June 5 is “National Donut Day.” Make of it what you will.
The Battle of Bloody Marsh was fought between Spanish forces and colonists under James Oglethorpe on St Simons Island, Georgia in 1742 on a date that is variously cited as June 9 or June 7, 1742. Thus began the rivalry between Georgia and Florida.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution before the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia calling for American independence from Great Britain.
Lee’s resolution declared: “That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; that measures should be immediately taken for procuring the assistance of foreign powers, and a Confederation be formed to bind the colonies more closely together.”
Four weeks later, Georgia’s members of the Continental Congress – Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton — voted for a version written by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and called the Declaration of Independence.
“Light Horse Harry” Lee, (aka Henry Lee, III), later the father of Robert E. Lee, led a group of Continental soldiers, South Carolina and Georgia militia as the British surrendered Augusta on June 5, 1781. The capture of Augusta led to Georgia’s inclusion in the United States, though it had previously been so divided between Patriots and Loyalists that Georgia was the only American colony to not participate in the First Continental Congress. Henry Lee, III was a nephew of Richard Henry Lee and served as Governor of Virginia and represented the Commonwealth in Congress.
The expulsion of the Cherokee from Georgia began on June 6, 1838 as 800 members left by riverboat.
The Republican National Convention met in Philadelphia on June 5, 1872, nominating Ulysses S. Grant for President the next day. Twelve years later, on June 5, 1884, William T. Sherman refused the Republican nomination for President, saying, “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.”
The first successful ascent of Mt. McKinley, also called Denali, in Alaska, the highest mountain in North America, was completed on June 7, 1913.
On June 6, 1944, seventy-eight years ago, Allied forces under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower began the invasion of France, called D-Day.
On the morning of June 5, 1944, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history. On his orders, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.
By dawn on June 6, 18,000 parachutists were already on the ground; the land invasions began at 6:30 a.m. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture Gold, Juno and Sword beaches; so did the Americans at Utah. The task was much tougher at Omaha beach, however, where 2,000 troops were lost and it was only through the tenacity and quick-wittedness of troops on the ground that the objective was achieved. By day’s end, 155,000 Allied troops–Americans, British and Canadians–had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches.
On June 6, 1949, George Orwell published 1984.
Republican candidate for Governor A. Ed Smith died in a car accident on June 5, 1962.
Ronald Reagan became the Republican nominee for Governor of California on June 7, 1966.
Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot after winning the California Primary on June 5, 1968 and died the next day.
Ferris Bueller took the day off school on June 5, 1985.
President Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004.
June 7, 2016 was declared “Prince Day” in Minnesota under a proclamation issued by Governor Mark Dayton. Prince was born on this day in 1958. Governor Dayton missed his chance to begin a proclamation with “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together today….” The next year, Dayton proclaimed Prince Day on April 21, 2017.
Seventeen Revolutionary War cannons returned to Savannah after conservation work, according to WTOC.
17 Revolutionary War-era cannons returned to Savannah Wednesday after years of conservation work, a project led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Heritage Society.
The cannons were dredged from the Savannah River in 2021 and 2022 during the Savannah Harbor Expansion project.
The Coastal Heritage Society kept two cannons to show museum visitors what they looked like when they were pulled from the river. The other 17 were sent to Texas A&M’s Conservation Research Laboratory in 2023.
The conservation team worked to restore the artifacts to a like-new condition for long-term curation and public display at the Savannah History Museum.
Crews unloaded the nearly 4,000-pound artifacts one by one, a delicate and expensive process.
“That conservation process, which is timely and very costly, is important. It’s really great that the Savannah History Museum, the Coastal Heritage Society, partnered with us to conserve this remarkable assemblage of Revolutionary war artifacts and get the on display here,” said Andrea Farmer, archeologist and tribal liaison for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District.
Coastal Heritage Society CEO Nora Fleming Lee said she and many Savannah residents are excited to have the cannons back home—and to use them to tell more of the city’s story in the American Revolution.
“Finding these cannons, having an exhibition, expanding and telling the story of Savannah’s role in the Revolution, is something that I think all Savannahians should be very proud of and excited to come and learn and experience more,” said Lee. ”And I think it will be very exciting for tourists, but it’s really something special for the locals here.”
Over the next month, the Army Corps and Coastal Heritage Society will prepare the cannons and other artifacts for the museum’s new exhibit, Loyalists & Liberty: Savannah in the Revolution.
Tickets for the July 2 opening are available online, ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Early voting kicks off for Columbus Runoff Elections on Monday, June 8, 2026, according to WTVM.
