Georgia’s trustees asked Britain to repeal the law against importing slaves to the colonies on May 17, 1749.
On May 17, 1769, George Washington introduced resolutions in the Virginia House of Burgesses, drafted by George Mason, criticizing Britain’s “taxation without representation” policies toward the colonies.
Button Gwinnett and Lachlan McIntosh met outside Savannah on May 16, 1777 and fought a duel; Gwinnett was mortally wounded.
Gwinnett returned to Georgia immediately after signing the [Declaration of Independence] to find city Whig Lachlan McIntosh commanding Georgia’s nascent military efforts. Determined to take control of Georgia politics, Gwinnett became speaker of the legislature, guided the Georgia Constitution of 1777 into existence and took over as governor when Archibald Bulloch died suddenly in office.
Gwinnett then wanted to lead an expedition to secure Georgia’s border with Florida. A dispute between McIntosh and Gwinnett over who would command the effort ultimately led to their duel and Gwinnett’s death.
George Washington continued his tour of Georgia on May 17, 1791, staying overnight in Waynesboro; on May 18 he arrived in Augusta.
A Constitutional Convention met on May 16, 1795 in the capital of Louisville to amend the Georgia Constitution of 1789.
General Winfield Scott issued an order on the removal of Cherokee people from Georgia on May 17, 1838.
Abraham Lincoln was nominated for President by the Republican National Convention on May 18, 1860.
On May 17, 1864, Sherman and Johnston engaged in the Battle of Adairsville, Georgia.
The United States Senate voted to acquit President Andrew Johnson of 11 Articles of Impeachment passed by the House of Representatives on May 16, 1868.
The United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Plessy v. Ferguson on May 18, 1896.
The U.S. Supreme Court rule[d] seven to one that a Louisiana law providing for “equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races” on its railroad cars is constitutional. The high court held that as long as equal accommodations were provided, segregation was not discrimination and thus did not deprive African Americans of equal protection under the law as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.
The North Georgia Electric Company was incorporated on May 16, 1901 to build a hydroelectric dam on the Chattahoochee River near Gainesville; in 1916, it would be bought by the company that today is known as Georgia Power.
The United States Supreme Court released its unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of Education on May 17, 1954, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
The historic decision, which brought an end to federal tolerance of racial segregation, specifically dealt with Linda Brown, a young African American girl who had been denied admission to her local elementary school in Topeka, Kansas, because of the color of her skin.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Governor Brian Kemp finished forty days of reviewing legislation with five signed bills and four vetos, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The deadline for action on remaining legislation this year fell on Wednesday. Kemp had until midnight to veto or sign eight bills.
Bills still on Kemp’s desk included the acceptance of digital driver’s licenses during traffic stops, “intelligent speed assistance devices” in vehicles used for illegal street racing, and preventing the death penalty for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
According to Axios Atlanta, the bills passed include:
HB 123: Prevents the death penalty for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
SB 244: Allows President Trump and his co-defendants to recoup legal fees in the Fulton County election interference case.
HB 296: Mandating acceptance of digital driver’s licenses during traffic stops.
SB 291: Creates Georgia’s “America First” specialty license plate.
HB 426: Requires nonpartisan elections for magistrate court judges.Bills vetoed by Kemp on Wednesday
HB 308: Would have allowed judges to mandate “intelligent speed assistance devices” in vehicles used for illegal street racing.
HB 433: Granting access to full criminal histories for Georgia Department of Human Services employees.
SB 238: Altering Rockdale County’s governance structure from a countywide elected chairperson and two commissioners to five at-large commissioners who choose their own chair.
Senate Bill 244 by State Sen. Brandon “Money” Beach (R-US Mint) was signed by Gov. Kemp and , according to Atlanta News First via WALB.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill late Wednesday that would allow President Donald Trump and others to seek compensation from legal bills in criminal cases where a prosecutor has been disqualified.
Senate Bill 244 would also enable compensation from counties for attorneys’ fees and other legal costs in criminal cases in which a prosecutor has been disqualified.
