AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Isaias: Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for all 159 counties as the Category 3 storm approaches the Gulf Coast. Georgia could see damaging winds, flooding and isolated tornadoes Friday night into the weekend; officials are preparing for outages, and events across metro Atlanta are being canceled or postponed. Senate Race: Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins clashed over the economy, health care, Trump and extremism in their first debate. Ossoff attacked Collins over associates’ white-supremacist ties, while Collins defended Trump’s agenda. Governor’s Race: Barack Obama endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms, adding a high-profile boost to the Democratic nominee’s campaign. Jobs and Investment: Hyundai Transys plans to invest $560 million and add 320 jobs at its West Point operation. DeKalb Jail: Five inmates face murder charges in the September killing of 24-year-old David Addo-Wright, who was found wounded in his cell.

Hurricane Preparations: Gov. Brian Kemp declared an emergency in all 159 counties as Hurricane Isaias approached, with damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes possible Friday night into Saturday. Georgia pharmacists may dispense up to a 30-day emergency refill for eligible medicines, excluding Schedule II drugs. Senate Race: Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins clashed in their first debate over tariffs, healthcare costs, gas prices and Trump’s policies, trading sharp personal accusations. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Ossoff and gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms. Immigration Detention: Advocates say sewage flooded cells at Stewart Detention Center, with some detainees reporting limited access to water and showers. Separately, a lawsuit alleges detainees moved from Lovejoy to a facility about 200 miles from Atlanta face reduced access to lawyers.

Storm Watch: Hurricane Isaias is strengthening over the Gulf, with heavy rain and possible flooding threatening parts of Georgia. Officials are monitoring its path as it could disrupt Saturday’s Georgia-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. Georgia Politics: Barack Obama endorsed Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor after her debate with Rick Jackson; Trump is also weighing two campaign stops in Georgia before November’s election. Jobs and Industry: Hyundai Transys plans to invest nearly $560 million in West Point, adding 320 jobs and expanding production for hybrid vehicles. Public Safety: A 22-month-old boy died after a car struck him and his father at a Gainesville shopping center. Separately, a former Georgia child therapist received five life sentences for sexually abusing a teenager. Health Coverage: UnitedHealthcare plans to leave Georgia’s ACA marketplace in 2027, while new Medicaid work requirements are set to begin next year. South Georgia Shooting: Two people were killed and dozens injured in a homecoming block-party shooting earlier this week.

Storm Watch: Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday. North Georgia could see heavy rain, gusty winds and tornadoes; Fort Valley State postponed Saturday’s football game, while Georgia-Alabama remains scheduled. Governor’s Race: Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson clashed in their only scheduled debate over health care, data centers and the federal role in Georgia elections, with early voting approaching. Rural Growth: Monroe County officials say a Google data center could bring $1.1 billion to local government over 23 years. Separately, Georgia fined two companies over data center and power plant permit violations. Cost Relief: Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state gas-tax suspension through November and waived penalties for off-road dyed diesel use, offering relief to farmers and truckers. Public Safety: A shooting at a South Georgia block party left two people dead and 35 injured; investigators have reported no arrests. Cybersecurity: Georgia Power says hackers accessed information tied to about 400,000 customer accounts.

Governor’s Race: Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson clashed in their only scheduled debate over affordability, health care, election security and data centers. Bottoms called for a pause on new data center construction; Jackson opposed a blanket moratorium. Severe Weather: Tropical Storm Isaias could bring heavy rain, strong winds and isolated tornadoes to Georgia Friday and Saturday. The storm’s track remains uncertain, and it could disrupt travel to the Georgia-Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. Election 2026: Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Tuesday, as races for governor and the U.S. Senate draw focus. Business and Oversight: Duracell opened an $56 million research and development center at Atlanta’s Science Square, while state regulators fined two companies a combined $42,500 for installing equipment at a Newton County data center and power plant before receiving permits. Public Safety: Federal prosecutors charged 20 people in a gun-theft and drug-trafficking investigation involving nearly 1,500 stolen firearms. Higher Education: Sen. Raphael Warnock announced nearly $100 million in federal STEM funding for HBCUs and minority-serving institutions, including almost $10 million for Clark Atlanta University.

