On August 12, 1492 by the current calendar, Christopher Columbus set sail from the port of Palos de la Frontera in southern Spain with the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Other accounts date his arrival at the Canary Islands off the coast of northwestern Africa on August 12, 1492.
Juan Ponce de Leon invaded Puerto Rico on August 12, 1508 and declared himself Governor.
On August 12, 1864, Confederate General John B. Hood prohibited Confederate soldiers from seizing civilian property.
The first Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1908.
On August 12, 1908, Ford’s first “Model T” rolled off a Detroit, Michigan, factory floor. Within six years, the car, company and man were propelled to unprecedented success, thanks to the new Highland Park plant’s first-of-its-kind assembly line, which created the intricate product quickly and in large numbers.
“If it hadn’t been for Henry Ford’s drive to create a mass market for cars, America wouldn’t have a middle class today,” wrote [Lee] Iacocca.
Increased travel spurred appeals for better and more roads, the development of suburbs, the oil industry’s rise and a boom in gas stations, strip malls and motels.
But the assembly line itself had the biggest impact on American society, Hyde contended, in making possible the swift, mass production of everything from computers to “fast food.”
On August 12, 1910, Georgia Governor Joseph M. Brown signed legislation prohibiting the carrying of a pistol or revolver without a license.
East Germany began building the Berlin Wall on August 12, 1961.
[T]he government of East Germany, on the night of August 12, 1961, began to seal off all points of entrance into West Berlin from East Berlin by stringing barbed wire and posting sentries. In the days and weeks to come, construction of a concrete block wall began, complete with sentry towers and minefields around it. The Berlin Wall succeeded in completely sealing off the two sections of Berlin.
Three churches in Albany, Georgia first allowed African-Americans to attend their services on August 12, 1962.
On August 12, 1968, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham played together for the first time.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
President Donald Trump endorsed Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones (R-Jackson) in the 2026 campaign for Governor, according to 13WMAZ.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in the state’s 2026 race for governor, according to a post on Trump’s Truth Social account.
“Burt Jones for Governor has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” the post read.
Trump wrote that Jones was the first member of the Georgia State Assembly to endorse him during the 2024 presidential campaign.
“Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation,” the post said. “As your next Governor, Burt Jones will fight hard to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Champion American Energy DOMINANCE, Continue to Secure our now Secure Southern Border, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Advance Election Integrity, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Jones, elected lieutenant governor in 2022, began his political career in 2012. He served a decade representing the 25th District—which includes several counties south of the Athens area—before winning the lieutenant governor role.
He announced his candidacy on July 8 with a campaign ad posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Georgia deserves a bold, unapologetic, and proven common-sense leader who will continue delivering real results for families and businesses across our state, and that’s why I’m proud to be running to be the next Governor of our great state,” Jones wrote.
In his announcement, Jones cited his work as lieutenant governor on cutting the state income tax, restricting transgender participation in women’s sports, reducing illegal immigration, and other priorities.
“I don’t back down from tough fights–I step up to deliver results–and that’s exactly what I’ll continue doing as Governor,” he wrote. “Whether it’s supporting law enforcement, defending rural Georgia, or building a stronger workforce, I’m committed to putting Georgians first.”
Jones is one of three Republicans currently in the race for governor, joining Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and Georgia National Guard member Ken Yasger in the party’s primary.
The president said that Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones supported his campaign in 2016, 2020 and 2024. Jones was the first member of the Georgia State Assembly to endorse Trump prior to the 2016 election, Trump said.
“He is a WARRIOR, a successful Businessman, former SEC Championship winning Georgia Bulldogs football player (Known for his toughness!), and now, as Lieutenant Governor, Burt has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State and Nation,” President Trump said in the post.
Jones has been in politics for over 10 years, starting as a representative in 2012 before being elected lieutenant governor in 2022. He served as Georgia’s 25th District senator for 10 years.
As of Aug. 11, only one other Republican to officially declared their candidacy is Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Jason Esteves, Derrick Jackson and Michael Thurmond have joined the race for the Democratic primary seat for governor.
“It’s clear that Burt Jones is only interested in one thing: serving as a yes-man to Donald Trump,” Bottoms said in a statement sent to WSAV. “I’ll put Georgians first, and I will never be afraid to stand up for our state. Georgians deserve a governor who will always put our state, not Donald Trump first. I’m running for governor to stand up for Georgians against the chaos in Washington, and to fight for lower costs, good jobs and economic opportunity.”
“I’m honored to have President Trump’s complete and total endorsement in my race for governor of Georgia,” said Jones.
“From day one, I’ve fought to advance President Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda right here in Georgia — and I’ve taken plenty of arrows from the radical left for doing it. But just like President Trump, I don’t back down. We’ve delivered real results for the people of Georgia, and we’ll keep delivering when I’m governor.”
Jones gained national attention in 2020 when he was part of an effort to certify the state’s presidential election for Trump, who was running for reelection against Joe Biden.
