Abby Kousouris
Reporter
Atlanta News First
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/99ce7baf-6bae-4373-a20a-65b1ab1aafd9.png)
Abby Kousouris joined the Atlanta News First team as a statewide reporter in October of 2022. She is looking forward to covering issues that impact all Georgians for Atlanta News First and all of the Gray stations in Georgia.
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Abby fell in love with the Peach State on a college visit and committed to The University of Georgia shortly after. Abby graduated from UGA with a journalism and political science degree.
She started her career in Macon, Georgia where she was a political reporter for 13WMAZ.
While in Central Georgia, Abby covered the Macon-Bibb county commission. Her stories shed a light on violations brought against officials, officer shortages, and efforts to address the blight problems.
After 2 years in Macon, Abby moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to report for WVLT. In the 3 years that Abby was there, she reported on weekdays and anchored the weekend morning show.
One of the most notable stories Abby covered while in Knoxville was the devastating wildfire in Wears Valley. The wildfire spread across thousands of acres within a matter of days. 24 hours news updates kept people away from the area before it was safe to return.
When she’s not reporting, Abby is probably hiking, cooking, or cheering on the Georgia Bulldawgs!
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QDUM5ACIFBH4VE6PR7YOPUN5EE.jpg)
Now that the third reactor at Plant Vogtle in Burke County has reached full capacity, the Georgia Public Service Commission will decide who will pay for the increase in costs for the project.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2CGJBQ4SLVAB3BX7XORBR7F2YQ.png)
A new school voucher program is gaining momentum at the state capitol.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3MU7AZ6RWZF5DJX7XVBFZIVVTI.png)
"You see this piece of metal? I can turn it into anything you can imagine."
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JZWIUQJX3NDNBNRAUZRYJ7YIBY.jpg)
Xylazine is a depressant, which can slow your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6ZYITFS2LJBA5EUNSJV4CGULLE.jpg)
Title 42 will be replaced with Title 8. Under that, migrants who cross the border without authorization must prove they are eligible asylum seekers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/J2GRSERWHJG45K7UIXVH2LSQAU.jpg)
Georgia Power said the cost of electricity in fuel rose over the last several years and they’re filing for what’s called fuel cost recovery to offset their losses.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KFPLLQA2BJDKFOEAQY7WOCPAQE.jpg)
Friday marked a pivotal moment for cannabis oil patients and their families with the opening of Georgia's first dispensaries.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/J5NOX76YLZCO3M4IFZ6HVWSRW4.png)
Truelieve CEO Kim Rivers said they are waiting on inspections from the state before opening to the public.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/L5MX5N7DB5GHZF7EYMX4UK7TS4.jpg)
The Biden Administration has asked the justices to block a ruling from a federal judge in Texas who revoked f-d-a approval for the abortion pill -- mifepristone.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7HZKMA4U2VH2DBSE4G4F6WBKJA.png)
Data from the Georgia Department of Transportation shows across the state more people speeding, distracted, and driving aggressively.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RH5W2FTUX5ERVHKYZFBCJ3BTSY.jpg)
Georgia is leading the way in electric vehicle production. Here's a look at how Georgia is gaining dominance in the industry.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QVP7I4P57VFTVJXPLDDPGZ5XZQ.jpg)
The office is receiving more than 500,000 applications a week, roughly 40 percent more than last year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UIRMTCSL2BDWJL4W35UJP2FVUM.png)
Patients, doctors, and insurance companies visit the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon to testify for and against House Bill 343.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TPMHOMLDMNABLKZ4ZXHKK34UEU.jpg)
A bill has been introduced to remove Stone Mountain Park as a Confederate Memorial designation by three DeKalb County legislators.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H5YY6FK7WVE4NMRBFX42M5HZPM.jpg)
Lawmakers said gangs are driving violent crime across our state and recruiting kids in elementary and middle school.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4ANJJLORKVDTJASX4DNKDKWEDI.png)
The bill would raise the weight of trucks hauling poultry, forestry, and minerals to 88,000 lbs.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MA4UYX4IZZDHTOPWLGXZQQUNUA.jpg)
Anne Blair with the Electrification Commission said she supports several parts of the bill.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PUYCBPZXNRHJXBXV5I6BDWWX6U.jpg)
Senate Bill 175 states that officers must wear body cameras while executing the warrant.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2ESKIYNIGJEJDH7XHG42ZKF44U.jpg)
A Georgia Senate bill could compel cities and counties to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping or camping in public.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HB437NKQ4ZHFDPHPP6O4CVH7GM.jpg)
Right now the weight limit in Georgia is 80,000 pounds, but a new bill would increase that to 90,000.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2FNWTIPHGFFA7GHOGEUPBYUVT4.jpg)
On Tuesday, 10 Georgia Senate Democrats sponsored a bill to penalize family members if they don’t secure or lock a firearm around someone 17 or younger.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2I65W32JBBCSDCLDVQVDOJMMCQ.png)
House Bill 85 would expand access to a lifesaving tool that can pinpoint what type of treatment a patient needs.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3E7ZKQFHZZAQ3CNABYOXLDRWZ4.PNG)
The Police Accountability Act makes it clear the bill’s sponsors want more oversight to see what each officer in the state is doing.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BG6P6KVDXJF5BE7NTTCDTXA3UI.png)
The median price for a Georgia home is over $300,000 and has grown almost 50 percent in the last 7 years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MZ7QPZJBJ5DKDJCC4TMSFTPKJA.jpg)
Lawmakers discussed education during the second day of budget talks. You can’t talk about Georgia’s budget without talking about education. 55 cents of every tax dollar goes towards funding K-12 and higher education.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GS7H226RCBEEVAL3MLE62IVX7Y.PNG)
There are 1.7 million students enrolled in Georgia public schools.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FYOEQ5YSIVBBPCOPBH3JOQ5PIQ.png)
Senate Bill 7 would require any person who is holding or within arms reach of their firearm, or blade longer than 3 inches, while committing a violent crime, to serve mandatory time.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HWMNBLBD5JBMXBNQB3FS5M5JPA.JPG)
The Georgia Department of Health reports 22.7 out of 100,000 white women die during childbirth, that number triples for black mothers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DJRTJXPR6NE5LPWK5DNLJW2MXM.jpg)
Last year, Representative Ron Stephens led a push to legalize sports betting.
