GA News
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Georgia shows the way in fix for pet overpopulation
Feb. 24 is World Spay Day and February is Spay and Neuter Awareness Month in Georgia. February is also Feline Fix by Five month, a reminder to have kittens fixed before they turn five months old. That focus on prevention is important for two reasons: First because fixing animals is the only way to fix […]
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Georgia House passes stripped down ‘Mandi Ballinger Act,’ opting to instead study ‘raise the age’
The Georgia House on Friday passed a bill to create a special committee to study raising the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds, but stopped short of taking action to prevent 17-year-olds from being tried as adults. House Bill 1061, originally written to shift 17-year-olds away from the adult criminal justice system to […]
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Republicans shoot down Democratic effort seeking to expand Medicaid in Georgia
Democrats attempted to pass Medicaid expansion on the floor of the Senate in a legislative maneuver that was quickly shot down by their Republican counterparts Friday. The bill they hoped to amend, Senate Bill 440, was originally intended to update and modernize laws around the state Department of Public Health. Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, a Marietta […]
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Georgia’s most prominent GOP woman lawmaker will retire, Trump shoutouts and more
The return of President Donald Trump to Georgia was the big political news this week, with the president visiting a Rome steel plant to promote his economic agenda and his allies as early voting got underway to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. But it was also a big week for announced departures. House Speaker […]
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Trump dismisses affordability woes, boosts allies at northwest Georgia steel plant
ROME, Ga. – In a freewheeling hour-long speech at a northwest Georgia steel plant, President Donald Trump sought to boost his second-term economic agenda ahead of November’s pivotal midterm elections. “We have the most people working in history, and just recently, we crossed two milestones,” he said Thursday. “They thought it was totally impossible when […]
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Georgia State Election Board declines to seize control of Fulton County elections, for now
WINDER, Ga. — Georgia’s State Election Board did not move to take control of Fulton County’s elections at a closely watched meeting this week, but at least one board member left the door open for future intervention. In the aftermath of a widely publicized raid on the county’s election warehouse in January, there has been […]
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Georgia fines former First Liberty principal as part of alleged Ponzi scheme investigation
The Secretary of State’s Office has ordered a former principal of the now-defunct lending firm First Liberty Building and Loan to pay a $500,000 fine for alleged investment fraud. In an order filed Wednesday, Brant Frost V is accused of selling securities and offering investment advice to First Liberty investors without being licensed to do […]
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Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young: Photographs from the past a reminder that ‘freedom is not free’
Civil rights icon Andrew Young issued a blunt warning Tuesday that liberties won during the 20th Century are under threat, but he also said he believes people today have the necessary tools to protect them. Speaking at the launch of a project to digitize 1.8 million Civil Rights Movement-era photographs in Atlanta, the 93-year-old former […]
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Pridemore leaving PSC, eyes Georgia’s 11th District seat
At a luncheon talk to the Golden Isles Republican Women’s group on Thursday, Public Service Commissioner Tricia Pridemore cheered on the Trump administration’s deregulation efforts and discussed what she sees as young women’s unnecessary anxiety about climate change. But she didn’t mention the 2026 PSC race. There’s a good reason why. On Tuesday she announced […]
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Chatham County teacher killed in crash by suspect fleeing ICE
A Chatham County elementary school teacher en route to work early Monday was killed after a man trying to flee federal immigration agents rammed her vehicle on Whitefield Avenue near the Truman Parkway, according to county police. Linda Davis, a longtime teacher at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School was pulled from her crushed Lexus sedan […]
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The race is on to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in northwest Georgia district
Early voting began Monday in the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, and candidates are racing to set themselves apart from the crowd – and often from the district’s previous representative, former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene resigned from her seat last month, spurring more than 20 candidates to throw their hats in the ring, […]
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Trial begins for Apalachee High School shooting suspect’s father
In opening statements on Monday, prosecutors made the case that the Georgia man whose teenage son is accused of carrying out the deadliest school shooting in the state’s history more than a year ago is also responsible for the attack. The shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, left students Christian Angulo and Mason […]
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Shift away from embalming has lawmakers rethinking Georgia’s requirements for funeral home directors
The demographics in Georgia are changing, and so is the way people choose to ceremoniously depart this world. Embalming, or the practice of preserving a body to delay decomposition, was the preference of most Georgians just a few decades ago, says Sen. Rick Williams, a Milledgeville Republican and a licensed funeral director and embalmer for […]
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Lawmakers push plan to lift Georgia’s lagging literacy rates
A majority of Georgia’s third graders – 62% – are not reading proficiently, according to the Georgia Council on Literacy. That’s a big deal because research suggests reading proficiency at this age is a major predictor of future success, with kids who cannot read well by third grade four times as likely to drop out […]