Jones will have a campaign kickoff event in Flovilla on Aug. 26.
From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Athens Banner Herald:
The endorsement will likely give Jones an edge against Carr in the GOP primary, where the president’s MAGA base has repeatedly proven influential. Trump won 85% of the vote in his own 2024 primary in Georgia.
Jones also has a big lead in fundraising thanks to a special carve-out in state law for a handful of incumbents like himself.
He and Carr reported raising approximately $3 million from donors during the last campaign finance filing deadline in July, but Jones pulled far ahead by loaning his campaign an additional $10 million. As lieutenant governor, Jones can raise unlimited sums through a “leadership committee” allowed under a 2021 law.
That law gives no such advantage to the attorney general, and Carr sued last week in federal court over the way Jones had used his committee. The State Ethics Commission dismissed a similar complaint by Carr last month.
The support was no surprise. Jones first hitched his wagon to Trump a decade ago. His top rival for Trump’s nod — U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — opted not to run. And Jones has worked furiously to line up the endorsement for months.
Now he can spend the next year reminding GOP voters that Trump declared him a “WARRIOR” with the “Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results.”
Backed by more than $14 million in his campaign account, including a $10 million loan from himself, Jones has the resources to make sure Trump-aligned voters don’t forget who the president is backing.
But the nod cuts both ways. His main Republican opponent, Attorney General Chris Carr, has long planned for this scenario. He beat a Trump-backed challenger in 2022 by running on his record. Now, he could try to frame Trump’s snub as proof of his independence to woo more swing voters.
Jones also becomes an even bigger target for Democrats eager to paint all Republicans in the race as Trump lackeys.
More on State Senator Blake Tillery’s (R-Vidalia) announcement he is running for Lieutenant Governor, from WJBF via WSAV.
Georgia State Senator Blake Tillery kicked off his campaign on Monday to be the next lieutenant governor of Georgia, joining the several candidates running for the position in the state.
Tillery made a stop at Daniel Field Airport on Aug. 11 as part of his stat-wide flyover tour to voice why he believes he makes the best candidate for the office. He said if he’s elected, he would make changes for the better.
“One of the big things that I want to do is eliminate Georgia state income tax,” Tillery said. “I believe that Georgia families are feeling the pinch at the pump. They’re feeling the pinch at the grocery store. Working families are definitely feeling the pinch on child care. And if we can eliminate Georgia state income tax, we can give them a five percent raise overnight.”
Georgia’s current Lieutenant Governor, Burt Jones, is running for governor in the state.
Albany is one of Tillery’s many stops on this tour.
Tillery, who has been representing Vidalia and several surrounding counties under the Gold Dome since 2016, has officially announced his campaign to become lieutenant governor.
Prior to Tillery entering the race, State Senator Steve Gooch from Dahlonega was the first Republican candidate to throw his hat into the ring. After Gooch, State Senator John Kennedy entered in early June. Kennedy, Gooch and Tillery are all Republicans, while McLaurin is the only Democratic candidate in this race so far.
The 2026 Georgia lieutenant gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026.
From the Savannah Morning News:
Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) spoke to a small crowd of supporters at Sheltair Aviation, a private and recreational fixed-base aviation operation at 100 Eddie Jungemann Drive, during his first stop on a seven-city tour around Georgia to launch his campaign. Tillery touted his record of advancing conservative policies in the state Senate while outlining a platform to cut the state income tax and fight illegal immigration.
“I have a record of conservative results here in Georgia,” Tillery said. “I’ve stood against woke ideologies; I’ve stood against DEI mandates and gender extremism.”
Tillery was elected to the state Senate in 2016 and is also the managing partner at the Tillery Firm law practice in Vidalia, where his work touches on worker’s compensation, real estate closings and probate cases, according to his biography. Before being elected to state Senate, Tillery served as the Toombs County Commission chairman.
The South Georgia native said he decided to run based on promises kept as a state Senator, where he pledged jobs, expanded broadband access and kept taxes low. Tillery pointed to a 15% reduction in the state income tax during his Senate tenure.
“I think that voters judge candidates based on what they have accomplished … We’ve accomplished those (priorities),” Tillery said in an interview.
In Georgia, the lieutenant governor is the state’s number two executive―after the governor. A primary role for the lieutenant governor is presiding over the Senate as Senate president.
Tillery said he gained key experience for the role as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Various priorities from “election integrity” to immigration enforcement all have budget line items attached to them, providing a comprehensive view of state government, he said.
“I think chairing the budget committee helps you learn every aspect of the state.”
Tillery’s campaign launch day also includes stops in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Perry and Vidalia. The stops include the Georgia State Capitol and local airports, with each scheduled for roughly 45-minute appearances.
“I’m doing this because Georgia is a big state, and every voice in Georgia matters,” Tillery said.
Tillery, who was first elected to his south Georgia district in 2016, launched his campaign Monday with a fly-around with stops including Savannah, Augusta, Columbus and Perry.
During a stop at the state Capitol in Atlanta, Tillery said that he will prioritize conservative values.
