President Abraham Lincoln delivered an 87-word speech at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
On November 19, 1864, as Sherman marched toward Savannah, the Georgia delegation to the Confederate Congress in Richmond, Virginia, sent a message to the state,
“Let every man fly to arms! Remove your negroes, horses, cattle, and provisions from Sherman’s army, and burn what you cannot carry. Burn all bridges and block up the roads in his route. Assail the invader in front, flank, and rear, by night and by day. Let him have no rest.”
Duane Allman was born in Nashville, Tennessee on November 20, 1946.
The first issue of National Review magazine was published on November 19, 1955.
President John F. Kennedy lifted the naval blockade of Cuba on November 20, 1962, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Apollo 12 landed on the moon on November 19, 1969.
On November 20, 1975, Ronald Reagan announced he would run for President of the United States against incumbent Republican Gerald Ford. On May 4, 1976, Reagan won Georgia’s Presidential Primary with 68% over Ford.
President Ronald Reagan met for the first time with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev on November 19, 1985.
Newt Gingrich was reelected Speaker of the House on November 20, 1996.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Early voting is open in the Special Election for House District 121, representing parts of Clarke and Oconee Counties, according to the Athens Banner Herald.
Early voting is underway for the special election to fill the Georgia House of Representatives District 121 seat that was vacated recently by the resignation of Marcus Wiedower.
Wiedower, a Republican elected to the district that crosses through parts of Clarke and Oconee counties, reported he resigned after six years due to expanded duties through his employment.
According to the Secretary of State’s website, the candidates are:
Dawson municipal voters will return to the polls in a Runoff Election to decide between Mayor Robert Aaron and challenger Johnny Jessie, according to the Albany Herald.
Johnny Jessie is a “working man” who was born and raised in Dawson.
A few years ago, the U.S. Army veteran, in his daily uniform of a cotton shirt, blue jeans and work boots, decided he wanted to run to be the city’s mayor one day. Jessie said he started reading a book about being a small-town mayor in 2022. He placed his name on the ballot in 2025, running against former Dawson Mayor Ada Lemons-McIntyre and the incumbent, Robert Aaron.
No candidate got more than 50% of the vote on Nov. 4, so the election went into a run-off. Jessie and Aaron will face off again during a Dec. 2 election.
“I wish him luck on it,” Jessie said. “But he’s in for a fight now. I just want a clean race. If he beats me, I’ll shake his hand. If I lose it, I’ll be doing the same things I’ve been doing.”
Jessie said he can’t speak specifically about his plans as mayor.
“I’ll just have to see when I get there,” he said.
Currently, Dawson’s mayor is doubling as its city manager after former city manager Cherysh Green-Caldwell was fired.
“Being the mayor and the city manager, it’s not really a hard job,” he said. “You’ve got to know how to be a people person.
“The people of Dawson don’t work for the mayor – the mayor works for the people. That’s me. I’m going to be the people’s mayor.”
Senate District 35 voters will return to the polls in a Special Runoff Election on December 16, 2025, according to the AJC.
A former Cobb County Board of Education member and a retired Georgia House member will go head-to-head in a runoff next month after being the two top vote-getters on Tuesday’s six-way special Senate election.
Former Cobb County Board of Education member Jaha Howard, a Democrat from Smyrna, received the most votes, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s office. Howard will face former state Rep. Roger Bruce. A runoff is required when no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote.
The two are vying to replace Jason Esteves, also a Democrat, who resigned from the Georgia Senate earlier this year to focus on his campaign for governor.
Voters in Senate District 35, which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties, will head back to the polls next month for the runoff. Howard and Bruce emerged from a race that included two other Democrats, a Republican and an independent — all first-time candidates.
Howard, a Smyrna resident and pediatric dentist, first ran for state Senate in 2017, also to fill the unfinished term of a senator who resigned to run for governor, losing in a runoff. Since then, he’s served one term on the Cobb school board. He’s also unsuccessfully run for state school superintendent and county commission.
Though not making it to a runoff, Republican candidate Josh Tolbert finished in third place, receiving more votes than two Democrats in a district that leans Democratic. The district has changed shape a few times in at least the past decade. Eight years ago, a version of the district was represented by a Republican senator. A Democrat has held the seat since 2017.
The runoff will be held Dec. 16.
More on the split between President Trump and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Extreme NW GA), from The Hill via WJBF.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) took a sharp jab at President Trump on Tuesday after their public feud last week over the release of files related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Greene joined Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and a group of Epstein victims during a Tuesday morning press conference to urge Congress to pass legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release unclassified records, documents and other materials in its possession related to Epstein.
“I was called a traitor by a man that I fought for five, no, actually, six years, and I gave him my loyalty for free,” Greene said, referring to Trump. “I won my first election without his endorsement beating eight men in a primary, and I’ve never owed him anything, but I fought for him, for the policies and for America first, and he called me a traitor for standing with these women and refusing to take my name off the discharge petition.”
“Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that serves the United States of America, and Americans like the women standing behind me,” she added, referring to the Epstein victims.