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Advocates ask regulators to reconsider Georgia Power expansion
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. Environmental groups are asking state regulators to reconsider some of the Georgia Power expansion they approved late last year. In a meeting Thursday, the Georgia Public Service Commission added the request to its agenda for next week. Georgia […]
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Senate Republicans sign off on cuts to Georgia’s income tax rate while ending some corporate perks
Senate Republicans passed a proposal Thursday to reduce the state’s income tax while cutting some of the state’s tax credits for corporations despite Democratic pushback in a hours-long debate. Vidalia Republican Sen. Blake Tillery, who is running for lieutenant governor and who is sponsoring the proposal, said that the legislation is “tailored to address the […]
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Bill allowing Georgia pharmacists to prescribe HIV prevention drugs clears Georgia House
Georgia residents may soon be able to access HIV prevention medicine at their local pharmacy if a bipartisan push from state lawmakers to make the drugs faster and easier to access is successful. Senate Bill 195, which was introduced by Rome Republican Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, would allow pharmacists to both prescribe and administer medication, known […]
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Bookman: FBI raid in Fulton County plainly orchestrated by 2020 election deniers
The moment that FBI agents showed up with a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center, one of two things had to be true. The first was that federal investigators must have made an important breakthrough, uncovering previously unknown evidence that fraud had been committed in Georgia’s 2020 election. After all, […]
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Lawmakers praise, rebuke affidavit used to justify Fulton County election raid
Revelations from an unsealed affidavit used to justify an unexpected FBI raid on Fulton County’s elections hub quickly reverberated through Georgia’s political ecosystem, which is gearing up for a contentious series of statewide elections later this year. The day after a federal court unsealed the document, lawmakers at Georgia’s state Capitol issued sharp statements of […]
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FBI raid in Fulton County relied on previously investigated 2020 election claims
A federal court has released an affidavit used by the FBI to justify a January raid on Fulton County’s election warehouse, raising new questions about the investigation. The document, which was under seal until Tuesday, cited irregularities in the 2020 election that federal authorities claim necessitated the seizure of the documents, though critics say the […]
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Georgia Senate passes surprise ban on puberty blockers for minors
Republicans in the Georgia Senate hijacked a bill aimed at increasing access to home health care services by adding two last-minute amendments that would further restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender Georgians. Both amendments and the bill passed in a party-line vote Tuesday. The first amendment to House Bill 54, introduced by Savannah Republican […]
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Senate Republicans unveil income tax cut proposal tied to broad cuts in ‘corporate welfare’
Georgia Senate Republicans unveiled a sweeping plan to cut hundreds of millions in corporate tax credits while completely eliminating income taxes for some Georgians and cutting it for others. Senate Bill 476, sponsored by Vidalia Republican Sen. Blake Tillery, who is currently running for lieutenant governor, would align with Gov. Brian Kemp’s recommended accelerated reduction […]
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Georgia pharmacists would be allowed to prescribe contraception under bill seeking to expand access
Need a prescription for birth control? You may soon be able to get one at your local pharmacy. On Monday, lawmakers considered a bill that would enable pharmacists to prescribe contraception, such as birth control pills or a birth control shot, directly to Georgia residents. The bill, House Bill 1138, was introduced by Rep. Beth […]
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House GOP’s property tax relief plan prompts debate over public service funding
Georgia state House Republicans have a proposal to help tame the affordability crisis: end property taxes for homeowners by 2032. Party leaders say their proposal, which would benefit Georgians who own and live in their home, will put money into peoples’ pockets where it belongs. But the proposed shakeup has municipal and county governments, as […]
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Ossoff tells supporters ‘we will overcome this together’ as he blasts Trump for FBI raid
For many Democrats, the mood during President Donald Trump’s first year back in office has been decidedly grim. But at a Saturday campaign rally in Atlanta, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff told voters that “the first light of dawn is on the horizon.” In a 30-minute speech at the Georgia International Convention Center, Ossoff highlighted the […]
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A little known candidate shakes up GOP primary for Georgia governor
Rick Jackson, the wealthy executive and founder of Jackson Healthcare, entered Georgia’s race for governor Tuesday and upended a Republican primary field that was previously considered settled. Jackson, who is relatively unknown statewide, pitched himself as a “conservative business leader” capable of breaking up the political establishment “cartel.” His late entry comes as a challenge […]
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Trump backs a candidate to replace Greene, a Georgia Senate race takes shape and more
The big news in Georgia politics this week was the surprise announcement from a wealthy health care executive that he will join in the GOP primary race for governor. But there were other significant developments too: Georgia Republican Congressman Barry Loudermilk announced he will not seek another term, and President Donald Trump picked his candidate […]
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Should lemon pepper be Georgia’s official chicken wing favor? Some lawmakers think so.
