Local News
Non Credible Bomb Threats to Polling Locations Originate From Russian Email Domains
Georgia state officials reported that five polling stations in the state received bomb threats, leading to temporary evacuations at two locations.
The threats, traced back to Russia, prompted evacuations at Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary School in Union City, Fulton County, with closures lasting about 30 minutes each.
Three other targeted sites remained open despite the threats.
The Fulton County Police Department issued a statement confirming that no active threats were discovered and assured voters of their continued safety measures.
“Voters will see officers at all 177 polling places today,” the statement read, emphasizing that safety is the highest priority.
To ensure fair access, the Fulton County Department of Registration & Elections is seeking a court order to extend voting hours at the evacuated locations for the same amount of time they were closed.
At a press conference, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed the threats’ origins as Russian, which he said underscores foreign efforts to disrupt U.S. elections.
“They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election,” Raffensperger remarked. He expressed that these interference tactics aim to sow division within the U.S., and he highlighted the importance of national resilience against such threats.
Russia has denied involvement in U.S. election interference, though other nations, including Georgia and Moldova, have similarly accused Russia of attempting to influence their own democratic processes.
Volusia County, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy has died after being found unresponsive in the Indian River during a weekend camping and fishing trip, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities identified the teen as Hunter McKelvin of Paisley. Deputies said he was discovered face-down in the water Saturday morning near a small island east of Maynard May Park in Edgewater.
Members of the group located the teen and immediately began CPR before transporting him by boat to Maynard May Park.
Upon arrival, officers with the Edgewater Police Department and other emergency responders took over life-saving efforts.
McKelvin was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased later that morning.
Investigators reported that no visible injuries were observed, and there were no immediate signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances during the initial investigation.
An autopsy has been scheduled as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.