AGP Executive Report

Georgia Politics: Metro Atlanta’s growing clout is reshaping Georgia’s political center of gravity, with the next governor likely rooted in the metro area and statewide races reflecting that shift. U.S. Senate & Elections: Georgia GOP Senate nominee Mike Collins is still tied to Trump’s 2020 election claims, while voting-rights groups warn of possible midterm interference and are ramping up voter protection efforts. Health Care: Keisha Lance Bottoms pledged to expand Medicaid in Georgia, arguing the current Pathways to Coverage program leaves too many uninsured. Economy & Trade: Georgia’s exports rose 22.1% and imports climbed 3.4% in the first eight months of 2026, with Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia leading exports. Aviation & Sanctions: Iranian airlines suspended flights to Georgia after U.S. sanctions restricted their operations. Local Culture & Community: “Beyond the Diagnosis,” a documentary about three Southern Black women thriving with HIV, premieres Nov. 6 in Atlanta and streams the same day on JaroGO. Sports: No. 2 Georgia opened SEC play with a 45-17 win over Arkansas, powered by a 254-yard rushing attack.

Immigration Enforcement: An ICE officer shot and wounded a man in Austin, Texas, and city leaders want local police to have a clear, third-party role in the investigation. Georgia Housing Watch: Zillow data shows Schley County’s typical home value rose 1.6% to $187,227 in August 2026, while Effingham County’s typical value fell 2.3% to $334,584. Retail Crime Crackdown: Georgia AG Chris Carr says a Chatham County grand jury indicted 11 people tied to a multistate shoplifting and snatch-and-grab ring targeting major chains, with thefts spanning 11 Georgia counties. School Demographics & Attendance: Jenkins Elementary in Gwinnett reported a 25.6% drop in multiracial enrollment for 2024-25, and Georgia continues pushing attendance reforms after chronic absenteeism. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas in Hancock County hit $3.89 in the week ending Sept. 12, with Georgia’s statewide average at $3.92. Local Tech & Privacy: Kuna, Idaho removed AI license-plate reader cameras after resident backlash—an issue Georgia communities have also grappled with.

Daylight Saving Time: Georgia will fall back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, moving from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time—meaning an extra hour of sleep, but earlier sunsets. Election Integrity & Immigration: The U.S. Justice Department charged 16 people across multiple states, including Georgia, in alleged illegal voting and election crimes, with DOJ warning noncitizens who vote could face arrest and deportation. SNAP Funding Pressure: Georgia could be on the hook for an estimated $500 million to $1 billion a year if a new farm bill permanently shifts more SNAP costs to states, affecting 1.4 million beneficiaries. Local Crime: A Cobb County man, Cole Holloway, is accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend in the eye with a BB gun at a bus stop, leading to serious surgery. Sports (Georgia): No. 2 Georgia opened SEC play with a 45-17 win over Arkansas, with Chauncey Bowens scoring three rushing touchdowns. Fall Migration: Peak fall bird migration is ramping up across Georgia, with late September bringing millions of birds heading south.

Georgia Politics & Courts: A new law clerk for the Mountain Judicial Circuit, Alex Amato, has ties to Banks County, returning to the community where he grew up. Election Integrity: The U.S. Justice Department charged 16 foreign nationals across multiple states, including three in Georgia, alleging illegal voting and related fraud tied to false claims of citizenship. State & Local History: Sisters Willette White Mote and Trudy White Galloway will be recognized for preserving Fort Hollingsworth, a frontier landmark built around 1793. Sports (Georgia): No. 2 Georgia rolled past Arkansas 45-17 as Chauncey Bowens scored three times; Georgia Tech beat Mercer 44-11 behind Justice Haynes’ 141 rushing yards and three TDs. Entertainment & Economy: “American Idol” is moving production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area for Season 25, citing Georgia’s tax incentives for unscripted and reality shows. Public Safety/Community: Students at Troy University held a 9/11 stair climb at Veterans Memorial Stadium to honor victims and first responders.

Georgia Politics & Elections: Georgia voters will decide on nonpartisan probate judges, with polls showing tight statewide races including Ossoff vs. Collins in the U.S. Senate contest and new polling on the governor’s race. Voting Security & Access: Reports flag Georgia counties using non-English election materials, while experts warn about ballot secrecy and voting equipment flaws that could link voters to ballots. Public Safety & Courts: A federal grand jury indicted multiple defendants in the Southern District of Georgia, including kidnapping, firearms, drug, and immigration-related charges. Economic Development: Liberty County Development Authority hired Jamal McIver, a Liberty County native, as Director of Assets, Infrastructure & Capital Projects. National Security: U.S. intelligence says Russia is running covert online disinformation operations aimed at sowing chaos ahead of November’s midterms. Community & Culture: JapanFest Atlanta returns to Duluth with tens of thousands expected at Gas South Convention Center. Sports: Week 3 college football TV schedules spotlight Georgia at Arkansas and Mercer at Georgia Tech, while local high school football results rolled in across the state.

