Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Atlanta, GA

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers will meet under the Gold Dome later this month.

House Speaker Jon Burns spoke exclusively with Channel 2’s Richard Elliot about what priorities he wants to tackle in the coming legislative session.

One of the top issues Burns is focusing on is affordability. He told Elliot he wants to figure out how to make it easier to afford a home in Georgia.

“One of our main focuses this year is going to be looking at what we can do for homeowners to make their largest purchase that most families make in their lifetime,” Burns told Channel 2 Action News. “We want to make that affordable.”

The new legislative session for lawmakers starts back on Jan. 12.

Housing affordability isn’t the only item on the list for lawmakers to address.

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The House Speaker also wants to continue discussion of reducing the state income tax rate and lowering insurance rates for Georgians.

In terms of next steps, Burns said for him, it’s “kind of a continuation of some great policy, part of some new policy, but some great policies that we’ve been working on for the past few years.”

Burns said property tax levels and income tax are both on the agenda for discussion, with tax relief and making property taxes less burdensome to homeowners was important.

However, Burns also told Channel 2 Action News that lawmakers needed to ensure local governments and school districts were still able to get the funds they needed to operate.

The House Speaker also said school safety initiatives were important in the coming legislative agenda, as well as literacy programs for Georgia children and students.

Burns said he wants to continue the legislative push for civil justice, tort reform, from the 2025 session and work to bring down insurance rates across the state.

He said lawmakers want to ensure Georgia leaders have the tools they need to protect Georgians and make insurance rates reasonable and affordable.

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"This is one of the most severe years we've seen in a little bit," said Dr. Gavin Harris.

ATLANTA — Health officials are warning that Georgia is experiencing one of its most severe flu seasons in years, with cases and hospitalizations climbing sharply across the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Georgia among the states with "very high" flu activity, and doctors say the season's peak is still ahead.

"This is one of the most severe years we've seen in a little bit," said Dr. Gavin Harris, an infectious disease specialist with Emory Healthcare. "The amount of flu cases and the increase in positive test results are unlike anything we've seen in almost a decade."

State data underscores that trend.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported more than 300 flu-related hospitalizations in metro Atlanta during the most recent week of tracking. DeKalb County has also seen a 60% increase in flu-related 911 calls, county officials said.

Emory Healthcare has opened a 24/7 flu hotline (404-544-9358), staffed by nurses who can help patients determine whether they need a virtual visit or in-person care. Harris said the goal is to keep hospital capacity available for the most serious cases.

"If there's a way to preserve healthcare capabilities, it's by rapidly triaging and getting people connected with care and treatment," Harris said. "If we can safely do that in an outpatient setting, we can preserve the capacity of our emergency rooms and clinics."

Doctors across Georgia report high flu activity in both outpatient clinics and emergency departments.

"We are anticipating, unfortunately, that these next few months could be pretty rough," Harris said.

Dr. Sujatha Reddy, an Atlanta physician, urged residents not to skip vaccination, noting it still provides strong protection against severe illness. "It is never too late to get your flu vaccine," Reddy said.

Harris added that while this year's vaccine may not perfectly match all circulating strains, it remains "incredibly effective at preventing severe cases and hospitalizations."

Physicians said people struggling to tell whether they have a cold or the flu should pay attention to the severity of symptoms.

High fever, body aches, and fatigue are more likely to signal influenza, Harris said — symptoms he described candidly as feeling "like you got hit by a truck."

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — 19 Buddhist monks and a rescue dog walked through metro Atlanta Monday, headed on foot to Washington, D.C., on their Walk for Peace.

The 2,300-mile trek stopped in both Fayetteville and Morrow.

“It’s an amazing experience just walking for peace and joy,” said Diana Jackson, who brought her young daughter to see them at Trillith in Fayetteville.

“It just shows that there can be peace and there’s people willing to go out there and fight for it,” said Jackson.

The walk started Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas. The monks will journey through 10 states before it ends on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C.

Bhikkhu Pannakara says this trek is to promote peace and unity.

“We have different backgrounds, different skin colors, different languages, that we speak and different faiths but everybody coming together because of peace and this is love,” said Pannakara.

