ATLANTA -- In a meeting that lasted more than 12 hours and had more than 500 attendees, some chanting and carrying signs, the Atlanta school board approved a controversial redistricting plan late Tuesday night.

The board unanimously approved the plan advanced by Superintendent Erroll Davis with three amendments: to keep Towns, D.H. Stanton and F.L. Stanton elementary schools open.

Outbursts from the audience stopped the meeting twice. At one point, while the superintendent was absent, someone from the crowd yelled that Davis needed to return before they continued. The crowd began chanting "We want Davis." In a separate incident, a man who reportedly caused a commotion was escorted out by Atlanta police officers.

ATLANTA -- Governor Nathan Deal issued a special holiday greeting for Georgia residents on Friday.

As Christmas nears, I wanted to wish every Georgian a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.

Christmas has a special way of reminding us what is really important: our faith in God, family and the well-being of our fellow man.

But Christmas is not limited to a single season or date on a calendar. These feelings of peace and love are always with us throughout our lives. For many, Christmas serves as a rejuvenation of these values and ideals.

After the gifts are all unwrapped and the candles begin to dim, our spirits will once again be enriched and fully restored.

As we reflect on all we have been able to accomplish this past year, we will cary this rejuvenated spirit to achieve all the goals that we have set for the coming years.

ATLANTA -- Gregory Maguire, bestselling author of the Wicked series, will speak at two locations in Atlanta this weekend.

Maguire recently published Out of Oz, the final volume in a Wizard of Oz-inspired series that has infiltrated popular culture in so many ways, including a Broadway smash hit.

RELATED: 11Alive anchor Melissa Long goes behind the scenes of the touring production of Wicked