Epstein files must be released by Trump administration under obscure law, Democrats contend

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July 30, 2025

Congress Epstein Files — Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., right, speaks about the Jeffrey Epstein files, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday began charting a little-known legal path to force President Donald Trump’s administration to release the investigative files on the now deceased Florida sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, along with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, requested the “full and complete Epstein files” by Aug. 15.

“After missteps and failed promises by your Department regarding these files, it is essential that the Trump Administration provide full transparency. In 2024, President Trump stated on the campaign trail that he would declassify the Epstein files, with his political account on X stating, ‘President Trump says he will DECLASSIFY the 9/11 Files, JFK Files, and Epstein Files,’” according to the three-page letter led by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, the committee’s top Democrat.

“We call on you to fulfill those promises of transparency,” the letter, dated July 29, continued.

In addition to Schumer, other co-signers included Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, Andy Kim of New Jersey and Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

Five senators

The senators are invoking a nearly century-old law that compels the executive branch to comply if at least five senators on the committee sign on to a request, Schumer told reporters at a Wednesday press conference.

“While protecting the victim’s identities can and must be of top importance, the public has a right to know who enabled, knew of or participated in one of the most heinous sex trafficking operations in history,” Schumer said.

Blumenthal added that any notes and recordings of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s interviews last week in Tallahassee, Florida, with Ghislaine Maxwell should also be made public. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and is now serving a 20-year sentence in a Florida federal prison for conspiring with Epstein to secure and transport minors for sexual abuse.

Along with requesting all investigative materials by mid-August, the senators also demanded a briefing for committee staff by Aug. 29.

Schumer said committee Democrats are “still talking” to Republican colleagues to urge them to join the request.

“And that may help get this public, but if not, there’s recourse in the courts. This is the law,” Schumer said.

A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed to States Newsroom that it received the letter but declined to comment further.

Ghislaine Maxwell subpoenaed

The Justice Department’s decision in early July to keep what are described as the Epstein files out of public view sparked uproar and division among Republicans in Congress, administration officials and Trump’s base.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, issued a subpoena for an Aug. 11 deposition with Maxwell. Committee leadership rejected the convicted sex trafficker’s request Tuesday for the condition of immunity, accordingto media reports.

The continued noise led House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and Trump ally, to release members early for the six-week August break to avoid votes related to compelling the release of Epstein material.

The DOJ’s unsigned memo on July 7 stated that a review of the files did not reveal an “incriminating ‘client list’” and that no further disclosure of the investigative materials “would be appropriate or warranted.”

Since the memo’s release, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Bondi briefed Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein materials. The context in which his name appears remains unknown.

The Journal also reported the existence of a 50th-birthday greeting that Trump drew and wrote for Epstein that featured the outline of a naked woman with Trump’s signature as pubic hair. Trump has denied he made the drawing and sued the Wall Street Journal.

The reports have further fueled calls for the files to be released.

Falling-out between Trump and Epstein

Trump told reporters Tuesday that he had a falling-out with Epstein after the financier began “taking” spa workers, whom Trump said were young women, from his Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump said Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre who worked at the Palm Beach, Florida, resort in 2000 at age 16, according to a 2016 deposition.

Giuffre alleged Maxwell and Epstein trafficked her as a teen for illegal sex with influential men, including Britain’s Prince Andrew, who settled with Giuffre and stepped down from his royal duties.

Giuffre became an advocate for victims of sex trafficking. She died by suicide in April.

The Justice Department concluded Epstein harmed more than 1,000 victims.

Epstein was found hanged in August 2019 in his New York City jail cell, where he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

This story mentions suicide. If you or a loved one are suffering with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988. An online chat option is also available at 988lifeline.org.

Summer Nights Festival and Beverage Crawl Thursday in Cornelia

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Staff Report

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July 30, 2025

Cornelia Summer Nights Festival39 — (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

Thursday night, Cornelia is hosting the third in its series of Summer Nights Festivals. There will be live entertainment, arts and craft vendors, food, beverages, and kids’ activities downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. on July 31.

This month, the city is also hosting a Beverage Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m. during the festival.

