On May 27, 1813, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Adams to let Adams know of the death of a mutual friend.
On May 27, 1863, Chief Justice Roger Taney, sitting as a federal district court judge, issued a decision in Ex parte Merryman, which challenged President Abraham Lincoln’s suspension of the right of habeas corpus. Lincoln ignored the ruling.
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Pickett’s Mill in Paulding County, Georgia, where Sherman’s forces attacked Johnston’s Confederates on May 27, 1864. Among the combatants on the Union side was Ambrose Bierce, who would later write The Crime at Pickett’s Mill. Pickett’s Mill is the site of annual reenactments.
On May 27, 1864, the Federal Army, having been stopped in its advance on Atlanta two days earlier by the Battle of New Hope Church, attempted to outflank the Confederate position. Some 14,000 Federal troops were selected for the task, and General Howard was given command. After a five-hour march, Howard’s force reached the vicinity of Pickett’s Mill and prepared to attack. Waiting were 10,000 Confederate troops under the command of General Cleburne.
The Federal assault began at 5 p.m. and continued into the night. Daybreak found the Confederates still in possession of the field. The Federals had lost 1,600 men compared to the Confederate loss of 500. The Confederate victory resulted in a one-week delay of the Federal advance on Atlanta.
Here are some photos of the battlefield.
On May 27, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the United States was in an unlimited national emergency and laid out conditions under which Germany’s expansionism would constitute an attack on the United States.
On May 27, 1976, former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter blasted the “Stop Carter” movement in a speech in Cincinnati.
On May 27, 1995, actor Christopher Reeves was thrown from his horse in an equestrian competition in Culpepper, Virginia, becoming quadriplegic.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Advance voting opens today in the election for Albany City Commission Ward 2, according to WALB.
Advance voting for the Albany Ward 2 election starts Tuesday, May 27.
According to a post by Dougherty County, advance voting will start on Tuesday, May 27, at the Riverfront Resource Center, at 125 Pine Avenue.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through June 13. Saturday voting will be on May 31 and June 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The last day to submit an absentee ballot application to the Elections Office is June 6.
Early voting also begins today for the June 17, 2025 statewide Special Primary Elections for two Public Service Commission seats, according to Fox5Atlanta.
Early voting for the Georgia Public Service Commission begins on Tuesday. It’s the first race in five years due to a lawsuit over how Georgia’s districts were drawn.
What we know: The Georgia Public Service Commission is the body elected statewide that regulates utilities such as gas and electricity. It has power over what Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric provider, can charge customers for electricity.
Eight candidates are running for two seats on the commission.
In recent years, the Commission approved multiple hikes to utility prices. Earlier this month, Georgia Power cut a deal with the commission’s Public Interest Advocacy staff to freeze its base rate until 2028.
Timeline: Early voting runs from May 27 through June 13, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Weekend voting will also be available on Saturdays, May 31 and June 7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, June 1 and June 8, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Election Day is scheduled for June 17.
Although PSC candidates qualify by district, the positions are statewide offices. The races are part of a partisan primary, so voters must select either a Democratic or Republican ballot to participate.
Dig deeper: While the commissioners each represent a district around the state, they are elected by voters statewide.
District 2 includes parts of east and southeast Georgia. Republican Lee Muns is challenging incumbent Tim Echols for the party’s nomination. Democrat Alicia Johnson of Savannah is also running for that seat.
Four Democrats are vying for their party’s nomination in District 3: Daniel Blackman, Keisha Sean Waites, Peter Hubbard and Robert Jones. That district includes the metro Atlanta counties of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton. The winner of that primary will face incumbent Fitz Johnson in November.
The next election for the District 5 seat will be held next year. Elections for the remaining two seats will be held in 2028.
What you can do: Absentee ballots for the election have already begun to be issued is May 26. Voters have until June 6 to request one.
Electricity prices are on the ballot when early voting begins Tuesday for two seats on Georgia’s powerful utility regulator, the Public Service Commission.
The election has a direct impact on voters, especially Georgia Power’s customers in metro Atlanta, where residential bills have risen about $43 because of six PSC-approved rate increases that have kicked in since the start of 2023.
