AGP Executive Report

World Cup Shock in Atlanta: Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves as the underdogs held Spain to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup debut, a major upset at Atlanta Stadium. Runoff Politics: With Georgia’s GOP runoffs Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor, while Trump endorsed U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over Derek Dooley in the Senate runoff. Special Session Watch: Kemp called a Georgia General Assembly special session starting Wednesday, June 17, with possible action on property tax relief, local tax measures, fuel tax suspension ratification, and a July 1 election-law deadline. Public Safety in Schools: Baldwin County schools and Georgia Military College are adding Centegix wearable crisis alert badges so staff can request help instantly during medical, safety, or law-enforcement emergencies. Education Leadership: Georgia Tech announced President Ángel Cabrera will step down in November to lead the Aspen Institute. Local Notes: A Revolutionary War historic marker in Banks County was replaced, and Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch is set to return to office Tuesday after a suspension tied to a DUI case.

Georgia Election Integrity: Lawmakers return for a special session after the May 19 primary, with voters saying they still trust Georgia elections—but officials warn reforms must come with funding, training, and voter education to keep that confidence. Runoff Politics: President Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff, a move that undercuts Gov. Brian Kemp’s earlier support for Derek Dooley, while Kemp simultaneously backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the governor’s race. Vote-Counting Fix: Georgia lawmakers are trying to address a ballot QR-code tabulation problem created by a law that barred the barcode from official counting after July 1, raising concerns about confusion and possible litigation. Healthcare Oversight: A Georgia investigation finds missing or incorrect malpractice-insurance information on the state medical board website, and critics say underfunding limits enforcement against doctors who cross the line. Workplace Ruling: A Georgia Court of Appeals decision says injured workers don’t have to prove their refusal of light duty is tied to the original injury—an issue employers and insurers will watch closely. World Cup in Atlanta: Spain opens Group H against Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, with Lamine Yamal confirmed “in perfect condition” but expected to start on the bench.

Georgia Senate Runoff: President Trump made an eleventh-hour endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over Derek Dooley in Georgia’s June 16 GOP Senate runoff, calling Collins a “Friend, Fighter, and WARRIOR” and setting up the winner to face Sen. Jon Ossoff in November. Local Schools & Demographics: New Georgia DOE enrollment snapshots show shifting student populations at individual schools, including Russell Elementary (281 Hispanic students), North Fayette Elementary (11 Asian students), Blue Ridge Elementary (49 Asian students), and Lewis Elementary (21 Asian students), alongside continued concerns about chronic absenteeism statewide. Sports—College Baseball: Georgia opened the College World Series with a 7-1 win over Texas and next faces Oklahoma on Monday, with the Bulldogs riding a hot streak. World Cup in Georgia: U.S. World Cup coverage highlights Christian Pulisic’s calf scare after the Paraguay win, with questions about who could replace him if he can’t go. Public Safety/Health: A report says the U.S. deported migrants—including people from Georgia—under a deal allowing deportations to the Central African Republic, drawing criticism from human rights groups.

I-285 Closure Lessons: GDOT shut down I-285 in both directions between MLK Jr. Dr. and Cascade Rd. from June 5–8, and while Atlanta handled the second interstate shutdown better than the first, officials and trucking groups say detour signage and truck routing still caused backups. Federal Courts: A disciplined U.S. District Judge in Atlanta, Eleanor Ross, apologized in a letter to a former clerk after an investigation found she had sex with a police officer in her chambers and lied about it. Georgia Politics: Trump endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s GOP Senate runoff, setting up a Tuesday matchup with Derek Dooley. State Education Runoff: The Republican superintendent runoff debate turned sharp as Richard Woods and Bubba Longgrear traded attacks over literacy performance and campaign funding. Public Safety: A Rockdale County firefighter died in a rollover crash while responding to a reported blaze. College Baseball: Georgia opened the College World Series with a 7-1 win over Texas, powered by Joey Volchko’s complete game. World Cup Heat & Crowds: Thousands packed Centennial Olympic Park for FIFA Fan Festival matches despite extreme heat, with officials restricting access in crowded areas.

