Panthers, it has been an exciting week with all of the Homecoming festivities, and now we have the game, the dance, and Halloween coming up. So, while you are prepping for the game, check out these KICs. This week we have Russia’s dirty bomb threats, harsh penalties for street races in Atlanta, City Council results in Peachtree City, a former Mississippi Governor injured after a car crash, and voter laws.  

October 24 – Russia warned about using “dirty bomb”

Eight months into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia is struggling to hold onto its territory. Russia’s solution is making false bomb accusations toward Ukraine.

Russia has yet to do anything to back up the “dirty bomb” claims. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has declared this statement false. Due to these accusations Ukraine’s top allies, France, Britain, and the United States, are watching closely for any evidence of dropping a bomb.

Despite the fact that there is not any proof, the main allies of Ukraine still cannot jump to false accusations. Ukraine and its top allies believe their “dirty bomb” tactic is used to escalate the war.

October 25 – Atlanta street racers being pursued by top prosecutors 

At the Atlanta City Council’s Public Safety meeting, the top prosecutor, Atlanta City Solicitor Raines Carter, said his office will prosecute street racers in the city. There have been complaints of people driving on sidewalks, reckless driving, and laying drag.

The Council’s ordinance states that they may upgrade some charges from a misdemeanor to a felony if caught in the act of reckless driving and street racing. Bystanders, organizers, and participants of these illegal meets or stunts on Atlanta roadways will face criminal charges.

This new ordinance also allows the arrest of street racers and participants on private property. The penalties of conviction have increased to 30 days in jail.

October 26 – Council results are received positively by citizens 

Last week’s Peachtree City Council meeting was filled with 30 citizens waiting for the results of several decisions. The Council voted unanimously to reconstruct the track at Riley Field, as well as give Planterra Ridge a portion of a public street to create less traffic around the area. 

Riley Field is the city’s only public walking and running facility, it was showing its age with the peeling parts of the top, as well as the missing track pieces and the potholes. The city’s budget for refurbishing was over half a million dollars but with the city crew workers, there was a new bid price of $457,000. 

Due to many Plantera residents coming into Council meetings in the past months it was decided that the home owner’s association would be given a portion of the street as well as be in charge of putting in a gate to block the traffic on Kelly Green for half the day.

October 27 – Former Mississippi governor debilitated following crash

Former Republican Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi was involved in a car crash near Wolf Lake, right outside of Yazoo City. Barbour was hospitalized Wednesday after he wrecked his SUV while trying to avoid hitting a dog. 

Yazoo County sheriff Jake Sheriff told the press that Barbour had to be airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Sheriff also said that the dog ran out in front of Barbour, and to avoid hitting the dog, he swerved and hit a culvert. Highway patrol told the press that he was stable and alert. Barbour was said to have a cut on the side of his head, and his hip and left shoulder were hurt. 

There is not yet any more information on how Barbour is doing. However, Sheriff said officers did not find a dog near the accident site.

October 28 – New US voting laws becoming more intense

Lawmakers in all but eight states have attempted to make new voting laws. These laws would create new investigation agencies and establish criminal penalties for empowered law enforcement. 

At least 130 bills have been introduced in 42 states that would increase the involvement of law enforcement in the voting process in the last two years. However, only 28 bills have been passed in 20 of the states. Some of these laws involve handing out food or drinks to voters while they stand in line. 

These laws are primarily led by Republicans and so far they have been shown that these bills have gained support from their constituents. Even though some of these laws have failed, there still has been no sign of voter fraud during these elections.