All voters are eligible to cast a ballot for both PSC seats, but the candidates for the two contested seats are required to live in their districts that cover metro Atlanta and east Georgia.
Dalton High School graduate Ximena Arias-Cristobal, facing deportation, was released on bond, according to the Dalton Daily Citizen.
Attorney Charles Kuck, who represents Arias-Cristobal along with Dustin Baxter through their Kuck Baxter firm in Atlanta, said Judge Njeri Maldonado granted Arias-Cristobal a $1,500 bond at an immigration bond hearing on Wednesday.
“The judge granted the minimum bond possible under federal law and the government did not appeal,” said Kuck. “The bond is being paid (Wednesday) afternoon and she should be back home by (Thursday) evening.”
Arias-Cristobal was arrested by an officer of the Dalton Police Department on May 5 following a traffic stop at the intersection of West Walnut Avenue and South Thornton Avenue after the officer said he had observed her making an improper right turn at a “no right on red” light, according to the original arrest report.
The original arrest report stated Arias-Cristobal was asked for a driver’s license, which she was unable to provide, stating she had an international license, but not on her. According to the report, Arias-Cristobal was placed under arrest by the DPD, taken to the Whitfield County Jail and charged with failure to obey traffic control devices (running a red light) and driving without a valid license.
According to a statement provided by Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce on May 7, “because of Ximena’s residency status, Federal Immigration placed a hold on her.”
“Because Federal Immigration placed a hold on Ximena, she was released to their custody upon her release from our facility,” Pierce said in the statement.
In a press release on May 12, Dalton officials said, “The Dalton Police Department and the prosecuting attorney of the city of Dalton (had) dismissed charges against Ximena Arias-Cristobal of making an improper turn and driving without a valid driver’s license.”
“After a review of the dash cam video of the traffic stop, it was determined that Ms. Arias-Cristobal’s vehicle appeared similar to the offending vehicle but was not the vehicle that made an improper turn,” the release stated.
Kuck said Arias-Cristobal will remain “in the United States while she awaits her hearing.”
Republican state Rep. Kasey Carpenter is an affable Dalton restaurateur with a long record of voting with his party on hard line conservative measures — except when it comes to immigration.
Over the years, Carpenter has pushed to allow young immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to pay in-state tuition. He’s also urged lawmakers to adopt more immigrant-friendly legislation and opposed some of his party’s state-level immigration crackdowns.
It’s a stance that sometimes puts him at odds with fellow Republicans in deep-red North Georgia, where President Donald Trump’s promises to tighten immigration laws resonate. But it’s also a region powered by immigrant labor, especially in the carpet mills that dominate the local economy.
That tension came to a head this month after 19-year-old college student Ximena Arias-Cristobal was arrested by a Dalton police officer and turned over to federal immigration authorities after a traffic stop.
Carpenter wrote a character letter vouching for Arias-Cristobal, calling her a “person of high moral character.” And over the weekend, he’s launched a Change.org petition asking Congress to overhaul the nation’s immigration system.
His call echoes long-stalled bipartisan proposals: tighter border security combined with a pathway to citizenship for some immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status. It’s a framework that federal GOP leaders have repeatedly rejected.
But Carpenter told us Arias-Cristobal’s arrest has crystallized his frustration with the political gridlock.
“I am sick and tired of everyone kicking the can on immigration and only focusing on one aspect,” he said.
“Every election cycle these folks are held hostage by both Democrats and Republicans and it has to stop. We need them and it is time to focus our attention on making it fair, fast and reasonable.”
From the Whitfield County Republican Party on Facebook:
Statement on Representative Kasey Carpenter’s Petition: Political Posturing Over Real Leadership
State Rep. Kasey Carpenter has responded to the recent lawful detention of an illegal immigrant in Dalton — not with legislation, not with support for law enforcement, but with a liberal Change.org petition.
Let that sink in: a sitting Republican state legislator, instead of using the power of his office to propose reforms, took to a petition platform to signal outrage and virtue. It’s the kind of reactive, performative politics that voters are tired of — and it raises serious questions about Rep. Carpenter’s priorities.
The facts are not in dispute:
• The individual detained, Ximena Arias Cristobal, was unlawfully present in the United States.