Georgia Elections: Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 13 for the Nov. 3 general election, with in-person hours set and photo ID required; absentee requests are due Oct. 23. Governor Race: Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms faced undecided voters in their only statewide televised town hall, trading sharp contrasts on affordability, health care, education, data centers, privacy, mental health, and election security. Federal Law Enforcement: DeKalb County authorities announced charges tied to a major gun-and-drug trafficking network, including alleged theft of nearly 1,500 firearms from shipping facilities in Conley and Macon. Public Safety & Weather: Tropical Depression 9 is expected to strengthen in the Gulf and bring heavy rain, flooding risk, and possible severe weather to north Georgia this weekend. Economy/Cost Relief: Gov. Kemp extended Georgia’s state emergency relief for truckers and farmers, including waiving penalties for off-road “dyed” diesel use and extending the gas tax suspension through Nov. 5. Business/Tech: Duracell opened a $56 million Global Innovation Center for R&D at Science Square in Atlanta, aiming to create 120 jobs. Food Safety: USDA issued a public health alert for illegally imported canned chicken Vienna-style sausages from Jamaica, urging consumers not to eat affected products.

Gubernatorial Debate: Atlanta News First will host the Oct. 6 showdown between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms in a modified town hall, with voters’ top concerns—especially healthcare costs and access to behavioral health—likely driving questions. Public Safety: A deadly homecoming block party shooting in Vienna (Dooly County) has prompted an emergency order and curfew as investigators work to determine what led to two deaths and dozens of injuries. Cybersecurity: Georgia Power says hackers accessed customer portal data for about 300,000 customers, exposing contact details and last four digits of Social Security numbers. Education & Equity: Dodge County school district enrolled 861 Black students in 2024-25, and chronic absenteeism remains a major statewide issue. Weather Watch: Forecasters warn a Gulf system could strengthen quickly, with hurricane-strength possible and heavy rain/flooding risks extending into Georgia and the Southeast. Business/Jobs: NASCO says its Evolve platform cut Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan alternative payment settlement time from weeks to minutes. Arts & Culture: Zoo Atlanta announced giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang will debut Nov. 6.

Georgia Politics: With Georgia’s voter registration deadline closing, Gov. candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are set for a televised town hall as polls show a tight race and both sides trade attacks over contracts and character. Public Safety: East Point police say an officer and others were taken to Grady after a patrol cruiser crash at a busy intersection while responding with lights and sirens; Georgia State Patrol is investigating. Cybersecurity/Utilities: Georgia Power notified about 300,000 customers after hackers accessed limited info via its online portal, and the company says there’s no ongoing unauthorized access. Crime/Courts: In Douglas County, testimony at a bond hearing described gruesome details in the murder and dismemberment of bartender Jamal Parker, with bond denied for two suspects. Law Enforcement: Atlanta police say a man wanted for a Midtown mugging stole a police cruiser and crashed into a tanker in Clayton County, closing southbound lanes of I-675. Housing/Community: DCA opened applications for up to $10 million in 2027 CHIP housing grants. Health Policy: Advocates warn new federal rules could strip Medicaid from thousands of noncitizens in Georgia over time. Local Life: MARTA’s Five Points transformation may slip to a May 2031 finish, and a child care road show heads to Cartersville Oct. 20.