“I believe that we should continue to focus on items that matter to Georgians, and I want my kids to be raised in a Georgia just like I was, one that believes in faith in God and puts Georgia values first, the same Georgia values and faith in God that were instilled in me by my parents,” he said.
During this year’s session, Tillery authored a series of red-meat conservative bills, including penalizing so-called sanctuary cities, banning transgender state workers from receiving gender-affirming care through the state health plan and preventing banks from punishing conservatives because of their beliefs. None of these bills passed into law, but they remain in play for when lawmakers reconvene in January.
Tillery, who chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee that is responsible for helping shape the state’s budget, also pledged to eliminate the state income tax if elected lieutenant governor.
In a statement following Tillery’s announcement, Kennedy characterized himself as the candidate focused on results.
“As a lifelong Georgian from Adrian, I was raised on small town values and understand the importance of leadership focused on conservative results, not rhetoric. For the past ten years, I’ve been fighting for Georgia families and delivering real results under the Gold Dome,” Kennedy said
Speaking with reporters after his Atlanta appearance, Tillery said he, Kennedy and Gooch are largely aligned on policy, but he characterized himself as a leader.
“When we went to make sure that the state was not paying for transgender surgeries, I was carrying that. And we went to make sure that we weren’t funding woke ideologies in the budget, I was carrying that. So I appreciate their support. They’ve carried things too that I’ve supported,” Tillery said.
A House lawmaker, Buford Republican David Clark, has also filed paperwork to run for the post.
On Monday, the 42-year-old launched his campaign with a pledge to “keep Georgia safe, strong, and free.”
Tillery began the day in Savannah before making stops in Augusta, Perry, Albany, Columbus, Atlanta and Vidalia on a statewide tour.
“My principles are conservative — that’s why I’m a Republican – and my heart is Georgia – that’s why I’m running,” said Tillery in a release from his campaign. “I grew up in a time when we knew what a woman was, merit mattered and freedom was sacred. I want to make sure my sons grow up in that same Georgia.”
Tillery framed his candidacy as a fight to maintain Georgia’s conservative trajectory, warning against what he called “the Left’s attacks” on law enforcement and immigration enforcement. “Georgia’s success comes from generations of conservative leadership,” he said. “I want to build on that legacy so my sons inherit a state where they can get a great job, raise their families, and enjoy a high quality of life.”
State Sen. Tillery launched his campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia on Monday morning at the Perry-Houston County Airport, surrounded by supporters.
“I do understand that it’s not a question of if we do away with Georgia’s state income tax, it’s a question of when and how,” said State Sen. Tillery. “If I’m elected to Lieutenant Governor, we will continue that policy, and Georgia will remain competitive with its neighboring states.”
Last year, Tillery pushed for the passing of SB-390, a bill that would’ve withheld government funding for any libraries affiliated with the American Library Association.
Tillery has represented District 19 in the State Senate since he was first elected in 2016. He spoke to supporters alongside his wife at the Perry-Houston County Airport, one of his seven campaign stops on the day.
“Me and Ashlee Nicole raise our two boys here,” Tillery said. “We want them to be able to raise our children here too.”
“I’m going to ask you to judge me on what I’ve done,” Tillery said. “And I hope that that wins your support for the future.”
Along with public safety, Tillery said his main priority is the elimination of the state income tax. Tillery currently serves as chair of the Senate committee studying the possible elimination of the tax. He says it’s a matter of not if, but when.
“I think that’s a message to conservatives, it’s a message to a more liberal crowd, and it’s a message to moderates,” Tillery said. “They understand that they’re paying more at the pump. They’re paying more for groceries. They’re paying more for childcare. And if we can get them an automatic 5% raise in their pay, then Georgia should do that.”
“Every vote matters,” Tillery said. “Whether you live on I-75, I-85, 20, or 16, it’s a great big state. And I’m sure we’re going to burn up a couple of sets of tires crisscrossing.”
Tillery was joined at the Georgia Capitol on Monday by his wife and two sons, ages 4 and 1, his parents and a handful of supporters.
“They’re the reason I’m running,” Tillery said of his children. “You see, I think we should continue to focus on values that matter to Georgians, and I want my kids to be raised in a Georgia just like I was. One that believes in faith in God and puts Georgia values first.”
Tillery typically focuses his time at the Capitol on balancing the state’s $67.2 billion budget, but he pushed more headline-grabbing legislation during the recent legislative session.
Tillery sponsored a bill that would allow Georgians to sue local law enforcement agencies they say try to protect immigrants with “sanctuary” policies. He also tried to ban state health plans from paying for health care sought by transgender Georgians. Both measures garnered hours of debate and won the support of his Republican Senate colleagues but ultimately failed in the House.
Tillery said the crowded Republican primary could make it hard for voters to choose, but he hopes to be able to stand on his role in passing conservative, balanced budgets for the past several years.
“In the end, Georgians vote for the person they trust,” he said. “And if they look at our record of results, that person is Blake Tillery.”