The evening will feature six stops with sample-sized sips, including non-alcoholic options. Stops include BSG Coffee & Café, Fenders Alley, Farm House, Farmacia, Bigg Daddy’s, and Community Brew and Tap.

Admission to the festival is free. Tickets for the Beverage Crawl are $25 apiece. They’re available for purchase online at //bit.ly/beveragecrawl2025.

Gridiron Preview: Towns County Indians

By

Brian Carter

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July 30, 2025

Towns County is staring down the barrel of a 2025 season that could be one of the best the program has ever seen. A winnable schedule, combined with returning nearly all of their veteran talents, the Indians truly have a great chance here.

Head Coach: Jason Roquemore (7th Season)
2024 Record: 5-4; Non-Playoff Schedule

“Looking to make the ‘most’ of every opportunity…….,” says Roquemore of the upcoming fall. “Our kids have really worked hard. We are starting to understand that when we focus on the things we can control and make the most of the opportunities we have, we can be successful.”

2025 SCHEDULE – TOWNS COUNTY

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: N/A

Returning Starters: 8 on offense; 9 on defense

Key Returning Players: Dustin Barrett, Alex Baert, Tucker Engert, Morgan Walker

Up & Coming Players: Sam Sarafin has been a pleasant surprise for coach Roquemore. Also, Tucker Engert looks to have a breakout year after missing eight of the nine games last year due to injury.

Offense: Multiple
Dustin Barrett enters his senior year under center. He’ll run a great bit, and lean a lot on Alex Baert at RB and Sam Sarafin at WR. Tucker Engert at WR also figures to be a huge plus.

Defense: 3-4
The senior trio of LB Morgan Walker and DLs Hensel Martinez and Jacob Nicholson is going to be the heart and soul of the defense, according to Roquemore.

Trenches: “Probably the deepest we have ever been and we return a lot of kids. We are up to 48 as of today on the roster. No one is playing both ways within our line of scrimmages. Noah Davis and Tyler Wachacha will anchor our offensive line while Hensel Martinez and Jacob Nicholson will be huge for us up front defensively.”

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “Senior Leadership-we have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football,” says Roquemore.

Focusing On: “Making the ‘most’ of every opportunity,” echoes Roquemore.

Federal funds for after-school programs are flowing again in Georgia

By

Ross Williams

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July 30, 2025

Tim-Lee-Club-Boys-Girls-Club-in-Habersham-e1752342064720 — Habersham County's Tim Lee Club was one of the after-school programs at risk due to the federal funding freeze, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier said. (NowHabersham.com)

(Georgia Recorder) — The Georgia Board of Education met briefly Tuesday to distribute $48.2 million in previously frozen federal funds to centers that provide summer and after-school programs for kids.

Katie Landes, director of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, celebrated the vote as a victory for students and parents.

“The release of the anticipated funds brings tremendous relief to schools and community-based programs statewide,” Landes said in a statement. “Maintaining consistent funding is essential for sustainable programming and reducing uncertainties, particularly just days before the school year starts for many.”

The funds for the programs, called 21st Century Community Learning Centers, came under question at the end of June, when the Trump administration announced it would freeze $6.8 billion in federal funds nationwide. The pauses – which were announced one day before the money was supposed to go out – also included dollars for migrant education, English as a second language, college and career counseling and others.

The Georgia State Board of Education holds a virtual meeting on July 29, 2025, to distribute the previously frozen funds. (Georgia Department of Education livestream image/YouTube Channel)

The Trump administration has signaled plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and return its duties to the states, though abolishing it entirely would require an act of Congress.

The freeze sparked bipartisan condemnation, including in the form of a letter signed by 10 Republican senators to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought urging the funding be restored.

On July 18, the administration announced it would release the first part of the funds for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, and the Department of Education unfroze the rest of the funds a week later.

Stan DeJarnett, who chairs the state board of education, indicated he expects the board to vote to approve the remainder of those unfrozen funds soon.

“Even though the remaining federal funds were announced last Friday that they would be released, we don’t have actual fund amounts for these different categories. So that’s the reason they are not on this morning’s agenda. So we may be back having this meeting again very soon once we get some more guidance on the amount of the appropriation in each of those federal fund categories.”

