Here are five top stories you may have missed this week.
Downtown Athens hosts annual PrideFest
Hundreds gathered downtown for Athens’ annual PrideFest that was held on Saturday. The event was held to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Athens. Attendees from all over the state visited vendors, booths and shows before watching the large parade that began at 5 p.m. PrideFest, originally scheduled to run till 10 p.m., ended early in the evening due to inclement weather.
Read more about PrideFest here.
UGA 2025 football schedule times announced
The University of Georgia released its full 2025 football season schedule. The schedule sees the Bulldogs playing in seven home games, three away games and two neutral site games.
The Bulldogs will face off against Marshall at Sanford Stadium in the team’s season opener on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m.
Read more about the schedule release here.
Athens advocate Tim Denson announces campaign for ACC mayor
Tim Denson, advocate and public servant, announced his campaign for Athens-Clarke County mayor. Denson previously served as District 5 commissioner from 2019 to 2022 and was former president and organization coordinator of the advocacy group Athens for Everyone.
The Athens-Clarke County mayoral election is in May 2026.
Read more about Denson’s campaign announcement here.
Rock Lobsters name Garrett Rutledge as new head coach
The Athens Rock Lobsters announced that Garret Rutledge will be the team’s new general manager of hockey operations and head coach for next season. Rutledge will replace Steve Martinson who announced his departure to return to the Allen Americans of the ECHL.
Rutledge was previously named the 2023 Federal Prospects Hockey League Coach of the Year after leading the Carolina Thunderbirds to a division title.
Read more about Rutledge’s hire here and an in-depth interview with Rutledge here.
Benjamin Ayers appointed UGA provost following S. Jack Hu’s departure
Benjamin Ayers, dean of the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business, will become the University of Georgia’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, UGA President Jere W. Morehead announced on May 29.
Ayers will fill the position previously held by S. Jack Hu who stepped down to become chancellor of the University of California, Riverside.
Read more about Ayers’ appointment here.