The bill, which was passed by state lawmakers in the most recent session, originated in the wake of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ historic election interference case against Trump and more than a dozen co-defendants.
But a since-acknowledged romantic relationship between Willis and former special prosecutor Nathan Wade threw the case into an entirely new political and judicial spectrum.
Senate Bill 79, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act” by State Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) was signed by Gov. Kemp, according to WALB.
Governor Brian Kemp signed the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act, also known as the FEAR Act, into law on May 12, 2025.
This law creates separate offenses specific to fentanyl and its related substances in Georgia.
The FEAR Act now allows harsher penalties for those possessing, selling and distributing fentanyl and its related substances.
Jack Paulson, Assistant Chief for SGMC Health EMS, said fentanyl is stronger than any narcotic on the street, which is why access to Narcan is critical.
“In Lowndes County, Narcan has been placed in police cars, sheriffs cars, fire trucks — all emergency vehicles that operate in Lowndes County so that even before ambulance gets there, Narcan can be delivered and deployed to the patient,” said Paulson.
According to Paulson, there’s been a 300% increase in fentanyl deaths between 2019 and 2022.
“We use it every day on the ambulance, ER and other parts of the hospital, but we use a lot lower dosage than [what] comes in on the street. So having it available in the right places is important, but it’s extremely dangerous when it’s not in the right places,” said Paulson.
Gov. Kemp also signed eleven bills specific to Gwinnett County, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Kemp signed 11 bills dealing with Gwinnett County, its school system, its courts or its cities into law on Wednesday. The issues addressed in the new laws range from homestead exemptions to supplements for judges, but the Lawrenceville annexation — House Bill 739 — may be the most high profile legislation of all.
The city is looking to increase its population by at least 19,000 residents by annexing areas on Lawrenceville’s outskirts into the city.
A referendum will be held in November, in which the residents in the annexation targets will vote on whether they want to join the city officially.
There are four homestead exemption referendums that received governor’s blessing as well.
Gwinnett County voters will decide in May 2026 whether to increase the homestead exemption on county school taxes for the second time in three years, going from $8,000 to $10,000. They will also decide whether a second, $2,000 exemption on school taxes — for teachers, first responders and military personnel — should be extended to disabled veterans and any Gwinnett County Public Schools or Buford City Schools employee that is not already covered by the exemption.
Meanwhile, Lilburn voters will decide whether to have a $5,000 city homestead exemption for any homeowner who is within the city limits as well as a $10,000 exemption for any homeowner who is at least 65 years old.
And, Norcross voters will decide whether to codify and complete efforts city leaders made a few years ago to have an escalating homestead exemption for seniors, starting when they turn 62 and then gradually increasing to $90,000 when they turn 65.
Like Lawrenceville’s annexation referendum, the Lilburn and Norcross referendums will be held this November as part of the municipal elections cycle.
Kemp signed House Bill 551 by State Rep. Jason Ridley (R-Chatsworth) to regulate vehicle booting, according to WABE.
The new law would prohibit local governing bodies from setting maximum costs for the removal of such devices that are higher than the costs set by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.
It would also ban payments from booters back to property owners for the right to boot vehicles on their property.
In addition, the law would require a notice be posted at the private property that includes the full legal names of the company that conducted the booting and the property owner, contact information to get the device removed and the amount it would cost for removal.
Booters would only be allowed to boot vehicles if they receive a permit issued by the Department of Public Safety and if they are “operating in a jurisdiction” where vehicle booting was authorized “by ordinance or resolution of the governing authority.”
Democratic State Sen. Josh McLaurin, who proposed an amendment to House Bill 551 that added regulations around booting, said he is excited about this first step.
“Obviously, there’s more work to be done because technically monitoring of lots will still be legal, so people may still see those folks waiting in the lots to swoop in and throw a boot on the car quickly,” McLaurin told WABE. “But my hope is that with regulation, it won’t be done in a way it’s currently being done, which is oftentimes to cars that are not even in violation in the first place.”