Early voting starts Monday, June 8, and runs through Friday, June 12. The only location open for early voting in Columbus will be the City Services Center.
Muscogee County Director of Elections and Registration Nancy Boren said officials are expecting a big turnout.
“We anticipate a good turnout for this election. We’re preparing for a heavy turnout for early voting, as well as for election day,” Boren said.
There are three local races in this year’s runoff election Tuesday, June 16. For mayor, Joanne Cogle faces Isaiah Hugley. In District 7, Laketha Ashe is running against Rebecca Zajac. In District 9, John Anker is running against Cathy Cook.
“We are actually deploying the same amount of equipment to this runoff that we did for the primary and that’s very unusual for runoff,” Boren said.
Boren reminded voters they cannot switch parties during the runoff.
“You’re tied to the party you voted in the primary so if you voted Democrat you’ll vote Democrat in the runoff you will vote Republican and if you voted Republican in the primary and then nonpartisan you can vote either,” Boren said.
For voters without transportation, two taxi companies are working together to help. Radio Co-op and For Heaven’s Sake Taxi Services are offering free rides to the polls during early voting and on election day.
Malcolm McMiller with Radio Co-op Taxi said everyone has the right to vote.
Latoya McGruder-McMiller with Radio Co-op and For Heaven’s Sake Taxi Services said the goal is to remove transportation barriers.
“What we’re trying to do is help the community out and give back to the community we’re basically trying to stop the transportation barrier so we can have a good voting turnout and everybody’s voice can be heard this year,” McGruder-McMiller said.
Voters can schedule a ride in advance or call the day of at 706-322-0700.
There will be one week of early voting, which starts Monday, June 8.
On the Republican ballot, there’s a run-off for the U.S. Senate between Mike Collins and Derek Dooley. Also, Rick Jackson and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones are vying for the Republican nomination for governor while Greg Dolezal and John F. Kennedy are vying for the lieutenant governor nomination. Then, for the Secretary of State, the run-off candidates are Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones, and the State School Superintendent run-off candidates are Fred “Bubba” Longgrear and incumbent Richard Woods. The Republican candidates for the Public Service Commissioner District 5 race are Bobby Mehan and Josh Tolbert.
On the Democrat ballot, Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Parkes are vying for the lieutenant governor nomination. Also, for Secretary of State, Dana Barrett and Penny Brown Reynolds are running for the Democrat nomination and DeAndre Mathis and Keisha Sean Waites are running for the Commissioner of Insurance nomination. The run-off for the Democrat nomination for the Commissioner of Labor is between Nikki Porcher and Michelle Michi Sanchez.
The last day of early voting for the general primary/nonpartisan election is Friday, June 12. Ballots may be cast until then at the Colquitt County Courthouse Annex in Room 201, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters who don’t vote early can cast their ballots at their assigned poll location on Election Day, June 16, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents who are unsure of their assigned poll location can find out on the state’s “My Voter Page” website at mvp.sos.ga.gov/
A runoff election will be conducted June 16 to decide three Columbus races because none of those candidates received a majority of the votes:
The runoff for the mayor’s race is between former city manager Isaiah Hugley, who received 45% of the initial round of votes among six candidates, and Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7, who finished second with 25. Mayor Skip Henderson couldn’t run for reelection because city law limits the mayor to two four-year terms.
The runoff for the citywide District 9 seat on Columbus Council is between dentist Cathy Cook, who received 37% of the initial round of votes among four candidates, and Ankerpak owner John Anker, the incumbent who received 35%.
The runoff for the 10-member city council’s District 7 seat is between Dragonfly Trails executive director Becca Zajac, who received 45% of the initial round of votes among three candidates, and insurance professional Laketha Ashe, who received 38%. Cogle couldn’t run to retain this seat because she decided to run for mayor instead.
Those three races for local offices are nonpartisan, meaning the candidates don’t officially represent a political party.
From the Athens Banner Herald:
In Athens, the mayor’s election pits Tim Denson, who led a field of five in the May primary election, against Dexter Fisher, who is serving as a commissioner.
Two commission seats will be decided. Incumbent District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton almost avoided a runoff as she received about 49% of the vote on May 19. She will face Tracy Smith, who received about 42% of the vote in the three-person race.
District 5, without an incumbent, is a race between Kimberly Bennett, who led a field of four candidates, and Craig Topple.
In the highly contested race for U.S. Senate, Rep. Mike Collins, who led the Republican ballot in May with about 41% of the vote, faces Derek Dooley, who garnered more votes than Congressman Buddy Carter to claim a spot in the runoff.