The state senator from Vidalia who was elected to District 19 in 2016, arrived shortly before noon at the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport to meet with a group of about two dozen people who were on hand.
“From the end of Georgia (Highway) 400 to the end of Georgia 300, we want to get your support,” the candidate said of his decision to launch his campaign outside of Atlanta.
Among his top priorities is eliminating the state’s income tax, something the candidate said he is uniquely positioned to accomplish.
“I chaired the Appropriations Committee for seven years,” he said during an interview prior to addressing the audience. “I can show you how to do it.”
As a senator, Tillery said he had three goals: good jobs, low taxes and rural access to broadband, things that he said have been accomplished for his district. Now he has his sights set on the new goals, including the income tax issue and tougher immigration enforcement.
Asked whether the elimination of income taxes would mean an increase in the state’s sales tax, Tillery declined to give specifics on how the state would make up for the revenue raised through income taxes. That, he said, is part of the work of a study committee appointed by current Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
“We’ve got to be strong against illegal street gang activities (that) I think are being fueled by illegal immigration,” Tillery said. “If you came here illegally, that is a crime in and of itself.”
The federal government has its role, but the state also can be proactive in enforcing the law, he said.
“We need an immigration police that penalizes those that are here illegally and supports Georgia agriculture,” he said.
Leesburg resident Barry Justice, who was among those who greeted Tillery, said he has been a supporter of Republican candidates since Richard Nixon ran for president in 1968.
“We came out because we want some new blood and want somebody that’ll represent us down here in southwest Georgia,” Justice said.
Georgia’s newest candidate for lieutenant governor visited Augusta, promising to uphold the same values his constituents share.
“And we want our children to be raised on those same values, with a faith in God and values that are important to Georgians – the same values and same faith in God that our parents instilled in us,” state Sen. Blake Tillery said Monday, with his wife, obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Ashlee Nicole Tillery, by his side.
“We think those are the values we want to raise our children on, and we want to make sure that our state is in a position that you can raise your children and your grandchildren on those as well,” he said.
Tillery, R-Vidalia, greeted about 50 well-wishers at Daniel Field, the second stop of a seven-city tour on Monday to formally announce his candidacy for the 2026 midterm election. He has represented Georgia state Senate District 19 since 2017.
“I want my kids to grow up in a Georgia that still knows right from wrong, that understands the difference between a man and a woman, where we stand with law enforcement, and we stop radical woke agendas when we see them, when we’re not afraid to speak up, because if you don’t speak up – well, we learned from Edmund Burke that all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing,” Tillery said. “I’m not willing to sit by and do nothing.”
Tillery also chairs a new committee, formed in July by Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, that is studying eliminating the state income tax. Sitting on the committee are two of Tillery’s Republican colleagues who also have declared their candidacies for lieutenant governor: Sens. John Kennedy of Macon and Steve Gooch of Dahlonega.
“I’m keenly aware that we don’t spend Georgia money,” he said. “We spend Georgia taxpayer money, and the way we get that money is by taking it out of your pockets, and the less money we can take out of your pockets, the better you can support your families. I am absolutely dedicated to that principle.”
More on State Rep. David Clark’s (R-Buford) announcement on his campaign for Lieutenant Governor, from the AJC.
State Rep. David Clark, R-Buford, announced Tuesday he will seek his party’s nomination for lieutenant governor next year. A military veteran, Clark announced his candidacy by pledging to be “a warrior for Georgia families, values and freedom.”
“In a world on fire, America doesn’t need more politicians,” Clark said in a video posted on his campaign website. “We need warriors.”
Clark joins a Republican field that already includes Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega; Sen. John Kennedy, R-Macon; and Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia.
State Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, also is considering a run for lieutenant governor, and Democratic Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs has announced he’s running.
As a legislator, Clark earned a reputation as a thorn in the side of House Republican leaders. In 2020, he tried unsuccessfully to replace then-House Speaker David Ralston.
The following year Ralston banished him from the chamber when Clark refused to follow House rules and be tested for COVID-19. Clark relented, took a test and rejoined the House two days later.
In 2021, he announced he would not seek reelection. But he changed his mind and in 2022 defeated a fellow Republican incumbent when redistricting pitted them against each other.
In announcing his campaign, Clark highlighted his North Georgia roots, his “small-town values” and his combat service in Afghanistan.
“I fought to defend our nation’s freedom overseas,” Clark said in the video. “Now, I’m in a new fight — for YOU — as I step in to defend our families, future and freedom here at home as your next lieutenant governor of Georgia.”
As a legislator, Clark said he “protected unborn life and stood for religious liberty” and “defended the Second Amendment without compromise.”
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr spoke to the Augusta Rotary, according to WJBF.
Carr served as the guest speaker of a luncheon at the Rotary Club on Aug. 11, and addressed key issues in Georgia. The attorney general said the Peach State is leading the country in dealing with human trafficking, with over 250 victims rescued. There are offices in Augusta, Macon, and Atlanta, with plans in the works to open more. He said he believes focusing on treatment to lessen the number of overdose deaths in Georgia.
