Latest news with #Kennesaw
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kennesaw man arrested for knife threat in road rage over slow driving
The Brief Giancarlo Russo, a Kennesaw resident, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after pulling a knife on a couple during a road rage incident over their slow driving. The couple de-escalated the situation by staying inside their vehicle, locking the doors, and taking a photo of Russo's license plate, which helped police identify and arrest him. Neighbors in the Legacy Park subdivision often drive slowly due to children playing and deer crossing, highlighting the uncommon nature of such aggressive behavior in the area. KENNESAW, Ga - A Kennesaw man is facing assault charges after police say he pulled a knife on a couple during a road rage incident in a quiet suburban neighborhood — all because he believed they were driving too slowly. What we know The incident occurred Friday night in the Legacy Park subdivision, where a couple told police they were driving about 25 mph — 10 miles under the posted speed limit — when a vehicle began tailgating them. "When they came to a stop sign, the car pulled up next to them and started yelling," said Officer David Buchanan of the Kennesaw Police Department. "The car eventually pulled in front of them and blocked them. He got out of the car and he was holding a knife." Police said the man, later identified as 55-year-old Giancarlo Russo, was enraged over the couple's speed. "This is very uncommon in a subdivision," Buchanan noted, describing the encounter as a rare but alarming example of neighborhood road rage. The couple, concerned for their safety, took a photo of the suspect's license plate and provided it to police. Investigators traced the vehicle to Russo, who lived in the same subdivision. Officers later arrested him and charged him with aggravated assault and simple assault. "Mr. Russo was charged for placing them in fear of their safety," Buchanan said. The woman involved in the incident said the situation was frightening at the time because she and her husband were unsure how far the other driver would go. Both are safe and were not injured. What they're saying Police praised the couple's response, saying they de-escalated the situation by staying inside their vehicle, locking the doors, and avoiding confrontation. "The victim was smart and stayed in the car, rolled up the windows and locked the doors," Buchanan added. "As in most of life, the cooler head will prevail." Neighbors say slower speeds are common on that stretch of road, especially with children playing nearby and deer frequently crossing. "We have quite a few deer that have been killed recently," one neighbor said, explaining why many drivers take extra caution. What's next Police continue to urge drivers to stay calm and avoid escalating conflicts on the road, even in frustrating situations. The Source FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with Officer David Buchanan of the Kennesaw Police Department for this article.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kennesaw State professors join outcry against removal of Black studies major
The Brief Kennesaw State University is facing criticism from students, and now professors, over its decision to eliminate three majors, including Black Studies. Faculty members argue that the administration bypassed curriculum committees in making the decision, while students suspect political pressure influenced the move. The school has said the decision to let go of certain programs was based on low graduation numbers. KENNESAW, Ga. - Some professors at Kennesaw State have joined their students, voicing strong opposition to the university's recent decision to eliminate three majors, including Black Studies. During a virtual news conference, faculty members condemned the move, calling for the programs to be reinstated. What they're saying Students have expressed concerns that the decision may be influenced by political pressures, particularly from the Trump administration, to eliminate certain types of programs. They are urging the university to reconsider and reinstate the Black Studies and Philosophy majors. RELATED: Kennesaw State students' outcry against removal of Black studies major "If upper administration wants to close a program they can do it without any input from faculty at all," said Dr. Lauren Thompson, an assistant professor of history and chair of the History and Philosophy Curriculum Committee. "The very existence of the multiple curriculum committees across the university belies these excuses and frankly insulting explanations. KSU faculty deserve better and KSU students deserve better." The other side The university, however, maintains that it adhered to standard protocols in deactivating the majors, citing low graduation numbers as the primary reason for their removal. According to a statement from KSU, the Black Studies major, along with two others, averaged fewer than 10 graduates per year, failing to meet the criteria necessary for continuation. "Kennesaw State University followed institutional protocols in the decision to deactivate the Black