Also in an area GOP race, the Georgia Senate 46 is a race between Marc McMain and Doug McKillip.
Richmond County voters will be voting again for the Augusta mayor and for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission.
In the May 19 general primary and nonpartisan election, incumbent Mayor Garnett Johnson got 16,313 votes for 42.8%, and Steven Kendrick got 13,531 votes for 35.5%.
In the Augusta Commission’s District 8 race, Evett Williams led with 2,453 votes or 48.36%, and Michael Cioffi placed second with 1,923 or 37.91%.
The county’s District 1 commission seat runoff will be between two Republicans: Alex Griffin, who on May 19 got 2,578 votes or 45.54%, and Bobby Timmerman, who got 2,129 or 37.61%.
Voters in some Metro Atlanta counties can begin early voting this weekend, according to the AJC.
Early voting begins Saturday for the Georgia’s primary runoffs in some metro Atlanta counties. It starts Monday everywhere else and will continue through the end of the week.
The last day to request an absentee ballot for the June 16 runoffs is Friday. Absentee ballots must be received, not postmarked, by the time polls close election day.
Here’s a look at the five core metro Atlanta counties.
• Clayton County: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through June 12
• Cobb County: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday; 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through June 12
• DeKalb County: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday; noon-6 p.m., Sunday; 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through June 12
• Fulton County: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday; noon to 5 p.m., Sunday; 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through June 12
• Gwinnett County: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday through June 12Registered voters who selected a Democratic or Republican ballot in the May 19 primary can vote only for that same party in the runoff election. Voters who either skipped the primary or selected a nonpartisan ballot can vote in either party’s runoff.
Governor Brian Kemp issued an amended Proclamation calling the General Assembly into Special Session convening Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 2 PM. From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News:
Some homeowners could eventually see a rollback in their property tax bills after Gov. Brian Kemp revised his call for a special session.
Last month, Kemp ordered lawmakers back to the Capitol to redraw district lines and to address legal concerns with the state’s voting system.
On Wednesday, he expanded his proclamation to allow lawmakers from each county to vote on a sales tax-funded subsidy for homeowners.
A 1% Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) would go before voters in each county in November if their local legislative delegation approves a referendum at the special legislative session, which starts June 17.
The sales taxes, which would go into effect in 2028, would subsidize property taxes owed by homeowners.
The new sales tax was authorized by Kemp’s signature on Senate Bill 33, which will cap increases in county valuations of owner-occupied homes at the rate of inflation.
The law is aimed at restraining rapid rises in value that have been driving up property tax bills.
Any LHOST approved under SB 33 would apply to a variety of products and services, including food, alcohol, and motor fuels, up to $3 in retail sales price per gallon.
Kemp’s revised proclamation also calls on lawmakers to ratify after the fact his extended suspension of the 33-cent-a-gallon motor fuel tax.
After lawmakers temporarily waived that tax in March, Kemp extended it last month using his authority after declaring a state of emergency.
The gas tax suspension ended at midnight Tuesday.
It is unclear how many counties will call for an LHOST.
Clint Mueller, deputy director of ACCG, the association for county commissioners, said Thursday that he had heard of a few interested delegations.
Governor Kemp called Lenora Ophelia Stanaland Alligood to wish her a happy 11th birthday, according to WALB.
Against the backdrop of a nation working to embrace the emerging technologies of the industrial revolution, Lenora Ophelia Stanaland Alligood entered the world on May 29, 1915, in Colquitt County, the same area where she still resides with several generations of her family at her side.
A few day ago, the super-centenarian celebrated her 111th birthday surrounded by a host of family and friends. During her birthday celebration on May 29, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp called Mrs. Ophelia, as most people know her, to wish her a happy birthday and a prosperous year.
Georgia Democrats are calling for an investigation into Governor Kemp, according to Atlanta News First via WRDW.
Georgia Democrats are calling for an independent investigation into the Kemp administration over school safety grants and donations tied to GOP Senate candidate Derek Dooley.
Democratic lawmakers gathered outside the Capitol on Wednesday to accuse Gov. Brian Kemp and Dooley of a “pay-to-play” culture. They are demanding Kemp launch an independent investigation into his own administration.
The issue centers on school safety grants, which districts use for locks, security and alert systems.
Federal Election Commission records show Daniel Dooley, founder of school safety company CENTEGIX and Derek Dooley’s brother, donated $100,000 to Hardworking Americans Inc., a Super PAC aligned with Kemp, on Nov. 17, 2025.