Gwinnett County opposes Senate Bill 138 by State Sen. Clint Dixon (R-Buford), governing how public services are provided during the transition from unincorporated area into a municipality, according to AccessWDUN.
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson said that now with SB 138 as opposed to an intergovernmental agreement, the county is now required to provide services that ultimately would have been paid for by the city.
“State law dictates that there be a service delivery strategy agreement in place that ultimately determines what services a county would provide and what services a city would provide,” Hendrickson said.
In the bill’s language it defines “county” as any county with more than 15 municipalities.
Including Mulberry, that puts Gwinnett at 17 municipalities — the only county in Georgia with more than 15 municipalities.
“We’re very excited and we’re very thankful that the governor and the state representatives were willing to step in … to help us out in Mulberry,” City of Mulberry Mayor Michael Coker said.
Coker said the only reason the legislation was necessary is because Gwinnett did not “listen and obey” state law.
SB 138 mentions the county providing police services, gives road rights of way to the municipality, and makes the county responsible for stormwater infrastructure.
It also says that any “qualified municipality” shall have no obligation to repay the cost of a special election to present a question to voters on the incorporation of the municipality or elect the initial governing authority.
If Gwinnett fails to comply with the transition provisions, the municipality can seek judicial remedies for failure to comply.
Hendrickson mentioned subsidies from the county to Mulberry via stormwater mandates, saying that they will have to permanently maintain dams and certain detention ponds at no cost to city residents; the police funding obligations, with county residents continuing to pay all costs; and eliminating the requirement for Mulberry to reimburse the county for the costs of their elections which they say is contrary to Mulberry’s city charter.
Hendrickson said that the new law removes sovereign immunity from all Gwinnett County taxpayers and sets a “dangerous precedent.”
“All the law would have to do is change the ‘City of Mulberry’ to ‘all cities,’ and this could be mandated for all,” Hendrickson said. “All counties should be outraged by this.”
State Senator Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) anounced he is running for Lieutenant Governor, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.
Georgia Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch will seek the Republican nomination to run for lieutenant governor next year.
Gooch, R-Dahlonega, announced his candidacy Wednesday in a press release, describing himself as “unapologetically pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-school choice.”
“Georgia deserves bold leadership that will stand up to the insanity of the Democrat Party, protect our families from the invasion of criminal illegal aliens and keep our economy vibrant and strong,” Gooch said. “I see a Georgia that is the gold standard for our great country — a state that leads the way in securing our borders, stopping violent crime, abolishing the state income tax, and defending the values that make America great.”
The 2026 lieutenant governor’s race is expected to draw a crowded field of candidates looking to succeed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is expected to vacate the post to run for governor.
Gooch was elected to the state Senate in 2010 after serving as a member of the State Transportation Board and in Lumpkin County government. His Republican colleagues elected him majority leader in 2022 after he previously served as majority whip and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Gooch holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Georgia College and State University (now known as the University of North Georgia) as well as a master’s degree in public administration. He owns an environmental services company in Dahlonega.
From the Associated Press via WALB:
Burt Jones, the current Republican lieutenant governor, is expected to run for governor next year and could announce his candidacy within the next few weeks.
Gooch, of Dahlonega, was first elected to the state Senate in 2010. He previously served as Lumpkin County‘s lone commissioner. He also earlier served as a member of the state Board of Transportation, which oversees Georgia’s highways and other infrastructure.
He called himself a “die-hard MAGA supporter” having successfully sponsored a law this year creating an “America First” license plate that will soon be offered to Georgia motorists. At a previous state Republican Party convention, Gooch touted the license plate as a way to show support for Trump.
Georgia’s lieutenant governor presides over Senate sessions, but senators decide how much power the official has. When senators agree, lieutenant governors can be influential.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery of Vidalia has already announced that he’s running for lieutenant governor. Senate President Pro Tem John Kennedy of Macon has also been considering a run. Other Republicans could seek the office as well, including state Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming.
On the Democratic side, the only declared candidate is state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs.
