Blue Customers Matter: Police Turned Away at Restaurants | Weekend Read

Each weekend, we share stories that are sparking conversations beyond one town:

Blue Customers Matter: Police Turned Away at Restaurants

An officer in Alexandria, Va., was standing in line recently at a Noodles & Co., a growing fast food pasta chain with more than 400 locations. As the officer was waiting to place her order, the cook walked to the cashier and "said something along the lines of 'I'm not serving that one,'" Alexandria Police Department spokeswoman Crystal Nosal told Patch.

National social justice fights are routinely debated at political podiums and national talk shows, but they're fought on the ground — neighbor to neighbor. Decades ago, it was counters and water fountains marked "whites only." In recent years, it has been religious bakers refusing service to gay couples.

This summer, we're seeing shocking videos of police-involved deaths, as well as deadly attacks on law enforcement like we have never seen before. And the latest individuals turned away at local restaurants are those sworn to protect their communities. >>> Read more.

Body in Suitcase: Mystery May Hinge on Clothing Descrption

Police on Friday released a description of the clothing discovered with a human skull and other skeletal remains inside a suitcase alongside Interstate 985 last month. Police are hoping the details will help them identify the victim, who is believed to have been a mixed-race or Hispanic female who died roughly six months ago.

The clothing items include a black Miley Cyrus hoodie, Victoria's Secret pants with the words "LOVE PINK" on one leg and pink 2014 Nike shoes, size 7. >>> Read more.

USA Olympic Swim Team Rocks Carpool Karaoke

Before heading to Rio, several members of the 2016 USA Olympic Swim Team filmed their own light-hearted version of Carpool Karaoke while driving through Atlanta.

The YouTube video posted by the swimming organization features tongue in cheek sing-alongs to “Party in the USA,” “Bo$$,” “Welcome to My House” by Flo-Rida and the theme songs to "Pokemon," “Friends” and “That ‘70s Show.”’ >>> Read more.

Dems: Clinton Will Ramp Up Campaign in Georgia

It's official: Georgia will be a battleground in the upcoming presidential election.

Democratic Party of Georgia officials say they've been informed that Hillary Clinton's campaign plans to expand its spending and operations in the state.

Assuming the move is in earnest, and not an attempt to misdirect Republican Donald Trump's campaign, it puts into play a state that hasn't voted for a Democrat for president since 1992, and in which every statewide elected official is a Republican. >>> Read more.