Carr also spoke briefly on his candidacy for Georgia governor.
“As we’ve truly built Georgia and made Georgia a model for the nation as it relates to economic development, but also keeping people safe. These are fundamental. And whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat or an independent, people want a job and they want to be safe,” Carr said. “So we’re going to continue to focus on that. We’re going to continue to focus on human trafficking, gang violence, organized retail theft. But also, we’ve got to focus on the mental health aspect of this and make sure that we get assistance, particularly for our sheriffs.”
Carr said he filed an ethics complaint and federal lawsuit against Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in an effort to hold him accountable to abide by the rules that apply to all.
“When you look at gang violence, you look at human trafficking, you look at organized retail theft, when the grocery store has to close or the drugstore, the gas station which communities in Georgia are often impacted by that? Lower income, racially diverse and immigrant populations. I don’t care your race, your gender, your sexual orientation or where you are from in the state of Georgia, you deserve to be safe as governor,” [Carr] said. “I am going to keep that as a priority.”
United States Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Atlanta) spoke to the Atlanta Rotary, according to the AJC.
Ossoff challenged members of the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Monday to “use your voices” against the Trump administration — and not just within the relative safety of his U.S. Senate office.
“I have had leaders in every sector of the economy … come into my office for the last five or six months and tell me that they’re terrified, but they’re not going to say anything because they don’t want a target on their back,” Ossoff said. “There is not safety in silence. … You’ve got to use those rights that we have in our Constitution in order to have an impact.”
If that sounds familiar, it’s because Georgia’s other Democratic U.S. senator, Raphael Warnock, issued the same challenge when he spoke to the Rotary Club back in May.
“I know that when you’re running a business you want to stay as far from politics as you can,” Warnock told them. “But there comes a moment when … we have to raise our voices.”
The speeches highlight the tough spot Georgia’s business leaders face when balancing the preferences of Georgia’s Democratic U.S. senators with the policies of the state’s GOP governing majority.
Georgia’s Secretary of State discussed 2026 with WTOC:
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger visited our studio to talk about several topics.
That includes his potential political plans for 2026.
WTOC sat down with him one-on-one.
Take a listen to what he had to say.
“Are you planning to run for governor or Senate? And some think that you know with all that has happened that maybe the base of the republican party isn’t fully in support of you. What do you think about that. What do you say to that,” asked WTOC’s Dawn Baker.
“Well all options are on the table. But my strong reelection in 2022 shows that there’s a lot of people that are looking for someone that is gonna give them- shoot them the truth all the time no matter what. Someone that they can trust and I think honesty. So I think that integrity, honesty and speaking truthfully to the people. I think that’s what they are looking for,” replied Raffensperger.
The full interview with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will air on WTOC’s Welcome to our Community on Tuesday.
Perry High School went on lockdown after a threat, according to 13WMAZ.
According to Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton, the school received a threatening call around 2:35 p.m. The caller claimed they were on their way to campus with a bomb and a rifle.
Moulton says officers arrived within two minutes, and ultimately between 85 and 100 officers from across Houston County responded to secure the school.
Perry High Principal Art Billings credited the quick, coordinated response for keeping everyone safe.
“With all of us working together we was able to understand the importance of what was at hand as well as communicate to our parents and the board office to keep all our kids safe,” Billings said.
Billings emphasized that preparation made a difference.
“Those drills were exercised to the fullest. Friday was a real life situation for us,” Billings said. “If there’s one thing we want to take away from this is to let parents know that our law enforcement agencies, they really do care about our kids and the safety of our schools here in Houston County.”
For parent Suzanne Kaiser, the incident reinforced her trust in the district.
“I feel that both of my children have been safe in the Houston County school system throughout the years and currently,” Kaiser said. “If there’s a lockdown or any type of emergency um situation we’re notified through text, email, they have the new mobile app, so the communication is very open.”
Sheriff Moulton says investigators are pursuing a lead on the caller and that the suspect will be prosecuted.
Georgia State House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Robert Dickey, (R-Musella) may work to regulate claims of grass-fed beef, according to Georgia Recorder.
Georgia could soon take on an inspection role in ensuring grass-fed beef lives up to its labeling under a new proposal a key state legislator says he may pursue next year.
State Rep. Robert Dickey, who chairs the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, said there needs to be more transparency in how cattle are raised in the grass-fed beef industry to protect consumers from potentially misleading marketing.
“We’ve got a great beef industry and healthy food, and that’s what consumers are looking for,” the Musella Republican said. “We just want to make sure that they are getting what they are paying for. We want to put parameters around what is grass-fed, corn-fed, pasture raised or organic.”
The discussion comes as grass-fed beef has grown in popularity as health-conscious consumers increasingly seek fresher cuts of meat through farm-to-table programs that promise no preservatives, no hormone injections and no GMOs.