Guided by his faith in God, love of country, and deep devotion to family, Steve Gooch is ready to lead Georgia into a stronger, freer, and more prosperous future. “I am unapologetically pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and pro-school choice. The out of touch liberals who have overtaken the Democrat Party want to destroy all the things that have made our state a wonderful place to live work and raise a family. ”
The release added that Senator Gooch has been a consistent and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump ever since he came down the escalator in Trump Tower in 2015. “The liberal Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets mockingly call me a MAGA champion at the State Capitol — and I wear that as a badge of honor,” Gooch said. “I proudly stand with President Trump and will continue fighting to restore the greatness of our country.”
Senator Gooch currently represents Georgia’s 51st District in northeast Georgia. In 2022, his colleagues elected him as Majority Leader of the Senate Majority Caucus, recognizing his tireless efforts to advance conservative priorities under the Gold Dome.
House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced a number of appointments to House Study Committees.
Speaker Jon Burns Announces Appointments to 2025 House Study Committees
Rep. Darlene Taylor Named Co-Chair of House Study Committee on Reinsurance for Essential Industries
Rep. Noel Williams Named Co-Chair of House Study Committee on Reinsurance for Essential Industries
Rep. Sharon Cooper Named Chair of House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking
Rep. Martin Momtahan Appointed to House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures
Rep. Lee Hawkins Named Chairman of House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access
Rep. Chuck Martin Named Chairman of House Study Committee on Funding for Next Generation 9-1-1
Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick Named Vice Chair of House Study Committee on Georgia’s Investment Funds
Rep. Tim Fleming Named Chairman of House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures
Rep. Todd Jones Named Chairman of House Study Committee on Georgia’s Investment Funds
Rep. Lehman Franklin Appointed to House Study Committee on Georgia’s Investment Funds
United States Attorney General Pam Bondi named Theodore S. Hertzberg as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Theodore S. Hertzberg to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Bondi’s office announced Wednesday.
Hertzberg previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for nearly 10 years, beginning with a stint at the Southern District of Georgia’s Savannah office. His duties there included prosecuting violent criminals, drug dealers, fraudsters, and money launderers while also serving as chief of the asset forfeiture section.
After moving to Atlanta in 2018, Hertzberg transferred to the Northern District of Georgia, where he prosecuted gang leaders, child sex predators, gun traffickers, armed felons, and other dangerous offenders.
Before entering the Justice Department, he practiced law in the New York office of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, and served as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama.
Hertzberg is a graduate of Amherst College and New York University School of Law.
He succeeds Richard Moultrie Jr., who took the job on an acting basis after then-U.S. Attorney Ryan Buchanan resigned in January at the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.
Female farmers may lost grants under new Trump Administration budget cuts targeting DEI, according to Atlanta News First via WRDW.
A growing number of Georgia farmers are women, according to recent U.S. Census data. That data shows one in three farmers in the state is female.
Many of those women relied on federal grant programs aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in agriculture. But now, several of those programs are being cut or amended, and the impact is being felt in fields and greenhouses across Georgia.
A recent White House report touted $2.3 billion in taxpayer savings from reductions in DEI-related initiatives across federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture.
“We are realigning the U.S. Department of Agriculture — not around diversity equity and inclusion. Not around sending grants to San Francisco for transgender and queer farmers. Not around studying the menstrual cycles of transgender mice — but instead around our farmers and our ranchers,” said Brooke Rollins, United States agriculture secretary.
The National Women in Agriculture Association said those savings come at a steep cost.
“Many of our farmers — our women farmers — are small farmers,” said Norreen Whitehead, who leads the association’s Georgia chapter. “And small farmers really help our economy.”
Whitehead estimates that the financial losses to Georgia’s agricultural communities alone could be in the millions.
United States Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Atlanta) wants the Trump Administration to restore cuts to a veterans program, according to WRDW.
On Thursday, Sen. Ossoff and Georgia Marine Corps veteran Samuel McCrary from Loganville, Georgia, held a press conference urging the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to cancel the VA Servicing Purchase (VASP) program that helped protect veterans in Georgia and nationwide from losing their homes.