FEC records show the PAC then spent nearly $2 million backing Derek Dooley between Jan. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
In 2025, the state mandated alert systems in all Georgia districts. Many went with the vendor CENTEGIX.
“Georgians deserve to know the truth—and they deserve it now,” said Rep. Shea Roberts.
Sen. Jaha Howard, who served on the Cobb County School Board, said safety cannot become cover for backroom deals.
“We don’t want to use safety as a coverage for people to do sneaky business deals,” Howard said.
Sen. Rashawn Kemp said the issue has flown under the radar.
“They’ve been able to fly under the radar… That ends now,” Kemp said.
The Governor’s Office said Democrats are attacking school security. The office said decisions rest solely with local authorities and the Governor’s Office has no role in procurement.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said he has not seen the allegations. He said the legislature approved the grants and the mandate, but local school systems choose the vendors.
“It was out of the legislature’s hands—up to local school systems,” Jones said.
Democrats said that does not erase the appearance of influence and they want answers during the special session.
The special session starts the day after the runoff. Democrats said they will keep pushing for an investigation.
Rick Jackson campaigned in Thunderbolt, according to the Savannah Morning News.
With standing room only at Tubby’s Tank House in Thunderbolt, Gubernatorial Republican Candidate Rick Jackson spoke to a packed room of supporters Thursday afternoon, just weeks before the runoff election.
Jackson announced his first attempt at seeking a political office in February. He is the founder and CEO of Jackson Healthcare. Since entering the race, he’s poured at least $50 million of his personal wealth into the campaign. On election day, he secured 32% of the votes compared to Jones’ 38%, but emphatically told supporters they were going to “win this thing” Thursday afternoon.
“For me, I think the runoff is a clear choice,” Jackson said. “You’ve got somebody who’s been a politician for 14 years and has never actually accomplished one thing, and you’ve got a conservative political outsider, and a business person.”
Jackson spent some of the afternoon recounting the first half of his career from “foster care to billionaire”, while reminding voters of his intentions if elected to office, including promising to implement the recently passed bill on literacy.
He also stated that if elected, he will not allow the teaching of “woke ideology” in schools, and that he believes and encourages following “law and order” and the rule of the law.
He reiterated his proposal to reduce income taxes by 50% and a freeze on property taxes if he’s elected governor. He promised that if he didn’t accomplish his goal to cut the taxes in the first term, he wouldn’t run again.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Jones, however Jackson said that he “guarantees” that he would be the President’s favorite governor.
“He likes and respects business people, and they’re not many of them in Washington right now, so I think he’s going to like somebody else who’s in that standpoint,” Jackson said.
Jackson also said that he would never forget about Coastal Georgians, and that he thinks it’s important to make all of Georgia’s rural areas a priority.
More photos from the Savannah Morning News here.
Republicans Derek Dooley and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones will campaign in Hall County, according to AccessWDUN.
Current Georgia Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate Burt Jones will be making three campaign stops in Hall County on Saturday. His day will start at 8:30 a.m. at Longstreet Cafe on Riverside Terrace in Gainesville, followed by a 10:00 a.m. meet-and-greet at the Cops and Kids Shine Showdown car show at Lanier Technical College. He will wrap up the day with another meet-and-greet at Royal Lakes Golf and Country Club in Flowery Branch at 1:45 p.m.
Meanwhile, Republican Georgia U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley will be continuing his “Georgia First Tour” alongside current Governor Brian Kemp, who has endorsed Dooley in his primary run against 10th District U.S. Congressman Mike Collins.
The two have already made one campaign stop in Gainesville, but will make four stops in the surrounding area on Saturday. The locations and times of those visits are listed below:
-8:30 a.m.: The Gwinnett County GOP Breakfast at Praise Community Church on Grayson Highway in Lawrenceville -10:30 a.m.: Meet-and-greet in Barrow County at the Perry-Rainey Center on College Street in Auburn -12:00 p.m.: Meet-and-greet lunch in Jackson County at Cream and Shuga on Mahaffey Street in Jefferson -2:00 p.m.: Meet-and-greet in Elbert County at The Samuel Elbert Hotel on S. Public Square in Elberton
Both Dooley and Jones have made previous campaign stops in Gainesville and Northeast Georgia, as have their respective primary opponents.
Republican runoff candidates for State School Superintendent spoke to the Chatham Area Republican Women, according to WTOC.
Richard Woods and Bubba Longgrear will face off in the June 16 runoff to become the Republican candidate for state superintendent. The opponents spoke with members about what sets them apart and their stance on key educational issues.