Dickey, who is a peach farmer, unveiled his idea back in April in the waning days of the 2025 legislative session that saw a similar labeling bill targeting the shrimp industry gain traction in the House before dying in the Senate.
HB 117 mandated that restaurants verify on menus the source of shrimp as a means of transparency for consumers. If approved, its authors – including Reps. Jesse Petrea, Savannah Republican and Al Williams, a Midway Democrat – hoped it would also help the state’s beleaguered shrimp industry, which has struggled in recent years against foreign competitors with cheaper labor costs.
The House passed the bill 165-7, but the measure failed to retain its momentum in the Senate.
Dickey said he does not yet have details on the shape of the possible legislation, such as how “grass-fed” would be defined, what farmers would need to prove to qualify for certification or if there are costs associated with the inspections.
At this point, he wants input from consumers, beef producers and the cattle industry on what they would like to see in legislation if he were to make a formal proposal. The state Department of Agriculture could also play an advisory role if he finds the feedback persuades him to move forward.
“We want to make something that is workable for the ranchers and the cattlemen,” he said. “We don’t want to restrict, we want to make sure consumers understand what they are getting.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture used to regulate the labeling of grass-fed beef but stepped back from that role in 2016, University of Georgia professor of beef and cattle Lawton Stewart said. Third-party inspectors such as the American Grassfed Association, Food Alliance and A Greener World stepped in to fill the void.
The challenge the industry faces is defining grass-fed beef, Stewart said. Most cattle are raised eating grass but may be switched over to grain to fatten them up before processing. Others that are “grass-finished” can eat grain earlier in their lives but may be switched to an all-grass diet before they are processed.
“It comes down really to what tastes better to you, because grass-fed and grain-fed do taste different,” he said. “It comes down to the fat profile. The grass creates a different fatty acid profile compared to grain. And typically grass-fed is leaner because there are fewer calories in their diet.”
Dickey’s proposal received a mixed reaction from beef producers in the state.
Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, a leader in the grass-fed beef industry, said he’s all for transparency, but thinks the industry is already overwhelmed with labels. A better option would be to create more uniformity in how grass-fed beef is marketed and to ensure that beef raised in other countries is properly identified for consumers.
“Transparency is more than a label,” said Harris, who added that he invites consumers to see how cattle are raised on his farm in person. “We have an open-door policy.”
Fernando Mendez of Marview Farms in Arabi agreed. He said for the labeling to be effective, the public needs to be educated on the difference between grass-fed, grass-finished, grain-fed and other methods of raising cattle.
“The way we talk about it is grass-fed, grass finished,” he said, adding that most people just hear grass-fed but aren’t aware there is more to it. “That’s a misinterpretation.”
Phillip Bridges, who operates Lexington-based The Georgia Beef Company with his brother Alan Bridges, said he opposes a state-mandated inspection. He already participates in the state’s Georgia Grown program, which works with farms to make sure their product is safe and trustworthy before giving a seal of approval.
Adding another layer of inspection appears to him to be more government bureaucracy, he said.
“If someone has a problem with my meat, they talk to me,” he said, adding that grass-fed producers lose customers if they are falsely identifying their product. “I’m not willing to do a third-party verification. I don’t see the need to pay someone to tell my customers I’m telling the truth.”
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said he will work with state leaders if this proposal becomes law in the future. Right now, the discussion is in its infancy, he said, and the road map is unclear.
Legislation will have to balance the needs of the consumer and the producer and take into consideration production costs for farmers, Harper said.
“At the end of the day it’s about fairness to consumers and it’s about fairness to farmers and ensuring that the products are not deceptively labeled,” he said.
The Georgia State Senate Study Committee on Recovery Residences will hold a public hearing next week, according to 13WMAZ.
A new Georgia Senate committee will hold its first hearing next week to examine what they call the state’s unregulated recovery housing industry, addressing concerns about safety and quality of care for people transitioning from addiction treatment.
The Senate Study Committee on Recovery Residences, created through Senate Resolution 311, will meet Aug. 18 at 8:00 a.m. in the state capitol. The bipartisan committee, chaired by Sen. Randy Robertson, R-Cataula, was formed to study what lawmakers describe as a largely unmonitored network of approximately 256 recovery residences across Georgia.
According to the resolution, these facilities “do not provide treatment, are not regulated, and are not registered with the state.” Lawmakers expressed concerns that some facilities may “prioritize financial gain over resident safety” due to lack of oversight.
Recovery residences provide sober housing for people in recovery, offering supportive living environments where individuals can practice life skills needed to maintain sobriety after leaving treatment, jail or prison.
“Accountability is always necessary,” Stewart said. “As long as we can live by the mantra that we go and we started our RCO on is nothing about us without us. If lived experience is at the table, if the recovery voice is at the table, absolutely let’s get together.”
Stewart, who has 23 years in recovery herself, acknowledged that substandard facilities exist but emphasized that many credible options are available. Her organization carefully vets housing referrals for clients transitioning from the state’s 16 prisons where IHOPE staff work.
