Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for July 2, 2025

On July 5, 1737, James Oglethorpe sailed from England to Georgia with a warship and troop transports carrying a regiment to be stationed at St. Simons Island.

On July 7, 1742, General James Oglethorpe was victorious over the Spanish at the Battle of Bloody Marsh and the Battle of Gully Hole Creek; a week later Gov. Montiano would call off the invasion of Georgia from Florida, leaving Georgia to develop as a British colony.

On July 5, 1742, Spanish forces based in Florida sailed past Fort St. Simon, bypassing English forces there. That night, Oglethorpe’s troops left Fort St Simon and fell back to Fort Frederica.

On July 6, 1775, Congress issued the “Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms” addressed to King George III, stating that they preferred to “to die free men rather than live as slaves.” The document was written by John Dickinson after a draft by Thomas Jefferson.

On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution by Richard Henry Lee (father of Robert E. Lee) calling for independence from Britain. The delegations of twelve colonies voted in favor, while New York’s abstained, not knowing how their constituents would wish them to vote.

On July 4, 1776, the United States declared its independence from Great Britain.

On July 2, 1826, representatives from Georgia and Alabama met to begin surveying the border between the two.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826.

The Republican Party was formally organized on July 6, 1854.

The party was born of hostility to slavery.

In February [1854] a gathering in Ripon, Wisconsin, resolved to form a new party and a local lawyer named Alvan E. Bovay suggested the name Republican for its echoes of Thomas Jefferson. In Michigan there were meetings in Kalamazoo, Jackson and Detroit, and after the Act had passed in May, the new party was formally founded in Jackson in July. A leading figure was Austin Blair, a Free Soiler lawyer who was prosecuting attorney of Jackson County. He helped to draft the new party’s platform, was elected to the state senate in Republican colours that year and would become governor of Michigan in 1860.

On July 2, 1861, Georgia voters approved a new state Constitution, which had been adopted by the state’s Secession Convention.

July 2, 1863 saw day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg, with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia attacking Meade’s Army of the Potomac.

Union cavalry under Gen. Kenner Garrard reached Roswell, Georgia on July 5, 1864, setting the town alight.

On July 4, 1868, the Georgia General Assembly convened for the first time after passage of the Constitution of 1868 with a legislature comprising 186 members, of whom 36 were African-American.

On July 6, 1885, Louis Pasteur successfully tested a rabies vaccine on a human subject.

On July 3, 1889, the Georgia General Assembly held its last session at the Kimball Opera House, located at the corner of Marietta and Forsyth Streets in downtown Atlanta before moving into a new Georgia State Capitol. On July 4, 1889, the Georgia State Capitol was dedicated, then housing all three branches of the state government.

Happy birthday to Idaho, which became a state on July 3, 1890.

On July 2, 1898, the first pot of delicious Brunswick Stew was made in Brunswick, Georgia. I think I’ll celebrate with a bowl for lunch today.

On July 3, 1913, the Georgia state Senate tabled a motion to allow the Georgia Women’s Suffrage Association to address the chamber.

Construction of USS Augusta, a cruiser, began on July 2, 1928, according to the Augusta Chronicle.

She would be completed and launched in February 1930, “sponsored” by Evelyn McDaniel, of Augusta, who would later become the wife of a Superior Court judge.

Augusta saw service in the Pacific and later became a command ship during Operation Overlord and the D-Day invasion. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman traveled aboard her during wartime treaty endeavors, and the latter would publicly announce the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima from his office aboard the ship.

USS Augusta was built at Newport News Shipbuilding, where my father worked when I was a child, and where we occasionally attended christenings and launches.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1864. Major provisions included outlawing discriminatory application of voting laws, prohibiting racial discrimination in public accomodations, allowing the Attorney General to join lawsuits against states operating segregated public schools, and prohibiting discrimination by state and local governments or agencies receiving federal funds.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a witness to Johnson’s signature, standing behind the President in the Oval Office. Johnson presented King with one of the 72 pens used in signing the legislation.

Occasionally, pens from the Civil Rights Act signing come onto the collectors’ market. A collection of 50 pens used to sign legislation by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson went across the block in November 2013. This pen went unsold.