Public Safety: Rockdale County has identified firefighter Juan Antonia Smith II, 26, killed Friday when his firetruck overturned while responding to a structure fire at Eastview Road and Sigman Road in Conyers. College Sports: Georgia baseball added its first position-player transfer of the week, landing North Florida infielder Mathew Farner, as the Bulldogs push through the College World Series stretch. World Cup in Georgia: Spain opens World Cup play in Atlanta against Cape Verde at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Monday, with kickoff set for 12 p.m. ET. Local Sports Recruiting: Georgia Tech secured linebacker Noah Renes, a 6-foot-3 prospect from Niceville, Fla., choosing the Yellow Jackets over Mississippi State, Virginia Tech and Indiana. Education Data: Georgia school enrollment reports highlight shifting demographics and ongoing attendance pressure, with chronic absenteeism still affecting 20.7% of students statewide.

Fulton County Runoff: Atlanta’s Tax Allocation District expansion plan is now a live issue in the Fulton Commission chair race, with Robb Pitts facing Mo Ivory and the debate centered on whether city-backed neighborhood investment should drive county priorities. Olympic Cauldron Backlash: Summerhill residents are outraged as Georgia State University moves the 1996 Olympic Cauldron from the neighborhood to Centennial Olympic Park, arguing the change could disrupt the community’s identity and access. World Cup in Atlanta: FIFA Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park keeps drawing crowds, with U.S. supporters packing downtown to watch the Americans beat Paraguay 4-1. Public Safety: A Rockdale County firefighter died in a rollover crash involving a firetruck. Health Alert: Griffin confirmed a rabid fox after an attack on a dog, urging residents to keep pets vaccinated and avoid aggressive wild animals. Immigration: A U.S. deportation flight landed in the Central African Republic carrying migrants including people from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Georgia.

World Cup in Atlanta: Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera says he’ll attend Spain’s matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, with Atlanta Stadium renamed for the tournament and local crews finishing road work ahead of Matchday. Runoff voting update: On the last day of early voting, a judge tossed an election-night lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s vote tabulation operations center, saying counties run the count. Politics—Trump backs in GOP runoff: Trump joined tele-rallies in Georgia to endorse candidates in the closely watched governor’s race. Public safety & courts: A Fulton County judge appointment reshuffles the appeals bench after Paige Reese Whitaker’s reelection loss, and a Delta passenger was indicted in federal court after allegedly slapping a flight attendant, leading to a diversion to Atlanta. Health & community: Emory named Saby Mitra dean of Goizueta Business School, while a Tanner Health partnership aims to reduce medication waste by moving doses from surplus to patients in need. Weather: CBS Atlanta warns of hot, humid conditions through the weekend, with rain chances rising Sunday.

Runoff Countdown: Early voting for Georgia’s June 16 runoff ends Friday, with more than 325,000 ballots already cast statewide. Key GOP governor matchup: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones vs. businessman Rick Jackson, with the winner facing former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Redistricting Fight: Georgia lawmakers are set to return for a special session next week, with redrawing district lines again—this time raising fears Republicans could reduce minority voting power for partisan gain. World Cup Prep in Atlanta: Atlanta crews say they’ve repaved 90+ miles of roads ahead of FIFA World Cup matches, aiming for smoother commutes as projects wrap up. IRS Rat Crisis: IRS employees at the Chamblee campus protested ongoing rodent and maintenance problems, while lawmakers have urged expanded remote work during pest-control efforts. Iran Claims, Georgia Politics: President Trump told a Georgia tele-rally he “ended the war with Iran” and says a deal could be signed in Europe soon; Iran has not confirmed final terms. Metro Atlanta Courts: A federal grand jury indicted two people tied to alleged fire-and-explosive attacks on an Atlanta Public Safety Training Center contractor’s office.

