of state and federal funding through 148 grants to school districts, charter schools, postsecondary institutions and nonprofit organizations to pilot innovative education programs, ranging in focus from teacher and leader induction and development to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) applied learning, blended learning and birth-to-age-eight language and literacy development. More information about the Innovation Fund is available on the GOSA website.

(SOURCE: GEORGIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

Police: Suspect offered $100 for 5 Minutes with 14 Year old

November 14, 2017, 3:40 pm

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According to police testimony, suspects caught in an undercover operation were willing to pay for sex with underage kids.

New details revealed here in Recorder’s Court about that child sex sting, Operation Hidden Guardian and the suspects nabbed by police.

Eric Menefee is one of 21 suspects charged with child exploitation and trafficking after he allegedly offered a hundred dollars for five minutes with a fourteen year old.

The 50 year old man from Opelika was represented by high profile defense attorney Stacey Jackson who challenged his client’s guilt and police tactics during the preliminary hearing.

“Well it does make a sticky issue of whether or not a person who may be on social media would have done this or acted in this manner unless they were sought out by the undercover agents.”

According to investigators it was the men who initiated the sex talk after the agents repeatedly informed the men they were communicating with a juvenile through texts, social media chats and phone calls, all of it recorded by police.

“I know especially when you’re dealing with the type of charges that your dealing with especially any case that involves minors there is a sensitivity to it but I just ask you all as the media as the public that you simply not rush to judgment and wait for all the facts to come out before making a determination on any case”, Jackson said.

Most of the suspects arrested in the operation appeared in a special session in front of Judge McBride. He gave them a forty thousand dollar bond each. For the handful who appeared here in Recorder’s court they received about half of that.

Buffalo Wild Wings Soars 25% On Takeover Talk

November 14, 2017, 4:13 pm

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(CNN) – Rumors of a possible take-over of restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings sent the company’s stock soaring nearly 25% Tuesday.

Word on the street; Wall Street says that Roark Capital is considering buying wild wings for $2.3 billion.

Roark is the majority owner of Arby’s, Carl’s Junior and Moe’s Southwest Grill.

The company also has has big stakes in companies including Jimmy John’s.

Spokespeople for Buffalo Wild Wings and Roark Capital were not immediately available for comment.

Wild Wings has struggled recently to cope with rising food costs and slumping sales, which could make it vulnerable to a takeover.

Even with Tuesday’s spike, its stock is still down more than 5% this year.

Evening Sports Headlines: November 14th

November 14, 2017, 4:16 pm

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Nearly $300M Spent At Home Depot During Hurricane Season

November 14, 2017, 4:20 pm

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Miami, FL (WSVN) – Home Depot looks to be one of the few winners from hurricane season.

Hurricane-affected customers spent $282-million at the home improvement stores; lifting sales to $25-billion last quarter.

That’s an 8% increase from the same time last year.

But even though revenue grew, the hurricanes took a bite out of Home Depot’s profit.

Several stores in hurricane-affected areas faced shortages from supplies delays and some stores were even forced to close for a few days.

Overall, both Home Depot and Rival Lowe’s, which has gained 10% in profits this year, are benefiting from a strong housing recovery.

UCLA Basketball Players Released From China

November 14, 2017, 4:27 pm

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(CNN) – Three UCLA men’s basketball players detained in China appear to be returning to the United States and they may have president Trump to thank.

The Commissioner of the Pacific-12 Athletic Conference says Li-Angelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley boarded a flight at a Shanghai airport today.

The flight is en route to Los Angeles.

The Commissioner says the three were allowed to leave after the situation was resolved to the satisfaction of Chinese authorities.

The three freshmen were part of the UCLA squad in china for a basketball game against Georgia Tech last week.

They were accused of shoplifting designer sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store in the city of Hangzhou.

The news comes hours after Trump said he asked Chinese president Xi Jinping for a quick resolution to the case.

The three players are expected to speak to the media Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Tracee Ellis Ross to Host AMA

November 14, 2017, 4:33 pm

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(CNN) – The 2017 American Music Awards will be extra special for the Ross family “Black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross will be hosting Sunday’s show.

And her mother, Diana Ross, will receive the lifetime achievement award.

She’s also expected to perform.

Other performers at the star-studded event include: Florida Georgia Line, Hailee Steinfeld, Alessia Cara, Zedd, Selena Gomez and Christina Aguilera.

House Passes Key National Defense Bill

November 14, 2017, 4:42 pm

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Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14) today voted for and the House passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, annual legislation that authorizes funding for the Department of Defense.

The conference report works out differences between previously passed House and Senate versions of the bill. After the Senate passes this bill, it will go to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

“This bipartisan bill makes national defense a national priority again, and puts the president’s plan to rebuild the military into action,” said Rep. Graves.

“The bill also makes critical investments that strengthen Georgia’s contribution to our national defense, including essential funds for cybersecurity operations at Fort Gordon and surveillance aircraft stationed at Robins Air Force Base.”

Below is a list of the bill’s highlights:

• Helps rebuild the military by authorizing $699.6 billion for the Department of Defense and defense-related activities;
• Authorizes an increase in the size of the military by just over 20,000 servicemembers to address the threats against the United States;
• Provides for a 2.4 percent pay raise for servicemembers;
• Provides $103 million for A-10C Warthog wing upgrades, which will help preserve close-air support capability provided by units like those at Moody Air Force Base;
• Provides $417 million for the recapitalization of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) fleet, which is flown out of Robins Air Force Base;
• Includes $8 billion for cyber operations – an increase of $1.7 billion – including cyber operations at Fort Gordon;
• Provides authorization for 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which are manufactured in Marietta, Georgia;
• Authorizes upgrades to 85 M1A2 Abrams tanks and 93 Bradley Fighting vehicles, which will benefit the armored brigade combat teams at Fort Stewart;
• Provides $43.3 million in Military Construction for a Combat Vehicle Warehouse at Albany Marine Corps Logistic Base;
• Provides $10.8 million for an Air Traffic Control Tower at Fort Benning, Georgia;
• Provides $32 million for an Air Force Reserve Command mission complex at Robins Air Force Base.

Lee County DA and Local Law Enforcement Bring in Opioid Antidote

November 14, 2017, 7:17 pm

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Alabama is number one in opioid prescriptions issued and that raises a red flag for the Lee County District Attorney as well as local law enforcement.

“These drugs are being purchased legally, but then being sold illegally out on the streets,” said

Auburn police, Opelika police, and the Lee County Sheriff’s office are getting naloxone.

Naloxone is used to treat anyone suffering an opioid overdose.

When law enforcement arrive on scene and someone has overdosed, they can use this injection, which can temporarily reverse the overdose. As well as be used for first responders who are exposed to dangerous drugs.

“It allows us to have that peace of mind so if there’s an accidental exposure to this, such as a toxic opioid in regards to this epidemic creeping across our country, we will be ahead of the curve and this will help us to do exactly that,” said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones.

Lee County is the first in Alabama to use these naloxone kits. Each department will get two which costs about $4,000 each.

Each department is already equipped with these kits and ready to use them if needed.