The VASP program, through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has helped about 20,000 veterans avoid and keep their homes since it began over a year ago.
The Trump Administration’s cancellation of the program comes as nearly 90,000 VA loans are seriously past due, with 33,000 of those already in the foreclosure process, according to NPR.
“VA benefits have been earned by those who have served. These are not handouts. These are not giveaways. This is a contract between those who put on the uniform and make immense sacrifices, and their families make immense sacrifices to defend the nation and the rest of us who benefit from their service,” Ossoff said. “This is a contract. This is an obligation. Veterans have earned their benefits, and the American people and Georgians overwhelmingly support our veterans and support veterans’ benefits.”
“That’s why I’m urging the Trump Administration to reverse their cancellation of this vital program that protects veterans from foreclosure and therefore protects veterans from homelessness, protects veterans and their families from being thrown out on the street,” said Ossoff.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers allocated $35.3 million for dredging the Brunswick harbor, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included $35.3 million in its annual fiscal year work plan for the Port of Brunswick, according to a release from U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, who is the Infrastructure, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee chairman.
The Brunswick Harbor has not been at its authorized depth of 38-feet since 2010, and its last dredging occurred in 2007. The lack of maintenance on the harbor has made ships unable to access the Port of Brunswick at full capacity.
“As the largest and busiest port in the United States for handling automobiles and machinery, the maintenance of Brunswick’s harbor is critical before vessel access to the port is limited,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch in a statement.
GPA officials raised awareness of the Brunswick harbor’s needs earlier this year, which included hosting Collins on a “fact-finding” visit in Brunswick. On the trip, Collins took a boat trip to survey the shipping channel before remarks to the press.
The congressman said at the time that bringing first-hand stories back to Washington D.C. creates greater impact when working with colleagues in Congress. Collins celebrated the new funding in Thursday’s press release.
“Though there is much work to be done to find a permanent solution that allows for continual on time and on budget maintenance dredging of America’s ports, I applaud the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their commitment to the Port of Brunswick and I look forward to the port growing its footprint in the Southeast,” Collins said.
GPA officials praised the state’s congressional representatives in statements Thursday, including nods to Collins, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
“This is a critical funding allocation that is needed immediately for the Port of Brunswick,” said GPA Chief Administrative Officer Jamie McCurry. “The advocacy of the Georgia Congressional delegation, Governor Brian Kemp and the many stakeholders involved has been clear and consistent.”
“The Georgia Ports Authority is grateful that the Administration has prioritized the long-awaited funding necessary to properly maintain the Port of Brunswick,” President and CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority Griff Lynch said. “We are further grateful for the extraordinary advocacy of Chairman Carter, Chairman Collins, and the entire Georgia Congressional delegation on behalf of this important gateway. As the largest and busiest port in the United States for handling automobiles and machinery, the maintenance of Brunswick’s harbor is critical before vessel access to the port is limited.”
Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) released a statement with the announcement and said that they have worked with the Corps to “address unacceptable shortfalls in maintenance at the Port of Brunswick” on Thursday.
“To date, the federal funding and procurement process has fallen short for both the annual maintenance dredging and the harbor modification project,” The Port’s press release said.” It is imperative the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers identifies a workable solution for these projects of national significance.”
Bulloch County commissioners will consider alternative ways of financing a new jail, according to the Statesboro Herald.
Next week the Bulloch County commissioners will consider again whether to borrow $60 million through a bond sale for the jail expansion at an interest cost of $20.8 million to $24.5 million over 12 to 20 years or consider instead take a “pay-go” approach that could delay the start of construction by nine to 14 years.
In either case, the funding source would be the 1% Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. An 85.8% majority of Bulloch County voters in a March 18 referendum election approved a six-year extension of the SPLOST. But – with a $51 million up-front share of the revenue earmarked for the jail and the remainder of the first $138 million dedicated to other projects of the county, Statesboro, Brooklet, Portal and Register – money from at least one further six-year SPLOST referendum would be needed to pay for the Phase 1 jail project.
