Georgia NOW!

A major new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is sending shockwaves through Georgia politics, as leaders on both sides react to its implications for voting rights and redistricting. Georgia Democrats, including Raphael Warnock, are calling the decision a setback for democracy, while some Republicans are urging Brian Kemp to redraw district maps ahead of the midterms—an idea election experts warn...

A high-stakes legal battle involving Bayer is now before the nation’s highest court—and its outcome could reshape how Americans hold pesticide makers accountable. Advocates warn a ruling in Bayer’s favor could override state-level protections, limiting the ability of individuals to seek justice. Then, we turn to Georgia’s primary elections, where early voting is off to a strong start. A new tool f...

Georgia voters are heading to the polls as high-profile primary debates take center stage across the state. This week, the Atlanta Press Club partnered with Georgia Public Broadcasting to host a series of debates featuring candidates for U.S. Senate, governor, and other key races. The debates come as early voting kicks off with record-breaking turnout across Georgia. In Northwest Georgia, schools...

A major Ponzi scheme case out of Georgia is now driving change at the State Capitol. Federal prosecutors have charged Brant Frost IV in connection with an alleged $140 million fraud tied to First Liberty Building & Loan, as victims continue to wait for answers—and their money. Now, a new law signed by Brian Kemp could help. Senate Bill 284 allows the state to return recovered funds directly to...

  Georgia voters are heading to the polls as early voting kicks off for the May 19 primary and general elections. Counties across the state are opening polling locations through May 15, with officials expressing confidence in preparedness and election security.  At the same time, thousands of refugee and immigrant families in Georgia are facing new uncertainty after federal changes cut off SNAP be...

The passing of longtime Congressman David Scott is being felt across Georgia and beyond. The Democrat, who served more than two decades in Congress and made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, is being remembered for his legislative impact, advocacy, and decades of public service.  Meanwhile, dangerous wildfires continue to spread across South Georgia, threateni...

Georgia’s highest court is weighing a case that could have long-term implications for residents impacted by the 2024 BioLab fire in Conyers. At the same time, Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency across South Georgia as wildfires rapidly spread amid extreme drought conditions.  In metro Atlanta, city leaders have quietly joined a growing legal fight against the Trump administration ov...

A new refundable adoption tax credit is offering financial relief to Georgia families navigating the high cost of adoption. One mother shares how she only learned about the benefit after finalizing her daughter’s adoption—and how recent changes could make a lasting impact on her family’s future. Plus, a sharp drop in Affordable Care Act enrollment is raising concerns across the state. Hundreds of...

A major leadership shakeup could be coming to the nation’s top public health agency. President Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, putting a veteran military physician and former deputy surgeon general in line to guide the CDC through its next chapter.  Plus, election officials across Georgia are bracing for a major shift in how vot...

A new report from American Rivers puts a spotlight on the Suwannee River, ranking it among the most endangered rivers in the country. Experts warn that rising pollution levels and weakening water flow could have long-term impacts on ecosystems and drinking water across state lines. We also look at a looming housing issue as emergency rental assistance is set to expire for hundreds of Georgians. Ad...

A bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the state’s rural doctor shortage is now on Governor Brian Kemp’s desk. Supporters say the measure could bring internationally trained physicians into underserved communities. We also cover a new tuition increase across the University System of Georgia, the upcoming leadership transition as Chancellor Sonny Perdue announces his retirement, and a closely watche...

Georgia NOW dives into a growing food insecurity crisis across South Georgia, where counties below the “gnat line” are facing hunger rates higher than the national average. Food banks are seeing demand surge while donations continue to shrink.  Plus, a bipartisan bill aimed at reining in homeowners’ associations is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp. The measure would make it harder for HOAs to for...

North Georgia’s alpine town of Helen draws millions each year, but when the Oktoberfest crowds fade, it’s the locals who keep the town alive. Residents step in during the slower months to support small businesses, carrying forward a long-standing spirit of resilience that has defined the community for decades. Meanwhile, new data shows the cost of living in Georgia is climbing fast. At the same ti...

