AGP Executive Report

Georgia Politics: A Democrat candidate in Georgia’s 13th District congressional special election was disqualified after failing to pay the required qualification fee, leaving five candidates on the ballot as early voting continues. Courts & Accountability: A Fulton County judge upheld Georgia’s prosecutor oversight panel law, rejecting a challenge that said it infringed on district attorneys’ speech. Election Integrity: An FBI internal memo says 260 agents are assigned to a Fulton County 2020 election review, while a separate judge blocked DOJ efforts to obtain personal info for 2020 election workers. Public Safety & Health: Atlanta-area mosquito traps found West Nile virus in Grant Park, and officials urged residents to use bite prevention. State Budget: Georgia reported June net tax revenue fell 6.8% year over year, with the motor fuel tax suspension cited as a key factor. Community & Culture: The Atlanta History Center unveiled a new Civil War-era exhibition, “A More Perfect Union,” focused on how the era shaped everyday life.

OSCE Pressure on Georgia: Georgia’s delegation skipped the vote on the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s “Hague Declaration,” protesting parts it says distort Georgia’s reality, while the assembly adopted the declaration featuring a resolution on Georgia tied to concerns about the 2024 parliamentary vote and later restrictive laws. Election Data Fight in Fulton: A federal judge blocked the DOJ from getting names and personal contact info for Fulton County 2020 election workers, calling the subpoena “staggering” and too burdensome. Data Center Power Halt: Georgia environmental regulators ordered a Covington-area “pop-up” power plant tied to a data center to stop construction, saying it violated state permitting rules. Housing Instability in Atlanta: An Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed argues children and young people can’t thrive without stable housing, citing high renter cost burdens and heavy demand for housing help. Health Care Prior Auth Scrutiny: A Georgia mother says insurance prior authorizations cost her time with her dying son, as advocates warn automation can speed denials and slow care. Crypto Scam Warning: Texas lawmakers are pushing for regulation after “crypto kiosks” were used to scam Texans out of $56 million last year. Operation Hard Ball: The U.S. charged Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar in the 2023 Nijjar assassination case, as a wider U.S.-Canada-Europe crackdown led to 24 arrests.

Health Alert: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to a diarrhea-causing parasite have surged past 1,000 nationwide, with Michigan leading at 700+ cases since late June—officials say there’s no single confirmed multistate source yet, but the seasonal spike runs May 1 to Aug. 31. Child Safety: A Metro Atlanta woman faces charges after a mother alleges a teen with autism was attacked during therapy at an Alpharetta center; investigators say the case involved physical restraint claims and staff statement inconsistencies. Election Courts: A federal judge blocked the Justice Department’s bid to subpoena names and contact info for Fulton County 2020 election workers, calling the request “staggering” and “unreasonable.” Law Enforcement Tech: Five former Albany police officers were charged for alleged misuse of Flock Safety license plate reader data, including accessing stored information outside official duties. Metro Atlanta Weather: Heat and storms are expected to keep metro residents on alert, with health officials urging people to watch for heat illness and call 911 for emergencies. Sports & Local Culture: Argentina’s Messi-led comeback beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, while World Cup crowds are being served by Atlanta food trucks at Global Grub Alley.

FBI & Elections: An Atlanta Journal-Constitution report says the FBI is sending up to 260 analysts to review Fulton County’s 2020 election records by a July 17 deadline, with each analyst tasked with hundreds of checks—fueling fresh debate over whether the probe is meant to intimidate voters ahead of Georgia’s midterms. New Georgia Law in Action: Georgia’s expanded medical cannabis program took effect July 1, and Fine Fettle opened its first CSRA dispensary in Evans on June 26—now selling flower and inhalables and adding more qualifying conditions. Public Safety Reminder: Georgia DDS is urging drivers to add emergency contact info to their license/ID record so first responders can reach loved ones faster during emergencies. Health Watch: U.S. health authorities are investigating a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Georgia listed among affected states. Invasive Species: Spotted lanternflies are inching closer to Georgia crops, with monitoring focused around the Atlanta area so far. Sports (Atlanta): Lionel Messi’s Argentina plays Egypt Tuesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a World Cup Round of 16 match. Local Media Win: Houston Home Journal reporter Sandra Hernandez won top honors in the Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest for award-winning photos.