County employee honored for quick action that helped save a man’s life

By

Carly McCurry

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July 30, 2025

A routine morning commute turned into a life-saving moment for Habersham County employee Mari Silva.

Silva, a Permit & License Specialist, was driving to work on June 19 when she noticed a man standing on the edge of the four-lane bridge over Highway 365. While many drivers passed by, she was the one who picked up the phone.

“I imagine, given the location, there were numerous vehicles on the bridge, but it was Mari that called in with concerns,” said Mike Beecham, Habersham County’s Director of Planning and Development.

Silva immediately called her supervisor, Troy Dills, who alerted Deputy Eric Luders. Luders contacted dispatch, and responding officers confirmed the man was attempting to jump. Law enforcement helped get the distraught man to safety, and Habersham EMS transported him to the hospital.

“This is an excellent example of an employee showing empathy for someone and doing the right thing,” Beecham said.

A lifesaving moment and daily dedication

Cornelia Police Officer Joey Newkirk was publicly praised for his role in saving the would-be bridge jumper. County leaders recognized Silva’s role during a recent Board of Commissioners meeting in the July Employee Spotlight. Her family attended the ceremony as Beecham praised both her actions that day and her daily dedication to public service.

Silva is the first point of contact for customers seeking permits, licenses, and other services from the county building department. Beecham said she constantly receives compliments for her professionalism and positive attitude.

“Mari has been invaluable to the department and has helped lead the way in our transitioning with the online permitting and licensing system. In addition to these department functions, Mari has been very valuable in helping our Hispanic customers, given her ability to speak Spanish. This language barrier has caused problems for the department in the past, which Mari has solved for us,” he said.

Other departments rely on Silva to review and modify documents and public announcements created in Spanish.

Beecham added, “She has been instrumental in helping the county serve a previously underserved population.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

Trump announces 25% tariff on India and unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil

By

Josh Boak

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July 30, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will impose a 25% tariff on goods from India, plus an additional import tax because of India’s purchasing of Russian oil.

India “is our friend,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform, but its tariffs “are far too high” on U.S. products.

The Republican president added that India buys military equipment and oil from Russia, which he said has enabled the war in Ukraine. As a result, he intends to charge an additional “penalty” starting on Friday as part of the launch of his administration’s revised tariffs on multiple countries.

The new tariffs could put India at a disadvantage in the U.S. market relative to Vietnam, Bangladesh and, possibly, China, said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

“We are back to square one as Trump hasn’t spelled out what the penalties would be in addition to the tariff,” Sahai said. “The demand for Indian goods is bound to be hit.”

The announcement comes after a slew of negotiated trade frameworks with the European Union, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia — all of which Trump said would open markets for American goods while enabling the U.S. to raise tax rates on imports. The president views tariff revenues as a way to help offset the budget deficit increases tied to his recent income tax cuts and generate more domestic factory jobs.

While Trump has effectively wielded tariffs as a cudgel to reset the terms of trade, the economic impact is uncertain as most economists expect a slowdown in U.S. growth and greater inflationary pressures as some of the costs of the taxes are passed along to domestic businesses and consumers.

There is also the possibility of more tariffs coming on trade partners with Russia as well as on pharmaceutical drugs and computer chips.

Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporter Wednesday that Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer would announce the Russia-related tariff rates on India at a later date.

Trump’s approach of putting a 15% tariff on America’s long-standing allies in the EU is also generating pushback, possibly causing European partners as well as Canada to seek alternatives to U.S. leadership on the world stage.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday in the aftermath of the trade framework that Europe “does not see itself sufficiently” as a global power, saying in a cabinet meeting that negotiations with the U.S. will continue as the agreement gets formalized.

“To be free, you have to be feared,” Macron said. “We have not been feared enough. There is a greater urgency than ever to accelerate the European agenda for sovereignty and competitiveness.”

Washington has long sought to develop a deeper partnership with New Delhi, which is seen as a bulwark against China. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a good working relationship with Trump, and the two leaders are likely to further boost cooperation between their countries.