As a student of Dr. Merle Black in the political science department at Emory, we began our study of Southern politics from the premise that race relations and the legacy of racial discrimination shaped Southern politics. One book we read every year was The Longest Debate: A Legislative History of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which belongs on the bookshelf of any serious student of American politics, political history, and legislative process.

On July 3, 1970, the Atlanta Pop Festival was held in Byron, Georgia.

Among the artists playing at Byron were the Allman Brothers Band and Jimi Hendrix.

The Clash played their first live show on July 4, 1976 at The Black Swan in Sheffield, England.

Back to the Future was released on July 3, 1985.

On July 3, 1986, President Ronald Reagan reopened the Statue of Liberty after a two-year restoration.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Waffle House has dropped the .50 per egg surcharge, according to WALB.

The Georgia-based chain announced the temporary surcharge in February amid a nationwide egg shortage.

On Tuesday, the chain said in a social media post that the surcharge was off the menu as of June 2.

“Thanks for understanding!” the post said.

The price for a dozen eggs reached a record-high of $8.17 in March. They’re now down to $2.56 per carton.

Governor Brian Kemp nominated Frank O’Connell as the first Chief Judge for the new Georgia Tax Court, according to a Press Release.

Governor Brian P. Kemp today nominated Frank O’Connell for appointment to the Chief Judge position of the newly-created Georgia Tax Court. The Court will bring improved efficiency in the adjudication of tax cases at the state level and was created by a constitutional amendment approved by Georgia voters during the November 2024 election. Pending his confirmation by the Georgia House and Senate Judiciary committees, O’Connell’s four-year term as Chief tax court judge will begin on April 1, 2026.

“Georgia taxpayers deserve leadership at the Department of Revenue that recognizes who they are most accountable to and as commissioner, Frank O’Connell has never forgotten that – serving the people of our state with honor and great work ethic,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “That’s why I’m again asking Frank to serve in a leadership position that will benefit the entire state. Marty and I are confident that with his skills and expertise, he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role.”

“Georgia’s fiscal stability and success is a testament of the great leadership from public servants like Frank O’Connell,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Commisisoner O’Connell has led the Department of Revenue well and I believe he will continue to be a great leader for Georgia in this new role. I look forward to working with him and seeing his expertise positively impact Georgia’s tax court.”

“Frank O’Connell has served the hardworking taxpayers of our state with integrity and dedication for over two decades,” said House Speaker Jon Burns. “Like our colleagues in the Senate, we look forward to confirming his appointment as Chief Judge of the Georgia Tax Court.”

Frank M. O’Connell currently serves as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue, following his appointment by Governor Kemp to that role in February 2023. O’Connell previously served as Deputy Commissioner and as General Counsel for the Georgia Department of Revenue. He began his 21 years of service with the State of Georgia in the Department of Revenue’s Compliance Division and transferred to what is now the Office of General Counsel as Assistant Director before his appointment as General Counsel.

In his previous role as Deputy Commissioner, O’Connell was responsible for the Tax Operations divisions of Audits, Taxpayer Services, Compliance, and Processing, and the External Operations divisions of Motor Vehicle Tag & Title, Alcohol & Tobacco Regulation, Local Government Services, and Special Investigations.  In his role as General Counsel where O’Connell spent most of his DOR career, he oversaw the drafting of legislative bills for the Department’s annual legislative package, the drafting of all DOR tax, alcohol & tobacco, and motor vehicle regulations, and advised the Department on agency contracts, Open Records Act responses, and the application of confidentiality laws protecting taxpayer data.

Prior to joining the Georgia Department of Revenue in 2003, Mr. O’Connell consulted in state and local taxation for ten years at two “Big Four” accounting firms. A member of the Tax Section of the State Bar of Georgia, Mr. O’Connell received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.

O’Connell resides in East Cobb with his wife, Shelia.

Whitfield County will open a single voting location for the July 15, 2025 Special Democratic Primary Runoff Election, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.

According to O.C.G.A. 21-2-270(a)(3)(c), At the run-off primary to be held in Whitfield County on July 15, 2025 for the nomination of candidates of the Democratic Party, only one polling place shall be open and such polling place will be located at Dalton City Hall, 300 W Waugh St, Dalton, GA, 30720.