Presented with the interest cost projections for issuance of 12- or 20-year bonds from financial advisor Davenport & Company, the county Board of Commissioners on May 6 voted 3-2, with one commissioner absent, to table a decision until the next meeting, which will be Tuesday, May 20, at 8:30 a.m.
Bulloch Commissioners are also considering an FY 2026 budget, according to WSAV.
Bulloch County residents will either be facing potential tax increases or massive budget cuts to county departments.
“Based off the projected deficit that we have in our budget of about 7.8 million dollars which roughly equates to 10%,” said David Bennett, Bulloch County Chairman.
A $7.8 million deficit is leaving the county commissioners with the challenge of making serious cuts to this year’s budget.
Commissioners met Thursday to brainstorm options of where to make cuts or if residents property taxes should be raised.
However, this leaves many county departments vulnerable to a possible 10% cut, including the Public Works department which has faced financial challenges the past year with storm damage.
The second option of raising taxes for Bulloch County residents is also on the table.
However, Bennett says that the homestead exemption act could help lessen the impact this may have on property owners.
The Bulloch County Commissioners say that a tentative budget plan and possible resolution will be presented at next week’s commissioners meeting and will be up for public feedback.
Dalton Board of Education members heard a proposed FY 2026 school system budget, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.
Spending would increase $2.5 million, but the property tax rate would fall, under a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget the Dalton Board of Education reviewed Monday. Fiscal year 2026 begins July 1. “
The proposed budget shared at our board meeting last night was 8.135 (mills),” Superintendent Steven Craft said Tuesday. “The millage used for the temporary tax collection order was 9.0. We will continue to discuss where we will set the final rate after the tax digest is finalized. Our goal is to set one millage rate for both the final 2024 digest and the 2025 digest.”
Following two court hearings in October, a senior judge from Floyd County ruled in Whitfield County Superior Court in favor of a temporary tax collection order that allowed for the collection of property taxes based on the 2023 tax digest plus a 10% increase in all assessments. This was decided after concerns were raised by Whitfield County Tax Commissioner Danny Sane and members of the Dalton City Council and the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners about the accuracy of the proposed 2024 tax digest. Whitfield County Superior Court judges had recused themselves from the matter.
“This is actually the third draft of our budget, but it is actually the first of two required public hearings,” Chief Financial Officer Theresa Perry told board members Monday. “We presented a version of our budget at the March meeting and at the April meeting. Eighty to 90% of our budget is personnel.”
Bibb County Board of Education members deadlocked in a vote on a tentative budget, according to 13WMAZ.
The Bibb County School Board failed to approve a tentative budget during its May 15 meeting, following a 4-4 split vote that will send Superintendent Dan Sims and his team back to revise the proposal.
The impasse could delay the district’s timeline for two required public hearings and final budget adoption — a process that must be completed under state law — by June 30.
Sims’ proposed budget includes a 3% raise for all certified employees and implement a salary schedule for classified/certified employees. Those two moves pose a cost of $7.7 million. Sims also wants to reclassify certain positions.
But implementing those changes — along with the burden of several unfunded mandates — would put the district at a projected $21 million deficit at the beginning of the 2026 fiscal year.
Still, the proposal has stirred concerns among some board members, particularly regarding the district’s reliance on federal funding.
“What happens if money we’re relying on suddenly gets yanked away, say for nutrition or other federal grants?” Vice President Daryl Morton said.
Bush responded that the district would need to quickly adjust the budget if such a scenario occurred.
Board member Barney Hester voiced concerns over the long-term impact and suggested the district consider more conservative spending measures now.
“Or do we make cuts now? Little smaller cuts. And cuts next year and not bleed so bad. I just have a concern. I have a big concern,” Hester said. “I guess my biggest concern is our administration is not seeing the same thing I’m seeing.”
Flowery Branch City Council is working on a 2026 budget, according to AccessWDUN.
The Flowery Branch City Council reviewed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget Thursday night, addressing growth in the city and increasing costs of supplies and materials.
The city’s revenues and expenditures are going up from $11 million to $15.6 million, a nearly 41% increase.