ATLANTA — Lemon pepper wings, a staple of Atlanta restaurants and recent meme culture, could soon get official recognition at the Georgia Capitol. House Bill 1013, introduced by Rep. Eric Bell, a Jonesboro Democrat, would make lemon pepper wings the official state chicken wing flavor for Georgia, adding to the list of food related bills […]
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Georgia House lawmakers go for property tax break instead of governor’s income tax rebate
Georgia House lawmakers have replaced the governor’s proposed income tax rebate with a one-time tax break for homeowners. The change was included in the chamber’s version of this year’s revised budget, which overwhelmingly cleared the House with a 167-to-5 vote Thursday. The $42.3 billion spending plan now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will want […]
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Latino community advocates celebrate growing political power in Georgia
At a time of national turmoil over federal immigration enforcement efforts, representatives of Georgia’s Latino community showed up at the state Capitol Thursday to demonstrate their growing political clout in the battleground state. This year, as the state gears up for consequential statewide elections, advocates stressed the central role that the Latino community plays in […]
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Fulton County officials file lawsuit seeking return of 2020 ballots taken during FBI raid
Fulton County has filed a lawsuit challenging last week’s FBI raid on an elections warehouse, County Commission Chair Robb Pitts announced Wednesday. The lawsuit, which Pitts said was filed in federal district court, seeks the return of the roughly 700 boxes of election records seized during the raid, and for an affidavit the feds filed […]
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Bill making property tax increase cap mandatory passes Georgia Senate
The Georgia state Senate passed a bill Tuesday to prevent local governments and school districts from opting out of a statewide homestead tax exemption, which caps annual property tax increases. After a lengthy debate, state senators voted 31 to 19 to pass Senate Bill 382, sending it to the House for review. This comes as […]
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New proposal requires weapons detection systems at all Georgia public schools
Getting off the school bus or being dropped off in the morning could look different if a bill under consideration in the state Capitol passes into law. House Bill 1023, sponsored by House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, a Mulberry Republican, would require weapons detection systems to be set up at every student point of entry […]
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Georgia librarians could face criminal charges for ‘harmful materials’
Librarians and education advocates are warning that a bill moving through the state Legislature could cause Georgia’s librarians to self-censor controversial materials and lead to more challenges on books about LGBTQ people or issues. Senate Bill 74, sponsored by Sylvania Republican Sen. Max Burns, changes an exemption in state law dealing with the distribution of […]
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Republican health care executive becomes surprise late entrant in Georgia’s race for governor
It turns out the race to be Georgia’s next governor is not so set after all. With the primary less than four months away, another prominent candidate has jumped into the contest for the Republican nomination. Jackson Healthcare founder and CEO Rick Jackson announced his candidacy Tuesday, and his campaign said he planned to spend […]
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Ossoff’s dominance in the U.S. Senate money race continues
Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is entering 2026 with a huge fundraising edge over his Republican rivals, while one of Georgia’s longest serving lawmakers is facing a potentially competitive primary and Republicans in northwest Georgia are preparing for the difficult task of finding Marjorie Taylor Greene’s replacement. Congressional and U.S. Senate candidates spent the weekend […]
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Atlanta airport fuel spill draws criticism over lack of information
State officials and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are facing criticism for a lack of information following a Friday jet fuel spill that contaminated the Flint River, which provides drinking water to 400,000 people south of Atlanta and in central Georgia. Cleanup continues, authorities said, but neither the Georgia Environmental Protection Division nor the airport has released […]
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California branch to manage Planned Parenthood Southeast amid leadership crisis
A California-based Planned Parenthood chapter will help manage Planned Parenthood Southeast after months of turmoil that led to an internal investigation and the ouster of the embattled organization’s interim CEO late last year. The partnership, which was announced by Planned Parenthood Los Angeles on Thursday, is aimed at providing support and guidance for staff at […]
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Two Georgia state House races take shape
The ballots are now set for two special legislative races in Georgia and the candidates are still lining up for a third contest set for March 10. Since the 2026 legislative session is already underway, the winners may not be seated in time to cast any votes under the Gold Dome this year unless they […]
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Shooting death of U.S. citizen in Minnesota echoes under Georgia’s Gold Dome
Immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota – and particularly the shooting death of a U.S. citizen by federal officers – shaped much of the conversation in Georgia’s Capitol this week. Alex Pretti’s death inspired widespread protests over federal immigration policy, and discontent was exacerbated by statements from Trump administration officials painting the 37-year-old nurse as the […]
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South Georgia lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud
A third Georgia state lawmaker was charged Friday with unemployment fraud in a pandemic-era safety net program. Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Valdosta Democrat, was arraigned Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release. Sharper faces federal charges of making false statements to obtain nearly $14,000 in […]
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FBI’s Fulton County raid reopens 2020 wounds
If you thought that President Donald Trump and Georgia Republican candidates for higher office have left the 2020 election in the rearview mirror, think again. Federal agents on Wednesday were seen seizing records from Fulton County’s election center warehouse as the president continues echoing false claims surrounding his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. The […]
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When suicidal calls come in, who answers? Georgia crisis line response rates reveal gaps
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.” Kaitlin Cooke of Cartersville, Georgia, was contemplating suicide when she started calling a statewide mental health crisis line in 2018. She said she would sneak outside and call the hotline […]
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Georgia House GOP unveils plan to end property taxes for homeowners
House Republicans have proposed a major property tax overhaul that they say will save Georgia homeowners money but eliminate a reliable source of revenue for counties, cities and schools. Under the proposal, homeowners would no longer have to pay property taxes on their primary residence starting in 2032, amounting to a 100% homestead exemption. The […]
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FBI raids Fulton County elections warehouse seeking 2020 ballots
ATLANTA — Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the Fulton County elections warehouse Wednesday. A court order signed by Magistrate Judge Catherine M. Salinas authorized agents to seize all physical ballots from the 2020 election in Fulton County, all ballot images and Fulton County’s 2020 voter rolls. A copy of the order was […]
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Trump’s Justice Department revives lawsuit seeking sensitive voter data in Georgia
U.S. Department of Justice officials have refiled a lawsuit against Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger seeking Georgia’s unredacted voter data, this time in an Atlanta-based court in the Northern District of Georgia, where Raffensperger’s primary office is located. Last week, a federal judge in the Middle District of Georgia dismissed a similar lawsuit, arguing that […]
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Bookman: Plan to end Georgia’s income tax is an election-year illusion
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is running for a promotion to governor, and he’s planning to use this session of the state Legislature as a stage for his campaign. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. That’s how the political system works. However, the proposal that Jones intends to make the centerpiece of his campaign – […]
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Ossoff, Warnock say they will not support DHS funding in wake of second fatal shooting in Minnesota
Georgia’s two Democratic senators are joining their colleagues in the U.S. Senate in a pledge to vote against a spending package that includes billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The senators say they demand civil liberty protections before further funds are appropriated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Senators have […]
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‘Bell to bell’ cell phone ban proposed for Georgia high schools
Georgia’s teenagers could soon be doing significantly less scrolling, swiping and tapping on weekdays. The state Legislature is poised to consider expanding the state’s classroom cell phone ban for elementary and middle schools to high schools. Under the plan passed last year with bipartisan support, school districts had until Jan. 1 to come up with […]
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A monster special election day, Fern’s session freeze and more
There are now four special elections set for March 10 in Georgia. The most closely watched will be the race to fill former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat in northwest Georgia. Nearly two dozen candidates signed up to run in what is known as a jungle primary, which is when all the candidates appear on […]
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Federal judge tosses out DOJ lawsuit seeking sensitive voter data in Georgia
A federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Friday, placing another roadblock in the path of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to obtain sensitive voter information from states across the U.S. Georgia is now one of at least three states in which federal judges have […]
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Raffensperger rebuffs pressure campaign to hand over sensitive voter data to feds