Greene was one of the four Republicans to endorse a discharge petition aimed at forcing a floor vote on the bill, which will take place later Tuesday. Trump, who un-endorsed Greene and called her a “traitor,” spent months fighting the effort but reversed course on Sunday night and urged House Republicans to support it.
Greene on Tueday added that the Epstein file issue has “ripped MAGA apart.”
“The only thing that will speak to the powerful, courageous women behind me is when action is actually taken to release these files and the American people won’t tolerate any other bulls—,” Greene said.
Trump and Greene’s feud got ugly late last week, after Trump said he was open to endorsing someone in a primary bid against her, called her a “RINO” (a term that refers to “Republican in Name Only”) and accused her of going “Far Left.”
Greene said her position on the Epstein files is what drove Trump “over the edge.”
The bill is expected to pass the House with wide bipartisan support. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday said he would support the bill.
Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Monday he would sign the bill if it came to his desk. But Greene pushed him on that as well.
“The real test will be, will the Department of Justice release the files, or will it all remain tied up in investigations?” Greene said.
Former Republican Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, now running for the Democratic nomination for Governor, campaigned in Forsyth County, according to the AJC.
For years, Duncan and the Forsyth County Democrats were on opposite sides of virtually every major fight: first, when he was a rank-and-file GOP state lawmaker from Cumming, then as lieutenant governor.
But on Tuesday, he made his first-ever appearance at their meeting as a newly minted member of the Democratic Party. And the reception was warmer — if not exactly jubilant — than you might have expected.
Like at other stops, Duncan didn’t shy away from his political about-face in a crowded library meeting room. He said he was “wrong” to back gun rights expansions, abortion restrictions and other GOP priorities during his Republican career.
But he argued he’s the only Democrat who can forge the coalition needed to win statewide next year.
“We don’t have a choice any more of picking between good and great. It’s good and bad,” he said. “If a Democrat doesn’t win this governor’s race, Donald Trump will be our governor.”
One of the most skeptical questions came from Daniel Blackman, a former Democratic candidate for Public Service Commission, who pressed Duncan on whether he could actually sustain a durable coalition.
Duncan said he’s working to prove his mettle by meeting voters where they’re at, with targeted appeals to “disgusted Republicans” so disillusioned by Trump that they will cross party lines.
Afterward, Blackman credited Duncan for confronting tough questions head-on but said trust will not be rebuilt overnight.
Still, Blackman predicted Duncan will likely end up in a head-to-head runoff next year.
Dougherty County property owners may receive their tax bills late this year, according to WALB.
Property tax bills in Dougherty County may go out later than usual this year because of delays at the state level.
County leaders received an update on the 2025 tax digest Tuesday. While there wasn’t an immediate vote on the millage rate, officials explained what’s behind the delay.
During the Dougherty County Commission meeting, Tax Director Shonna Josey updated commissioners on the status of the 2025 tax digest. She cited Georgia House Bill 581, a law that changed how county assessors value property and how certain exemptions must be applied.
Those changes mean county tax offices had to update their assessment methods, and the state had to update and verify new software used to process those values.
“Because of the housing bill 581 and the department of revenue saying we want this effective January 1st we had to go back and adjust all of the software to try to make everything work so we can present a digest,” Josey said.
Albany State University Economics Professor Aaron Johnson said budgeting for homeowners can get tricky during this time due to the uncertainty of how big or little the millage rate will be this year. He said it is important for residents to attend public hearings when the millage rate is advertised and ask the right questions.
“How are we getting the best bang for our buck, are they spending it in ways that can attract industry or provide better services, so that’s another thing you might be asking. Are they doing a good job as far as paving roads? Making sure we are getting the most out of our tax dollars,” Johnson said.
County leaders want this wrapped up by December 8, but they can’t vote until the millage rate is advertised and public hearings are held. No matter when the bills are sent out, residents in Dougherty County will still have 60 days to pay.
Chatham County wants to withdraw from Chatham Area Transit, according to WSAV.
Chatham County said it is taking the first steps to end its agreement with Chatham Area Transit (CAT) over how CAT is using taxpayer dollars, collected through a separate transit millage rate.
Chatham county Board of Commissioners Chairman Chester Ellis held a meeting on Tuesday to address the notification of cancellation. The county, CAT’s largest funding source, said it cannot get clear answers about millions of dollars set aside.
Below is Chatham County’s letter to Chatham Area Transit Authority:
“The county has approved $7.08 million for paratransit in 2025 and approved $7.4 million for 2026,” said Ellis. “The paratransit budget for care is proposed at $3.4 million for 2026, up from $3.2 million in 2025. This is an extra $4 million in revenue that is unaccounted for.”
County officials said some paratransit funding has been redirected to other fixed routes that prioritize tourists, while neighborhoods like Coffee Bluff and Skidaway Island have suspended service. Leaders said if CAT doesn’t get their “house in order,” the county could cut ties at midnight on June 30, 2026.
“By then, the county would have put together a plan to have public transportation, including paratransit taken care of,” Ellis said. “It just won’t be by CAT.”
