AGP Executive Report

Ports & Jobs: A new University of Georgia study says Georgia ports support 19,277 full- and part-time jobs across the CSRA, with Richmond County leading at 9,168. Local Economic Growth: McDuffie County is set to get a new metal fabrication plant in Thomson, promising about 140 jobs and a $26 million investment over several years. Robotics & Manufacturing: Boston Dynamics’ Atlas humanoid robot is being trained at Hyundai’s Robotics Metaplant Application Center in Ellabell, Georgia, for real automotive work. Elections & Voting Rights: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit seeking access to Georgia’s statewide voter registration list. Cost of Living Politics: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms unveiled a DRIVE plan aimed at cutting fuel and auto insurance costs, while gas prices remain a major campaign issue. Health & Consumer Relief: Michigan AG Dana Nessel urged consumers to file claims tied to a multistate settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing. International Spotlight: The UN backed a resolution pushing countries to use more accurate map projections than Mercator, with Georgia abstaining.

Voter Data Fight: A federal judge dismissed the Trump Justice Department’s bid to force Georgia to hand over unredacted voter registration records, ruling federal law doesn’t override Georgia’s voter privacy protections. Data Center Backlash: Senate Democrats blocked a GOP-backed Ratepayer Protection Act that would have shifted more data-center grid upgrade costs to large users, setting up another fight over AI power demands in the governor’s race. Governor Race—Affordability: Keisha Lance Bottoms unveiled a “Drive Plan” aimed at lowering fuel and car insurance costs, including eliminating Georgia’s auto insurance premium tax and rolling back parts of the gas tax. Health & Safety: Tanner Health became the first U.S. organization to use Powerful Medical’s PMcardio AI ECG platform for suspected heart attacks in west Georgia and east Alabama. Drugs & Investigations: Georgia counselors report rising addiction to Kratom-like products as investigators probe alleged links to “Ole Miss” student deaths. Weather Alert: Heavy rain is expected to bring a week-long flood threat across parts of the East, including Georgia. Housing Market: Zillow reported Baldwin County’s typical home value rose to $233,051 in August 2026.

Georgia Politics & Elections: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says the state won’t use a voter citizenship database for mass purges ahead of the midterms, as election workers in places like Cherokee County prepare for possible federal involvement. U.S. Senate Oversight: At a Senate Judiciary hearing, Sen. Eric Schmitt appeared to mix up the Atlanta Hawks with the Iowa Hawkeyes while questioning former special counsel Jack Smith. Campaigns & Voters: AARP says caregiving is a sleeper midterm issue for voters 50+, with 75% of Georgians backing candidates who support unpaid family caregivers. Public Safety Tech: A report says Flock Safety’s camera network is larger than previously disclosed, renewing privacy and oversight concerns. Ports & Trade: Georgia Ports Authority will hold Savannah’s “State of the Port” luncheon Oct. 14, highlighting FY2026 performance and major Ocean Terminal renovations. International Human Rights: A UN committee has demanded Georgia refrain from extraditing a Russia-linked associate, pending review. Energy Costs: Gas prices remain a major driver of voter frustration, with some Georgians saying they may switch parties or vote for the first time.

Gas Prices & Housing: Hancock County’s typical home value rose 5.4% to $219,820 in August 2026, while diesel hit a low of $5.89 in Crisp County for the week ending Sept. 19. Elections & Voting Access: Georgia Democrats urged voter registration ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline, pointing residents to IWillVote.com to confirm status. State Legal Action: Georgia AG Chris Carr filed a Fulton County complaint against SDG Impact Fund and related parties, alleging illegal distribution of charitable assets and donor deception. Federal Courts & Rights: The UN Human Rights Committee ordered Georgia to halt extraditing Mikhail Timofeev to Russia while his complaint is reviewed. Politics in Washington (Georgia-linked): Senate Judiciary questioning of former special counsel Jack Smith turned into a public dispute over a Hawks game date tied to Fulton County’s Trump case. Business/Markets: Securities law firm Faruqi & Faruqi reminded investors of a Nov. 30 deadline in a class action investigation involving Endava (NASDAQ: DAVA).