Holiday Safety: Georgia State Patrol reported 12 traffic deaths and more than 180 injuries during the 78-hour July 4 travel period, with 425 DUI arrests and thousands of citations for seatbelts and child restraints. Metro Health Funding: Atlanta City Council urged Fulton County to commit $200 million toward a Morehouse School of Medicine hospital and healthcare campus on the Southside and Westside. Election Probe: The FBI is ramping up its Georgia 2020 election investigation, with internal plans to send up to 260 analysts to review Fulton County materials as a Senate candidate continues denying results. Public Safety—Shooting: The GBI is investigating a July 4 weekend shooting in Vidalia that killed Rashad Lamar Lumpkin, 36. Housing Access: Canton and Pembroke were selected for a two-year Georgia Department of Community Affairs housing initiative offering tailored planning help and technical assistance. Energy Prices: AAA says Georgia gas prices are down after the holiday, with Atlanta averaging about $3.52 a gallon. Local Crime/Justice: DeKalb DA’s office employee Lakesha Davis was critically injured by celebratory gunfire; police say two suspects were arrested. Community Outdoors: Sandy Springs expanded trails at the Island Ford Unit, adding nearly 50% more trail mileage with partners and donations.

Auto Manufacturing & Jobs: Hyundai’s new Georgia Metaplant America is already running with robots for welding, painting, assembly and transport, with plans for more automation and 8,500 jobs by 2031—plus a look at what machines still can’t do. Elections & Voting Tech: Georgia’s ballot QR code rules got a late reset: QR tallying can continue until 2028, with added post-election audits and a committee now nudged toward hand-marked paper ballot systems. Metro Atlanta Courts & Justice: Brandon Pugh, exonerated after 16 years for a 2008 armed bank robbery he didn’t commit, is now pursuing Georgia’s new compensation pathway while rebuilding his life. Education & Student Life: A new push argues Georgia schools should bring back mandatory daily recess, citing links to better learning and test performance. Business & Retail: Costco is opening a new Stone Mountain store in August. Community & Animals: The Estuary Apartments cat-feeding dispute is resolved, with volunteers allowed to feed community cats under an agreement. Sports Health: Emory’s sports cardiologist explains why soccer’s nonstop demands can strain the heart—especially in Atlanta’s summer heat.

Marigold Protein Push: A University of Georgia study says edible marigold flowers could become a heat-stable plant protein for foods like baking and salad dressings, with researchers warning only certain species are safe to eat. Recruiting Spotlight: Georgia’s Kevin Savage III, a four-star point guard from Marietta’s Wheeler High, committed to Purdue’s 2027 class, citing trust in coach Matt Painter and point-guard development. Metro Safety Update: Georgia State Patrol reported 170 DUI arrests on July 4 statewide, plus hundreds of distracted-driving and seatbelt citations. Missing Person Search: Authorities are searching Lake Allatoona for a man who went missing after reportedly entering the water from a rented boat. Auto Manufacturing Watch: Hyundai’s new Georgia “Metaplant America” factory highlights faster automation plans, with thousands of jobs expected by 2031. Local Housing: A new Georgia Tech-adjacent student complex at 740 Techwood is preparing for late-summer preleasing ahead of fall 2027 move-ins. Sports (Atlanta): The Atlanta Dream dropped to a five-game losing streak after an 88-83 loss to Golden State, while Braves lineup notes ahead of Sunday vs. the Mets included a shuffle for Matt Olson and Mauricio Dubón.

America 250 in Georgia: Augusta kicked off the semiquincentennial with a Signers’ Monument ceremony honoring Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall and George Walton, while Chickamauga held a Declaration reading and fireworks and Bainbridge celebrated at the Earle May Boat Basin. Heat + storms: Metro Atlanta faced a heat advisory with heat indexes near 105, plus severe thunderstorm and flash-flood warnings; a ground stop hit Hartsfield-Jackson and fallen trees later blocked lanes on I-285 North, snarling traffic. World Cup in Atlanta: Egypt arrived in Atlanta ahead of its quarterfinal vs. Argentina, with the team escorted to its hotel. Braves baseball: Atlanta and New York open a Mets series at Truist Park, with Ronald Acuña Jr. nearing a rehab return and Austin Riley’s status a key storyline. Georgia Lottery: Powerball and Cash 3 results for July 4 were released. Public safety: Officials warned Georgians to plan for holiday travel disruptions and extreme conditions.