Woods is the incumbent in the race, looking to secure his fourth term in the seat. Woods topped the ballot May 19, just under 1,000 votes short of winning the majority.
Woods said one of his greatest achievements was getting rid of the Common Core in schools across the state. He said his 11 years of experience in the role sets him apart.
“I am very confident that that is one of the strong points I have, I don’t need training wheels, I have experience at the local level, state level, but also at the national level,” Woods said.
Bubba Longgrear has over 30 years working in education, spending the last 11 as Candler County’s superintendent. He also currently serves as the president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association.
Longgrear said he is running to better education in the state.
“It’s time for a change in education in Georgia and I bring the experience to bring positive change and improve outcomes for students and families,” Longgrear said.
The State Election Board passed a non-binding resolution to use hand-marked ballots for the November General Election, according to Georgia Recorder.
Georgia’s State Election Board has advanced a resolution seeking to implement hand-marked paper ballots ahead of the November 2026 general election, contradicting guidelines from the secretary of state’s office directing counties to continue using Georgia’s current voting machines.
The resolution, which is not binding, was introduced by newly appointed Vice Chair Janelle King and passed in a 3-1 vote Thursday. The board, which has repeatedly advocated for Georgia to switch to hand-marked paper ballots, also approved interim guidelines to be sent out to counties.
King said the resolution would allow county election workers to switch to hand-marked paper ballots in the event that the state Legislature fails to address an upcoming deadline to change the state’s current election system, which relies on a ballot QR code to count votes. Under Senate Bill 189, which passed in 2024, QR codes cannot be used for the official ballot count after July 1.
A special session to address ballot QR codes, redistricting and local property tax referendums is set to begin on June 17. State lawmakers, not the board, are responsible for establishing Georgia’s election laws.
However, multiple board members have raised concerns that state lawmakers may not resolve the QR code issue in time for counties to implement a new procedure.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen in the special session,” King said. “We need to have something in the hands of these counties, so that they can have support from us.”
The resolution also appears to directly contradict guidance that state Elections Director Blake Evans sent to the counties preparing for a July 28 special election to replace the late Congressman David Scott, who died in April. The race will be the first major election to occur after the July 1 deadline to prohibit QR codes from being used to tally votes.
“There is nothing in the text of S.B. 189 that permits counties to utilize a different method of voting or tabulation,” Evans wrote in a June 2 letter, clarifying that the law does not permit hand-marking or hand-counting of ballots cast in person. “Counties must continue to use the state voting system, which consists of ballot marking devices for all in person voting and ballot scanners.”
The attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, Senior Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Young, who was present at the meeting, told the board that “obviously it would cause confusion for elections superintendents if they are getting differing instructions from two agencies, both of which have some authority over what they’re doing.”
The secretary of state’s office also criticized the board for adopting the resolution.
“Once again, State Election Board members have overreached their authority and are interfering with the legislative process,” Secretary of State Communication Director Michon Lindstrom said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the legislature during the special session to make sure Georgia’s elections continue to be safe and secure.”
During the leadup to the 2024 election, the board attempted to implement a number of election rule changes heralded by supporters of President Donald Trump that would have, among other things, mandated hand-counts of ballots, expanded poll-watching areas and given election officials greater leeway to delay election certification. However, those changes were invalidated ahead of the 2024 election by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox Jr., who said members of the board were illegally usurping legislative authority.
Board member Jan Johnston, a Republican Party appointee who until Wednesday served as the board’s vice chair, also announced her resignation during Thursday’s meeting.
“The decision was not an easy one,” she said. “Family and personal responsibilities require my attention at this time, and they must come first.”
The Georgia Republican Party nominated Carolyn Roddy, a regulatory lawyer who lives in Marietta, to succeed Johnston.
“I am confident that Carolyn Roddy will serve with the same passion, dedication, and effectiveness that defined Dr. Johnston’s tenure,” Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon said in a statement. “She will be a powerful advocate for secure, transparent, and fair elections — ensuring that Georgia remains the gold standard for election administration in America.”
Roddy has worked for the Federal Communications Commission and on a rural electric service program during Trump’s first term. Republican Roddy recently ran an unsuccessful bid for the Georgia Public Service Commission.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating Atlanta’s transit system after a recent stabbing on MARTA, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The investigation was announced after a 66-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in what appeared to be an unprovoked and random attack as she waited for her MARTA train, the city’s public transportation system. A 40-year-old man was stabbed multiple times a week prior at a MARTA station in an attack that stemmed from an altercation, federal officials said.