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is refusing to turn over sensitive personal information from Georgia’s voter rolls to the U.S. Department of Justice in response to the Trump administration’s ongoing legal campaign aimed at forcing state and local officials to disclose voter roll information to the federal government. But pressure from some lawmakers and other […]
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Fulton County DA will not prosecute advocate accused of stealing Georgia Power’s ‘trade secrets’
Clean energy advocate Patty Durand, who was accused of stealing a booklet labeled as containing “trade secrets” during an energy regulatory hearing, will not be indicted after the Fulton County District Attorney’s office formally declined to prosecute the case. The decision was filed Wednesday in Fulton County Superior Court. Durand, who founded a watchdog organization […]
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Kemp suspends Georgia lawmaker charged with pandemic relief fraud
Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended from office a Democratic lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud in connection with COVID-19 pandemic relief. Kemp, a Republican, announced Thursday that Rep. Sharon Henderson would be suspended from office until her case is resolved or her term ends. All members of the Legislature are up for re-election in November. Last […]
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Fate of ballot QR codes in Georgia unclear as deadline for their removal looms
Election season in Georgia is here, with statewide primary elections less than four months away and the campaigning for those contests well underway. But as Georgians prepare to cast their ballots, a key question remains unclear: Will the state be able to eliminate QR codes from ballots to comply with a 2024 state election law? […]
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Georgia candidates pitch zero state income tax. How would it work?
Two high-profile Republicans running for higher office in Georgia have a pitch for voters: zero state income taxes. They have promised that the change wouldn’t cause much pain if the state ends $3 billion in corporate tax breaks. The policy is not a new idea for Georgia — but it’s never gone very far. One […]
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Agency responsible for child welfare services in Georgia is on track for $48M budget shortfall
The head of Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services faced questions from lawmakers Wednesday over the agency’s multi-million dollar deficit. As of last month, the department faced a projected shortfall of about $85 million by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, leading to restricted services for families and terminated contracts with […]
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Brown, McNeel appear to advance to runoff for Macon-area Senate seat
Two candidates vying to represent a Macon-area Senate district are headed to a runoff after neither managed to clear the 50% threshold in a six-way race Tuesday. Democrat LeMario Brown, a Peach County small business owner, farmer and former city council member, and Republican Steven McNeel, a Bibb County attorney, appear to be the top […]
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State economist says slow wage growth, higher inflation likely to continue
Georgia’s economy is showing signs of strength, but persistent inflation and slow job and wage growth have left consumers feeling sour about their finances. And the state economist, Robert Buschman, told lawmakers Tuesday that he expects that slow growth and higher inflation to continue. Buschman’s presentation to legislative budget writers put charts and graphs to […]
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Outrage over surge of data centers in Georgia inspires wave of bipartisan bills
A surge in data center development has turned Georgia into a national hotspot while raising fresh concerns about the state’s energy landscape and natural resources. After a massive request from Georgia Power to expand its energy capacity by about 10,000 megawatts due to unprecedented growth driven largely by a rise in data centers and a […]
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Nearly six decades after his death, King’s vision for equality is still a ‘living challenge’ for all
Legislators, religious leaders and community members gathered at Georgia’s state Capitol in Atlanta Friday to commemorate civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. the day after what would have been his 97th birthday. The ceremony, held amid a nationwide backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and growing calls for increased affordability, highlighted King’s efforts […]
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The governor’s budget sets aside funding for long-awaited needs-based aid in Georgia
Nearly three-quarters of all state student aid money nationwide was based on financial need rather than merit in the 2022-2023 school year, according to the College Board. In Georgia, that number was around 1%. Georgia is an outlier when it comes to the money available for college students without the money for an education or […]
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Kemp proposes tax cut, needs-based scholarship aid in final budget plans as Georgia governor
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called for an expedited income tax rate cut and another tax rebate, new spending for law enforcement retirement savings and funding for a needs-based scholarship program in his annual state of the state address Thursday before the Georgia General Assembly. The speech — Kemp’s eighth and final address as governor — […]
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Bookman: Bracing for a post-midterm nightmare in Georgia
