Today's top headlines:
- Election Day: Precincts open now until 7 p.m.; some rain possible. Be prepared for lines at the precincts; results will be slow tonight because of absentee ballot counting.
- Public Health’s Voccio on the courthouse outbreak, social distancing concerns. State death toll at 2,208.
- Courthouse closed until June 22, with some judges, clerks, deputies, staff in quarantine. 7 confirmed cases through midday Monday.
- Rome Commission defeats open container by 5-3 as chaotic meeting ends; look for more reaction today with a push to eliminate BID tax, rebate liquor license fees.
- Concerns about race, community. Collins pauses meeting for 8:43 minutes to reflect on George Floyd’s death.
- Floyd Schools superintendent ‘deeply troubled by a racially insensitive post created by a FCS student on social media;’ pledges no tolerance of such conduct.
- At least two hurt in collision on U.S. 27 at Gore Sublinga Road; traffic stalled for hours.
- Ware Mechanical Weather Center: A little warmer, especially overnight, with storms possible into Wednesday.
- Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report: Berry shares SAA's 'intention to have athletic contests in the fall.'
Rant of the Day: Of primaries, protests and pandemics.
Today's election experience will be unique with mandated social distancing, plenty of masks, lots of hand sanitizer and more precautions. The hope is that voters don't spread potential coronavirus among themselves, poll workers and elections officials.
The concern is real as we've seen from the community spread at the Floyd County Courthouse.
Of even greater concern: Potential spread at last weekend's protests in Rome and gatherings set for this weekend.
A negative outcome could mean a very long summer as well as a chaotic fall for our schools.