Daily
Athens
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Good morning, Athens. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The ACC Multimodal Transportation Center will serve as a warming station tonight from 5 p.m. until 9 a.m. tomorrow by offering donated winter clothing, blankets, hot hands, and warm coffee for anyone needing to escape the cold — it is not an overnight shelter. Classic City News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Athens-based Zaxbys will bring back Southern Fried Shrimp and oversized quesadillas on Monday, Jan. 19 as it responds to strong fan demand. The fast-food chain, known for its hand-breaded chicken and signature sauces, is reviving these popular menu items after years away. Athens Banner-Herald
- ➤ Verizon announced that Georgia customers will receive a $20 credit for Wednesday’s nearly 10-hour outage that left over 1.5 million users without service + affected customers can redeem their credit through the myVerizon app when they get a text message. Athens Banner-Herald
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ On Thursday, Jan. 22, the Lyndon House Art Center (in partnership with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office) will display artwork by incarcerated individuals starting at 5:30 p.m. The exhibit comes from a year-long Creative Tracks program led by local educator Kristen Bach and seeks to encourage community support for reentry. WUGA
- ➤ Athens welcomes MLK weekend with a parade and festival Monday at noon downtown and a community service at Lay Park from 8:30 to 9:30, while non-alcoholic wine tasting takes place Friday evening at Tonique Bottle Co. + family events continue Saturday at Flying Squid Comedy and the ACS Library. Athens Banner-Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Jeannette Rankin Foundation celebrates 50 years with a $6 million endowment that has helped 3,000 women earn degrees — and now aims to raise $16 million for more grants. A new book on Rankin was released at UGA Special Collections Libraries, offering fresh insights on her storied life. Boom Magazine
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Lisa Washington, a local food & lifestyle expert, showed how to make meals with extra fiber, protein & water yesterday. Her tips offer Athens residents a simple guide to adding healthy ingredients at home. FOX 5 Atlanta
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ St. Pius basketball continues an unbeaten season as the team chases its first state title after wins over several top 10 teams (the Golden Lions are aiming high). FOX 5 Atlanta
- ➤ Georgia football lowered its recruiting spending to $2.975 million for FY 2025, a 27.2% drop from last year due to fewer trips and renegotiated travel costs — and reported a $6.6 million operating deficit driven by postseason expenses and NIL costs. Athens Banner-Herald
- ➤ Former Georgia running back Garrison Hearst was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame by the National Football Foundation on Wednesday; he will be inducted as part of the 2026 class—his ceremony set for Dec. 8 in Las Vegas includes an on-campus salute in Atlanta. The Red & Black
- ➤ Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson IV was named the Football Writers Association of America Freshman Defensive Player of the Year — he played 12 games this season, made 20 tackles, and tied for first in the SEC with four interceptions. The Red & Black
- ➤ Earnest Greene did not appear among four underclassmen eligible for the NFL Draft and he will return to help anchor the Bulldogs offensive line. He did not submit paperwork for the draft by Wednesday, Jan. 14, which made him ineligible for this season. Athens Banner-Herald
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Leif Ove Andsnes Piano Concert
7:30-10:30 p.m. — University of Georgia Performing Arts Center — $10 (w/ UGA ID), $42–96 — Renowned Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes captivates audiences with works by Kurtág and Janáček.
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Dead Beat Club Live Band Karaoke
7-10 p.m. — The Foundry — $15-$50 — Experience the thrill of singing with a live rock band in a fun karaoke night.
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Departure - Journey Tribute Band
8-10:30 p.m. — The Foundry — $20 (adv.), $25 — Experience the electrifying tribute to the legendary 80’s rock group Journey.
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T. Hardy Morris Live Concert
7:00-11:00 p.m. — 40 Watt Club — Tickets available — Experience the melodic tunes and engaging lyrics of T. Hardy Morris live on stage.
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Candlelight: Valentine’s Day Special
7:00 p.m. — 1051 Baxter — $43 — Experience the enchanting music of Hans Zimmer performed by a string quartet under candlelight.
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Jeremy Would Let Me Drown Concert
8-10:30 p.m. — The Foundry — Secure your tickets — Experience an engaging live performance with Jeremy Would Let Me Drown in Athens.
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