Any voter who desires to vote in such run-off primary must vote at said polling place and no other polling places will be open for the run-off primary. Notices will be posted at each polling place informing voters of this temporary change.

All Advanced Voting will take place at the Board of Elections and Registrars office, located at 205 N Selvidge St, Ste K, Dalton, GA, 30720. Advanced voting will take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, from July 7 to July 11, 2025.

Having just entered Fiscal Year 2026 for the state and many local governments, we are also in the midst of the 2026 elections. From Georgia Recorder:

The 2026 general election is still more than a year away, but plenty of hats are being thrown into the proverbial ring to run for U.S. senator, Georgia governor and other top positions.

But there are other, smaller proverbial rings into which more modest hats are also already being tossed.

All 180 seats in the state House and all 56 in the state Senate will be up for grabs on ballots around the state, and the results will shape what laws Peach Staters live under in 2027 and beyond, as well as the partisan makeup under the Gold Dome. Currently, the House includes 100 Republicans and 80 Democrats and the Senate has 33 Republicans and 23 Democrats.

Official qualifying doesn’t begin until the spring, but here’s a look at some of the candidates who have already announced their intentions to run or filed paperwork with the Georgia Ethics Commission’s campaign finance system.

Replacements for senators seeking higher office

Expect to see plenty of new faces in the Senate in particular, as ambitious senators shoot their shots at positions of greater power. That includes President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy of Macon, who is stepping down in the hopes of upgrading his title to lieutenant governor.

Two Republicans have filed paperwork so far to run for Kennedy’s seat. Former state Rep. Lauren Daniel, who was defeated in her 2024 GOP primary by now-state Rep. Noelle Kahaian of Locust Grove, is set to face off against attorney Steven McNeel.

In a post on social media, Daniel styled herself as a committed backer of conservative causes.

“In a culture where traditional values are under attack from the radical left and many politicians are afraid to fight, I am willing to do just that,” she said. “As a staunch conservative, mother of four and unabashed supporter of the America First policies championed by President Trump, I believe I can represent middle Georgia in an effective way without compromising our values.”

McNeel was not immediately available for comment, but according to his bio on the website for the law firm where he works, he has a degree in political science from the University of Georgia, is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and specializes in bodily injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation and Social Security disability law.

Two Democrats have filed paperwork to replace Decatur Democratic Sen. Emanuel Jones, who is among the Democrats challenging Congressman David Scott next year.

Larry Johnson, a former longtime DeKalb County commissioner, said on his website that he hopes to “bring his experience, leadership, and bold vision to Georgia fighting for better schools, economic justice, and stronger communities.”

But before he can do that, he’ll need to defeat Kate Denny, a nurse and mom from Avondale Estates, who garnered attention when she pressed U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff to do more to oppose President Donald Trump at an April town hall.

Denny said she plans to make a formal announcement in the coming days and hit the campaign trail early, speaking to voters about kitchen table issues.

“I care deeply about the things that we all care about in this district: housing, health care, childcare, wages, everything that will help all of us come together and elevate ourselves and our neighbors,” she said.

Other notable Senate candidates:

Rep. Will Wade, a Dawsonville Republican, is seeking to move across the Capitol with a run to replace Dahlonega Republican Sen. Steve Gooch, who is running for lieutenant governor. Lumpkin County Commission Chair Chris Dockery and Dawson County business owner Douglas Sherill have both announced plans to run for Wade’s seat in the House.

Sandy Springs Democratic Sen. Josh McLaurin has announced plans to run for lieutenant governor, and so far, two Republicans have filed paperwork to run for his seat, Michael Dvorscak, who works in commercial real estate, and financial analyst Carson McQueen. McLaurin won his seat in 2022 with 54.7% of the vote. He didn’t have a Republican opponent in 2024.

Four Republican candidates have filed paperwork to replace Athens Republican Sen. Bill Cowsert: Michael Broun, an attorney at Cowsert’s law firm; Oconee County Republican Steven Todd Strickland; Marc McMain, a small business owner and former Walton County GOP Chair, and Doug McKillip, who previously served in the House as a Democrat and later as a Republican.

