DC Comics killing off Robin -- again

The cover of 'Batman Incorporated' #8 (DC Comics)

(WXIA) -- DC Comics pulls the rug out from under Batman fans this week as the newest Robin, Bruce Wayne's son Damien will die in the newest issue of Batman Incorporated, on shelves Wednesday.

The New York Post confirmed in an article Monday that Damien would die in Batman Incorporated #8.

Introduced in the comics in 2006, Damien is the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. The 10-year-old Damien was trained by the League of Assassins and later left in the care of his father by his mother. Over the course of his training, his violent, self-absorbed nature came out, which has been the center of the relationship between father and son.

RELATED | DC delays Batman title in light of theater shooting

The character has quickly become a fan favorite, unlike the second Robin, Jason Todd, whose character was killed off after a fan vote in the 1988.

Comic author Grant Morrison told the Post that Damien dies "an absolute hero," after saving the world.

Rumors have been circulating about Damien's demise for several weeks, after the cover to Batman Incorporated #8 showed up on the internet. The cover features a cover similar to the cover of Batman #676, the first story which featured Damien -- Batman, R.I.P. -- showing the Robin emblem as part of the letters R.I.P.

Morrison told the Post there are elements of divorce and families falling apart. "It's all about the family and the family going to hell," he said.

Damien's grandfather, Batman villain Ra's al Ghul kept a "Lazarus Pit" which provided him with resurrection after seemingly facing death time and time again. When asked if Damien would stay dead or if a new youngster would take his place, Morrison noted the notion of never saying never in a comic book.

"Batman will ultimately always have partner," Morrison said in the Post article.

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Will DeKalb School Board continue to fight removal?

ATLANTA - Governor Nathan Deal is planning to announce Monday whether he'll remove 6 of the  9 members of the DeKalb County School Board, but a federal court order now has to be addressed.

11Alive News has confirmed a federal judge signed an order that in essence prevents any board member from losing their job until they have their say in federal court.  That is expected to happen Friday.

So, if Governor Deal ousts any of the members they will keep their jobs for the week, but not be making any decisions.  At the same time, the governor will not be allowed to start the process of replacing them.

The bigger question is whether those members will continue to try and stop him.

They tried unsuccessfully to stop a marathon 14-hour State Board of Education hearing Thursday that ended with the state board voting unanimously to recommend the removals based on misconduct and mismanagement.

Evidence against them included being put on academic probation last December, poor bookkeeping practices and what their accrediting agency called a decade of decline.

They also have a court hearing set for next Thursday challenging the constitutionality of the 2011 law that created the removal process.

As he toured new construction at Chamblee Charter High School on Friday, Interim School Superintendent Michael Thurmond said he is more concerned with where the school system goes from here.

"What we're ready to do is to pivot and focus back on improving our academic performance and helping and supporting our teachers on reaching out and communicating with parents," Thurmond told 11 Alive News.

Shawn Keefe is one of many DeKalb County parents who want a new board.

He hopes the focus will finally shift from political bickering to the 99,000 students in Georgia's third largest school system.

"I'm hoping that the recommendation paves the way for us to start anew and, hopefully, improve the situation in the county," he told 11 Alive.

Many are also hoping that the school board will not continue its fight to save their seats and have the removal law thrown out.

"If they feel they need to sue, do it on your own dime," parent Robin Malinovsky told 11 Alive.

"Don't make me pay for it and I don't know if I'd want to sue for a job that nobody wanted me to have anyway," she added.

Newly elected School Board Chairman Melvin Johnson is one of 3 members not included in the removal recommendation since they just took office.

He would not predict if the full board would continue their legal battle to remain intact.

Johnson said part of their reaction will depend on what the Governor decides next week.

"We're operating right now as a board, so whatever the decisions are, that's why we have to take on item at a time in terms of what we will do," he said.

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Poll: Georgians want governor to launch dirty cop investigation

Chase Valentine, 44, DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

ATLANTA -- Four officers caught up in a year-long undercover operation are scheduled to appear in federal court Monday.

Forrest Park officers Victor Middlebrook and Andrew Monroe along with DeKalb police officer Dennis Duren and Chase Valentine from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department are all accused of being hired to protect drug dealers.