• ICE acted within its legal authority.
• The officer involved followed proper procedure.Rep. Carpenter’s response? Publicly shame the officer, sidestep the law, and rally support and funds for someone in violation of it — all while doing nothing meaningful to address the broken system he claims to oppose.
Even more troubling, Carpenter’s petition is addressed directly to Democrat U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock and explicitly calls on the Democrat Party to take action. He’s not rallying fellow Republicans to fix the law, he’s calling on liberal lawmakers to intervene. And he’s asking Democrats across the country to sign on.
Instead of standing for the rule of law, Carpenter caved to activist pressure and blurred the lines between emotion and enforcement.
While Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene boldly stated, “This is what is supposed to happen,” Carpenter hedged, pandered, and politicized.
Petitions don’t fix immigration policy. Public statements blaming law enforcement don’t solve federal or state gridlock. Georgia deserves leaders who lead with action — not optics.
Rep. Carpenter’s behavior is exactly what fuels distrust in elected officials. At a time when our nation is grappling with real immigration chaos, we cannot afford representatives who choose headlines over hard truths and popularity over principle.
We need lawmakers who support our officers, respect our laws, and use their position to act, not campaign. We respectfully urge Rep. Carpenter to reconsider his stance.
– The Whitfield County Republican Party
Elected officials of both parties took issue with the Army Corps of Engineers’ announcement of the closure of twenty federal parks on Lake Lanier, according to the AJC.
As word spread of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to shutter 20 parks along the sprawling reservoir due to staff shortages, Democrats berated the White House for closures that could upend countless vacations.
Georgia U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock both sent scathing statements that called the move disastrous, with Ossoff labeling it a “direct and predictable result of the Administration’s reckless and chaotic mismanagement.”
Republicans worked furiously behind the scenes to blunt the closures, which state Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming called “nonsensical and infuriating.”
He and U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee, hounded corps officials until the agency said it would only close 11 sites along the lake. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde, whose district also includes parts of Lake Lanier, was also among those who reached out to the corps.
“They will continue to assess traffic and adjust as needed through the weekend,” Dolezal said, adding: “I’m happy for some movement here and do appreciate people working together versus digging in.”
Citing “staffing shortfalls,” the Mobile district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is now closing or limiting operations at 11 parks and respective boatramps around Lake Lanier, according to a Thursday press release. USACE also clarified that campgrounds are open and will not close.
This comes after USACE originally planned the closures of more than 30 sites in the southeast, including 20 around Lake Lanier, on Wednesday, drawing backlash from several Georgia politicians.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock credited the reopening of some parks to the pressure he and other Georgians put on USACE and the Trump administration.
“After public outcry from myself and countless Georgians, we prevented more than half of the announced park closures from going into effect. This is welcome news for Georgia families looking forward to enjoying summer days by the lake. But because of this administration’s reckless cuts, parks are still slated to be indefinitely closed. We must continue to speak out: Enough is enough with these reckless cuts, Georgia families deserve better,” said Warnock.
The corps will continue implementing the closures until it can address staffing shortages.
In the Wednesday statement, the USACE said staff will continue with public health operations, such as dam operations and emergency response preparations.
“This decision comes after careful consideration of the safety and security of all visitors. The well-being of our community is our top priority, and the current staffing levels do not allow us to maintain the necessary safety measures within our parks,” a USACE statement reads. “This includes essential services such as park supervision, maintenance, and safety monitoring that ensure a secure and enjoyable environment for all visitors.”
State Rep. David Clark (R-Buford) announced he will introduce legislation under which the State would take over federal parks on Lake Lanier, according to the Gainesville Times.
This state lawmaker plans to introduce legislation to study whether Georgia, alongside local governments, can take over management of Corps of Engineers recreation sites on Lake Lanier.
From a Facebook Post by Rep Clark:
Access to the Ocmulgee River was limited this weekend due to high water levels, according to 13WMAZ.
Access to the Ocmulgee River from public access points in Macon-Bibb County is still closed, according to county officials.