Bret Dunn, a former Marine Corps captain and judge advocate general, is the sole candidate so far seeking to replace Sen. Brian Strickland, who is running for attorney general.

Toombs County Commission Chairman David Sikes is the only one so far to file paperwork for a bid for the seat of Sen. Blake Tillery, who has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor but not officially launched a campaign.

Whose House?

In the House, a high-profile grudge match and a race between a 10-year incumbent and a reality TV dentist could be shaping up to be top races to watch.

Buford Republican state Rep. Sandy Donatucci won her seat by a hair in 2024 – with more than 30,000 votes cast, she won by just 80 votes – over the Democratic incumbent, former Rep. Farooq Mughal.

But Mughal is hoping to mount a comeback – he officially launched his campaign earlier this month, and Democrats are hoping distaste with the party in the White House will help his chances in the swingingest of Georgia’s swing districts.

“Economic uncertainty and Trump’s reckless tariff policies are straining Georgia businesses. Rising healthcare costs and the consequences of Georgia’s extreme abortion ban are harming our families,” Mughal said in a statement. “We need a representative who understands how to bring home resources for safer schools, stronger neighborhoods, and to protect our quality of life from overdevelopment and corporate land grabs. I believe in putting people over politics and delivering real solutions for our community.”

Donatucci, a sales professional and military spouse, has pitched herself as a common-sense Republican who will focus on improving the economy and boosting public safety.

“My promise to the people of House District 105 was to stand up for what is best for our families,” reads a statement on her website. “At the State Capitol, I am working to bring a common-sense approach to the challenges that we all face. Together, I know we can find solutions to secure a safer and more prosperous future for our families and community.”

Lithonia Democratic Rep. Doreen Carter, who was sworn into office in 2015, could be facing a challenge from Dr. Heavenly Kimes, a dentist and one of the stars of “Married to Medicine” on Bravo. The reality TV show follows the lives of Kimes and other women medical professionals in Atlanta.

Numerous incumbents from both parties are set to face challengers in their party primaries and in the November general. For now, some of them are just bracing for it, including Sandy Springs Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch, who, in a fundraising post on social media, said she expects a primary challenger to mount a campaign “rooted in far-left ideology.”

For the most part, the incumbents will be at a strong advantage, but one race House Democrats could be sweating is the one for House District 128 represented by Sandersville Democrat Mack Jackson.

Jackson survived one of 2024’s squeakiest squeakers. Jackson surpassed Republican challenger Tracy Wheeler by 48 votes out of more than 27,000 votes cast.

So far, one Republican may have eyes to squeak past Jackson in 2026. Thomas Wilkerson of Warrenton has filed paperwork to run for the House in District 128.

Democrats have their eyes on 2030 and beyond, predicting Georgia could have an additional seat in Congress after the 2030 Census, according to the AJC.

The president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee said in a memo Tuesday that Georgia is projected to add a 15th member of the U.S. House after the 2030 Census. The NDRC’s estimate is based on data from Environmental Systems Research Institute that show nationwide population shifts that could affect representation.

Georgia’s congressional delegation remained at 14 members after the 2020 census, when population growth of 10% over the previous decade wasn’t enough to merit another representative. Nine of Georgia’s U.S. House members are Republicans and five are Democrats.

“We must act with urgency to prevent significant gerrymandering of the congressional map and to produce representation in the U.S. House of Representatives that actually reflects the will of the people,” said the memo from NDRC President John Bisognano.

Democratic candidate for Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she raised more than $1.1 million dollars ahead of her campaign disclosure, according to the AJC.

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said Wednesday she raised about $900,000 and loaned herself another $200,000 as she tries to establish herself as the Democratic front-runner in the race for Georgia governor.

That’s about the same total as her Democratic rival, state Sen. Jason Esteves, who said earlier this week he raised more than $1.1 million over a roughly two-month span since he entered the race April 21. His campaign said his total doesn’t include any loans.

Bottoms told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she amassed nearly 7,100 donors over a shorter period — 41 days . She said she’ll report having $1 million in cash on hand when she files her disclosure within the next week.