CAT’s board of directors fired back, calling the county’s warning “unnecessary.” They said cuts to the millage and blocked funding are what put services at risk. The agency said the county is punishing riders and warned that canceling the agreement could force reductions across the entire system. CAT also said it is handling taxpayer money correctly.
“We’ve been working with CAT to come up with solutions,” Ellis said. “But we’re getting more and more problems now and we’re not getting accountability for monies that have been set aside.”
This follows a legal battle earlier this year, when CAT took the county to court over governance issues. CAT said part of the county’s warning is rooted in past frustration.
Glynn County Commissioners met to hear a report on projects funded by their Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), according to The Brunswick News.
During the quarterly review Tuesday to update people on the status of SPLOST projects, Glynn County Manager Bill Fallon explained how the funds are shared.
The city gets 22% of the tax and the county gets the remaining 78%. But after the Jekyll Island Authority, the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport Commission and the Golden Isles Development Authority get their share, the county actually gets around 58 to 59%.
Jason Hagen, county project manager overseeing SPLOST and other capital projects, said there were 38 projects on the list. He said 14 are completed, 21 have started and three are waiting to begin.
Fallon explained every project on the list hasn’t started yet because the $133 million the tax is expected to generate comes back to the county in payments from the state.
“We don’t get a blank check to start with,” he said. “It’s a matter of staggering these projects.”
Hagen said once one project ends, another begins. The county has different categories for the projects that Hagen and county staff updated on the work.
One way work is expedited is by having a pool of pre-qualified engineers for projects costing less than $100,000 to save time on the competitive bid process. Projects over $100,000 require the county to solicit bids.
Fallon said some of the past SPLOST projects could have been completed faster had the county had an engineering pool.
Here is an announcement of the meeting.
Pooler City Council adopted a 2026 budget, according to the Savannah Morning News.
After minimal discussion and a few residents coming to speak during the public hearing, the Pooler City Council passed the fiscal year 2026 budget 4-2, with city councilmembers John Wilcher and Shannon Valim voting to deny.
Gwinnett County Commission Chair Nicole Love Hendrickson has proposed a budget for 2026, according to AccessWDUN.
The proposed budget presented by Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson on Tuesday, Nov. 18 was $2.6 billion, a $70 million decrease from the previous fiscal year’s budget. The budget includes $2.19 billion in operating budget with another $409 million in capital improvements, which includes funds from Gwinnett’s SPLOST.
“Just like our residents and businesses, the County has been grappling with the impact of inflation and other economic uncertainties,” Hendrickson said in a release Tuesday. “Our departments worked hard to identify areas where we can reduce spending to make up for the rising costs of goods and services, and our strong financial foundation positions us well to continue to deliver critical services at the high standard our community deserves.”
Gwinnett commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on Dec. 2, with the final vote on the budget currently scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026. Residents can access the proposed budget on the county’s website or pick up a hard copy at the county’s Financial Services office on the fourth floor of the Charlotte J. Nash Court Building in Lawrenceville Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Residents can also submit input on the proposed budget through the county’s website through Dec. 31.
Hall County Commissioners approved a resolution to begin the removal of three members of the Planning Commission, according to AccessWDUN.
The Hall County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to appoint special counsel to represent the county to draft and serve written charges against three members of the Planning Commission.
That vote started the process for removal proceedings against the planners.
This comes after it was reported that Planning Commission Chair and District 2 appointee Chris Braswell, District 1 appointee Frank Sosebee, and District 3 appointee Stan Hunt allegedly violated Georgia’s Open Meetings Act.
The commission approved the resolution 4-1. The lone dissenter was District 2’s Billy Powell.
“I voted the way I saw fit,” Powell told AccessWDUN, declining to comment further.
Buford attorney Thomas Mitchell will be the special counsel for the county. His firm, Carothers and Mitchell, was also appointed by the county to conduct the leaked third-party investigation.
“So I will say that this could have been averted. It could have been avoided altogether. So we are here now, so we are going to deal with it,” District 3 Commissioner Gregg Poole said on WDUN’s “The Drive at 5” on Monday.
Commission Chairman David Gibbs echoed that sentiment, saying they had the option to resign.
“They had the option to resign yesterday by 12,” Chairman David Gibbs told AccessWDUN. “We’re where we’re at in this now because they chose not to resign.”
Gibbs’ planning appointee Shannon Davidson is who blew the whistle on the alleged improper meetings after being clued into them by citizen Jodi White at a Sept. 15 planning meeting.
“Let me be very clear, nobody has set anybody up. I’ve heard that, and I don’t want to hear that out of anybody’s mouth again,” Gibbs said. “If they say ‘David Gibbs has set them up’ you send them to me. There’s no targeting going on, there’s no set up. He had enough nerve to open the door and see what was going on. They did it to themselves. There’s nothing more to it … you got to take responsibility, and if you don’t, then the Board of Commissioners is going to take responsibility for you.”
Poole made the motion to approve the resolution, which was seconded by District 4’s Jeff Stowe.
District 1 Commission Kathy Cooper also declined to comment after the meeting despite her “yes” vote, noting the ongoing nature of the investigation.
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