AGP Executive Report

Election Integrity & Voting Access: DHS internal emails flagged Gwinnett, Cobb, and DeKalb counties for offering non-English ballot options, raising fresh concerns about how election rules could be enforced during the midterms. Public Safety & Health: Georgia and South Carolina are hosting free child car-seat checks during National Child Passenger Safety Week, aiming to prevent injuries and deaths from improper installs. Local Government Accountability: An Atlanta audit found $236.4 million in past-due water and sewer balances across 60,168 accounts, but major institutions named in the report pushed back on the numbers. Crime & Courts: Georgia AG Chris Carr announced 11 indictments tied to a multistate organized retail theft scheme, with losses believed over $200,000. State Politics: A new poll shows Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s Senate race by about four points. Education & Community: Bibb County launched “One Bed, One Dream” to get about 1,500 children off the floor and into beds, running through Oct. 3. Transportation Costs: Diesel hit a record high in Georgia at $6.37 a gallon, squeezing truck drivers and raising costs for everyone. Culture & Events: Jamestown kicked off “Ponce 100,” a monthlong centennial celebration of Ponce City Market’s 1926 building, with a Sept. 26 community event.

Sewage Spill Watch (Atlanta): Georgia’s environmental agency says about 30,000–33,000 gallons of untreated sewage from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport reached Sullivan Creek, a “major spill” that flows into the Flint River. Downstream water systems in Fayette, Fulton, Clayton, College Park, and Griffin were notified, and the airport is monitoring water quality while warning people not to swim, fish, or play in the area. State Politics (Governor’s Race): With early voting looming, Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms is set for Augusta stops focused on cost of living, health care, and education, including a Paine College visit and a community conversation. Air Quality Alert (Metro Atlanta): The Georgia DNR issued a Code Orange ozone alert for 23 counties around Atlanta, urging children and people with heart/lung conditions to limit outdoor time. Cost Pressure (Gas Prices): Drivers are reporting higher fuel costs statewide, with Georgia regular averaging $4.09 and diesel hitting about $6.35 a gallon. Local Business/Community: East West Bank announced a multiyear partnership with the Los Angeles Rams as an official community banking partner.

Adult Literacy Push, Still Lagging: Georgia lawmakers have prioritized reading, but federal data shows adult literacy is below the national average, with about one-fourth of Georgians reading below Level 1. Atlanta Water Woes: A new city audit says Atlanta is owed more than $236 million in unpaid water and sewer bills from 60,168 delinquent accounts, with most not complying with payment plans. Foster Care Funding Scrutiny: State auditors told lawmakers foster care spending has jumped 159% since 2022, and they’re questioning whether money is reaching providers as costs rise. Election Security: Georgia lawmakers met again on election equipment, focusing on cybersecurity and the likely shift toward hand-marked paper ballots for future elections. Public Safety & Courts: The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance finalized a cease-and-desist order against Polar Tensor US for operating a virtual currency trading platform without a license. Health Alert: West Nile virus continues to hit metro Atlanta, including a reported hospitalization tied to a mosquito bite. Local Events: Avondale Estates is bringing back Shakespeare at Sunset with evening performances on the town green.

University System Leadership: Georgia’s Board of Regents named Thomas A. Fanning sole finalist to lead the University System of Georgia, tapping the former Southern Company executive with deep Georgia Tech ties. Local Government: Jackson County welcomed Irma Robles as its new county clerk, bringing a decade of Nicholson city experience overseeing records, permits, zoning, and more. Public Health & Safety: Hartsfield-Jackson reported a sewage spill of about 33,000 gallons near Runway 10-28, with crews using a neutralizing agent and monitoring downstream water quality. Education & Equity: Gwinnett County families say students with disabilities are stuck in a federal civil rights backlog, with one case alleging years of failure to use an assistive communication device. Politics & Campaigns: New polling from Rasmussen shows Georgia’s governor race tightening between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms, while Georgia’s top Senate race also shows a wide partisan split in recent surveys. Media & Jobs: “American Idol” is moving production from Los Angeles to Georgia for Season 25, with reports that some longtime crew may be replaced in Atlanta. Environment & Discovery: UGA wildlife researchers say long-tailed weasels have been found in parts of Georgia for the first time.