The Census Bureau reported that the U.S. ran a $45.8 billion trade imbalance in goods with India last year, meaning it imported more than it exported.

At a population exceeding 1.4 billion people, India is the world’s largest country and a possible geopolitical counterbalance to China. India and Russia have close relations, and New Delhi has not supported Western sanctions on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

The new tariffs on India could complicate its goal of doubling bilateral trade with the U.S. to $500 billion by 2030. The two countries have had five rounds of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. While U.S. has been seeking greater market access and zero tariff on almost all its exports, India has expressed reservations on throwing open sectors such as agriculture and dairy, which employ a bulk of the country’s population for livelihood, Indian officials said.

When Trump in February met with Modi, the U.S. president said that India would start buying American oil and natural gas.

Trump discussed his policies on trade and tariffs with reporters accompanying him Tuesday on the flight home following a five-day visit to Scotland. He declined to comment then when asked about reports that India was bracing for a U.S. tariff rate of at least 25%, saying, “We’re going to see.”

Trump also said the outlines of a trade framework with India had not yet been finalized. Once back at the White House on Tuesday, Trump indicated that there were no plans to announce new tariff rates on Wednesday, a claim that turned out to be inaccurate.

Georgia lawmakers dig into medical cannabis, hemp laws after push for changes stalled

By

Maya Homan

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July 30, 2025

Fine Fettle medical marijuana plant grower in Georgia — Marijuana plants are cultivated and processed in this 118,000 square foot facility at Fine Fettle in Macon-Bibb County. (Fine Fettle/Facebook)

(Georgia Recorder) — Medical cannabis and recreational hemp are likely to be high on lawmakers’ list of priorities as they reconvene in January for the 2026 legislative session.

Members of a House study committee dedicated to studying the impact of cannabis consumption held their first meeting at the state Capitol Tuesday. The committee will hold three additional hearings between now and October to examine medical studies, solicit expert testimony and compare Georgia’s marijuana laws to those of other states before compiling a report on official policy recommendations.

The committee, which is composed of lawmakers, agency leaders, medical professionals and everyday citizens, will study two distinct policy subsets: Medical cannabis, which is administered through Georgia’s Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, and commercial hemp products, which are regulated through the federal 2018 Farm Bill and the Georgia Hemp Farming Act.

FILE PHOTO – Rep. Mark Newton (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

“There is some blurring in this committee, which happens because of the fact that we’re looking at, really, two different policies,” said state Rep. Mark Newton, an Augusta Republican and physician who chairs the committee. “Medical marijuana is one area of this Blue Ribbon commission that we’re assigned with, and the second area is hemp policies.”

Bills related to medical cannabis and hemp beverages became a focal poin t during the 2025 session, which also marked the 10-year anniversary of Haleigh’s Hope Act. The law created the licensing commission, legalized possession of low-THC oil for the first time in Georgia and created a new research program dedicated to studying the drug’s impact. Subsequent legislation enabled companies to produce and sell the oil in-state, but advocates argue that Georgia’s current laws do not go far enough to help patients access medical cannabis in the forms that they need.

Georgia has seen incremental but steady growth in its low-THC oil program, which currently has over 33,700 patients, 2,300 caregivers and 700 physicians enrolled, according to the latest data from the state Department of Public Health. Patients with intractable pain and post-traumatic stress diagnoses make up more than 75% of those on the list, though patients with conditions like cancer, seizure disorders and Parkinson’s disease are also eligible to enroll. Georgia’s numbers are also dwarfed by other Southern states like Mississippi and Louisiana, where enrollment numbers are closer to 50,000 despite having much smaller state populations.

At least four bills on the topic of medical cannabis and hemp products were introduced during the most recent session, though none managed to successfully clear both chambers before the Legislature adjourned in April.

Over on the Senate side, lawmakers on the Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products will also tackle the issue of regulating recreational products like THC-infused drinks, which are chemically similar to medical cannabis but more broadly available to consumers because they fall under the federal 2018 Farm Bill and the Georgia Hemp Farming Act. The first meeting of that committee has yet to be publicly announced.