According to a news release Friday, the county closed access points for boats and swimmers because of high water speeds of 3,000 cubic feet per second. Monday at 11:30 a.m., the speed was still over the threshold to reopen the river.
Chessly Drew and Alyssa Scordato drove an hour and a half from Columbus, GA to Amerson River Park for their annual Memorial Day river outing on Monday. It would have been their fifth year hitting the water since starting their tradition during the pandemic.
“I’ve never been here when it was very deep, ever,” Drew said. “It’s always pretty shallow, you can walk the whole way almost. I’m very disappointed. We all collectively said, ‘What?’”
“River is closed signs are currently posted outside river access points at Amerson Park, citing dangerous flow rates, per the Bibb County Fire Department.
The county says the river needs to be below 2,000 cubic feet per second to reopen. On Monday, the river was still above that threshold, flowing at 2,014 cubic feet per second.
Fire Chief Shane Edwards said dive teams had already tried to pull people out of the river on Friday, so they wanted to close it to ensure safety on the holiday weekend.
We know this is a busy weekend for people to be on the river, but our first priority is making sure people are safe, Edwards said in the release.
Caleb Carr drove from Perry to go tubing with his fiance, but the couple did not hear of the closures until they got to the park.
I’m pretty upset, I really just wanted to float down the river because I ain’t done it all year yet,” Carr said. ”That water is a little dark for my liking. I like it to be shallow, you can’t really see what’s under it. It looks pretty deep right now, so I’m glad it’s closed honestly.”
Amerson River Park is still open because the river height is within normal range. County officials say there is a possibility of partial closure later in the week, as water levels are expected to rise. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a river crest of about 17 feet later this week, with water moving even quicker than it has been.
The county says the river must be moving under 2,000 cubic feet per second for officials to consider reopening access. Additionally, the fire department must sign off on the conditions.
Federal funding cuts may threaten some historic preservation projects in Georgia, according to the Augusta Chronicle.
The successful reclaiming of Augusta’s King Mill for further development is precisely why federal historic preservation funding shouldn’t be cut.
That’s the message from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, which recently said that the group’s mission, protecting historical buildings across the state, would be thrown into peril.
Federal grants and tax credits have been credited with giving property owners added, often crucial, incentive to rehabilitate historic structures.
Ground broke in 2023 for The Lofts at King Mill, a 300,000-square-foot multifamily residential development designed to embrace the facility’s historic accents and enduring craftsmanship.
The trust on Thursday called King Mill “a successful rehabilitation made possible by historic tax credits administered by Georgia’s State Historic Preservation Office. The federal funding that supports this and other essential programs is currently being withheld and faces elimination in the proposed FY 2026 budget.”
“The administration’s failure to release the 2025 Historic Preservation Fund and its proposal to nearly eliminate this critical funding in 2026 will have catastrophic consequences for historic preservation efforts nationwide,” said W. Wright Mitchell, president of the Georgia Trust. “We urge all Georgians to contact their representatives in Washington and demand they reject these short-sighted and devastating proposals.”
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced oyster season will close June 1, 2025, according to The Brunswick News.
The state Department of Natural Resources announced Friday that saltwater oyster harvesting is closing from June 1 through Sept. 30.
Commercial and recreational oyster harvesting for human consumption in state waters is closed effective 6 a.m. Sunday, June 1, the DNR said.
“The closure extends through midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and applies to all salt waters from the Georgia-South Carolina state line to the Georgia-Florida border,” according to the DNR.
Annual closures are intended to protect public health during the warmer months when the risk of shellfish-related illnesses — particularly those caused by the naturally occurring bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus — is elevated due to rising water temperatures.
“An administrative order signed by DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon further cites recent scientific studies showing that the commercial quality of intertidal oyster meats declines significantly during the summer months,” the DNR said.
The closure does not apply to subtidal mariculture oyster farms operated by certified master harvesters, who have received explicit permission from the DNR.
Chatham County Commissioners adopted an ordinance aimed at reducing “urban camping,” according to the Savannah Morning News.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance Friday regulating “urban camping,” a policy proponents say will aid local law enforcement in addressing vagrancy and connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with support services.