I have a recurring nightmare, a nightmare that becomes more realistic with each passing day. It goes like this: It is November 2026. Here in Georgia and elsewhere, the midterm polls have been looking bad for Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans, but the ballots have finally been cast and are being counted. Tensions are […]
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Traffic congestion, homelessness top Kemp’s agenda for his final year in office
Last year, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s priorities going into the 2025 legislative session had an almost singular focus: overhauling the state’s civil litigation system through a series of policies that proponents refer to as “tort reform.” This year, with the fight over tort in the rearview mirror, Kemp has begun to roll out his plans […]
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More than 20 candidates qualify to run for northwest Georgia congressional seat
Nearly two dozen people are hoping to become the next member of Congress to represent northwest Georgia. Voters in Georgia’s 14th District – which includes Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker and Whitfield counties and portions of Cobb County – will head to the polls starting on Monday, Feb. 16 when early voting […]
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Bill targeting Savannah’s ban on guns in unlocked vehicles goes to the governor
The Georgia Senate on Tuesday passed its first bill of the session, which would ban local governments from requiring gun owners to lock their firearms in vehicles. The bill, Senate Bill 204, passed by a 32-21 vote after a short debate over the balance between local public safety initiatives and statewide Second Amendment protections. The […]
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Georgia Democrats unveil bills designed to rein in federal immigration agents
Georgia Senate Democrats unveiled a raft of proposed bills Tuesday that they say will protect Georgians from what they characterized as a rogue federal government using immigration enforcement to terrorize citizens. “As this regime has sought to build a wall against progress, the progress of achieving America’s values and ideals, we must build a wall […]
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Georgia’s Gold Dome is humming with talk of affordability, though ideas for tackling it vary
The hallowed halls of Georgia’s state Capitol were abuzz Monday as lawmakers, lobbyists and everyday citizens flocked to the Gold Dome for the start of the 2026 legislative session. For lawmakers in the state House and Senate, that means a 40-day countdown to introduce, deliberate and finalize laws for the upcoming year has officially begun. […]
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Former Macon commissioner launches bid to be Georgia’s next lieutenant governor
Former Macon-Bibb commissioner Seth Clark on Monday became the latest Democrat to enter the race for lieutenant governor. In an interview, Clark positioned himself as an alternative to the “career state Capitol folks (who) could learn a thing or two from local government,” saying that he is entering the race as a voice for middle […]
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Busy first day set to kick off 2026 legislative session in Georgia
Monday marks the start of Georgia’s annual legislative session, when state legislators will head to Atlanta for 40 days of deliberating and passing laws underneath the Gold Dome of the state Capitol. The yearly legislative session is when the representatives and senators Georgians elect pass new laws, so the Capitol will be buzzing for the […]
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Several new lawmakers will join the Georgia Legislature for the 2026 session
There will be some fresh faces under the Gold Dome when lawmakers reconvene next week for the 2026 legislative session. That’s thanks to a series of off-year special elections held to replace state lawmakers who have died, resigned or been appointed to other political offices. At least three representatives will make their House debut, and […]
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Georgia Democrats align on key issues at Savannah forum
The seven Democratic candidates vying to become governor addressed Coastal Georgia voters Thursday in the first major policy forum of the election year, with each aiming to distinguish themselves amid a crowded race for the state’s top job. Georgia Democrats are hoping that the lack of incumbent — current Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, will […]
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Fulton official who refused to seat GOP election board nominees launches bid for secretary of state
A Democratic Fulton County commissioner who blocked Republican election board nominees in defiance of a judge’s order is running to become Georgia’s next secretary of state. Commissioner Dana Barrett announced her candidacy Thursday. Georgia’s secretary of state has a number of duties, including overseeing elections and granting business licenses. Barrett won her seat representing the […]
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Legislative leaders float different visions for tax relief for the 2026 session
Georgia GOP Senate leaders unveiled a plan Wednesday that would entirely eliminate the personal state income tax by 2032, shortly before House Speaker Jon Burns said the House would focus on cutting property taxes. A special Senate committee voted 6-3, along party lines, to adopt its final legislative recommendations, which would waive income taxes for […]
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Republican Bill Fincher wins runoff for Georgia House seat in Cherokee County