The House committee will hold its next meeting on Aug. 21 in Augusta.

Golf cart overturns injuring four teens

By

Joy Purcell

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July 30, 2025

chopper airlifts patient from scene — One patient was airlifted from the scene on Scottmill Road in Hart County on Sunday, July 27, 2025. (Hart County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

Four teenage girls were injured when a golf cart overturned on Scottmill Road in Hart County, according to Sheriff Chris Carroll.

The crash happened around 8 p.m. on July 27. Deputies with the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and Hart County EMS responded to the scene. Preliminary reports indicate the golf cart overturned while it was moving.

One girl was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries, and another was transported by ambulance, Carroll said. The two remaining teens, all between the ages of 16 and 18, sustained minor injuries.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the girls and their families as they begin the road to recovery,” Carroll said in a statement.

The incident remains under investigation.

Her brother’s keeper: Tallulah Falls athlete finds strength in loss

By

Brian Carter

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July 30, 2025

Major tragedies have a way of stopping people in their tracks — losing those close to you, especially family, is paralyzing. It changes a person forever. For some, enduring such life-altering events provides a new perspective on life. Some survivors of said tragedies discover newfound motivation to not just continue on, but to excel in all they do.

Meet Carsyn Griffis, a Tallulah Falls native and standout swimmer and cross country runner entering her senior year of high school. She’s lived through pain and loss that few can relate to at her age, losing both her brother and dad in the span of four months in 2021. The sudden death of her 20-year-old sibling, Caleb, in a tragic motorcycle crash less than two years after going to Clemson from TFS, coupled with losing her dad, Stan, impacts Carysn’s life to this day and beyond. It hasn’t just changed what she does – but how she does it. She keeps their memories alive by bettering herself as well as the people around her.

“After losing my dad and brother, I thought that I couldn’t continue in the life that I live,” says Carsyn. “I am continuing, and doing better than ever, sometimes. I know they are proud of me. I hope they are forever proud of me.”

She has spent the last several years paying homage in several ways to her dad and brother, striving to be the best version of herself. A glance in the past, combined with an inward inspection, creates a big future for Carsyn. She continues to be inspired by her brother, especially when it comes to athletics.

A portrait of Carsyn’s brother, Caleb, who died in a motorcycle accident while in college. (Elisha Boggs/Tallulah Falls School)

“Caleb has become my greatest influence,” states Carsyn. “He worked hard in all of his sports that he was involved in. He constantly strived to become better. Making him proud has been my driving force in athletics. I often want life to go by fast and get to the next stage, like college. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and it took a major life event for me to realize it. Caleb lived a life of no regrets. He used every second of every day to better himself or help others. I want to live a life like Caleb did. I hope that he is proud of everything that I accomplish. I strive to carry on in life to the best of my abilities to make him proud. I wish I could hear him say ‘I am proud of you.’ Until then, I have to tell myself that he is proud of me.”

Caleb often was found at the gym at 4 a.m., and is credited with getting Carsyn into cross country.

“His favorite things were shoes and running,” Carsyn adds. “He wanted me to share the same passions as him, so he encouraged me to run cross country. He wrote me a sticky note on my mirror at the beginning of my sixth-grade cross country season saying ‘Run Fast = Cool Shoes’ and ‘P.S. Run Fast.’ I now write it on my running shoes to encourage me to run like him.”

Carsyn received the memo. She was a steady presence on the cross country team in 2023, finishing third on the team with a 24:03 time, good for 56th overall at the state meet as the Lady Indians put up a program-best 7th-place finish. She had put away running for a while after middle school, but picked it up again just that season. In 2024, she again was third on the team at state (54th overall) as the girls again came in seventh.

“In the summer before my sophomore year, I decided to give it one more chance,” she says. “We qualified for state. I ran the state meet with full effort thinking of my brother the whole time. I finished the race with a personal best. I knew that my brother would be so proud of me.”