“Every American should be disturbed by the horrific crimes we have seen on MARTA in the last month. No one should be forced to fear for their safety because they choose to ride public transit,” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said in a June 4 statement.
The rate of “personal security events” on MARTA employees and passengers, which includes assaults, robberies, attacks, and other safety breaches, is twice the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
An investigation will “review the transit agency’s security spending, safety protocols, and risks to riders and workers,” the department said, as the city prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the World Cup in just two weeks time.
MARTA interim General Manager Jonathan Hunt and MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher told Fox5 their safety plan for the World Cup includes 12,000 security cameras, extra uniformed and undercover officers and real-time monitoring from the crime center.
There will also be increased MARTA staffing to help manage large crowds on the train platforms, and expansion of the MARTA Hope program which helps riders experiencing mental health crises, substance abuse or homelessness.
Other law enforcement, from Atlanta Police to FBI Agents, will be staffed throughout the city for the duration of the World Cup.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Athens) began an effort to impeach U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor Ross, (ND-GA), according to the AJC.
U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Athens, said he is drafting articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross after news reports publicly identified her as the judge privately reprimanded by a judicial conduct panel.
That came days after the U.S. Justice Department pressed Ross to recuse herself from an election-related lawsuit, saying her reported appearance at a campaign event for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis creates “the appearance of bias.”
Official records have not named the reprimanded judge. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has not independently confirmed the judge’s identity.
But the federal government said in court filings Ross has been publicly named by various news reports this week as the judge privately reprimanded for having a two-year affair with a high-ranking police officer, in which they had sex in the judge’s chambers multiple times during work hours and within earshot of the judge’s staff.
Clyde, an Athens Republican, said the judge’s “egregious misconduct, severe lack of integrity and blatant impartiality” warrant the proceedings. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary chair, has said his staff has put together a memo outlining the findings.
Whether the impeachment push advances is uncertain. Federal judges can only be removed through impeachment, a rare step in Congress. Only 15 federal judges have ever been impeached, with the last coming in 2010.
Cluster-Flock: Macon residents are complaining about the city’s contract with surveillance company Flock, according to the Macon Telegraph.
Residents spoke specifically about the surveillance and privacy controversies surrounding Flock cameras, which have become a concern throughout the U.S., according to multiple news sources.
[Mayor Lester] Miller said Tuesday that public safety is the county’s highest priority. Funding for public safety represents roughly 57% of a more than $221 million budget.
Commissioners will vote on whether to move forward with funding Flock cameras on June 16.
The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has used the Flock cameras since June 2023. It is unclear how much the city has spent on the cameras so far.
Concerns over the controversies surrounding Flock led many around the nation to urge officials to stop using the system. Residents in Macon followed suit.
Aiden Leahy said using the cameras would exacerbate racial profiling by installing them in poor neighborhoods and primarily targeting Black residents. Footage also can be given to immigration enforcement agencies to conduct raids.
“I understand the critical need to mitigate crime within Macon-Bibb County,” Leahy said. “I’ve had my car broken into downtown within the past year, not 200 feet from a Flock camera that’s already been set up. But Flock cameras and any technology that turns all Macon residents into prospective criminals are not resolving this issue.”
Benjamin Tiernan proposed improving the budget for the county’s Parks and Recreation Department rather than public safety. Miller said the department should receive about $8 million, which is a roughly $200,000 increase from last year.
“We could be taking this money to drive up public safety by creating third spaces and a wonderful environment for our citizens to spend time in, rather than criminalizing them and creating a carceral state,” Tiernan said. “I think we’ve all read ‘1984’ and realized that that’s a terrible way to run things, and I would much prefer that we have a basketball court that is easily walkable from any neighborhood nearby.”
Earlier this year, Dunwoody, Ga., one of the first adopters of the system, decided to hold back on signing its contract due to questions around data access, according to reporting from WABE.
Sheriff David Davis spoke in favor of Flock cameras, claiming it was “one of the most significant advancements, and one of the significant tools that we have seen come into law enforcement.”
“There is room for adjustment, but the things that the Flock cameras have done for us have helped, in my view, make our community safer,” Davis said.
Davis said there had been nearly 100 violent crime cases where suspects were identified through Flock cameras. He also said the sheriff’s office recovers an average of 20 stolen vehicles each month. Missing individuals are also recovered and returned to their families using the technology, according to Davis.
Muscogee County Board of Education members proposed a 2.07% property tax millage rate increase, according to WTVM.
The Muscogee County Board of Education has tentatively adopted a 2026 millage rate that will require an increase in property taxes by 2.07 percent.