Republicans will maintain their hold over a Cherokee County state House seat after Bill Fincher, a former district attorney, defeated Democrat Scott Sanders during a runoff election Tuesday. Fincher, who now owns an RV park, received over 70% of the vote according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office. He will replace Republican […]
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Special election to replace former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is set for March
The election to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene will be held on March 10, Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday, and the race is set to include a long list of candidates. Greene, a conservative Republican who was once one of President Donald Trump’s most stalwart allies, announced plans to resign in November after publicly […]
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More details released about ethics investigation into Congressman Mike Collins and former top aide
A congressional watchdog agency has recommended Georgia Congressman Mike Collins be subpoenaed by a House committee in an investigation into allegations that he used government funds to benefit a top aide. Collins, a Republican from Jackson, is seeking the GOP nomination to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November’s midterm election. He is set […]
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Data center ‘gold rush’ pits local officials’ hunt for new revenue against residents’ concerns
Twiggs County commissioners recently approved a massive data center project, sparking a legal battle and deepening distrust between citizens and their elected officials in the rural middle Georgia community. The decision was made despite vocal opposition aired at a contentious public hearing and accusations that the process was improperly rushed to bypass a state review […]
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A second Georgia House Democrat is accused of unemployment fraud
Rep. Karen Bennett of Stone Mountain resigned effective Jan. 1, and Monday was the last day for Rep. Lynn Heffner of Augusta. The House and Senate are set to gavel in Monday for a legislative session set to last through early spring.
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Georgia legislative panel recommends mobile units, student loan aid for rural cancer care
A state legislative committee is recommending expanded loan forgiveness for doctors and increased funding for mobile screening units to combat a severe shortage of cancer care providers in rural Georgia. The House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access released its final report following a series of public meetings across the state held last year. The […]
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Georgia agency proposes changes to waiting list for services for people with disabilities
A key program aimed at helping individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain access to home care may be getting a refresh in 2026. Officials at Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities unveiled a series of proposals during a December board meeting aimed at restructuring the waiting list for a state-run Medicaid program […]
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As the calendar flips to 2026, battle for control of the Georgia House cranks up
Most legislative races are pretty anti-climatic by the time general election voters cast a ballot in the fall, and that is by design. The state Legislature has power to determine the boundaries of its own districts, and they tend to do it in a way that protects the party in power. That leads to a […]
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Bookman: Understanding what led to Marjorie Taylor Greene’s transformation isn’t complicated
Writing in the “Never Trump” outlet The Bulwark, columnist Jonathan V. Last says the transformation of Georgia’s own Marjorie Taylor Greene represents “the best hope for liberalism in America.” That’s probably not something you ever thought you would read. By “liberalism,” Last makes clear, “we do not mean Democratic policy preferences. I do not expect […]
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Wild Hog Supper, Eggs and Issues and more: It’s another new year under the Gold Dome
It’s a new year at the Gold Dome, though technically it’s really the start of the tail end of the two-year biennium. So happy half new year in Georgia politics? Here are some of the key dates and events to know as we roll into the new year (and we’ll keep updating this list as […]
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A look back at the year’s top stories in Georgia politics
Looking back, a year that started with the funeral of the only Georgian to ever serve as president and snow storms in the South was destined to be an especially wild ride. But some stories stood out amid the chaos of 2025. Here is our list of the biggest, most memorable moments of the year. […]
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The Georgia Recorder presents 2025 in photos
We took thousands of photos across Georgia this year. Some captured dramatic moments that will shape the lives of all Georgians, others are just kind of fun. As we get ready for another pivotal year in Georgia politics, here’s a look back at some of what we captured in 2025. Click any image to expand […]
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With food programs stretched thin, Georgia hunters take aim at rural hunger
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between WABE and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. On the outskirts of Savannah, Georgia, a line of large chest coolers waits outside Wise Brothers Processing. Inside them, skinned deer lie packed in ice, ready to be cut into cubes, ground up, or made into sausage, depending […]