Carsyn with the now-laminated sticky notes her brother, Caleb, left her at the start of her sixth-grade cross country season. (Elisha Boggs/Tallulah Falls School)

‘Cherish time’

While she has done well in cross country, she’s arguably even better in the pool. She was a vital part of this past year’s State Championship team, leading the 200 Medley Relay championship team, and coming in 3rd in the 500 Free and 4th in the 200 Free. The 200 Medley Relay’s 1:49.19 time at state is a school record and GIAA State Championship record.

“My favorite thing about swimming is the relays. The relays are fun to compete in because you must work as a team to accomplish one big goal. I love hearing the crowd cheer after we finish. My favorite memory is setting the school record. We were very close to another school record as well. Another swim memory has left an impact on me. I have swam for seven years. When I reached high school, my goal was to get an individual state cut qualifying time. My freshman year, I missed the time by .01 seconds. Then came back sophomore year, ready to get that time. I had worked so hard. I not only got one state cut, I got two. That moment looking at the scoreboard is one I will never forget.”

Carsyn qualified in the 100 Free and 100 Back last season. For her efforts, she earned 2nd Team All-State honors by the Georgia High School Swimming Coaches Association. The aspiring collegiate swimmer and ultimately an Occupational Therapist has learned to manage her time wisely. That discipline comes whether it’s in the pool, classroom, on the course, in an FCA Huddle as a leader, or elsewhere. Time is precious to her.

“Cherish time,” she reminds herself. “Time is something that you can never get back. I am often hit with memories, and I want to go back. It is easy to dwell on the past, but we must look towards the future.”

Sometimes that means slowing life down to enjoy the fun moments. For Carsyn, she helps the swim team enjoy ‘Fun Fridays’ throughout the season.

“We incorporate teamwork into fun little games or competitions,” she says. “One year, we had to come up with a synchronized swimming routine. My team did fun little kicks and tricks. We watched other teams and their ideas. We laughed about our ideas and other teams’ performances. As a team, we still laugh about this memory two years later.”

While Tallulah Falls has had a major impact on Carsyn, she’s more than returned the favor, making memories and friends that last a lifetime.

“TFS provides a family. It is a community like no other and feels like a family. I have grown friendships that have become like family. My family chose TFS for the education along with the community.

Carsyn’s mom is Tamara Griffis, the head coach of the swim teams and the Student Support and Media Specialist. Caleb was a 2021 graduate, while Caden graduated in 2020. The family started the Caleb Griffis Memorial Scholarship Foundation in 2021, which awards scholarships at TFS and helps fund ROTC students who need it at Clemson University.

“The Memorial Foundation means carrying his legacy on,” adds Carsyn. “Caleb led many people to Jesus and brought joy. He could light up any room that he walked in. He was a great leader in high school as a captain of multiple teams and in ROTC as a squad leader at Clemson University. Our family wanted to help others — something that Caleb loved. It means we get to share who he was with others. To award the scholarship at TFS, we look for people like him. We look for people who are leaders and work hard both in the classroom and on the courts or fields. This scholarship means the world to us and I hope it does to others. I hope people can share the same light Caleb did in this world. We hope that he is remembered forever.”

Seven months following his passing, they held the first Fidelis Militus 5K on the TFS cross country course.

“Caleb spent many, many hours training on this course so it seemed fitting to hold our annual 5K at his home course. The name Fidelis Militus is Latin for Faithful Soldier. This has become the foundation’s motto since the beginning. Our mission statement focuses on supporting future soldiers and leaders throughout life’s toughest obstacles.”

Caleb certainly holds the title of Fidelis Militus — Carsyn Griffis does too.

Secretary Raffensperger launches investigation into company accused of Ponzi scheme

By

Jeff Dantre and Alexia Ridley

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July 30, 2025

1NATION — Georgia Secretary of state Brad Raffensperger. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has launched an investigation into a company accused of operating a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors while funding political campaigns.

The announcement follows a lawsuit filed in mid-July by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Edwin Brant Frost IV and his company First Liberty Building and Loan. The agency’s Securities Division regulates the securities industry in Georgia, including investment products. Raffensperger has already called on politicians to return any campaign contributions from First Liberty or the Frost family, which has been active in state Republican politics. The Georgia Republican Party said last week that it had repaid nearly $37,000 in such income to the court-appointed receiver for First Liberty.