Pannakara was wearing pins from cities he’s visited on this journey. He says each day they wake up at 4 a.m., walk at least 30 miles and usually sleep in tents.

Their lunch stops are the main time they connect with the community, like on Monday in Fayetteville, where, after eating a quick lunch, the monks spoke to the crowds and handed out peace bracelets.

Pannakara says their message has two parts. First, the message is for everyone to live each day intentionally with peace.

“Today is going to be my peaceful day — that is the statement that I ask people to write down every morning — read it over and over with our eyes, and then read it out loud to tell the universe that today is my peaceful day so no one can mess it up,” said Pannakara.

The second part of their message is for everyone to just slow down.

“Not multitask anymore and just be mindful with it...if we can live that way with mindfulness every single day then we will have a peaceful day in our family then peace will spread,” said Pannakara.

Pannakara says the hardest part has been the walk itself.

“There are so many of us that have been walking a long way, so knees and feet are really hurting really bad, so those are the hardest parts,” said Pannakara.

But he says their mission is important enough that they will power through and walk on, spreading their message.

“May you be well, happy and peaceful,” said Pannakara.

On Tuesday, the monks will be in Decatur at 2:30 p.m. at the Beacon Municipal Complex, 105 Electric Ave.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — If you were dreaming of a white Christmas, you’ll need to go somewhere else. Atlantans can expect a pleasant holiday with mild temperatures and mostly dry conditions.

The forecast calls for highs in the upper 60s with partly cloudy skies and less than a 20% chance of rain on Christmas Day. The mild conditions mean no need to worry about winter weather ruining holiday plans or travel.

How this year compares to recent Christmases

Atlanta has experienced quite a range of Christmas weather over the past four years, making this year’s forecast particularly notable.

In 2021, it was exceptionally warm, with a high of 69 degrees — one of the warmest Christmas Days on record for Atlanta. In 2023, the holiday was also above normal at 63 degrees. However, 2022 brought a dramatic shift with a frigid high of just 37 degrees, as an Arctic blast gripped the Southeast during the Christmas freeze. Last year, Atlanta saw a high of 60 degrees.

This year’s forecast of 67 degrees falls well above normal, in line with 3 of the 4 last Christmases.

What’s typical for Christmas in Atlanta?

The average high temperature on Christmas Day in Atlanta is typically in the mid-50s, making this year’s forecast of 67 degrees more than 10 degrees above normal (but not unusual). Over the past several decades, Atlanta has seen Christmas highs range from the 30s during cold snaps to the upper 60s and even low 70s during warmer years.

Early Christmas Day forecast:

Temperature: High of 67 degrees

Sky Conditions: Partly cloudy

Rain Chance: Less than 20%

Wind: 10-15mph winds

The mild conditions mean:

Calling all POP MART fans in the ATL! We’ve got some huge news for ya. The massive collectible retailer is opening up shop in Georgia for the first time… and they’re coming right there to the ATL. Keep scrolling for all the details!

Wait, POP MART is coming to Atlanta?

Yep! POP MART US made a post on Instagram earlier this week, stating,

Hey GEORGIA! Get ready because we’re opening our first POP MART store in your state, right here in Atlanta, and we’re bringing loads of fun, exclusive collectibles, and can’t-miss surprises on our grand opening day.

They encourage fans to follow @popmart_us for all the ATL updates.

Where will the new Atlanta POP MART be located?

POP MART is coming to Atlanta’s Perimeter shopping district at:

????400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite #1355 POP MART, Atlanta, GA 30346

When is POP MART opening?

Right now we don’t have an exact date. They have said the grand opening will include exclusive items and special deals, however. So don’t forget to check back in with us to find out when they’re going to open!

As soon as we know… you’ll know!

What does POP MART sell?

POP MART is a Chinese collectibles retailer, selling adorable designer vinyl toys and plush collectibles. They’re known for their ‘blind boxes’, which is a fun surprise for buyers… who don’t know what they’ll get until they open it!

Shoppers can expect popular characters at the new POP MART like:

And SO many more! There’s something for everyone’s taste at POP MART!

Learn more about POP MART and see what they have to offer on their official U.S. website, here.