A new federal ruling from the FDA ruling allows a woman to receive a prescription from her doctor for the abortion pill and have it filled at her pharmacy.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DZPI37MX6VHFXCCI5K4REMHB3I.jpg)
By law, coaches and athletes are required to learn about early warning signs and how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest.
Georgia Power says it aims to make changes like improving the power grid, retiring old coal plants and adding infrastructure to support electric vehicles.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3WCDYGVT25BHVHVJX2VFBU7TTE.jpg)
With the new year comes new state laws that are now in effect in Georgia.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ULYAOMJWQZDK3JBTH5J3XBQIK4.jpg)
The Department of Transportation calls the number of cancellations unacceptable. They’re looking to see if the cancellations could have been prevented.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DEUOZ3GLUVAQ7DYFGCG2SAKRH4.jpg)
On Tuesday, Sen. Jason Anavitarte met to finalize the recommendations for the next session to beef up Georgia’s approach to cybersecurity.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/62FIWVRNR5BG5HKK2JENVGVWHE.jpg)
The Georgia Economic Outlook released by The University of Georgia shows that a short and mild recession is expected for next year.
Lawmakers will have 90 days to work together to pass legislation.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LP6TOKTS2BCRHJUOGY3CBJZMTA.png)
In this extremely close runoff, every vote counts. A Georgia voting law is causing confusion among college students about casting their ballots.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ER7G6RFMP5A6FG4AIL35LOC4NU.jpg)
Mark Rountree with Landmark Communications is crunching numbers. Rountree is able to use voter modeling, which uses public records, to predict to what party a voter might align.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/GWTNKNRADNDKDP2TDYFGXIASXI.PNG)
Imagine you can’t get the internet to work. Roughly half of the people in Merriweather County don’t have access to reliable internet.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AHFCHM46PZGMPE24UU6MURDVLY.png)
Warmer temperatures enhance evaporation, which dries out the soil. The US Drought Monitor reports moderate and severe drought conditions in two of the state’s top-producing peach areas, Central and North Georgia.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ONVAV7CINFCB3JS5WRZNU6NY4M.jpg)
Georgians continue to mourn the loss of a beloved and influential Georgia political leader.
Next year, Georgia’s legislature will add four new Latino and Hispanic lawmakers. Incoming State Rep. Rey Martinez, State Senator Jason Estevez, State Rep. Saira Draper, and State Rep. Phil Olaleye will now represent the underrepresented Latino and Hispanic population.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/V6THHVVC4ZBGHBBWLXNU6CPZKU.jpg)
Fewer voters could turn out for the upcoming Senate runoff after a Democratic win in Nevada secured the party's control of the Senate.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MZV74YLMNZGILMVMSC7XFOR5IQ.png)
If you’re in a work pool for tonight’s drawing, how can you make sure you get your cut?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NXJ3L2NYSFDSFE5ZMI4ZJ3ISQ4.png)
Georgia produces the most timber of any state. Now the state is letting voters decide if timber producers should be given a break on taxes for their machines similar to the tax break for agriculture producers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/O76RRLCTQVBZPAWDF3EIL6WNNE.jpg)
Election Day is just two weeks away and with some major races at the top of the ticket, it's easy to ignore ballot questions. But there are some important issues on the ballot you need to know about.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4LIVHYQVNNDHDEOWLREIAUMOOY.PNG)
Black voters account for nearly 36 percent of early voters so far, despite only making up less than 30 percent of active voters in the state.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YWFR6VM42FAY3P35PPHJ7LL2QE.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HQ74WXRP5RA6JNFD2YWCBEL7YA.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SRHBXJYI2JBZFA4QQ24SWMPVIQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4VBRWIRQQFDWVMDBTC2VW5H44Y.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/275ZRRAQOFG4TKU3DZPBDSQR6Q.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JWNUGV4FJJDU7IUBT7LL66WRXQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RNZLCJL7KZFO7GZRIX3YCO2EPY.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NKQ6COLVUBBXXGQMUGYGMJHXUY.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LYPBMR5QY5DPRGFWGQXXENCNRM.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NMIQ34WM2ZGWRPKV7N54K7GHEU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7NFHVGUOAVD35LZJMRSUV73GYA.png)