“We are very lucky to be alive, y’all.” That’s what a MARTA operator told riders on December 29, 2025, moments after a train derailed when a large tree toppled onto the tracks during severe winds. Newly released footage shows the train striking the tree trunk, jolting passengers. The video continues showing the operator checking on riders and guiding them to a rescue train. No injuries were reported among passengers or MARTA personnel. MARTA spokesperson Stephany Fisher said the fallen tree “dam

What happens when a community’s quest for survival clashes with the fate of one of the world's most unique ecosystems? In rural Georgia, the Okefenokee Swamp is at the center of a tense debate. Proposed mining along Trail Ridge, the natural barrier of the wetlands, promises jobs in one of the state’s poorest counties. But, this potential boost to the region could threaten to disrupt the delicate ecological balance the swamp provides. The AJC's Drew Kann speaks to Charlton County residents and of