USG Leadership Change: The University System of Georgia has named Thomas A. Fanning as chancellor, ending a five-month search after Sonny Perdue’s exit. Veterans Focus in the Governor’s Race: Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms both rolled out new policy plans aimed at veterans, including a proposed Governor’s Office of Military and Veteran Affairs and expanded support services. Public Safety Tech: DeKalb County Schools is exploring districtwide stop-arm school bus cameras, aiming to cut down on illegal passing of buses. Health Alert: Georgia reported its first West Nile virus death of 2026, with 8 confirmed cases so far, as officials urge mosquito bite protection. Courts & Justice: A judge granted a last-minute execution stay for Georgia death row inmate Stacey Humphreys under a new survivor-justice law, while Texas carried out an execution in a separate triple-murder case. Higher Education Expansion: Georgia Southern is forming an Optometric Education Task Force to help build the state’s first College of Optometry. Local Crime Cold Case: Atlanta police are asking for tips in the 2022 cold case killing of a Georgia State student. Transportation Infrastructure: A new multi-state interstate concept, Interstate 14, could connect Georgia to Texas and reduce freight and commute bottlenecks. Energy Efficiency Deal: The Georgia World Congress Center is moving ahead with a $36.9M energy savings performance contract expected to generate major guaranteed savings over 18 years.

U.S. Senate Race: Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins are trading sharper attacks in Georgia’s high-stakes contest, with Ossoff citing reported ties to white nationalists and Collins’ family social media. Governor Race: Rick Jackson is leaning into personal narrative while Keisha Lance Bottoms targets his business record as the final stretch nears. Death Penalty: A Georgia judge halted Stacey Humphreys’ execution to hold a hearing under the new Survivor Justice Act, after prosecutors argued the state should be able to appeal. Public Safety Tech: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is pushing for tighter rules and oversight of automated license plate readers after arrests tied to misuse elsewhere in Georgia. Healthcare Growth: Piedmont broke ground on a $26.8M Locust Grove ER after initial state approval, aiming to ease pressure on its Stockbridge hospital. Entertainment: “American Idol” is reportedly moving production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area for Season 25, driven by Georgia tax incentives. Crime Trends: FBI data highlights a sharp drop in violent crime across Georgia, even as local cases still draw attention.

AI policy fight: Georgia Tech’s Avant South is bringing “AI in Action” to Atlanta’s Tech Square Oct. 12–13, spotlighting how companies are using AI now—not just what it could do later. Data center pressure in Georgia: The Georgia PSC held an administrative meeting in Savannah and a town hall on OpenAI’s planned Effingham County data center, with residents pushing for tighter rules as power demand and “large-load” contracts reshape utility oversight. Immigration fallout: More than 300 Korean workers detained in a 2025 Georgia raid tied to a Hyundai/LG battery site have started filing claims against U.S. agencies, setting up a major legal challenge. Elections and voting rules: U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Trump administration will comply with a Supreme Court mail-ballot ruling while keeping up efforts for future election cycles. Healthcare costs: Georgia launched “Georgia Access For Business,” letting employers use cash allowances (CHOICE arrangements) so workers can buy individual coverage through the state exchange. Public safety: FBI data shows violent crime fell in Georgia in 2025, including drops in murder, rape, robbery, and motor vehicle theft. Local schools: Hancock County schools saw enrollment dip 1.9% in 2024–25, while Atlanta-area charter enrollment updates show small shifts in multiracial student counts.

Local Politics: Stockbridge’s 23-year-old mayor, Jayden Williams, was removed after allegations of sexually suggestive texts and explicit images to a high school student, plus misuse of the city credit card. Public Safety: A Norfolk Southern contractor was shot and killed at the company’s Whitaker Intermodal Terminal in Austell; Cobb County, Austell police, and the GBI are investigating. Elections & Voting Access: Georgia’s voter registration deadline is approaching, and MARTA is hosting nonpartisan registration events at six rail stations today to help riders update their info. Health: A prostate cancer survivor, Dwight Eubanks, is joining Morehouse School of Medicine for a free screening push at Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church on Sept. 26, targeting “know your numbers” for Atlanta men. Community & Education: DeKalb County Schools approved a policy requiring law enforcement to show a valid warrant or court order before questioning or removing students from campus. Business/Industry: Honeycomb Insurance says it’s expanding beyond Georgia into Tennessee and South Carolina as capacity tightens for property coverage amid severe weather.