State Rep. Derrick Jackson is also in the race, and former DeKalb chief executive Michael Thurmond is among the high-profile contenders who could still join.

The GOP field is also intensifying. Republican Attorney General Chris Carr has raised at least $2 million since entering the race in November, though his latest totals are still pending.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is expected to enter the race soon, while U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger are weighing bids.

First Liberty Building & Loan in Newnan has closed its doors and may be under federal investigation, according to the Newnan Times-Herald.

First Liberty Building and Loan, a Newnan-based private lending firm operated by the Frost family, abruptly shut down this week, suspending all payments to investors and announcing it is cooperating with federal authorities as it winds down operations.

In a notice posted to its website, First Liberty said it would no longer accept new investments or make bridge loans, and that interest payments on existing promissory notes and other investments were “indefinitely suspended.”

Investors signed contracts for 12- to 18-month bridge loans, pitched as short-term financing to businesses simply waiting on larger bank funding to come through.

Sources close to the firm told The Times-Herald the FBI has taken control of First Liberty’s records and is overseeing the shutdown, though federal authorities have not publicly confirmed any investigation.

In a statement to The Newnan Times-Herald, the FBI said it is aware of the allegations but does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any investigation.

From the AJC:

Robert Sinners, a spokesman for Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, said the department’s securities division has opened a civil investigation. His office is encouraging the firm’s investors to contact regulators.

A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission spokesperson said the regulator “does not comment on the existence or nonexistence of a possible investigation.” A spokesman with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Atlanta declined to comment.

The firm said on its now-defunct website it was founded in 1993 by Brant Frost IV, a fixture in Georgia’s conservative grassroots scene. His son, Brant Frost V, is a former vice-chair of the Georgia GOP and a principal at First Liberty. His daughter, Katie Frost, chairs the party’s 3rd District committee.

First Liberty aggressively marketed itself to conservatives, highlighting appearances on the Hugh Hewitt Show and Charlie Kirk’s podcast. It also advertised on the Erick Erickson Show.

The lender billed its leaders as “authentic followers of Christ” with a penchant for charitable giving to religious causes. Its slogan: “We say yes when the big banks say no.”

The website included endorsements of First Liberty’s business, including one purported to be from former state Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.

“Suzanne and I have known Brant Frost and his family for over 30 years. We have participated in many bridge loans with First Liberty, and have always been pleased with the results. We hope to do business with them for many years to come,” Hudgens is quoted as saying on the website. Hudgens couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

On the conservative “John Fredericks Show” in June 2024, Brant Frost V framed First Liberty’s mission as part of a broader effort to fuel what he called “patriot economy.”

“One of the great pleasures and honors in our business is to be able to help patriots across the country,” he said. “We’ve got retired teachers, we’ve got retired businessmen, we’ve got retired ministers who have been part of this program — as well as doctors, lawyers and everyone else you can imagine.”

From their base in Coweta County, the Frost family carved out a high-profile — and often controversial — role in pushing the Georgia Republican Party further to the right.

Brant Frost V, known as “Five” to friends, was elected chair of the Coweta County GOP in 2013 and second vice-chair of the Georgia GOP in 2018.

House bill 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, will help some abuse victims in court, according to 13WMAZ.

A new Georgia law that took effect Tuesday could give survivors of abuse a second chance in court, even if they have already been convicted of a crime.

The Georgia Survivor Justice Act House bill 582 allows people who can prove a history of domestic, dating, or child abuse to present evidence of their trauma in court, potentially leading to a new or reduced sentence.

According to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a large majority of people in Georgia prisons have experienced domestic or sexual violence. For many, years of abuse and trauma led to desperate choices.

Captain Paula Blevins with the Salvation Army in Warner Robins said she sees the impact every day.

“Many times, survivors are afraid to make that phone call to ask for help,” Blevins said.

Under the new law, survivors can present evidence of trauma during sentencing or even return to court if they can show abuse directly contributed to the crime. This includes serious felonies such as assault and homicide.

“Fear often will shape their actions – fear of escaping the situation,” Blevins said.

Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher said the cycle of abuse often begins when children learn these behaviors at home.