Georgia Politics: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones picked up U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter’s endorsement as early voting ends and the GOP runoff vs. billionaire Rick Jackson heads into Tuesday. FIFA World Cup in Atlanta: The tournament kicked off Thursday, and Atlanta’s FIFA Fan Fest at Centennial Olympic Park drew thousands for match-day watch parties. Election Law Court Fight: A federal judge refused to block Georgia’s “food, drink and gift” ban for voters waiting in line near polling places. Child Welfare & Finance: Georgia moved to let eligible foster children access “Fostering the Future Accounts,” tied to the $1,000 federal seed contribution. Public Safety/Justice: Two people accused in the 2022 Atlanta Public Safety Training Center arson protests were hit with federal charges. Health & Environment: Emory-led research will study coastal Georgia Superfund exposure, funded by a $15M NIH grant. Recruiting: Rising Atlanta-area DB Seth Williams says he’s down to Clemson and Georgia.

World Cup 2026 in Georgia’s spotlight: Atlanta is gearing up as the tournament kicks off today, with FIFA fan events and watch parties ramping up across the metro. Public health, right now: New 24/7 Narcan kiosks are opening in Georgia, aiming to cut delays in overdose response and make naloxone easier to find. Courts and rights: A sheriff’s deputy has settled a landmark transgender rights case against Houston County over coverage of gender-affirming surgery. Cancer research: Piedmont and Emory are testing a “game-changer” experimental pancreatic cancer drug after early access showed promising results. Safety and youth: Georgia DJJ graduated 48 new juvenile correctional officers, while a separate case alleges a 13-year-old drove a car that ran over her mother at a school drop-off. Politics in the air: Two Georgia congressmen filed impeachment resolutions against a federal judge in Atlanta after a misconduct investigation. Local community pushback: A youth-led Play4Peace peace walk in Atlanta is set to draw nearly 1,000 people to curb teen violence.

World Cup Logistics in Atlanta: Uzbekistan’s national team will use Atlanta United’s training facility as its base camp during the tournament, with the venue offering both team base-camp space and match-specific practice areas. State Transportation Prep: GDOT is running a “FIFA War Room” to manage World Cup traffic in near real time, with extra operators at the 511 center and rapid-response crews ready statewide. Public Health & Food Access: The House passed a bill that would cut WIC fruit-and-vegetable benefits for kids, pregnant women, and new moms, drawing sharp pushback from anti-hunger groups. Local Safety & Accountability: Georgia lawmakers urged the IRS to address a rat infestation at the Chamblee IRS location, after workers shared video and staff reportedly quit. Agriculture Oversight: Georgia’s Animal Feed Program reached full federal standards implementation after an FDA assessment. Crime: A Johns Creek father allegedly shot his wife, then killed himself, with their children inside the home. Business/Community: Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park is set to host the city’s first FIFA Fan Festival, starting Thursday with music, a kid zone, and match coverage.

MARTA Safety & Federal Charges: A 17-year-old shot on a MARTA train at Midtown remains hospitalized, and the suspect, Anthony Gresham, 42, now faces federal charges tied to the June 5 attack. World Cup & Atlanta Homelessness: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings visitors to Atlanta, the city is still struggling to house people living on the street, with advocates pointing to gaps in Downtown Rising. Native American Remains Settlement: A Georgia developer near Savannah will pay $1.1M after federal claims that it damaged, mishandled, lost, and disposed of Native American artifacts and human remains. Solar Manufacturing in Georgia: Hanwha Qcells says its Cartersville Solar Hub is complete, aiming to ramp cell production and expand the domestic solar supply chain. Politics & Abortion Scrutiny: Rick Jackson’s abortion stance is under renewed scrutiny after leaked audio recordings surfaced amid national attention on Georgia’s six-week law. Lottery Results: Georgia Lottery Mega Millions and Cash 3 results for June 9 were released.