PHOTOS | Cops accused of protecting drug dealers

Ten officers in all were indicted. Investigators say the officers agreed to stand guard as a backpack with cocaine, marijuana, or cash was exchanged.

11Alive commissioned a scientific poll with research group Survey USA. We asked, "Should the governor launch a special hearing into corruption within metro Atlanta police departments or not?"

POLL | Should Governor launch investigation into corruption? See Full Results

Results showed 84% of those polled said the governor should launch an investigation, while seven percent said no. Eight percent said they weren't sure.

11Alive News asked Governor Nathan Deal if he planned to step in. He said, in cases like this, the state usually offers support through GBI assistance.

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Autism day at the Georgia Capitol

ATLANTA -- Join Autism Speaks for Autism day at the Georgia State Capitol.

The event is today.  Arrive any time before 11:00 a.m.  Stop by room #216 and the group will provide materials for you to use while visiting legislators. 

RELATED | Contact your lawmakers about HB 309, requiring insurance plans to cover autism.

Bring a photo of your child the group can use on an exhibit and wear RED and your puzzle piece pins/bracelets.

Contact Georgia's Autism Speaks here.

For all our special reports on The Autism Gap: The Fight for Insurance click here.

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Children's hearing aid bill hits unusual roadblock

ATLANTA -- Parent advocates are facing an unusual roadblock as they push for a bill that would make children's hearing aids more affordable for Georgia families.

House Bill 74 would require private insurance companies in Georgia to pay for the cost of children's hearing aids, which can run up to $6,000 every three to five years.

The bill is sponsored by the House Majority Whip, Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), and it has support from both parties. It also received a favorable response during a House Insurance Committee hearing.

"The hearing was two weeks ago, and it was very successful," said parent advocate Sara Kogon. "And now we're in a holding pattern until the Governor's office appoints a mandate study committee."

A different bill that was signed into law almost two years ago requires any new mandated health insurance benefit to be reviewed by a Special Advisory Commission, appointed by the Governor.

That Commission is still being formed.

"We've had people we have asked to serve on that commission who have turned us down, so we're continuing to find the individuals to meet the slots required under that legislation," Gov. Nathan Deal told 11Alive News. "We have been working to try to get the membership on there. We have enough in place where they can have a quorum for a meeting."

After almost two years, the commission's first meeting is set for Mar. 12. It will have at least six months to issue a report and recommendation on any new bills.

The delay could push back any real debate on the children's hearing aids bill until next year.

"We're looking at a small universe of children, but this can make an enormous impact in their lives," said parent advocate Kelly Jenkins. 

"I think once the awareness is there, we're gonna move forward," Kogon added. 

Medicaid and PeachCare cover the cost, but most private insurance companies don't cover them.

RELATED | Deaf boy inspired by 11Alive Random Acts of Kindness recipient

Advocates argue the bill would help children whose families make too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford hearing aids.

"It's a very lonely place to be when you know exactly what your child needs to succeed, and you can't provide it to them," Kogon said.

Kogan and Jenkins formed a parents' advocacy group called "Let Georgia Hear" after they saw what a difference hearing aids made for their children with hearing loss. 

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Overturned car blocking 2 lanes at Spaghetti Junction

(Georgia Department of Transportation)

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- An accident involving a car and a tractor trailer is tying up traffic at Spaghetti Junction Monday morning.

The wreck happened on southbound Interstate 85 just south of I-285.

Although details were not immediately available, Georgia Department of Transportation officials do know the car and tractor trailer collided, and the car overturned.

Two right lanes of I-85 are blocked as crews investigate the scene. Officials say they expect the road to reopen at noon.

For the latest traffic conditions in metro Atlanta, visit 11Alive.com/Traffic.

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Missing Pulaski Co. girl believed headed for Atlanta

Madison Elizabeth Conner (WMAZ)

MACON, GA (WMAZ) -- Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff's office need help finding 15-year-old Madison Elizabeth Conner. She was last seen Friday night.

She is described as standing 5' 8" and weighing 145 lbs. with red hair and hazel eyes. She is fair-complected and wears braces.

Police believe she ran away and is headed to Atlanta.

They ask anyone with information on her whereabouts to call the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office at 478-783-1521.

(WMAZ Macon)

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