Election Deadline: Georgia voters have until Monday to register for the Nov. 3 midterms, with the governor race (Rick Jackson vs. Keisha Lance Bottoms) and key statewide offices on the ballot. Campaign Focus: AAPI leaders and Sen. Tammy Duckworth urged turnout in Dunwoody, framing the vote as the margin. Voting System Fight: Georgia’s State Election Board chair John Fervier admitted he can’t control the executive director, after the director sent letters urging federal action on election security and QR-code ballot counting. Public Safety: A homecoming block party in south Georgia turned deadly, with 2 killed and nearly 30 injured after dozens of shots fired. Cost of Living/Transport: Diesel prices remain a strain on Georgia trucking, even as gas prices ease after Kemp suspended the state gas tax through Oct. 29. Local Economy/Industry: South Fulton Mayor Carmalitha Gumbs says data centers are now a revenue necessity as the city’s data center moratorium has expired.

Mass Shooting in South Georgia: A block party in Vienna, Ga., early Sunday left 2 dead and 35 injured, with victims ranging from ages 14 to 51. Authorities say there’s no ongoing threat, but they haven’t named suspects or a motive. Georgia Politics: With early voting nearing, polls show the governor’s race virtually tied between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson, while U.S. Senate polling has Ossoff ahead of Collins. WNBA Playoffs (Atlanta): The Atlanta Dream beat the New York Liberty 92-82 in Game 1 of the semifinals, forcing 21 Liberty turnovers; Allisha Gray’s hand injury status remains unclear. Arts & Culture: The National Endowment for the Arts honored CHamoru dancer Francisco “Frank” Rabon with a 2026 National Heritage Fellowship. Public Safety: Georgia officials also announced a $5,000 reward for information related to the Vienna shooting.

Georgia Politics & Elections: Atlanta News First previewed the Oct. 6 town hall between Gov. Brian Kemp’s successor candidates—Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms—highlighting their very different paths and a race polls call nearly tied. Campaign Economics: Bottoms says she’ll cut costs by eliminating Georgia’s auto insurance premium tax and lowering the gas tax, aiming to save drivers “hundreds of dollars a year.” Public Safety: Two McRae residents, Noah Zackery Cason and Alexandra McLain, were sentenced to federal prison terms after guilty pleas tied to child sexual abuse, including transporting a minor from Oklahoma to Georgia. Crime in Metro Atlanta: Police say a man was shot at a Southwest Atlanta apartment complex—an address tied to murder and arson warrants issued just a day earlier. Courts & Voting: A federal court fight over Trump’s plan for state-by-state citizenship lists could be decided soon, with DOJ and privacy groups sparring over whether the data-driven approach could disenfranchise voters. State Economy: Gov. Kemp announced Georgia broke tourism records again for the fourth straight year, with 175.6 million visitors in 2025 spending $46.2 billion. Weather Watch: Forecasters warn a tropical system could bring heavy rain to the Alabama-Georgia game in Tuscaloosa, with timing still uncertain.

Immigration Court Ruling: A Douglas County judge set aside the misdemeanor conviction of U.S. Army veteran Godfrey Wade, a case that had been used to trigger his deportation to Jamaica after a decades-old check issue. Drug Enforcement: Two Brunswick men were sentenced in federal court for a synthetic cathinone distribution scheme coordinated through Facebook Messenger. Education Leadership: Georgia’s Board of Regents officially named former Southern Company CEO Thomas A. Fanning as the next University System of Georgia chancellor, starting Jan. 1. Public Safety: A Candler County Sheriff’s Office received a $55,875 state grant to boost high-visibility traffic enforcement. Weather: Metro Atlanta is bracing for widespread rain overnight into Sunday, with pockets of heavy downpours and thunderstorms. Local Life & Culture: Zoo Atlanta welcomed new giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, but visitors will have to wait for their first public look. Sports: Georgia State QB Cameran Brown set a school record with six touchdown passes in a 42-10 win over Old Dominion.

