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A statewide audit of Georgia's June runoff election found just 23 discrepancies among more than 1.1 million ballots reviewed. Election officials say every discrepancy involved hand-marked ballots, while no discrepancies were found among ballots completed using ballot-marking devices. The audit comes as Georgia continues work on its next generation of voting systems. Metro Atlanta rideshare drivers...

A prominent Georgia conservative advocacy group has been fined $17,500 after state ethics officials found it violated lobbying and campaign finance disclosure laws during the 2024 election cycle. Regulators say the organization failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions and committed multiple lobbying violations. The group's president says the issues were clerical mistakes...

As food prices remain high, a metro Atlanta nonprofit is helping residents take food security into their own hands. The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm in College Park has spent nearly two decades teaching sustainable gardening, expanding access to fresh produce, and building community through agriculture. The organization has also partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to provide veterans with hands...

Five former Albany police officers are facing criminal charges after investigators say they improperly used the city's Flock license plate reader system for purposes unrelated to law enforcement. The officers were fired following an internal audit, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the case remains active as investigators continue examining how the data was allegedly used. Also, conserv...

Georgia's current voting system will remain in place through 2028 after Gov. Brian Kemp signed new legislation extending the use of QR-coded ballots. The law also creates a committee to recommend the state's next voting system, with lawmakers expected to weigh options that include hand-marked paper ballots and other election reforms before making a final decision. Also, meet the DeKalb County educ...

Planning to travel or shop over the Fourth of July weekend? We break down what's open and what's closed, including changes to retail hours, mail delivery, shipping services, banks, and the stock market to help you plan ahead. Plus, an Atlanta middle school is earning national recognition for an approach that starts every class with a simple act of connection. School leaders say focusing on relatio...

The FBI is expanding its investigation into Georgia's 2020 election by sending hundreds of intelligence analysts to Atlanta to review records tied to Fulton County. The move comes after federal agents seized ballots and other election materials earlier this year, despite multiple recounts and audits that previously confirmed Georgia's 2020 election results. The bureau has declined to comment on th...

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld state laws restricting transgender girls and women from competing on female school sports teams, a decision expected to reinforce Georgia's existing law and shape similar legal challenges across the country. Plus, Georgia has taken a major step toward expanding protections around the Okefenokee Swamp. State officials approved the purchase of nearly 2,900 acres tha...

The 2024 BioLab fire in Conyers is renewing concerns about chemical safety as health advocates and Georgia lawmakers warn Congress could weaken the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. State Sen. Tonya Anderson says rolling back EPA oversight would encourage companies to do the bare minimum to maintain safety standards.  Georgia could face millions of dollars in future penalties if it doesn't red...

A new report from Social Security's trustees warns benefits could be reduced by up to 22% as early as 2032 if lawmakers fail to address the program's funding shortfall. More than 1.9 million Georgians rely on Social Security, which helps keep more than 515,000 older adults out of poverty. AARP is urging voters to ask candidates how they plan to protect the program ahead of November's midterm elect...

A new state audit shows artificial intelligence is becoming a regular part of education in Georgia. Nearly 60% of teachers surveyed say they use generative AI to help prepare lessons, and almost 90% report it has improved their teaching and saved valuable time. At the same time, many educators worry students are relying on AI to complete assignments, raising concerns about cheating and the loss of...

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is criticizing President Donald Trump after the president backed away from signing the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, despite its passage in both chambers of Congress. Warnock says the bill would have made it easier for families to compete with large corporate investors by preventing companies that own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additio...

For the first time in more than 50 years, Haiti is back on soccer’s biggest stage. As the nation returns to the FIFA World Cup, Atlanta leaders are celebrating with Haiti House, a cultural hub featuring food, music, watch parties, and community events. Organizers say the space is designed to introduce visitors to Haiti's rich culture, history, and resilience while challenging stereotypes that have...

Several new Georgia laws will take effect July 1 as the state's new fiscal year begins. Among them, House Bill 406 requires homeowners associations to provide written notice of unpaid fines or fees and give residents 30 days to address them before taking further action. Other measures expand literacy and dyslexia support, increase access to advanced math courses, ban personal electronic devices fo...

At Beulah Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday, U.S. Sen. John Ossoff cast Georgia’s Senate race as a test of character, democracy, and voting rights. Ossoff criticized Republican nominee Mike Collins over election denialism, support for Jan. 6 rioters, and what he described as attacks on voting rights, urging Georgians to judge candidates by their actions and records. Meanwhile, domestic violence...

Georgia's statewide election picture is coming into focus after voters decided several key primary and runoff races. We break down the winners in the lieutenant governor, attorney general, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner, and public service commission contests ahead of November. Also in this episode, healthcare advocates sound the alarm over rising insurance costs and medical debt in Ge...

Georgia's November election matchups are set after Republican voters chose Rick Jackson for governor and Mike Collins for U.S. Senate in Tuesday's runoff elections.  Also, Georgia House leaders push back on Gov. Brian Kemp's call to redraw legislative maps during a special session, Mableton debates how to fund police services, and Tropical Storm Arthur brings heavy rain and flooding concerns to th...

MARTA, and a federal judge's apology are among the top stories from around Georgia. In this episode, lawmakers return to the State Capitol for a special session that could have major implications for future elections.  Plus, a Georgia psychiatrist says genetic testing is helping some patients find more effective treatments for depression and anxiety.  We'll also look at growing concerns over viole...

Scam warnings, election endorsements, invasive hornets, a landmark legal settlement, and a court ruling on election transparency are all making headlines across Georgia. In this episode, Fulton County leaders launch a campaign to help protect seniors from fraud as scammers target older adults during the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.  Plus, Georgia voters head to the polls for primary runoff elections...

Georgia’s election laws are back in the spotlight after a federal judge declined to block the state’s ban on giving food and water to voters waiting in line at polling places. We break down the ruling, why the challenge was dismissed, and what it means as lawmakers prepare to revisit election issues during a special legislative session. Plus, Emory University is leading a major new study to examin...

Georgia is preparing to expand access to HIV prevention medications through pharmacies, but advocates say important questions remain before the new law takes effect on July 1. We examine what the legislation could mean for public health, particularly in rural communities, and why organizations are pushing for strong implementation and language access protections. Plus, Gov. Brian Kemp announces a...

Georgia’s progress on child well-being has stalled after years of improvement, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. We break down the report’s findings, including concerns about low birth weights, housing affordability, and declining education outcomes, while also highlighting areas where children are seeing gains. Plus, Gov. Brian Kemp announces $26 million in transportation funding for...

A major employer is heading to Cobb County, bringing nearly 400 new jobs and a $13 million investment as Authority Brands establishes a new Franchisee Success Center in metro Atlanta. Plus, despite recent rain easing drought conditions across Georgia, experts warn that South Georgia remains in extreme drought and metro Atlanta could face future water supply challenges as Lake Lanier sits below ful...

Georgia lawmakers are heading back to the Capitol for a special session on June 17, with Gov. Brian Kemp expanding the agenda to include property tax relief measures. Here's what's on the table and why election officials are also looking for answers before a looming ballot deadline. Plus, the Georgia Chamber names its 2026 Legislators of the Year, early voting continues ahead of Georgia's primary...

Unhoused residents have been displaced from two Gainesville encampments as advocates and community groups work to provide support. Also, a third reported jet fuel spill this year at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the environmental concerns surrounding the Flint River. Plus, a new study finds many Savannah restaurants advertising local wild-caught shrimp may be serving importe...