Dentist Near Me Atlanta, GA

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Tires on a plane blew out after it landed at Atlanta’s airport Tuesday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The LATAM Airlines flight arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after a seven-hour trip from Lima, Peru.

Tires blew out after the plane landed safely, an FAA spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not specify how many tires.

LATAM Airlines released a statement citing a technical issue happening that led to the tires blowing out.

“LATAM Airlines Peru informs that, during the arrival of flight LA2482 today, which was operating the Lima–Atlanta (United States) route, a technical incident occurred that is currently under investigation and has resulted in the aircraft remaining on the runway," the airlines said.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department confirmed that crews “responded to an incident at the airport regarding flat tires on an aircraft.”

Footage from the runway shows passengers leaving the plane and mechanics working on the tires.

Passengers on the flight described the incident as a hard landing where the entire aircraft shook, overhead bins started to open and at least one bathroom door fell off its hinges. One passenger said the seven-hour flight did not provide alcohol and the internet was not working.

Barbara Williams and Brandon Hagin said their 15-year-old son had been flying home from Argentina with a layover in Lima. The couple said it was the teen’s first flight by himself. They waited more than three hours for him after the incident and were still waiting for him at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“I just want him to get his bag and he’s ready to go to bed, he left the airport there at like 5 in the morning,” Williams said.

“You assume the worst so it’s nice to hear somewhat quickly the development of things. Accidents do happen, and its the most important thing is how the response is, the information getting to where it needs to get to as promptly as possible. We got it as promptly as it was able to be delivered. Otherwise we had to go fishing for it. But its worrisome in general traveling,” Brandon Hagin said.

LATAM Airlines offered an apology in its statement and doubled down on the importance of passenger safety.

“LATAM Airlines Peru regrets any inconvenience this situation may have caused and reiterates that safety is a non-negotiable value in all its operations.”

LATAM Airlines and Delta Air Lines have a codeshare agreement.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — New Georgia laws regulating vehicle booting are now in effect, tightening the rules on who can immobilize cars and how the practice must be carried out.

Many Atlanta drivers say the changes are long overdue.

“I got booted in the Ponce area by the Beltline,” said Atlanta resident Joshua Loiten.

Jonathan Witcher said he had the same experience elsewhere.

“I got booted somewhere in Buckhead,” Witcher said.

Others say it has happened repeatedly. “I’ve been booted at people’s apartments. I’ve been booted at lounges. I’ve been booted all over—many, many times,” said Jacey Colton.

For years, drivers across metro Atlanta have complained about aggressive parking enforcement and confusing signage.

Latoria Cheeks said she was booted for the first time two months ago. She said she didn’t realize she needed to pay to park in the area.

“I didn’t see the signs that said you have to pay to park because I was going to the gym,” she said.

Now, Georgia House Bill 551 has been signed into law. The measure is changing how booting companies operate in the state. The law is enforced by the Georgia Department of Public Safety and includes several major restrictions.

Under the new rules, booting companies face strict caps on fees:

Drivers have also raised concerns about long wait times to get their vehicles released.

“I’ve had an issue where I would park somewhere and I’ve had to wait an hour or two before they would come,” Colton said.

Starting in 2026, companies may face consequences if they take too long to respond.

The booting regulations also state that operators must arrive within one hour of a release request.

Additional regulations take effect next year as well. Booting companies have until Feb. 15, 2026, to install signs at each entrance to a property. The signs must be visible at night and include the company name and a 24-hour contact phone number.

The law also bans booting companies from paying kickbacks to property owners or managers.

Some drivers say the changes bring a slight sense of relief.

“I mean, I’m happy for them, because I feel like they were being really aggressive and it came off as just trying to make some money,” Loiten said. He said, “So, at least we have some protection and accountability for who is booting our cars.”

In cities that allow it, private property owners will be permitted to boot trespassing vehicles, but only if they post proper warnings.

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers will meet under the Gold Dome later this month.

House Speaker Jon Burns spoke exclusively with Channel 2’s Richard Elliot about what priorities he wants to tackle in the coming legislative session.

One of the top issues Burns is focusing on is affordability. He told Elliot he wants to figure out how to make it easier to afford a home in Georgia.

“One of our main focuses this year is going to be looking at what we can do for homeowners to make their largest purchase that most families make in their lifetime,” Burns told Channel 2 Action News. “We want to make that affordable.”

The new legislative session for lawmakers starts back on Jan. 12.

Housing affordability isn’t the only item on the list for lawmakers to address.

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The House Speaker also wants to continue discussion of reducing the state income tax rate and lowering insurance rates for Georgians.