Interstate Disruptions: A strong summer storm left fallen trees blocking four right lanes on I-285 North near Chamblee Tucker Road in DeKalb County, with delays expected as crews respond. Holiday Safety at Georgia Lakes: Georgia DNR reports a 34-year-old drowned on Lake Sinclair and multiple boat-related injuries during the July 4 weekend, including a Hall County crash tied to dangerous wake conditions. Local Heroism: A Bartow County lifeguard at Splashville Water Park is being praised for spotting a child under 5 underwater and sliding in to rescue him. Fourth of July Heat Pressure: Across the U.S., extreme heat forced major Independence Day events to cancel or scale back, including parades and fair programming. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows some of the lowest E15 and regular prices in parts of metro and North Georgia, with Fulton County’s E15 hitting $2.99 and Whitfield County regular as low as $3.19 for the week ending June 27. Education Snapshot: Eastvalley Elementary in Cobb County reported 259 white students in 2024-25, with chronic absenteeism still a statewide concern.

Election Integrity: The FBI is assigning about 260 analysts to a “priority” probe of Georgia’s 2020 election in Fulton County, tied to record checks tied to the long-running dispute over ballot handling. Independence Day Heat: Metro Atlanta and North Georgia are under another heat advisory for July 4, with highs near 96 and heat indexes around 102, while a broader U.S. heat wave puts roughly 70% of Americans under heat alerts. Local Pushback: Residents in Douglas County are gearing up for a public hearing over a proposed 700-acre data center complex near Liberty Road, joining similar fights in nearby counties. Travel Disruption: A Delta flight to Atlanta diverted to Indianapolis after a crew reported a potential lightning strike mid-flight; passengers face an overnight delay. America 250 Culture: Southern Living spotlighted Atlanta’s Silver Skillet, a West Midtown diner serving breakfast and lunch since 1956. Sports & Community: The Mets play the Braves at Truist Park on July 4, and metro Atlanta is also bracing for World Cup-related crowds and events.

FBI Georgia Election Probe: The FBI is “surging” 260 staffers to its investigation of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election, with each analyst assigned to review hundreds of records tied to Fulton County ballot materials. Severe Weather & Holiday Travel: Metro Atlanta and North Georgia are dealing with severe thunderstorm warnings plus a heat advisory, including damaging wind and hail risks; airport ground stops and delays were reported as storms moved through. America 250 Local Events: Centerville kicked off Independence Day festivities with live music and fireworks, while Macon’s Historic Ingleside is reviving its Fourth of July parade tradition. Savannah History: A new Savannah exhibit, “Loyalists and Liberty,” opens with 17 Revolutionary War cannons recovered from the Savannah River. World Cup in Atlanta: England beat Congo 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Harry Kane scoring the equalizer and winner. Education Data: Eastvalley Elementary in Cobb County reported a drop in African American enrollment for 2024-25, alongside ongoing attendance challenges statewide.

Independence Day in Atlanta: Fourth of July fireworks are set across metro Atlanta, including Lenox Square in Buckhead (July 3), Downtown Chamblee with Robin Thicke (July 4), Decatur Square (around 9 p.m. July 4), plus Braves fireworks and a block party at Truist Park and Star-Spangled Nights at Six Flags over Georgia (July 3-5). Holiday shopping hours: Many major Georgia grocery chains and retailers are expected to stay open on July 4 with reduced hours, including Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sam’s Club/Costco with limited schedules—check local listings. Weather watch: Extreme heat remains a concern with heat advisories/warnings in north Georgia, and severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of the region as storms may pop up through Thursday evening. Solar manufacturing milestone: QCells says it has started making key solar-panel components in Cartersville, a step toward more US-made solar production and fewer supply-chain delays. FBI Georgia election probe: The FBI has asked field offices to surge 260 staffers to its 2020 election investigation in Fulton County, including checks of hundreds of records by mid-July. WNBA sports: The Washington Mystics beat the Atlanta Dream 81-76, snapping Atlanta’s momentum as Rhyne Howard led the Dream with 24 points.

Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” is now reshaping the state’s medical cannabis program, easing access and changing product rules after lawmakers heard patient complaints. Public Safety & Courts: The GBI identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting on I-85 in Coweta County as 64-year-old Dubraye McDaniel; the investigation is ongoing. Election Security: Georgia’s Secretary of State says a statewide risk-limiting audit of primary ballots hit a 99.99% match rate with machine counts. FBI Georgia 2020 Probe: The FBI is seeking a major staffing surge for its Fulton County 2020 election investigation, including hundreds of analysts. Health Alert: CDC reports a growing Cyclospora-related diarrhea outbreak across multiple states, with Georgia among those seeing cases—officials urge extra caution with produce. Politics: In the Georgia Senate race, Jon Ossoff challenges Mike Collins to three televised debates. Weather: Extreme heat and storm threats continue across north Georgia into the holiday weekend.

World Cup in Georgia: England survived a scare to beat DR Congo 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium, with Harry Kane scoring twice late to send the Three Lions into the Round of 16. Heat & storms: An extreme heat warning hit northwest Georgia (heat index up to about 111) while metro Atlanta and north Georgia saw a heat advisory (up to about 108), alongside isolated strong to severe storms. Georgia politics & money: A new analysis says Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson poured about $108 million of his own money into the race, mostly on TV and cable, shaping how he could challenge Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Insurance rule changes: Georgia’s Commissioner of Insurance proposed updates to licensing and utilization review requirements, including a temporary-license pathway for certain exam scores and tighter filing details. MARTA World Cup legacy: MARTA will unveil a StationSoccer field at the H.E. Holmes station, continuing the World Cup legacy push beyond the games. Public health: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to “explosive” diarrhea has sickened people across 17 states, including Georgia.

Georgia Medical Cannabis Expansion: Georgia’s “Putting Georgia Patients First Act” is now in effect, dropping the old 5% THC cap and letting licensed dispensaries sell more products, including flower and vapes, plus options like gummies and edibles. Public Safety & Weather: North Georgia saw multiple severe thunderstorm warnings and a flash flood warning as storms moved through the metro and surrounding counties. School Zone Camera Rules: A new law starting July 1 requires municipalities using school zone speed cameras to report revenue and installation details, with added warning-sign requirements coming later. Health Advisory: A boil water advisory was issued for parts of Fairburn and South Fulton after a power outage briefly affected a City of Atlanta pump station. Elections: Georgia AG Chris Carr filed an amicus brief backing Indiana’s voter ID law, arguing states should control election rules. World Cup in Atlanta: Harry Kane’s late goals lifted England past DR Congo 2-1, sending the teams into the Round of 16. Local Justice: Atlanta police arrested two men in the 2022 killing of Georgia State student Joshua Igbinijesu.

World Cup in Atlanta: England takes on DR Congo in the Round of 32 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium today, with Atlanta fans bracing for a high-stakes knockout atmosphere and a rare Georgia-summer break inside the dome. Peachtree Road Race: The 57th Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race is in the final countdown, with Atlanta Track Club urging heat-smart pacing and sharing key “go guide” details for runners heading to Piedmont Park. New Georgia laws (July 1): Statewide rules kick in Wednesday, including consumer changes like cash rounding, education updates such as a bell-to-bell cellphone ban for K-8, and public safety training tied to autism interactions. Data center power fight: Environmental groups say a Covington data center’s “pop-up” natural-gas power plan could violate air rules, adding to Georgia’s growing power crunch. Health & funding: Atlanta HIV advocates warn that uncertainty and cuts to prevention funding are already slowing outreach and testing plans. Entertainment & culture: Mara Brock Akil, creator of “Girlfriends” and “Being Mary Jane,” is releasing her debut novel, and Atlanta’s Full-Figured Flings is now streaming nationwide.