Crime & Courts: A former metro Atlanta banker, Mercedes Henry (35, Stone Mountain), was indicted on federal charges tied to an alleged nearly $1 million crypto scheme, prosecutors say she used customer account access to move about $931,500 to Coinbase accounts controlled by co-conspirators. Public Safety: In Savannah, Donald Palmer (42) pleaded guilty to carjacking and using a firearm during a violent crime and was sentenced to 162 months in federal prison. Elections Watch: Atlanta News First will host a one-hour Georgia governor debate Oct. 6 between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms, aiming to sway undecided voters in a race described as effectively tied. Education Data: Telfair County schools reported 14 Asian students in 2024-25, while Harris County reported 854 Black students (16% of enrollment), as Georgia continues grappling with chronic absenteeism. Weather: Metro Atlanta can expect scattered showers and thunderstorms Saturday, with more widespread rain Sunday before conditions improve early next week.

Braves in the NLDS: Atlanta punched its ticket to the NLDS with a 6-2 win over the Phillies, and now turns to a best-of-five matchup with the Dodgers starting Saturday in Los Angeles. Metro Atlanta Traffic: GDOT postponed a planned full I-285 closure this weekend due to weather, pushing the shutdown between MLK Jr. Drive and Cascade Road. Election Security: The Georgia State Election Board asked the DOJ to investigate voting-system concerns, including QR-code ballot tabulation and software vulnerabilities, as early voting ramps up. Public Safety: AAA is urging helmet use for Georgia riders after a survey found many children ride e-bikes without helmets, and head injuries are common in crashes. Housing & Community: A South Fulton nonprofit is hosting an adoption/foster event aimed at finding homes for more than 300 children, including sibling groups. Health Watch: Georgia confirmed five more measles cases in Jasper County siblings, bringing the state’s 2026 total to 21. Sports & Local Business: Georgia Southern’s Dr. R. Gabrielle “Gabby” Swab highlighted her corporate-to-academia path in a new profile.

Wild Card Spotlight: The Phillies and Braves meet in a winner-take-all Game 3 Thursday night at Truist Park, with Aaron Nola starting for Philadelphia and Ray Kerr for Atlanta, as the NLDS berth is on the line. Port Jobs: A new University of Georgia study says Georgia’s ports support more than 605,000 jobs statewide, with major impacts across metro Atlanta and coastal communities. Voting Rights Fight: Georgia’s GOP election board asked the DOJ to declare voting machines unlawful and push a six-month phase-out, while a federal judge dismissed a Trump administration bid to get unredacted Georgia voter data. SNAP Work Requirements: New SNAP work rules expand to more able-bodied adults up to age 64, raising concerns about food insecurity and barriers to employment. Public Health: Georgia residents are being warned about oral rabies vaccine bait drops, with guidance for what to do if baits are found. Local Politics: House District 48 candidates Scott Hilton and Adam Cleveland faced off in a debate covering economy, education, Medicaid, and election results. Historic Preservation: Georgia added four new sites to the National Register of Historic Places, including South-View Cemetery in Atlanta.

Workforce & Tech: Fulton County approved a no-cost, seven-month “AI Ready Georgia” pilot to train and certify 500 residents and municipal employees, aiming to boost AI literacy and local competitiveness. Local Economy Jobs: Gov. Kemp announced Mayville Engineering will invest about $26M in McDuffie County and create roughly 140 new jobs with a new metal fabrication facility. Historic Preservation: Georgia added four sites to the National Register of Historic Places, including South-View Cemetery (Fulton) and the F.W. Woolworth Co. Store (Chatham), highlighting civil rights-era history. Public Safety: Augusta kicked off National Pedestrian Safety Month, urging drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and stressing Move Over Law compliance. Sports (Atlanta): The Braves host a winner-take-all Game 3 vs. the Phillies at Truist Park to keep their postseason alive. International Spotlight (Georgia): Zoo Atlanta gave an up-close first look at giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang as they settle in for their long-term stay. Education & Community: Albany State University won a $2.24M MBDA grant to expand entrepreneurship education across Southwest Georgia.