DeKalb County Governance: DeKalb commissioners canceled the Sept. 15 Board of Commissioners meeting due to “technical difficulties,” rescheduling it for Sept. 22 while committee meetings still go on. Metro Atlanta Business: Potbelly opened its first Georgia location in Chamblee, with plans for more stores across the metro. Georgia Politics: Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race against Sen. Jon Ossoff, while Democrats hit back over Collins’ ties and campaign controversies. Election Integrity Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Trump administration push to change vote-by-mail rules, keeping existing processes in place. Local Schools & Safety: Parents and students at Maynard Jackson High School allege racial slurs and spitting during a game at Jefferson High School; Atlanta Public Schools says it’s reviewing reports. Public Safety/Justice: A former Georgia lawmaker, Dexter Sharper, avoided extra jail time after unemployment fraud convictions, ordered to repay benefits. Housing & Growth: Dunwoody held public hearings on rezoning proposals tied to housing, medical, and recreation, including a new indoor pickleball facility that drew noise concerns. Energy & Campaign Trail: Georgia governor candidates spar over data centers and power bills, with Bottoms calling for a statewide freeze and Jackson pushing back.

Heat & Weather: North and central Georgia are stuck in the 90s again, with a stubborn high-pressure system keeping temperatures above normal through at least Sept. 23. Aviation Safety: Tempers flared at Hartsfield-Jackson after an American Airlines pilot and an air traffic controller argued over takeoff separation timing. Politics—Senate Race: Gov. Brian Kemp endorsed Rep. Mike Collins in the bid to unseat Sen. Jon Ossoff, as the campaign heats up. Public Health: Georgia DPH confirmed two more measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, bringing the daycare total to 10 and statewide 2026 cases to 16. Local Business & Tech: PBS Aerospace finished a Roswell expansion adding engine test cells and doubling test capacity; in Atlanta, DC BLOX named Tricia Pridemore EVP for energy, regulatory and policy. Healthcare: AdventHealth Redmond in Rome began using a robotic bronchoscopy system to biopsy hard-to-reach lung nodules. Community & Events: Lincoln Cemetery will offer free permanent placement for ashes on Oct. 17, and Plains and Atlanta churches are marking major milestones this fall.

Georgia Senate race: U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Rep. Mike Collins both stopped in Athens separately, trading sharp attacks as the contest heats up—Ossoff went after Collins’ ties and record, while Collins hit Ossoff for making life “more expensive” and less safe. Georgia Tech update: Defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe was released from a local hospital after a collision injury during the Tech vs. Tennessee game, with the school calling it precautionary observation. Education data: Wilkinson County schools enrolled 954 students in 2024-25, down 5.3% year over year, with African American students the largest group at 54.1%. Public safety: Georgia residents are warned about copperheads vs. cottonmouths as fall snake activity ramps up, with cottonmouths more tied to water and copperheads more to land. Metro Atlanta policing: Peachtree City fired two officers after a Flock Safety audit found misuse, with matters referred to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Politics & voting: A group of GOP election officials urged the Supreme Court to delay Trump’s mail-ballot limits, arguing states need more time to implement changes. Sports (Georgia): Georgia is ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 ahead of its Week 3 game at Arkansas after Texas jumped to No. 1.