Gas Relief: Gov. Brian Kemp signed an order suspending Georgia’s 33-cent gas tax for 30 days as prices stay high, with regular averaging about $4.19 and diesel about $6.24. Consumer Protection: State AG Alan Wilson urged Georgians to file claims tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price-fixing, after preliminary court approval of a distribution plan. Election Process: Georgia election officials and legal experts met at UGA to discuss how the state runs elections, including safeguards and how voting systems are kept offline. Midterms & Politics: A new AP report highlights shifting GOP strategy as Republicans doubt Georgia and North Carolina Senate hopes, focusing more on defense elsewhere. Data Centers Debate: Coverage continues on how Georgia’s governor candidates differ on regulating data center growth—Bottoms pushing a temporary pause, Jackson backing local control. Business & Local Life: Freddy’s announced a 10-unit franchise deal expanding into Georgia and South Carolina, while a Jimmy John’s promotion brings limited-time “Swicy” pickle bites in a collectible bucket.

Gas Relief in Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency and suspended Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax for 30 days, cutting the gasoline and diesel tax rates starting Sept. 29 through Oct. 29, with officials citing relief for families, farmers, and small businesses. Data Centers Push vs. Backlash: A coalition of AI firms, private equity, and unions—including OpenAI, Blackstone, QTS, SoftBank, and the IBEW—formed the American Infrastructure Alliance to urge data-center standards in Georgia and six other states, aiming to prevent local moratoriums. Election Security Request: Georgia’s Republican State Election Board voted to ask the Trump administration for help targeting alleged vulnerabilities in the state’s voting system and to press for a software update. School Safety Planning: GEMA/HS rolled out its Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management model for K-12 schools, plus a new grant application window for gang activity prosecution funding. Public Health Watch: Georgia State researchers warned about Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne illness that can spread shortly after tick bites. Local Community Spotlight: Our Legacy Museum opened in Griffin, highlighting local Black history with major guest appearances.

Panda diplomacy in Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta welcomed giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang for a 10-year stay, with a monthlong quarantine before the public debut, renewing a conservation partnership with China. Georgia politics & healthcare: AJC reports the end of enhanced ACA subsidies has left hundreds of thousands of Georgians uninsured, and the governor’s race is now sharpening over what comes next for coverage. Local governance: Jasper County is moving toward a one-year moratorium on new data centers in unincorporated areas, citing water and electricity concerns. Public safety funding: FEMA announced more than $72 million in Region 4 fire and first-responder grants, including nearly $900,000 for Lawrenceburg Fire Department. Cost of living at the pump: GasBuddy says Atlanta regular gas averaged $4.21 Monday, up nearly 20 cents from last week, while Georgia statewide averaged $4.17. Election coverage: Gray Media and Atlanta News First plan major midterm debates in Georgia starting Oct. 6, including a gubernatorial town hall between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson.

Panda Diplomacy Lands in Atlanta: Zoo Atlanta welcomed giant pandas Ping Ping and Fu Shuang from China on Sunday, starting a 10-year stay after Xi’s White House announcement; the pair will spend about a month in quarantine before public viewing. Election Integrity Fight: Georgia GOP Senate candidate Mike Collins said he’s “fine” with federal troops or agents at polling places, despite claims it would be illegal and seen as voter intimidation—setting up a fresh flashpoint as early voting nears. Surveillance and Justice Questions: Atlanta News First Investigates highlighted concerns about Flock camera expansion and how false information in interrogations can lead to wrongful confessions, while another report says some dogs transferred to a rescue operation still died amid criminal charges. Gas Prices Watch: Week ending Sept. 19 saw E85 as low as $2.99 in Camden County, with Georgia averages generally higher; diesel and premium prices also varied county to county. Local Housing Snapshot: Zillow reported Laurens County’s typical home value rose to $183,447 in August, up 3.5% year over year.

