Alexia Ridley

Anchor and Host at WUGA-FM (Athens, GA)

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Articles

Judd Drake appointed ACCGov Interim Manager

3 days ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

Judd Drake has been selected as the new interim manager for Athens-Clarke County. During Tuesday’s ACC Mayor and Commission meeting, Commissioners approved Mayor Kelly Girtz’s recommendation of Judd Drake to replace former Interim Manager Brad Griffin, who was named interim manager in January. His tenure was limited because he was an ACCGov retiree. Drake has served as the county attorney since July 2019. He will resume that role once a permanent manager is chosen.
Tim Denson announces run for Athens-Clarke County Mayor

4 days ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

Tim Denson has announced he is running for Mayor of Athens-Clarke County. The long-time public servant plans to host a series of community conversations to hear from residents about their hopes, concerns, regarding the Classic City.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith selected Georgia's 2025 Sheriff of the Year

4 days ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith has been selected as the 2025 Sheriff of the Year by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association. According to a post on the department’s website, Smith will be formally recognized at the GSA Summer Conference in August. He has served in Barrow County since 2009 and investigated the Apalachee High School shooting in September 2024. Four people were killed and nine others injured in that shooting.
Gov. Kemp: Special tax refund checks begin issuing this week

5 days ago | nowhabersham.com | Alexia Ridley

On Monday, Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Revenue announced that the state will begin issuing one-time, special tax refunds this week. This is the third time Georgia has returned a portion of its revenue surplus to taxpayers. Previous refunds were handed out in 2022 and 2023. To be eligible, residents must have filed both the 2023 and 2024 tax returns.
Public input hearings on Athens-Clarke County budget

5 days ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

Athens-Clarke County residents will have the opportunity to provide public input on next year’s budget in a series of meetings this month. In Athens-Clarke County, the first in a series of three Taxpayer Bill Rights meetings is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3rd. Residents are invited to weigh in on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and millage rate. Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz. “The millage rate is the same,” Girtz said.
Atlantic hurricane season begins

5 days ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season began Sunday, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA is predicting an above average season with 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, six to 10 are projected to become hurricanes, and three to five are expected to become major hurricanes, category three or higher. Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm.
Athens listed among hundreds of sanctuary cities

1 week ago | nowhabersham.com | Rebecca Santana |Alexia Ridley

The Department of Homeland Security is putting more than 500 “sanctuary jurisdictions” across the country on notice that the Trump administration views them as obstructing immigration enforcement as it attempts to increase pressure on communities it believes are standing in the way of the president’s mass deportations agenda.
Athens Area Diaper Bank hosts spring getaway raffle

2 weeks ago | wuga.org | Alexia Ridley

The Athens Area Diaper Bank is holding its third annual spring getaway raffle to support the work of distributing diapers to the families in need in the community. Erin Campbell is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit. “Diaper need describes when a family cannot provide enough diapers to keep their child clean, dry, and healthy for all the days and nights,” according to Campbell. “So, diaper need right now across the country is a problem that nearly one in two families face.
Sen. Ossoff hears from renters about alleged mistreatment

2 weeks ago | wuga.org | Sarah Kallis |Alexia Ridley

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff held a hearing in Atlanta Monday to hear from renters who say they were treated unfairly by corporate landlords. It’s part of his investigation into Georgia’s housing crisis, and the corporations that he says own thirty percent of single-family rental homes in Georgia, driving up prices. “Georgia families have reported to my office that they’re being squeezed out of the housing market as large companies buy up Georgia homes in bulk, and drive up home prices,” Ossoff said.
AthFest 2025 lineup, dates

3 weeks ago | nowhabersham.com | Alexia Ridley

The lineup has been announced for AthFest 2025. The 27th annual music and arts festival takes place June 20 through 22 in downtown Athens. It features performances on three outdoor stages and Club Crawl shows. AthFest Educates executive director Mary Joyce says attendees can expect to hear a wide range of music. “So, this year I’m thrilled to say we have an incredibly diverse lineup,” according to Joyce.

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