Stewart said she hopes any oversight will include input from people with lived experience in recovery. She emphasized the complex nature of addiction recovery.
“Recovery takes time,” she said. “Let’s look at the quality, accountability, and let’s look at the longevity of what somebody is trying to create for their community when they talk about putting some type of housing recovery housing together.”
The committee includes five senators appointed by the Senate president and the commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities or designee. Members have the authority to conduct meetings across the state as needed to fulfill their duties.
The resolution creating the committee cites the state’s interest in protecting citizens recovering from addiction and the need for the Department of Community Health and Department of Behavioral and Developmental Disabilities to understand how these facilities operate and identify best practices.
The committee must complete its work and file any recommendations by Dec. 1, 2025. If members adopt specific findings or recommendations for proposed legislation, the chairperson must file a report before the committee’s abolishment date.
The Georgia State Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism meets for their first time on Thursday, according to AccessWDUN.
That committee, the Senate Study Committee on Making Georgia the No. 1 State for Tourism, is chaired by Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville) and will hold its first meeting on Thursday.
The committee was formed through Senate Resolution 323, which was passed in April of this year.
The meeting will look to involve the community in discussions to promote and develop tourism in all regions of the state. The bipartisan committee will hear from industry leaders to understand how Georgia’s diverse tourism landscape drives economic development.
The meeting will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday at The Boathouse at Lake Lanier. The address to that is 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Building 1, Gainesville, Georgia 30506.
Georgia’s emphasis on teaching literacy appears to be bearing fruit, according to WALB.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, schools with a literacy coach saw an average 15% improvement in reading scores. Hollis posted a 29-point jump in the number of third graders reading at or above grade level.
Third-grade teacher Taj Cole said the stakes couldn’t be higher. Students who can’t read by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, research shows.
“We are the people to usher them to the next space in their life, and I take that to heart,” Cole said.
State officials say all kindergarten through third-grade teachers have now been trained in the “Science of Reading,” which emphasizes phonics and teaching students to hear and work with the sounds in words.
While most reading scores are improving, the 2025 Milestone report shows scores remain below pre-pandemic levels.
State Superintendent Richard Woods said the early gains are encouraging. The state is also rolling out new reading standards for grades K-12, a free literacy screener for schools, and targeted progress monitoring.
The Georgia Department of Education plans to expand tutoring and keep literacy coaches in the schools that need them most.
Statewide, math scores improved in every grade except third, which dipped 1%. Social studies and science showed the most consistent gains.
Georgia Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey spoke to Glynn Democratic Women, according to The Brunswick News.
Bailey shared his experience of living in Pine Mountain, a deeply Republican area in Harris County, a central Georgia county that borders Alabama.
“In Harris County, the only Democrats who represent us are (Sens.) Jon (Ossoff) and Raphael (Warnock),” Bailey said. “I know because I talk to my mama all the time. And I experienced it myself when she drove around in a Volvo with a Dukakis sticker in ‘88. And there weren’t many Dukakis stickers in ‘88.”
“I know what it can feel like. It’s not academic to me.”
He noted that there’s only a 10-seat difference between the Republican and Democrat parties in the state House of Representatives.
With some intelligent spending and a lot of legwork at the grassroots level, Bailey said there’s a potential for the party to narrow the gap.
He told the assembled Democrats that they’re part of a larger movement that represents voters all over Georgia, even if they’re not in power locally or at the state level.
It’s not likely that Democratic candidates will win Georgia House or Senate seats, he continued, but that’s not as important as getting out into the public eye and swaying voters.
“Every piece of work you do, every phone call you make, every door you knock on, I want you to remember that there are thousands of Georgians around the state doing the same thing,” he said. “… When it’s hot, and you’re worn down and you’ve got to do 20 more doors, remember that.”
Republicans have held majority power in the Georgia General Assembly for 22 years. In the last 12 years alone, a dozen hospitals have closed. Of 22 small-town hospitals still open, he said, 18 are at risk of closing.
After the passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — a large taxing and spending bill that included a wide variety of financial policies — four are at extreme risk of closing, he continued.
Some internal changes are on the way as well. He plans to create an opposition research wing of the party structure and hire a director to manage it, and to bolster the party’s county level organizing infrastructure.
To that end, Bailey said he’d hired a member of Ossoff’s senatorial campaign to build up a year-round organizing program based on some work she’d done in Ohio after Ossoff’s successful campaign.
Augusta Commissioners are expected to finalize plans for their Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST 9), according to WRDW.
From potholes to buildings needing repairs, there are areas of Augusta that need some attention.
City leaders say that’s what they want to accomplish with SPLOST 9, a special tax extension proposal that will go before Augusta voters in November.
SPLOST is a 1% sales tax. Currently, we’re under SPLOST 8, and then if SPLOST 9 is approved, the tax would be extended but would not rise.
Leaders have a wide array of plans of what to do with SPLOTS 9 revenue, totaling more than $400 million, to improve nearly every aspect of the city.