Georgia-U.S. Diplomacy: Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze says he spoke briefly with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the UN General Assembly, urging “reciprocal steps” to restore the strategic partnership. Panda Diplomacy: China has sent two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, to Zoo Atlanta for a 10-year stay, a high-profile soft-power move following the Trump-Xi summit. Election Integrity Fight: Democrats and legal scholars are preparing for possible federal interference in the midterms, including plans for mass protests and guidance for judges if ballots are seized or counting is disrupted. Iran Pressure: The U.S. rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, while Washington continues sanctions aimed at Iran’s aviation and banking links. Georgia Crime & Courts: A former Georgia nonprofit employee pleaded guilty to stealing $96,713 meant for abused and neglected children, using funds for personal expenses. Cybersecurity: Georgia is among states affected by a Labcorp-linked data breach settlement, with a multistate deal totaling $2.3 million over vendor-related patient data exposure.

Russia-NATO Tensions: Europe is publicly blaming Russia after a drone-linked incident near a Ukrainian cargo plane in Germany, citing a wider pattern of hybrid attacks, airspace violations, and sabotage attempts that officials say are meant to test NATO resolve. Illegal THC Crackdown in Georgia: Georgia Agriculture investigators and local sheriffs raided four smoke shops in Blackshear, Jesup and Ludowici, arresting Yemeni nationals and seizing products including marijuana mislabeled as hemp flower and banned THCA items under state law. U.S. Visa Trends for Koreans: A report using U.S. State Department data says nonimmigrant visa issuance for South Koreans fell nearly 8% in 2025 under the Trump administration, with some categories later rising after a visa support desk opened in Seoul. Local Clean-Up Call: Volunteers are being sought for the Oct. 3 Great Lake Allatoona Clean Up, with registration due Sept. 28 as sites fill. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy data shows some of the lowest recent prices in Georgia counties, including $3.79 regular in Henry County and $2.99 E15 in Gwinnett County.

Georgia Senate race: Senate Majority Leader John Thune backed U.S. Rep. Mike Collins after a report said GOP super PAC money could shift away from Georgia, arguing there’s already “significant investment” to boost turnout and dismissing allegations about Collins as unfounded. Elections & voting rules: The Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to use a federal database to verify voters’ citizenship ahead of the midterms, a move that could reshape how roll purges are handled. School safety: Georgia is among states joining a Campus Guardian Angel pilot using drones to deter or stop active shooters, drawing both interest and skepticism from safety experts. Local accountability: A DeKalb County woman says a water billing mix-up tied to a wrong meter number led to thousands in charges and shutoff service. Community & housing: Savannah rededicated renovated Heritage Place Apartments, preserving historic buildings tied to Black education and healthcare while expanding affordable housing. Food relief: Winn-Dixie pledged $100,000 to Feeding America partners in Florida and southern Georgia to provide more than 1 million meals.

Georgia Senate Poll: A new InsiderAdvantage Georgia poll shows Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Rep. Mike Collins 50% to 42%, while Gov. Rick Jackson leads Keisha Lance Bottoms 48% to 46% with 6% undecided—highlighting unusually high ticket splitting driven by independents. Campaign Trail: Senate Majority Leader John Thune stumped with Collins in Atlanta, saying Republicans can still win Georgia and that the GOP will keep investing in the race despite a major fundraising gap. Economy Clash: Ossoff and Collins traded sharp criticism over inflation and the Iran war, with Ossoff tying Collins to Trump-era votes and Collins blaming “Bidenomics.” Data Center Fight: Lawmakers are pushing a federal Ratepayer Protection Act to stop data centers from passing grid upgrade costs to regular customers, as Georgia and other states grapple with power demand. Nature & Land: Georgia DNR and partners announced Pine Log WMA is set to reopen in 2027 after a restoration deal in Bartow and Cherokee counties. Public Safety: An hours-long manhunt in Georgia ended after a murder suspect was shot and taken into custody.