The board will hold three public hearings on the tax increase in the Board Room on the first floor of the Board of Education at 2960 Macon Road. The hearings are scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026, at 11 a.m., Monday, June 15, 2026, at 5 p.m., and Monday, June 29, 2026, at 6 p.m.
The tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 23.075 mills, an increase of .467 mills. Without the tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 22.608 mills.
The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $200,000 is approximately $49.74. The proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $250,000 is approximately $70.05.
The Dougherty County Board of Education unveiled their proposed $178.8 million dollar budget, according to the Albany Herald.
No members of the public attended or offered comments during the hearing, despite the district publishing legal notices and promoting the meeting through multiple communication channels for an extended period of time ahead of the budget hearing.
The proposed FY 2027 budget projects General Fund revenues of approximately $178.7 million, down from an estimated $186.2 million in FY 2026, a decrease of about 4%. Expenditures are projected at $181.8 million, resulting in a planned use of approximately $3.1 million from the system’s fund balance.
That deficit is smaller than the approximately $4.7 million drawdown projected in FY 2026 and continues a broader trend of declining reliance on reserves. Budget documents show the district’s projected ending General Fund balance falling from approximately $41.3 million in FY 2023 to $40.7 million in FY 2024, $39.6 million in FY 2025, $34.9 million in FY 2026 and a projected $31.8 million in FY 2027.
Monroe County Commissioners approved a budget increase for the District Attorney’s Office, according to 13WMAZ.
Monroe County commissioners unanimously approved a 5% budget increase for the Towaliga Judicial Circuit’s District Attorney’s office Tuesday night, adding nearly $47,000 in new funding as the office struggles to retain prosecutors and manage a growing caseload of roughly 2,000 open cases.
The increase brings the DA’s total budget to approximately $1.56 million for fiscal year 2027. Every dollar of new funding is directed toward prosecution and victim services — no additional money was allocated to the circuit’s judges, juvenile court, or juvenile defense operations.
The vote comes weeks after Dorothy Hull was appointed district attorney by Gov. Brian Kemp, following the resignation of Jonathan Adams, who stepped down to run for a circuit court judgeship. Hull, a 29-year prosecutor who spent 24 years in Bibb County before joining the Towaliga circuit, called the appointment an unexpected but meaningful opportunity.
The circuit covers Butts, Lamar and Monroe counties, where seven prosecutors are currently managing approximately 689 open cases in Butts County, 313 in Lamar County and more than 1,000 in Monroe County.
Hull said the office recently lost two assistant district attorneys to jobs offering higher salaries — a challenge she said is common in smaller circuits competing with private law firms and larger counties.
Commissioners echoed that concern during Monday’s meeting, noting that a prosecutor earning $73,000 annually had recently left for a higher-paying position.
Hull said the staffing shortage directly impacts how quickly cases move through the system — a problem that ripples into the county jail, where inmates waiting for trial add costs for both the county and the sheriff’s office.
“The jails fill up with people who are waiting for trial or waiting for their day in court,” Hull said. “So the more backlog you get, then the more problem that can be.”
Georgia operates under a hybrid funding model in which some assistant district attorney positions are funded by the state, while others are covered by individual counties. Hull said a recent state study found Georgia prosecutors among the lowest paid in the country, prompting a state-level pay increase — one the circuit is now trying to match on the county-funded side.
Hull acknowledged that even with the new funding, the office cannot eliminate its backlog overnight.
“We don’t have the ability to have 2,000 trials in a year,” she said. “We have to manage our time and manage our cases.”
The public defender’s office received a nearly identical increase — approximately $45,500, also around 5% — bringing its total proposed budget to roughly $955,000 for fiscal year 2027. Monroe County’s combined contribution to both offices next fiscal year totals just under $1 million.
Hull said the office’s primary need remains the same regardless of budget cycle: more staff.
“Our main need for the district attorney’s office is staff and employees,” Hull said. “We’re really focused on employees and salaries and just trying to move cases as efficiently as we can.”
Warner Robins City Council also added funding for victim advocacy to their police department budget, according to 13WMAZ.
A new victim advocate position is coming to the Warner Robins Police Department as part of the city’s nearly $184.8 million proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, a move aimed at connecting crime victims with support services earlier in the process.
Chief Wayne Fisher said the role is designed to bring victim services inside law enforcement so support can begin during active investigations instead of after cases move through the court system.
“It’s designed to allow us to have better access for the victims within the community to address their needs on cases that are being investigated and allow the investigators to dedicate more time to investigate those cases that they’re working with,” Fisher said.