Those proposals will be finalized Tuesday.
More than half the list addresses public safety, infrastructure and quality of life.
One of the proposed projects includes the Riverwalk – up to $8 million could go toward improving it and extending it down to the boathouse.
But that’s only if the SPLOST 9 list gets approved by commissioners, and then once it gets approved there, if it goes to voters in November.
What’s on the plate Tuesday is the final SPLOST project list, new fees for trash service and streetlights and a property tax increase of $90 dollars on the average priced home in Augusta. Taxpayers are facing a potential onslaught.
The city administrator is telling commissioners the tax hike is being offered because there’s a nearly $11 million-dollar shortfall in this year’s budget, but commissioners have the option of going into reserves or fund balance to close the gap.
“Fund balance is there for emergencies and for unexpected costs, so would not be out of the ordinary to utilize your fund balance this time and then make some adjustments as it goes on in your next year’s budget,” said City Administrator Tameka Allen.
The mayor is saying he will not vote to increase property taxes
“Not going to support it at all, George. I believe now we have to tighten our belts. People have said the time has come for us to take action to make sure we’re doing our financial responsibility,” said the mayor.
City leaders have their backs against the wall. The new streetlights, garbage fees and the decision on property taxes must be made quickly because tax bills go out next month.
Rome City Commissioners approved items to move forward with a Floyd County Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) referendum, according to WRGA News.
The Rome City Commission has approved its part of an intergovernmental agreement regarding the distribution of proceeds from a floating sales tax as part of House Bill 581.
The legislation allows for local governments to hold a referendum to let voters decide to implement the extra penny tax, with the sole purpose of defraying a portion of property taxes.
During a joint meeting last Tuesday, city and county commissioners could not reach an agreement, with the county proposing a 75-25 percent split and the city countering with a 60-40 split.
On Monday, Rome City Manager Sammy Rich presented a proposal with the county getting 68 percent and the city getting 32 percent.
“If I am in my $150,000 home and my city M&O [maintenance and operations] is at 7.75 mils, and assuming we implemented this new FLOST, then my new millage rate would go down to 4.126 mils, he said. “As a city taxpayer, I would also get the benefit, because I also pay Floyd County M&O tax. If I am a city resident, then I am getting the benefit of both of these reductions, that’s $404.46.”
The commission also approved a resolution to put the referendum on the ballot this coming November.
Only Commissioner Mark Cochran voted against the agreements, stating he supports the idea of the law, but he thinks the mechanism to implement it is flawed.
The Floyd County Commission is expected to vote on the intergovernmental agreement when they meet Tuesday.
Floyd County Commissioners will also vote to set their property tax millage rate, according to WRGA News.
The Floyd County Board of Commissioners will hold the last two public hearings before they set the millage rates on Tuesday.
A public hearing will be held at 8 a.m. regarding the millage rate for County M&O, Fire, and Solid Waste.
Another public hearing will be held during the commission’s regular meeting at 6 p.m.
Both hearings will be held at the County Administration building located at 12 East 4th Avenue.
The tentative rate of 9.500 mills is an increase of 0.546 mills.
Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 8.954 mills.
The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $300,000 is approximately $71, and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $250,000 is approximately $53.
Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson (D) presented her department’s FY 2026 budget request, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office wants to hire more prosecutors, and an additional investigator, to simultaneously work with more complex cases, some of which have multiple defendants, and help the office address a growing overall caseload.
District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson presented her office’s 2026 budget requests to the county’s citizens budget review committee last Friday. During the presentation, she asked for three new positions, saying they were needed as the county’s population continues to grow.Forecasting firm Woods and Poole Economics Inc. has pegged Gwinnett County’s population, as of this year, at about 1.02 million.
“According to the population growth, 2024 through 2025 in Gwinnett County, there are approximately about 20,000 more citizens,” Austin-Gatson said. “This is going to continue to rise, in accordance with Woods and Poole, through 2030. We want to be prepared to continue serving the Gwinnett judicial circuit with excellence.”
So far this year, Austin-Gatson said the DA’s office has opened 3,485 cases in Superior Court, including 499 new cases since the end of June. It has also opened 702 new cases in Juvenile Court, including 57 new cases since the end of June.
But, Austin-Gatson also told the budget review committee that the DA’s Office has closed 3,398 cases in Superior Court this year as well as 702 cases in Juvenile Court.
In total, the DA’s Office has closed 4,100 cases this year, as of the end of July, but it also opened 4,187 cases during that time period.
By comparison, the DA’s Office opened 3,694 cases and closed 3,518 cases from January through late August in 2024.
The DA’s Office’s largest budget request for 2026 is $376,181 to hire two supervising assistant district attorneys. These attorneys will help with a growing caseload, but will also lead the prosecution of cases that are high-profile, have multiple defendants or are otherwise considered complex.
The DA’s Office is also asking for $239,665 to hire an additional criminal investigator. That funding includes the investigator’s salary plus the cost of a vehicle for that person to use.
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