Campaign Finance: After the Supreme Court struck down federal caps on coordinated party spending, GOP committees have surged past the old limits by more than $48 million, with Democrats also exceeding them—setting up a late-election spending sprint. Georgia Politics: Georgia governor candidates are battling over rural farm voters as diesel prices and federal trade pressures squeeze growers. Election Security: Election officials across the country are preparing for the possibility of federal intervention in the 2026 midterms, including legal filings and contingency plans. Energy Costs & Data Centers: Senate Republicans are pushing a Ratepayer Protection Act aimed at shielding consumers from rising electricity bills tied to data centers. Food Safety: More than 167,000 pounds of meat were recalled nationwide after products were produced without proper inspection and used a false inspection mark. U.S.-China & Georgia: China says Zoo Atlanta’s new giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, are expected to arrive soon, as Xi Jinping’s visit spotlights tech and AI priorities. Immigration Detention: An op-ed urges Congress to act over alleged deadly conditions at ICE’s Delaney Hall facility.

Defense & Industry: Blue Ops is ramping production of its Variant 7 uncrewed surface vessel at its Valdosta, Ga. facility, expanding shipbuilding, systems integration and testing after a $30 million investment plan and 200+ job goals. Politics: In the governor’s race, Rick Jackson unveiled a farm-focused platform in Cherokee County, pitching automatic tax relief during market shocks and gas tax cuts during diesel spikes, as Keisha Lance Bottoms counters with her own agriculture proposals. Healthcare Leadership: Island Health’s board named Inna Makievsky interim CEO starting Oct. 10 as Elise Cutter exits. Data Centers & Water/Power: Maryland moved to tighten large data center reviews, while Texas faces scrutiny over data center water use—an issue Georgia leaders are watching as AI demand grows. Food Safety: USDA recalled 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products shipped from North Carolina to Georgia distributors after fake inspection labels were found. Business/Jobs: Georgia again topped a national corporate expansion ranking for the 13th straight year, with leaders citing workforce and development process improvements. Public Safety Funding: FEMA awarded $72M+ across the Southeast for fire departments and first responders, including Georgia.

Iran Sanctions Fallout: Iran warned neighboring countries that if they cooperate with U.S. sanctions against Iranian airlines, their airports could be targeted—while Georgia and Azerbaijan confirmed suspending Iranian flights. College Sports Policy: The U.S. Senate is nearing final approval of a sweeping college sports bill on name, image and likeness and athlete standards; Georgia’s senators are split, with Jon Ossoff backing and Raphael Warnock opposing. Georgia Politics & Elections: A new Georgia law would make most Atlanta-area county elections nonpartisan, but two district attorneys are pushing back. Public Safety Tech: Senators are pressing on police use of Flock cameras and data access amid misuse concerns. Cost of Living: A new study says 7 in 10 Georgians struggle to afford basic needs like food and healthcare. Business & Jobs: Georgia’s economy continues to tout top rankings for business, while Pirelli plans a major $1.2 billion Georgia expansion. Health: COVID infections are rising in 27 states, and free updated vaccines for low-income children remain delayed.

Surveillance Oversight: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is pushing for national “guardrails” on Flock automated license plate readers after a Senate hearing spotlighted concerns about stalking and civil liberties, with senators saying there’s no federal policy on how the data is used or shared. Voting Integrity: Federal prosecutors charged three noncitizens in Georgia with illegal voting, and Georgia’s secretary of state pointed to a prior audit ordered in 2022 that flagged thousands of unverified citizenship registration attempts. Iran Aviation Sanctions: Iran warned it could disrupt airports in neighboring countries that cooperate with the U.S. in restricting Iranian airlines, as new U.S. sanctions target Iran’s aviation sector. Public Health: DeKalb County reported more mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus, while officials noted no human cases have been confirmed locally. Cost of Living: New data says most Georgians are struggling with affordability pressures, including food and healthcare costs. Local Housing: Habitat for Humanity is building two homes in Macon’s Napier Heights, with Congressman Sanford Bishop citing federal support for more builds. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reported weekly lows across parts of Georgia, including diesel in Macon County and premium gas in Henry, Richmond, and other counties.