Councilman Joe Anglin said a lot of the increased budget comes from surplus.
Among the increases, health insurance and benefit costs for city employees are up 32.4%.
The millage rate will remain the same as the FY 2024 and 2025 budgets at 3.264.
The tax impact on property owners will depend on property assessments, which can either increase or decrease taxes.
“If somebody’s property assesses higher, then you’re going to multiply the 3.264 by the new assessed value, or 40% of the assessed value. So they could see a tick up in that regard. Or if it’s assessed down, then they would see a property tax decrease,” Anglin said.
The Lowndes County Board of Education discussed a new policy banning cell phones as required by new state legislation, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
In a move to promote focused learning, the board discussed a new policy limiting the use of personal electronic devices during the school day. Prompted by Georgia House Bill 340, the Distraction-Free Education Act, the policy restricts cell phone, smartwatch, and other device use for students during instructional time. Board members emphasized the importance of consistency and expressed support for teachers enforcing the policy without fear of liability for confiscated devices. The board is in the early phases of this move as they look to solidify the plan before moving forward with a vote.
House Bill 340, known as the Georgia Distraction-Free Education Act, bans personal communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and headphones in elementary and middle schools from the first to the last bell of the school day. This includes instructional time, breaks, transitions, assemblies and other school-related activities.
The law takes effect in July 2026, with school districts required to establish methods for storing students’ devices by January 2026, such as in lockers or designated classroom areas. Exemptions are allowed for students with Individualized Education Plans or medical plans requiring device use. Middle Georgia school districts such as Bibb County already restrict cellphone use in classrooms.
Bibb County board of education members discussed last year potentially adding stricter revisions to its cellphone policy that currently states students can have personally owned devices, but they must be turned off and out of sight during the day. Personally owned electronic devices are not permitted for use unless authorized by the superintendent or designee, the policy adds.
The Peach County School District also already has an existing policy that prohibits the use of personal cell phones and devices, Peach County Schools Human Administrative Assistant Marla Seller said in an email.
Rep. Tangie Herring (D-Macon) said her nearly 30 years in education showed her first-hand how cellphone distractions can significantly impact student learning.
“HB 340 provides statewide consistency, supporting and strengthening local policies like those in Bibb County by clearly outlining expectations and ensuring that every child benefits from a focused learning environment, no matter their district,” Herring told The Telegraph in an email.
Two former City of Columbus employees were arrested, according to WTVM.
Former Columbus city employee Yvonne Ivey and Finance Director Angelica Alexander were arrested. Both are now out of jail.
According to Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jeremy Hattaway, Alexander was arrested on an outstanding warrant for willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
According to Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman, two warrants were issued for Yvonne Ivey – who was the tax supervisor for the city of Columbus. However, she was terminated from that position last year.
The warrants are for two counts of battery – related to two city employees, Sheriff Countryman says.
Hattaway said it came about in witness interviews that Ivey became physical in an unprovoked manner at some point in time before being fired. This is where the arrest stems from.
The sheriff reported that these warrants center around an investigation conducted by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office into the gross tax receipts published on social media related to Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s personal business. The investigation later involved interviewing several employees of the city’s finance department.
The findings of the report were reviewed by Lamar County Chief Assistant District Attorney Wayne Jerningan after the Muscogee County District Attorney recused himself.
While only Alexander and Ivey were facing prosecution Thursday, the administrative report indicated four other Columbus employees might face charges. Sheriff’s office investigators listed various potential offenses against the four, including filing false documents, obstruction and false statements and writings.
If other charges do get filed, it’s unclear when that may happen.
“This is the first phase of this investigation,” Countryman said. “There is a second part to this, a separate investigation, that is all being looked into. But I can’t go into that information.”
Towaliga Judicial Circuit Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Wayne Jernigan, previously an assistant DA in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, was assigned to prosecute the case after Chattahoochee District Attorney Don Kelly recused himself. Jernigan advised Countryman that he would support the prosecution of Ivey and Alexander, according to the report.
Comments ( 0 )