In terms of next steps, Burns said for him, it’s “kind of a continuation of some great policy, part of some new policy, but some great policies that we’ve been working on for the past few years.”

Burns said property tax levels and income tax are both on the agenda for discussion, with tax relief and making property taxes less burdensome to homeowners was important.

However, Burns also told Channel 2 Action News that lawmakers needed to ensure local governments and school districts were still able to get the funds they needed to operate.

The House Speaker also said school safety initiatives were important in the coming legislative agenda, as well as literacy programs for Georgia children and students.

Burns said he wants to continue the legislative push for civil justice, tort reform, from the 2025 session and work to bring down insurance rates across the state.

He said lawmakers want to ensure Georgia leaders have the tools they need to protect Georgians and make insurance rates reasonable and affordable.

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"This is one of the most severe years we've seen in a little bit," said Dr. Gavin Harris.

ATLANTA — Health officials are warning that Georgia is experiencing one of its most severe flu seasons in years, with cases and hospitalizations climbing sharply across the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Georgia among the states with "very high" flu activity, and doctors say the season's peak is still ahead.

"This is one of the most severe years we've seen in a little bit," said Dr. Gavin Harris, an infectious disease specialist with Emory Healthcare. "The amount of flu cases and the increase in positive test results are unlike anything we've seen in almost a decade."

State data underscores that trend.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported more than 300 flu-related hospitalizations in metro Atlanta during the most recent week of tracking. DeKalb County has also seen a 60% increase in flu-related 911 calls, county officials said.

Emory Healthcare has opened a 24/7 flu hotline (404-544-9358), staffed by nurses who can help patients determine whether they need a virtual visit or in-person care. Harris said the goal is to keep hospital capacity available for the most serious cases.

"If there's a way to preserve healthcare capabilities, it's by rapidly triaging and getting people connected with care and treatment," Harris said. "If we can safely do that in an outpatient setting, we can preserve the capacity of our emergency rooms and clinics."

Doctors across Georgia report high flu activity in both outpatient clinics and emergency departments.

"We are anticipating, unfortunately, that these next few months could be pretty rough," Harris said.

Dr. Sujatha Reddy, an Atlanta physician, urged residents not to skip vaccination, noting it still provides strong protection against severe illness. "It is never too late to get your flu vaccine," Reddy said.

Harris added that while this year's vaccine may not perfectly match all circulating strains, it remains "incredibly effective at preventing severe cases and hospitalizations."

Physicians said people struggling to tell whether they have a cold or the flu should pay attention to the severity of symptoms.

High fever, body aches, and fatigue are more likely to signal influenza, Harris said — symptoms he described candidly as feeling "like you got hit by a truck."

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — 19 Buddhist monks and a rescue dog walked through metro Atlanta Monday, headed on foot to Washington, D.C., on their Walk for Peace.

The 2,300-mile trek stopped in both Fayetteville and Morrow.

“It’s an amazing experience just walking for peace and joy,” said Diana Jackson, who brought her young daughter to see them at Trillith in Fayetteville.

“It just shows that there can be peace and there’s people willing to go out there and fight for it,” said Jackson.

The walk started Oct. 26 in Fort Worth, Texas. The monks will journey through 10 states before it ends on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C.

Bhikkhu Pannakara says this trek is to promote peace and unity.

“We have different backgrounds, different skin colors, different languages, that we speak and different faiths but everybody coming together because of peace and this is love,” said Pannakara.

Pannakara was wearing pins from cities he’s visited on this journey. He says each day they wake up at 4 a.m., walk at least 30 miles and usually sleep in tents.

Their lunch stops are the main time they connect with the community, like on Monday in Fayetteville, where, after eating a quick lunch, the monks spoke to the crowds and handed out peace bracelets.

Pannakara says their message has two parts. First, the message is for everyone to live each day intentionally with peace.

“Today is going to be my peaceful day — that is the statement that I ask people to write down every morning — read it over and over with our eyes, and then read it out loud to tell the universe that today is my peaceful day so no one can mess it up,” said Pannakara.

The second part of their message is for everyone to just slow down.

“Not multitask anymore and just be mindful with it...if we can live that way with mindfulness every single day then we will have a peaceful day in our family then peace will spread,” said Pannakara.

Pannakara says the hardest part has been the walk itself.

“There are so many of us that have been walking a long way, so knees and feet are really hurting really bad, so those are the hardest parts,” said Pannakara.

But he says their mission is important enough that they will power through and walk on, spreading their message.

“May you be well, happy and peaceful,” said Pannakara.

On Tuesday, the monks will be in Decatur at 2:30 p.m. at the Beacon Municipal Complex, 105 Electric Ave.