Dry, dangerous conditions are gripping Georgia this week, as heat, wind, and drought combine to raise wildfire risks across the state.  Meanwhile, a major report out of Fulton County is shedding new light on the lasting impact of slavery and Jim Crow. The county’s Reparations Task Force estimates that as much as $900 billion in stolen labor can be tied to a single decade of slavery.  Federal autho...

From building the next generation of health advocates to tracking Georgia’s shifting energy landscape, this episode covers the stories shaping communities across the state. A Georgia nonprofit, BLKHLTH, is celebrating a decade of impact as it trains young adults to become leaders in public health. Through its CARES fellowship, students like those at Morehouse School of Medicine are gaining real-wo...

Georgia regulators are opening the door to a new kind of clean energy—and it could change how major companies power the grid. Plus, the race for Georgia governor is starting to take shape. Insurance Commissioner John King is throwing his support behind Republican candidate Rick Jackson, passing over several other high-profile statewide contenders.  And in South Georgia, state leaders are investing...

Georgia voters turned out for a closely watched special election in the state’s 14th Congressional District. Nearly 130,000 ballots were cast, with Republican Clay Fuller defeating Democrat Shawn Harris with about 56% of the vote. Meanwhile, a coalition of midwives is suing the state of Georgia, arguing that restrictive laws are worsening access to maternity care.  In Atlanta, leaders are celebrat...

Georgia’s political spotlight is intensifying as a major Republican super PAC makes a massive early move in the state’s U.S. Senate race. As Republicans battle it out in a crowded primary, Ossoff is working to solidify Democratic support with a message focused on voting rights and government accountability. Plus, three Georgia universities are gaining national recognition. Georgia Tech, Georgia St...

Georgia politics, clean transportation, public health, and election logistics all intersect in today’s episode — with major developments that could shape the state’s future. The race for lieutenant governor is taking center stage, with a crowded field made up largely of current and former lawmakers. The contest has already turned contentious, as one candidate’s controversial campaign ad prompted s...

Georgia lawmakers wrap up the 2026 legislative session with a late-night push, sending a slate of major bills to Governor Brian Kemp for final approval. From a nearly $39 billion state budget and potential tax cuts to expanded access to birth control and new rules for transparency under the Gold Dome, we break down what passed—and what didn’t, including lingering concerns over future election proc...

Georgia communities are in limbo after the Department of Homeland Security pauses plans for new ICE detention centers — including two proposed sites in Social Circle and Oakwood.  Plus, Georgia Power customers could see the long-term impact of rising coal ash cleanup costs. The price tag has climbed to 8.5 billion dollars — and much of it is already being passed on through monthly bills. Also, a b...

Georgia’s legislative session comes down to the wire, as lawmakers rush to pass bills on the final day under the Gold Dome. With just hours left, leadership holds the keys to what gets a vote — and priorities like data center tax breaks, election changes, and energy policy could shift quickly.  Plus, a major development in a high-profile Ponzi scheme case: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger ann...

Georgia lawmakers are nearing the end of the legislative session with little movement on PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” leaving advocates concerned about continued exposure risks. While no new regulations passed, environmental groups say they’re relieved that proposals limiting corporate liability also failed—for now.  Meanwhile, a federal court case over the handling of Fulton County’s 2020 electi...

Georgia lawmakers are racing against the clock as major legislation moves in the final days of the 2026 session. The state Senate is pushing for hand-marked paper ballots by the midterms, while House leaders had planned a slower transition closer to 2028. A controversial bill to make district attorneys nonpartisan in five metro Atlanta counties is now headed to the governor’s desk.  Meanwhile, law...

A closely watched runoff election is now underway in Northwest Georgia, as voters begin early voting to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Democrat Shawn Harris and Republican Clay Fuller are making their case to voters, with early voting running through Thursday ahead of the April 7 election. Delta Air Lines is pulling back special perks for members of Congress, citing strained...