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Georgia health officials map out $1.4 billion plan for new federal rural health funds
State officials have introduced a $1.4 billion plan to improve rural health outcomes over the next five years under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created as part of this summer’s budget reconciliation bill. In a 96-page application, officials from the state’s Department of Community Health requested funds to improve access to primary and specialty […]
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Georgia GOP official and elections activist named to State Election Board
Georgia’s State Election Board will see at least one new member in 2026. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appointed Salleigh Grubbs, a top Georgia GOP official and elections activist, to the panel. Her appointment is not expected to alter the partisan balance on the board, which has a strong Republican majority that has been aligned with […]
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Six candidates sign up to run for middle Georgia Senate seat after prominent Republican steps down
A major figure in the Georgia Senate is out, and six candidates are hoping to earn their way in. Former state Sen. John Kennedy, a Macon Republican who served as president pro tempore, the Senate’s second-in-command, stepped down this month to focus on a run for lieutenant governor. Kennedy had represented his district, which includes […]
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Bookman: Republicans are fighting a losing battle on health care
In politics, as in war, victory often depends on your choice of battlefield. Here in Georgia, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff has chosen health care and the economy as the grounds on which he will defend his Senate seat in next year’s election. His Republican opponents have chosen loyalty to Donald Trump and, I guess, “wokeness.” […]
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Georgia regulators approve massive power grid expansion to serve data centers
Georgia regulators unanimously approved a massive expansion of the state’s power grid Friday, approving Georgia Power’s request for nearly 10,000 megawatts of new energy capacity despite concerns over transparency and the potential financial risk to ratepayers. The vote by the Public Service Commission greenlights a plan that relies heavily on new fossil fuel infrastructure, with […]
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Georgia Power’s plan for powering data centers is up for a final vote Friday
State regulators are set to vote Friday on a massive energy capacity request from Georgia Power that proponents say protects ratepayers but environmental and consumer groups warn relies on uncertain data center demand, which critics say could cost customers billions. The Georgia Public Service Commission is considering the utility’s request to approve nearly 10,000 megawatts […]
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Five big political questions for Georgia going into 2026
Gov. Brian Kemp is entering his final year in office. Georgia Republicans find themselves at a crossroads as they fight over his successor. Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is gearing up for the biggest fight of his young career. And one of Georgia’s most outspoken members of Congress is on her way out the door. […]
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Fulton County DA Fani Willis defends 2020 election case in fiery testimony before Senate panel
A defiant Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testified before a GOP-led state Senate committee Wednesday, defending her office and her decision to pursue a criminal case against President Donald Trump and 18 allies in a now-dismissed election fraud case. “I brought this case because they came in this jurisdiction and broke the law,” Willis […]
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Howard wins Georgia Senate special election runoff to represent Atlanta district
Democrat Jaha Howard, a dentist and former Cobb County School Board member, is headed to the state Capitol after narrowly defeating fellow Democrat and former state Rep. Roger Bruce during a special election runoff. He will represent a metro Atlanta district that includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. Howard and Bruce beat out four […]
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Execution postponed for Georgia man convicted of 2003 murders
The execution of a Georgia man convicted of murdering two Cobb County women in 2003 has been delayed amid questions of conflicts of interest among the state Board of Pardons and Paroles. In 2007, a jury found Stacey Humphreys, now 52, guilty of the kidnapping, robbery, assault and murder of Cindy Williams and Lori Brown, […]
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She was set to give birth as a Georgia prisoner, again. Terrified, she asked a nonprofit for help.
Walking into court, Danielle Edwards thought she might have a chance to get her daughter back—someday. She’d given birth to Lily two years earlier as a state prisoner, and the relative who’d cared for the child since was seeking full custody. Edwards had been out for a year and was proud of her progress. She […]
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Fight over Georgia’s Medicaid contracts nears the end, as foster parents plead for reversal
The battle over who should oversee Georgia’s Medicaid program could be coming to an end, and the decision could have a major impact on Georgia families in need.