Solar Manufacturing: Qcells has started making solar cells at its new Cartersville, Georgia plant, a major step toward building a vertically integrated U.S. solar supply chain. Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Justice Department argues Georgia can remove voters during the NVRA’s 90-day “quiet period” if removals are handled individually using federal flags. World Cup Prep in Atlanta: UGA warns FIFA World Cup workers in Atlanta face high heat risks during June and July, urging extra protections for outdoor jobs. Local Politics & Data Centers: A Georgia mayor in Indiana drew backlash for remarks about data center opponents living in “sh—y houses,” then apologized. Education: Cartersville Elementary reported 288 white students in 2024-25, and Georgia’s Medical College of Georgia joined a national nutrition education initiative. Community & Culture: First Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Valdosta received grants to repair vandalized windows. Transportation Safety: A federal charge filing follows a MARTA train shooting in Atlanta that injured a 17-year-old. Economy Watch: Gas prices in parts of Georgia stayed volatile, with some counties reporting the lowest regular diesel or gas rates in the week ending May 30.

World Cup prep in Georgia’s orbit: The U.S. men’s national team has settled into its Southern California training base, with group matches set on the West Coast starting Friday vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium—while Atlanta continues ramping up security and fan-facing World Cup activity. Public safety tech boost: Griffin Police received a nearly $40,000 grant from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to buy traffic-enforcement technology, including rugged laptops and related equipment, to help officers share information faster in the field. Georgia election focus: A new Votebeat report highlights how the FBI is revisiting long-debunked 2020 election fraud claims, underscoring the political heat around election administration ahead of Georgia’s June 16 runoff. High school sports roundup: Georgia’s inaugural AJC Varsity all-sports standings keep rolling—Jefferson tops Class 3A, Lake Oconee Academy leads Class A Division II, and Marist claims Class 4A. Weather & health: After improving drought conditions, Georgia’s renewed humidity is expected to bring back more aggressive tick activity, especially as summer ramps up.

Georgia Runoff Watch: Early voting is underway for Georgia’s June 16 primary runoffs, deciding key statewide races including U.S. Senate (Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley) and governor (Burt Jones vs. Rick Jackson), with voters needing to stay on the same party ballot they chose in the May primary. Local Politics: Helen Z. Willis is campaigning to be Fulton County District 5’s next commissioner, pitching her record on affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and senior services as she faces a runoff opponent. World Cup in Atlanta: Atlanta United is hosting a community youth training session with Uzbekistan ahead of the FIFA World Cup, and a University of Georgia study warns heat could threaten World Cup workers—especially those not used to local conditions. State Agriculture: The FDA says Georgia’s Department of Agriculture Animal Feed Program is now fully implemented under federal standards. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices are easing nationally for a second straight week as crude stays under $100, but analysts warn relief may be temporary. Crime & Courts: A Norcross man was convicted in federal court for stealing $400,000 in tax refunds using fraudulent returns and prepaid debit cards.

Savannah History: Savannah’s Pirates’ House traces its roots to 1734, decades before the Declaration of Independence, tying the landmark to Georgia’s early founding. Investigations—Alternative Medicine: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spotlights Georgia clinics and “functional” health practitioners, raising questions about unproven treatments, misleading claims, and how patients are charged. Public Health & Seniors: Meals on Wheels Atlanta CEO Charlene Crusoe-Ingram says the nonprofit prepares more than 1,800 meals a day for 540 seniors as food insecurity remains a major need. Sports—College Baseball: No. 3 Georgia swept Mississippi State in the Athens Super Regional to reach the College World Series for the first time since 2008. Politics—Redistricting: A national redistricting fight may spill into Georgia’s 2028 mapmaking, with lawmakers set to convene June 17 for a special session. Local Safety: Athens Pride was disrupted when a hate group displayed Nazi symbols and shouted slurs, prompting condemnation from organizers. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data shows Bibb County’s Medical Management Health and Rehab Center earned a 3-star overall rating, while Cobb County’s Tower Road Post Acute scored 1 star. Weather: Metro Atlanta faces a muggy week with daily showers and heavy thunderstorms possible.