“Domestic violence, especially when children are involved, is the children are observing these behaviors and the children will identify that as being normal,” Fisher said.

Fisher said the new law gives survivors a chance to explain what led up to that moment something that was not always possible before.

While this year has seen an unusually high number of family-related homicides in Houston County, Fisher said it is rare for cases to end up where the victim survives or is the one who is charged.

“In all these cases, the victims of the domestic violence were the victims in the final act. It’s not been the inverse to where you had the victim of domestic violence being accused or prosecuted as the defendant,” Fisher said.

The law is retroactive, meaning people who have already been sentenced can also ask for a new or reduced sentence.

Georgia drivers may present a digital ID in a traffic stop under a new law that went into effect yesterday, according to 13WMAZ.

A new Georgia law taking effect next month will allow drivers to use a digital ID on their phones during traffic stops, offering a modern alternative to the traditional plastic license.

House Bill 296, co-sponsored by Rep. Shaw Blackmon of Bonaire, was inspired by a constituent’s experience.

“This gentleman was actually pulled over and he had a digital ID. He offered it up to the law enforcement officer and, and he said, ‘I’m sorry, I have to have a physical ID, which is what the law stated,’” Blackmon said.

Starting July 1, drivers will be able to present a digital ID stored on their smartphones when asked for identification by law enforcement.

The change aligns road requirements with several airport TSA checkpoints, which already accept digital IDs. Blackmon said the update gives drivers more flexibility.

“It’s kind of common sense that if you’re gonna allow people to obtain a digital ID, that we let them use that as an official ID where it makes good sense to do so,” Blackmon said.

However, physical IDs are still required for certain activities, including voting and obtaining boating and hunting licenses. Law enforcement agencies will also need time to adapt; officers must have equipment to scan digital IDs by July 2027.

“You’re trying to prove who you are, and I think the database is gonna be up to date,” Blackmon said. “A lot of times we’re allowed to get a printed ID that’s several years behind, so you’re gonna have something that’s a little more up to date.”

The bill also includes a provision for rental vehicle companies, particularly those with custom-built vehicles. Instead of paying the title tax in full upfront, these companies can now split the payment.

“They’re able to pay it off in two separate payments. So you pay 50% up front and then you’re able to go back and get 50% within a year,” Blackmon said.

While the digital option is on its way, officials recommend drivers continue carrying their physical licenses for now, just in case.

House Bill 331 prohibits roadside sales of animals, according to WALB.

Several new Georgia laws took effect as of July 1. Among them is House Bill 331. It prohibits the transfer or sale of various domestic animals at certain locations.

“I’m very happy about the new law. I think it is going to move everything in the right direction,” said Dr. Kristopher Akers, a local veterinarian.

When you buy an animal from the back of someone’s vehicle, you really don’t know what you are getting. The dog’s breed, health status, and temperament are all left up to chance.

“It’s better to get pets from a certified adoption agency or a reputable breeder. That way, you know they have gotten the appropriate vaccines and any deworming treatment they need,” said Dr. Akers.

Those against this new law believe that backyard breeders will have no way to distribute their animals, meaning more pets will end up on the side of the road. They believe this would only add to South Georgia’s stray population. Dr. Akers believes the new law will have the opposite effect.

“Reducing sidewalk sales is actually going to reduce that number because less people will let their animals breed, whether they spay or neuter them, just because they are no longer going to be able to make money off them,” said Dr. Akers.

The new law prohibits the distribution of pets at any roadside, parking lot, flea market, fair, or outdoor recreational area.

Those found guilty of violating this new law will be subject to a fine of up to $500.

The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office deployed a drone to locate a suspect, according to the Savannah Morning News.

When a neighboring agency reached out to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office to find an individual on the run, they turned to a new piece of technology to locate the suspect.

“They deployed the drone and used the Forward-Looking Infrared camera to locate the suspect in the woods and then used the spotlight on the drone to illuminate them,” said Public Information Officer Candace Hunnicutt.

That is just one of the ways BCSO is utilizing drone technology. According to Hunnicutt, the drones have been used in a number of ways, including search and recovery operations, crime scene documentation, community engagement events and more.