The ordinance prohibits camping in public spaces. The policy defines camping as using public space for private living accommodations and includes activities such as sleeping in a place for more than an hour or erecting tents. Individuals cannot be arrested under the ordinance without first receiving an oral or written warrant from law enforcement―a component advocates say will help connect individuals with services before penalty.
The county’s approval of the ordinance came one day after the city of Savannah held a public hearing on a nearly identical proposal. At both meetings, opponents of the ordinance argued it does not address the root causes of homelessness and would penalize more than just bad actors.
The county’s ordinance was passed with near unanimous support. District 2’s Malinda Scott Hodge was the lone “no” vote. The item also passed with bipartisan support from the board, including District 6 Commissioner Aaron “Adot” Whitely.
The city of Savannah’s ordinance will be voted on at a coming meeting, and it features support from the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, according to City Manager Jay Melder.
Bulloch County Commissioners approved issuance of bonds to finance a new jail construction, according to Grice Connect.
Bulloch County Commissioners voted on May 20th, 2025 to approve a 20-year revenue bond to fund the long-anticipated jail expansion project, settling a months-long debate on how best to pay for a facility now projected to exceed $70 million. The decision followed a lengthy discussion that included legal clarifications, financial forecasts, and operational insights from county staff and consultants, with commissioners weighing both immediate needs and long-term taxpayer impacts.
County Attorney Jeff Akins opened the item under old business by presenting updated bond resolutions and a revised cash-funding analysis prepared by Davenport & Company. Akins explained that the 2021 SPLOST referendum, while silent on the ballot about bond financing, was paired with an intergovernmental agreement that explicitly allowed up to $60 million in revenue bonds for jail construction.
He reminded commissioners that under Georgia law, SPLOST funds must be used for voter-approved projects unless formally deemed “infeasible” by referendum. The county, he said, had an obligation to move forward.
The Commission then turned to Doug Gebhardt of Davenport & Company, who walked the board through side-by-side comparisons of 12-year and 20-year financing models. Gebhardt acknowledged the long-term cost difference—$77.9 million in total debt service for the 12-year option versus $84.5 million for the 20-year—but urged commissioners to consider the practical benefits of the longer-term structure.
“While the 12-year bond saves money in interest, it introduces significantly more risk,” Gebhardt said. “With the 20-year structure, you maintain cash flow flexibility and still retain the option to pay it off early—potentially within 10 years—if SPLOST collections remain strong.”
He pointed out that under the 12-year model, SPLOST dollars would be almost entirely consumed by debt service, increasing the risk of needing a general fund supplement if revenues fell short. That, he said, could trigger a millage rate increase. Specifically, the 12-year bond could push the millage equivalent to 1.3 mills, compared to 0.69 mills for the 20-year bond.
Bulloch County Commissioners voted to create a new fire district serving areas outside Statesboro, according to the Statesboro Herald.
Six weeks before the deadline, Bulloch County commissioners formally abolished the separate Statesboro and Rural Fire Tax Districts and established a new county fire tax district, effective July 1. It will levy a single fire service millage rate to support the Bulloch County Fire Department.
Within the Statesboro Fire District, also known as the “five-mile district,” the county government most recently collected a 2.7-mill tax and forwarded most of the resulting revenue to the city for the Statesboro Fire Department’s service into the county for five miles from the SFD’s two stations. Meanwhile, property owners in the Rural Fire District – comprising the rest of the county outside Statesboro – paid a 3.0-mill tax to fund the Bulloch County Fire Department, transitioning for years now from previous all-volunteer status to a combination service with increasing numbers of full-time career firefighters.
Since the commissioners issued a notice to the city in December, the intergovernmental agreement for the Statesboro Fire Department’s service to the five-mile district has been on track to expire June 30. The city did not accept the county’s offer of a one-year phase-out with each department getting about half the district and half its revenue until the middle of 2026.
Some Bulloch County property owners may see higher taxes, according to WTOC.
A deficit in the Bulloch County 2026 budget could cause some residents to see an increase in property taxes across the county, according to county officials.
The board room filled up with Bulloch County residents who spoke at Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting to share their concerns about the county’s financial problems and what it means for them. This comes after the commissioners announced there could be a property tax increase, according to the county’s Chief Financial Officer Kristie King.