Studies, Philosophy, and Technical Communications majors. All KSU majors are reviewed annually and held to the same criteria. Courses in Black Studies, Philosophy, and Technical Communications will continue to be offered as minors, electives, and available to all undergraduate students in our general studies curriculum. "Undergraduate programs are expected to maintain a three-year rolling average of at least 10 graduates per year. The Black Studies major has a three-year graduation average of 5.7 degrees per year, while Philosophy averages 6.3 and Technical Communications 7.7. "The programs underwent a multi-year remediation process, which included annual improvement plans focused on increasing enrollment. As the required benchmarks were not met, the University deactivated these programs. "A formal 'teach-out' plan is in place to ensure all currently enrolled students have the opportunity to complete their degrees." The Source Information in this story was previously reported by FOX 5 Atlanta and was taken from a public, virtual news conference that took place on May 10, 2025. Kennesaw State University released a statement on the decision to discontinue certain majors.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kennesaw State students' outcry against removal of Black studies major
The Brief Some students at Kennesaw State University are speaking out after the university removed three majors, including Black Studies. KSU leadership says they're removing the programs due to low enrollment, but students believe the university is caving to political pressure. Students are urging others to also speak out and express their concerns to university leaders, as they worry this move by KSU will make it less welcoming to diverse students. KENNESAW, Ga. - For the first time, we're hearing from students at Kennesaw State University about the school's decision to get rid of several majors of study, including Black Studies. What they're saying "Being a Christian, Egyptian woman who just didn't have a box for her to fill in, I've always felt like I was kind of an outcast in a way," said Kennesaw State University junior Mariam Shafik. She's majoring in both Black Studies and Sociology. She says the Black Studies major has given her a safe space to explore her own culture and how it fits into African-American culture in the U.S. "Black Studies helped me discover the fact that there are people who feel the same way as me and that I can continue to learn more about it," Shafik said. But now KSU says it's doing away with the program. "I was angry. I was fuming. I was furious…also, I'm not going to lie. I did cry, I literally shut down for a minute. I was like, 'What is happening right now?'" Shafik said. Shafik says she immediately went into action trying to figure out how to voice her opposition to the move. "We need to fight for this, we can't just stay silent," she said. The backstory According to KSU's website, students in the Black Studies program examine the Black experience and cultural and historical relations between Africans and people in the Diaspora. The program has been at the university for 20 years. In a statement to FOX 5, a spokesperson for Kennesaw State University said the university made the decision to remove the majors "in accordance with the University System of Georgia's established thresholds." "While the Black Studies, Philosophy, and Technical Communication programs have all consistently fallen short in enrollment and degree output over at least the past 10 years, a two-year teach-out plan will still allow current students to complete their degrees," the statement read. "Faculty will also continue offering courses in these areas for minors, electives, and general education." Local perspective But some students claim low enrollment is not why the university is doing this. "It is absolutely connected to the anti-DEI discussions that are happening," said KSU student Simran Mohanty. Mohanty and fellow student Sebastian Wilson spent Friday urging recent graduates not to shake the university president's hand when they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. "A small act of protest to inform admin that we are dissenting against their changes," Mohanty said. These students claim the university is trying to curry favor with the Trump administration, which has gone after universities for DEI policies and programs. "This is kind of setting a precedent, a very dangerous precedent to put a lot of majors at risk that are all about critical thinking and about humanitarian rights," Mohanty said. FOX 5 reached out to KSU administration to ask for a response to this allegation, but they didn't respond. Shafik believes this decision to do away with her major and the others could make KSU less welcoming to students of all backgrounds. "You claim that you're a diverse school. You claim that you care about students' success…but it doesn't look like you are when you take out programs like this and take away programs that focus on diversity," Shafik said. The Source Information for this story was gathered from interviews with KSU students by FOX 5 reporter Eric Mock and from previous reporting by FOX 5 Atlanta.