Fisher said the department has seen increasing strain on both investigators and victims in recent years, especially in cases involving domestic violence and other violent crimes.
“You’ll never be able to make a person whole once they’ve been a victim of a crime,” Fisher said.
Right now, victim advocacy services in Houston County are primarily handled through the District Attorney’s Office, meaning victims typically receive formal support once a case moves further into the court process rather than immediately after a crime is reported.
Victim advocate Amanda Stables, who works within the District Attorney’s Office, said that gap can delay access to critical resources.
“We may not even know or have contact with a victim until someone is in custody,” Stables said.
Stables said victims often need immediate help that goes beyond the investigation itself, including counseling, housing assistance, and financial resources.
She said Georgia’s crime victims compensation program can also help cover expenses such as medical costs, lost wages, and other financial impacts tied to a crime.
Stables said timing plays a critical role in recovery.
“The sooner that that can be addressed, the better outcomes are for healing and surviving,” Stables said.
Under the proposed plan, the new in-house victim advocate would work directly within the police department to provide earlier contact and support while cases are still being investigated.
Fisher said the position would also allow investigators to focus more fully on casework while ensuring victims are not left without guidance in the early stages of a case.
“We’re making our efforts to have a positive impact,” Fisher said.
The District Attorney’s Office will also play a role in training and mentoring the new hire, helping ensure coordination between law enforcement and court-based victim services.
Officials say the collaboration is intended to create a smoother transition for victims as cases move from investigation into prosecution.
The victim advocate position is included within Warner Robins’ broader budget proposal, which totals nearly $185 million across all city operations, including public safety, infrastructure and services.
Public safety accounts for more than $45 million of the proposed spending, covering police, fire and related operations.
City officials say the victim advocate position has been posted and hiring will depend on applicant pool and selection process.
If approved, the role would mark the first in-house victim advocate within a law enforcement agency in the area, according to department leadership.
Warner Robins City Council voted to extend a moratorium on fun vape shops, liquor stores, and other types of businesses, according to 13WMAZ.
City council voted this week to extend a moratorium on new liquor stores, vape shops, CBD businesses and tobacco-related businesses for another 120 days. The moratorium was originally approved in December and was set to expire June 2.
Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said city leaders are still developing the regulations that will eventually replace the temporary pause.
“We decided to extend the original moratorium term because we’re not ready yet,” Patrick said.
“There’s a big concern when it comes to vaping and CBD products with our children, our high schoolers, our middle schoolers,” Patrick said. “They’re getting access to them somehow.”
The mayor said those concerns are personal as well as professional.
“I want to make sure that when my son does get older, we alleviate possibilities of one of those going into his hand,” Patrick said. “I connect with the parents in our community who may have a child that has been impacted by that.”
McIntosh County commissioners met to discuss rezoning Hog Hammock, according to WTOC.
McIntosh County commissioners called a special meeting Thursday to revisit zoning in the historic Hog Hammock area, one of Georgia’s last intact Gullah Geechee island communities.
County leaders want to update zoning rules on house size after residents raised concerns about larger homes driving up property values and forcing them out.
A last-minute agenda item and a closed-door discussion put Hog Hammock’s future back in the spotlight and left residents asking who gets a seat at the table.
The future of Hog Hammock was on the agenda, but for nearly an hour, conversation happened behind closed doors, leaving residents asking why decisions about their homes are being discussed without them in the room.
“Is the process being done in a way so that people can participate? And their voices can be heard. This is just not the best start,” said Josiah Watts, a Sapelo Island resident.
County residents say a draft ordinance was added to the county commission’s agenda at the last minute.
“It came out in the papers yesterday, and people would have had to change their daily lives and schedule to try to be here today. There wasn’t enough time,” Watts said.
After the closed session, commissioners reviewed and approved a new ordinance draft which Chairwoman Kate Karwacke said will be “downsizing it from what it previously was.”
In the approved draft, the maximum home size is lowered from 3,000 square feet to 1,800, and the ordinance reduces the building height to 35 feet.
Karwacke said the new draft would add back sanitation language from before the September 2023 amendments.
She said residents should not fear losing the charm of the ancestral footprint of the Gullah Geechee community due to new growth.
“The certificate of appropriateness previously in place will remain in effect and everything like that. So we’re hoping that this would just calm everyone’s concerns about, but, mainly again, the most contested part of it was the square footage,” Karwacke said.
The draft will now go to planning and zoning for approval. There will be a time for public comments. The updated draft will go back to the county commissioners for further review. The draft will be public record and available to the public tomorrow.
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