As part of that investigation, the securities division is reaching out to potential victims in the case. Anyone who may have invested money with First Liberty and believes that they may be affected is asked to contact the office.

“We are committed to protecting Georgians who may have been misled. Our division works tirelessly to ensure transparency and accountability in the securities marketplace,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “Public input is vital to that mission.”

In a statement issued by the office, Raffensperger said that if you engaged with First Liberty and have not yet submitted a formal complaint with the Securities Division, you are encouraged to do so using the appropriate channels on the Secretary of State’s website.
Individuals who contact the office will be treated confidentially.

The Securities Division is responsible for regulating the securities industry in Georgia, including the investment products offered to residents, the firms and professionals who sell them, and the businesses that solicit funds from the public for investment purposes.

This article comes to Now Habersham in partnership with WUGA

8.8-magnitude earthquake sends tsunami waves and warnings across Pacific

By

Mari Yamaguchi

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July 30, 2025

Emergency agencies in Alaska and Hawaii posted tsunami warnings after an 8.8 earthquake struck in eastern Russia on July 29, 2025. (Source: NOAA and Hawaii EMA)

TOKYO (AP) — One of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded struck Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, sending tsunami waves into Japan and Hawaii and across the Pacific. No substantial damage has been reported so far, but authorities warned people away from shorelines and said the risk could last more than a day.

Ports on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia near the 8.8 magnitude quake’s epicenter flooded as residents fled inland, and frothy, white waves washed up to the shore in northern Japan. Cars jammed streets and highways in Hawaii’s capital, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline.

People went to evacuation centers in affected areas of Japan, with memories fresh of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused reactor meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. No abnormalities in operations at Japan’s nuclear plants were reported Wednesday.

Russian authorities said several people were injured, without giving a figure. In Japan, at least one person was injured.

A tsunami height of 3-4 meters (10 to 13 feet) was recorded in Kamchatka, 60 centimeters (2 feet) on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, and up to 1.4 feet (under 30 centimeters) above tide levels were observed in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Hawaii and Oregon warn residents of potential damage

The impact of the tsunami could last for hours or perhaps more than a day, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska

“A tsunami is not just one wave,” he said. “It’s a series of powerful waves over a long period of time. Tsunamis cross the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour — as fast as a jet airplane — in deep water. But when they get close to the shore, they slow down and start to pile up. And that’s where that inundation problem becomes a little bit more possible there.”

“In this case, because of the Earth basically sending out these huge ripples of water across the ocean, they’re going to be moving back and forth for quite a while,” which is why some communities may feel effects longer, he said.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said data from Midway Atoll, which is between Japan and Hawaii, measured waves from peak to trough of 6 feet (1.8 meters). He said waves hitting Hawaii could be bigger or smaller and it was too early to tell how large they would be. A tsunami of that size would be akin to a 3-foot (90-centimeter) wave riding on top of surf, he said.

“This is a longitudinal wave with great force driving through the shoreline and into land,” he said at a news conference.

Green said Black Hawk helicopters have been activated and high-water vehicles were ready to go in case authorities need to rescue people. “But please do not put yourself in harm’s way,” he said.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said on Facebook that small tsunami waves were expected along the coast starting around 11:40 p.m. local time, with wave heights between 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters). It urged people to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas and to remain in a safe location away from the coast until the advisory is lifted.

“This is not a major tsunami, but dangerous currents and strong waves may pose a risk to those near the water,” the department said.

Much of the West Coast, spanning California, Washington state, and the Canadian province of British Columbia, was also under a tsunami advisory.

A tsunami of less than 30 centimeters (under 1 foot) was forecast to hit parts of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The province’s emergency preparedness agency said waves were expected to reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m. Tuesday and Tofino around 11:30 p.m. The agency said “multiple waves over time” were expected.

Russian regions report limited damage

The quake at 8:25 a.m. Japan time had a preliminary magnitude of 8.0, Japanese and U.S. seismologists said. The U.S. Geological Survey later updated its strength to 8.8 magnitude and a depth of 20.7 kilometers (13 miles).