“We are experiencing the financial impacts of a health insurance problem that has come about over the past several years,” said King.
King says the $7.8 million shortfall is due to several factors, including a $3 million impact from health insurance claims and hiring 23 new county employees.
Most of those positions are to fill spots at the sheriff’s department as part of their jail expansion project, King said. The jail expansion project was a main topic of discussion at the meeting. County manager Randy Tillman says the Bulloch County jail is currently at 80% capacity.
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, David Bennett, says the jail expansion is necessary to help prevent overcrowding of inmates.
“If we don’t take care of these people, it will cost us more money in the long run,” said Bennett.
The board discussed two options the county has when it comes to paying off this massive project; a 12-year financing bond or a 20 year bond. Ultimately, the commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of the 20-year bond for the $70 million project. However, they say their intent is to pay it off in the next 10 years.
As for the overall budget, King says they are choosing to raise taxes because they would otherwise have to make significant job cuts to these departments while the county is growing.
“It would have to mean cutting personnel that are doing very important, necessary services like sheriff’s deputies, paramedics, public works people. So, it doesn’t make sense to be cutting those services at a time when we are expecting a lot of growth,” said King.
It’s not clear yet how significant these property tax increases will be for homeowners. However, King says that some residents will be protected from a tax hike thanks to the county opting into the homestead exemption act.
Bryan County may levy impact fees on new development to pay for needed transportation projects, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The northern end of Bryan County is expected to see tremendous growth in the coming years. With more than 3,000 homes approved by the city of Pembroke, commercial and residential growth is expected to increase.
Bryan County recognizes the potential for that growth and is considering a transportation impact fee on developers to ensure they contribute to costs related infrastructure improvements. The fees can be used for debt service growth related to infrastructure as well. Thursday, the county held a meeting to discuss the potential costs that would be offset to those who want to build residential or commercial properties in North Bryan.
Audra Miller, community development director for Bryan County, said the county is looking to the future and knows infrastructure improvements will be necessary.
“Due to the increase in industry and potential growth in industry and population in the future, the County’s transportation network will need to be improved,” Miller said. “Transportation impact fees would help the County pay for these improvements.”
The impact fee represents future development’s proportionate share of infrastructure costs. Impact fees may be used for infrastructure improvements or debt service for growth-related infrastructure.
Bibb County Board of Education members are considering a proposed budget that creates a $20.7 million dollar defecit, according to the Macon Telegraph.
Board members considered three proposed budget scenarios and voted 7–1 to adopt a preliminary version that eliminates several new positions intended to support students, while preserving a 3% salary increase for certified staff.
The approved budget option removes proposed positions, including a K–5 English language arts coordinator, a truancy specialist and media clerks. It also removed potential staff reclassifications. But it keeps the implementation of a classified salary study, which district officials say supports efforts to recruit and retain educators
The selected budget reduces the district’s projected deficit to $20.7 million — about $1 million less than the shortfall faced if the initial recommendation presented by Superintendent Dan Sims last week had been adopted. That proposal failed in a split vote.
Required public hearings on the tentative budget adoption will take place in June. The board must adopt a final budget by June 30. Once tax digest information is available, the board will reconvene to consider potential millage rate adjustments, which would affect property taxes.
Lowndes County Commissioners will hold a work session and a public meeting today, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
Chatham County State Court Judge Gregory V. Sapp will serve as President of the Council of State Court, according to WSAV.
Judge Gregory V. Sapp will serve as president to the council and will represent the State Court Judges on the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is the governing body of the judicial brand of Georgia.
The Council of State Court Judges of Georgia is made up of almost 200 state court judges and senior judges throughout the state.
“I am humbled and honored that my fellow judges have given me the opportunity to serve them as President of the Council of State Court Judges,” Sapp said. “Relationships are important to me, and we have an incredibly close-knit group of judges in our Council.”
Sapp was appointed to the State Court bench in 2011 by Governor Nathan Deal and has been re-elected four times. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia (UGA), and of the UGA Law School.
The Georgia Ports Authority Board of Directors approved a fourth berth at the Colonel’s Island Terminal, according to The Brunswick News.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Georgia Ports Authority board of directors approved a fourth berth for roll-on, roll-off cargo at the Port of Brunswick’s Colonels Island Terminal.