Drivers in Bryan County may want to take traffic protocols seriously as the tiny aircraft could be monitoring their actions behind the wheel. Officers can use the drones to spot drivers who are engaged in various offenses.

“They use the drone to aid with traffic stops,” said Hunnicutt. “Primarily at intersections, they will use the camera to monitor if anyone runs a light, distracted driving (holding their phone), or seatbelt violations. A deputy who is standing by is notified of the violation and they will make the traffic stop and issue a ticket.”

As of mid-June, the drones have only been used for three deployments. Hunnicutt said the department does not have raw data but estimates 20-30 violations have been detected on each of the drone deployments. The department currently uses two drones, one on each side of the county. Each cost around $25,000.

“This initiative aligns with our High Visibility Grant through the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,” said Hunnicutt. “GOHS maintains statewide crash data and has encouraged us to focus on reducing traffic fatalities in Bryan County by addressing seatbelt violations, distracted driving and other high-risk behaviors.”

Gwinnett County Commission Chair Nicole Love Hendrickson will also Chair the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia Economic Development and Transportation Policy Committee, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

The committee identifies innovative state, regional and local economic development policies and strategies which can support economic growth throughout the state. The committee looks at a wide range of areas, from workforce development to tax and investment policy, as well as ways to build an interconnected multimodal transportation system that serves the entire state.

“I couldn’t be more excited about what this moment represents — not just for our County but for the people we serve every day,” said Hendrickson. “This is progress in action and it’s the result of collaboration, commitment and a deep belief in what’s possible when we work together. I’m proud to see our vision come to life in such a meaningful way.”

The Economic Development and Transportation Policy Committee is one of ACCG’s policy committee which, in addition to coming up with plans that counties can adopt for various issues, also put together positions for issues facing county governments. Those positions are compiled into ACCG Policy Priorities, which the association’s full membership votes on. ACCG uses those priorities to guide its advocacy efforts during the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session.

Lawrenceville City Council adopted an FY 2026 budget and tentatively adopted a property tax millage rate, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.

The Brunswick Housing Authority adopted an FY 2026 budget, according to The Brunswick News.

The budget comes in at just over $17 million, which includes $4.3 million dedicated to public housing expenses and $8.05 million from federal Section 8 housing vouchers. The rest goes toward administration, $821,738, and other housing and jobs programs.

Tenant rental income amounts to around $927,000, with the bulk of the BHA’s revenue coming from federal and state grants.

Like other local government agencies, the BHA operates on a fiscal year that runs from July 1 of one calendar year to June 30 of the next.

The BHA was $50,000 short in fiscal year 2024. That shortfall grew to $5 million in the fiscal year 2025, Baisden said.

He identifies multiple reasons for the shortfalls, but one of the chief ones was rising prices, which raised the authority’s expenses, making it harder for tenants to pay rent.

An estimated 83 Bald Eagles fledged this year in Coastal Georgia, according to WSAV.

Coastal Georgia saw a 73% eagle nest success rate in 2025, boasting an estimated 83 eaglets in 2025.

The Coastal Empire also saw five new nests this season, with 81 occupied. Fifty-nine nests were successful, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

While the coast saw an average success rate, southwest Georgia saw slightly lower success rates.

While the coast is surveyed annually, other regions like the southwest are surveyed at least every other year. Two years ago, the southwestern region had a 75% success rate.

This is likely due to the eagles have more food resources in estuaries on the coast versus other regions, survey leader Bob Sargent said.

The decline could be the result of storm damage, possibly from Helene and Milton in 2024, Sargent told DNR. The decline could also be a delayed response from avian influenza, which hit the coast in 2022.

“I say delayed because eagle mortalities and nest failures from the initial outbreak of the disease were confined to the coastal counties,” Sargent told DNR. “But we know from necropsy reports this past winter that the disease has since spread to inland eagles, especially so among birds in the Chattahoochee watershed.”

Eagle nesting on the coast did bounce back from the illness, which may bode well for southwestern nesting rates.

While the southwestern region is below average, eagles are still flying high in the Peach State, DNR officials said. Twenty-five years ago, only 55 nest territories were reported in Georgia, now Georgia has maintained 200 nest territories a year for 10 years, officials reported.