The quake was centered about 119 kilometers (74 miles) east-southeast from the Russian city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, which has a population of 180,000, on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Multiple aftershocks as strong as 6.9 magnitude followed.

Severokurilsk Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said the port in the city was flooded by tsunami waves, washing fishing boats into the sea. He said that no major damage was recorded.

Power supplies have been shut and the authorities were checking the power network after the flooding.

Among the world’s strongest recorded quakes

The earthquake appeared to be the strongest anywhere in the world since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off northeastern Japan in March 2011 that caused a massive tsunami that set off meltdowns at a nuclear power plant. Only a few stronger earthquakeshave ever been measured around the world.

The tsunami alert disrupted transportation in Japan, with ferries, trains and airports in the affected area suspending or delaying some operations.

A tsunami of 60 centimeters (2 feet) was recorded at Hamanaka town in Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Several areas reported smaller waves including 20 centimeters (8 inches) in Tokyo Bay five hours after the quake.

In Japan’s northern coastal town of Matsushima, dozens of residents took refuge at an evacuation center, where water bottles were distributed and an air conditioner was running. One person told NHK she came to the facility without hesitation based on the lesson from the 2011 tsunami.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned evacuees that they may not be able to return home by the end of the day, as the tsunami waves could remain high.

Japanese nuclear power plants reported no abnormalities. The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi plant damaged by the 2011 tsunami said about 4,000 workers are taking shelter on higher ground at the plant complex while monitoring remotely to ensure safety.

Philippine authorities advised people to stay away from the beach and coastal areas. “It may not be the largest of waves, but these can continue for hours and expose people swimming in the waters to danger,” Teresito Bacolcol of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology told The Associated Press.

Mexico’s navy warned that tsunami waves will start reaching the northern coast in Ensenada, near California, at around 02:22 a.m. Wednesday local time, and waves could progress along the Pacific coast to Chiapas state, around 07:15 a.m. local time.

New Zealand authorities warned of “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges” along all coastlines of the South Pacific island nation. The emergency management agency said people should move out of the water, off beaches and away from harbors, marinas, rivers and estuaries.

People were urged to stay away from coastlines until any wave surges passed late Wednesday in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands.

Some tiny and low-lying Pacific island chains are among the world’s most imperiled by tsunamis and rising seas due to climate change.

Earlier in July, five powerful quakes — the largest with a magnitude of 7.4 — struck in the sea near Kamchatka. The largest quake was at a depth of 20 kilometers and was 144 kilometers (89 miles) east of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

South Carolina escapees arrested after high-speed chase in Northeast Georgia

By

Joy Purcell

-

July 29, 2025

Two Union County, South Carolina, jail escapees were arrested Tuesday after leading Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers on a high-speed chase through Northeast Georgia.

The incident happened July 29 after GSP Post 52 in Hartwell received a BOLO (be on the lookout) for a blue 2019 Ford F-150 reported stolen out of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

A trooper spotted the stolen pickup on Georgia Highway 77 in Hart County and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to stop, sparking a pursuit that continued onto Highway 17.

According to the GSP report, the trooper used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to end the chase in Franklin County. The trooper arrested the driver and passenger without further incident.

“During the investigation, the passenger made statements leading troopers to suspect that both subjects were escapees from Union County, South Carolina,” said SFC Richard Fleming with the Georgia State Patrol.

Union County Detention Center Director Walter McKeown confirmed for Now Habersham that the two men arrested – Devin Jake Fisher and Nicklaus Chase Bevis – are escapees. He did not respond to our request for information detailing the charges against them and when and how Fisher and Bevis escaped.

Union County Sheriff Jeff Bailey released a statement on Wednesday addressing the situation.

“We want to make clear that the Union County Detention Center is not operated by our office. We were informed of the escape by the Georgia State Patrol, who asked us to reach out to the facility directly. We had no prior knowledge of the incident until after the individuals had been located and taken into custody out of state. That said, we remain committed to public safety and will fully cooperate in any investigation that may take place,” the statement read.

No injuries were reported during the pursuit. Authorities transported both suspects to the Franklin County Jail as the investigation continues.