Construction will start mid-2025, the ports authority said, and the $99.8 million project is expected to be completed in 2027.
“As we expand our south side yard capabilities, we are matching our berth 4 capabilities to create a seamless interface from berth to yard for customers,” said Griff Lynch, GPA president and CEO.
The Port of Brunswick handled nearly 63,000 units of ro/ro cargo in April, a decline of 22% from the same time last year. Many auto and heavy equipment manufacturers rushed orders to Brunswick in March in anticipation of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. That month, the port handled 91,360 RoRo units, up more than 18% compared to March 2024, Lynch said.
For fiscal year 2025 to date, Colonels Island Terminal in Brunswick has handled approximately 724,000 units of autos and heavy equipment, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in fiscal year 2024.
The Port of Brunswick was the nation’s busiest terminal for autos and heavy equipment in 2024, handling more than 900,000 ro/ro units, Lynch continued. At 1,700 acres, Colonels Island Terminal provides more room to grow than any other U.S. ro/ro port.
Georgia Ports recently completed $262 million in capacity expansions in Brunswick.
On May 2, 2025, GPA completed the construction of a new railyard on the south side of Colonels Island, doubling the port’s rail capacity for inland connectivity. More than 90% of vehicles moving by rail at the Port of Brunswick are domestic exports.
Columbus City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s attorney is asking Council member Charmaine Crabb to resign, according to the Ledger-Enquirer.
Crabb’s comments to a Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office investigator left City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s attorney characterizing the comments as “racist,” and calling for her resignation.
Details of Crabb’s March 2024 interview with an investigator were transcribed and included in a 118-page Administrative Report by the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, which was provided to the Ledger-Enquirer through the open records law, and was later shared by the sheriff’s office on social media.
In her remarks to an investigator, Crabb expressed her frustration with Hugley’s actions, questioned the city’s hiring practices and spoke of her desire to see him removed from his role. Crabb also told the investigators she believes there is “skin color”-based discrimination in the city, and said she believes Black people who are members of Historically Black sororities and fraternities, or the Divine 9, benefit from it.
She also questioned the qualifications of some Black city employees. Crabb said she didn’t “have an issue” with Donna Newman, director of engineering, according to the investigative report. But she questioned the qualifications of Reather Hollowell, the human resources director, and Angelica Alexander, the finance director who is facing criminal charges stemming from this investigation.
Also in her comments, Crabb said she hoped to gain enough support to “rid the Columbus Consolidated Government of its current city manager Isaiah Hugley,” the report said. “Crabb stated that her scheme is not motivated by personal reasons, but rather because ‘…he’s doing a lousy job,’” the investigative report says.
Matthew Morris is resigning as Springfield City Manager, according to the Savannah Morning News.
The city of Springfield made the announcement on social media. Morris’s last day with the city will be June 13.
“The city of Springfield has been a wonderful place to work and grow professionally,” said Morris. “The Mayor and Council have allowed me to make decisions and steer Springfield in a new direction. This has now allowed me to pursue opportunities in the private sector. The staff they have are wonderful people and they will all be missed.”
[Mayor Barty] Alderman predicts the job will be posted Tuesday, May 27 and when asked what qualifications are needed to fill the role, the mayor pointed to the ability to lead others and build trust.
“We need a team leader, somebody that has respect of the employees,” said Alderman. “We’ve got a great team and we don’t want to mess that up.”
The city released a statement on their Facebook page saying, “Matt has demonstrated unwavering commitment, professionalism, and a genuine dedication to the city. His contributions have elevated not only our work but also the people and values we stand for. The Mayor, Council and Staff would like to express our deep respect and appreciation for Matt Morris, whose presence, leadership, and integrity have left a lasting mark on all who have had the privilege of working alongside him. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Matt Morris and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Funeral services for the late Tift County Commissioner Fred Warren “Buck” Rigdon Jr. were announced, according to the Tifton Gazette.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson proclaimed a day of mourning today for the late former Commissioner Richard Colclough, according to WRDW.
Comments ( 0 )