Georgia Election Security: Researchers warn Georgia’s Dominion voting system has a flaw that could let someone match voters to ballots after they’re cast, raising fresh legal and secrecy concerns as AI makes exploitation easier. Midtown Atlanta Violence: A road-rage shooting near the Four Seasons left a 20-year-old wounded; police are still investigating and have not named suspects. Public Health: The USDA will drop hundreds of thousands of rabies vaccine baits over north Georgia in October to stop raccoon rabies from spreading further south. Sports—Georgia Tech vs. Tennessee: No. 18 Tennessee beat Georgia Tech 45-24 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, led by DeSean Bishop’s career-high 147 rushing yards and two TDs; Georgia Tech’s Jaylen Mbakwe was transported to Grady after a collision but later said he’s “fine.” Arts in Atlanta: Spruill Gallery’s “Material Poesy” opens Sept. 24 with works by Decatur-based ceramic artist Johanna Flores plus Atlanta artists Ato Ribeiro and Ivy Wu.

Weather & Safety: Metro Atlanta storms brought flash-flood risk and downed trees, with warnings expiring as conditions improve into Sunday. Public Health: DeKalb County reported two more mosquito traps testing positive for West Nile virus, bringing the year’s total to 10. Local Law Enforcement: A Braselton police officer was fired for allegedly misusing the Flock camera system, with the case sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Sports—College Football: Georgia Tech postponed its enhanced halftime fireworks for its Tennessee game at Bobby Dodd Stadium after earlier heavy rain impacted the setup. Sports—Georgia Football: No. 2 Georgia routed Western Kentucky 70-20 as Gunner Stockton threw five touchdown passes, tying a school record. Sports—MLB: The Phillies visit the Braves at Truist Park on Sunday, Sept. 13. Community: Sleep in Heavenly Peace held “Bunks Across America” in Albany, building beds for kids who need them.

Weather Watch: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected across north Georgia Saturday, with flash-flood risk in parts of Cobb, Douglas, Carroll and Paulding counties until about 1:15 p.m.; conditions should ease Sunday with a drier, hotter pattern returning into early next week. Atlanta Public Safety: A man was shot multiple times near Cushman Circle and reached the hospital before police arrived, adding to a troubling pattern of violence in the area. Politics (Georgia governor race): Rick Jackson’s new ad attacks Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Atlanta record, reigniting the bitter fight over how voters should view her mayoral tenure. Space & Defense: The U.S. Space Force awarded Antares a $161 million contract to develop a nuclear reactor for spacecraft, aiming to power future space missions. Sports (UGA-area interest): Ben Shelton reached the US Open final, setting up a title match Sunday vs. No. 1 Alexander Zverev. College Football (Atlanta): Tennessee visits Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.

Metro Atlanta Weather: Flash-flood warnings and heavy storms disrupted travel Friday, with flooding reported on Georgia 400 and a temporary ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson that was later lifted, though delays lingered. Public Health: Georgia DPH confirmed two more measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, bringing the outbreak total to 10 cases and 16 confirmed cases statewide in 2026. Local Courts & Safety: The GBI is investigating a shooting involving a Rome police officer that triggered a brief school lockdown and road closures. Politics: Rick Jackson’s campaign launched a statewide attack ad targeting Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Atlanta mayoral record, using resident accounts of crime and unrest. Sports (Georgia): Cooper Rush is set to start for the Falcons in Week 1 after Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, while Georgia Tech and Tennessee gear up for a key matchup. Business/Development: Bartow County planning commissioners will consider rezoning requests tied to the Hyundai-SK battery area and a new Kroger site near Highway 411.

Flock misuse crackdown: USA TODAY reports at least three more Georgia-area police officers were arrested and another fired over alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader cameras, bringing the total tied to the investigation to 22 nationwide. Election integrity: Georgia’s Secretary of State is in a fight over absentee ballots, with a Supreme Court freeze reported, while DOJ is also asking Georgia to preserve 2024 election records. State politics: Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon is trying to project unity, even as internal party feuds keep resurfacing. Public safety & courts: A Georgia deputy was arrested in connection with repeated Flock searches, and another case highlights how long-running misuse can trigger criminal exposure. Metro Atlanta education: Crawford Long Middle School reported 73 Hispanic students enrolled for 2024-25, up sharply year over year, as Georgia continues to track attendance and enrollment trends. Commemoration: Georgia Tech alumnus Michael Arad’s 9/11 memorial design story is spotlighted as the state marks the 25th anniversary.