Georgia Senate race: A new poll finds Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s high-stakes U.S. Senate contest, with Ossoff at 48.2% to Collins’ 44.4% among likely voters and the race still within the margin of error. Election rules and voting access: Internal DHS emails reviewed by WSB flag multilingual ballot rules in metro Atlanta counties (Gwinnett, Cobb and DeKalb), renewing concerns among Democrats about possible federal enforcement around voting. State constitutional change: Georgia voters will decide whether probate judges move to nonpartisan elections in November, a shift supporters say improves ethics while opponents argue party politics still matter. Public safety: Child passenger safety events across the Augusta-Aiken area aim to help families install car seats correctly during National Child Passenger Safety Week. Rural health funding: Coastal Empire rural hospitals are set to receive federal support to help recruit and retain frontline staff and prevent closures. National politics: The NAACP and civil rights groups filed suit challenging threats of armed federal agents at polling sites.

Georgia Politics & Health Care: Georgia lawmakers and Gov. Brian Kemp’s team are weighing the state’s next Medicaid move as Pathways nears its end, with an argument that Georgia can lead by building on work-based principles instead of defaulting to expansion. State Government & Identity Tech: Federal regulators cleared banks and credit unions to accept mobile driver’s licenses for identity checks, as long as institutions can prove they’re reading a real, current credential. Public Utilities & Data Centers: Georgia’s utility regulators faced fresh public backlash over data centers, including concerns about how major deals are handled and whether regular customers are protected. Elections & Voter Access: Georgia continues to prep for the midterms with updates on early voting and how voters can find official sample ballots. National Policy Watch: Across the U.S., states are pushing to inspect federal immigrant detention facilities, arguing they should be able to enforce health and safety rules even when the sites are run under federal contracts. International Spotlight: Azerbaijan was elected to an international consumer protection enforcement network advisory group for 2026–2027, with Georgia also listed among members.

University Leadership: The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents named former Southern Company CEO Thomas A. Fanning as the sole finalist to become the next chancellor, setting up a major leadership transition for the state’s 25 public colleges and universities. Higher Education & Community: UGA announced an endowment at the School of Law honoring alumnus John E. “Buck” Griffin, with Gov. Brian Kemp and university leaders joining the ceremony. Public Safety & Elections: A new report warns Georgia’s voting equipment could be easier to exploit with AI, raising fresh concerns about ballot secrecy ahead of the midterms. State Politics: Georgia’s attorney general is part of a $694 million multistate settlement with auto lender Credit Acceptance Corporation, aimed at strengthening consumer protections. Health & Infrastructure: Georgia’s second lung transplant program is set to launch this fall at Piedmont Atlanta. Local Economy: Inspiredu received a $45,000 Taco Bell Foundation community grant to expand digital skills training for underserved youth across Georgia. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices remain volatile in parts of the state, with multiple counties reporting week-to-week changes in regular, midgrade, and diesel costs.

Higher Education Leadership: The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents named Thomas A. Fanning as the sole finalist to succeed Chancellor Sonny Perdue, setting up a major transition for the state’s 25 public colleges and universities. Adult Literacy: A new national PIAAC survey ranks Georgia No. 39 for adult English literacy proficiency, with a score of 260.4—behind nearby states like Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. State Government & Transparency: Georgia’s attorney general is urged to aggressively pursue open-government violations, with a focus on how the AG’s actions shape what the public can see and access. Immigration & Legal Action: More than 300 Korean workers detained during a Hyundai-LG battery plant raid in Georgia are taking the U.S. government to court, alleging unlawful detention. Politics & Spending: In the governor’s race, Democrats say pro-Rick Jackson groups have reserved far more TV airtime than Keisha Lance Bottoms and her allies, highlighting the money gap heading into November. Local Community: Macon dedicated the Willis B. Sheftall, Sr. Legacy Park in Pleasant Hill, using an American Rescue Plan grant to help reconnect a community divided by I-75.

Georgia governor race: A new Rasmussen poll finds Republican Rick Jackson leading Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms 48% to 45% among likely voters, with 7% undecided, as both campaigns spar over debate plans—Bottoms is pushing for six statewide debates while Jackson has declined a Macon forum. Local politics: Bottoms renewed calls for six statewide debates even as Jackson continues a strategy of grassroots stops. Education: UNF trustees in Florida selected Dr. Michael P. Shannon as the next university president, pending Florida Board of Governors confirmation. Business & jobs: Walmart+ added CITGO to its gas savings benefit; Love’s reopened a remodeled Dublin location and donated to Atrium Health Levine Children’s; Warner Robins Air Force Logistics Complex announced a hiring event. Public policy: The House passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, expanding Trump’s authority on sanctions and tariffs. Schools: Davis Elementary in Muscogee County reported a 29.8% jump in African American enrollment for 2024-25, reaching 322 students. Environment/tech: Georgia Tech’s Trash Lab is using a miniTrashpresso to upcycle hard-to-recycle plastics into new products.

Georgia Elections & Voting Access: A Supreme Court decision keeps Georgia’s “no-excuses” absentee voting in place for the 2026 midterms, with voters able to request mail ballots through the state’s online system. Election Security Prep: Across the country, officials are rehearsing for possible federal interference, misinformation, cyber threats, and threats of violence as November nears. MARTA Safety Push: MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt says the agency will seek more federal safety funding, pointing to ongoing rider fare issues, cybersecurity concerns, and recent violence that has raised scrutiny. Tech & Privacy: Hackers reportedly copied data from Flock roadway cameras and showed the system can detect people as well as vehicles, renewing debate over surveillance and encryption claims. Georgia Politics & National Stakes: The Justice Department is investigating election practices in multiple states as it ramps up voter-roll enforcement ahead of the midterms. Entertainment in Georgia: FX’s “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” highlights Atlanta’s role in bringing ’90s West Coast hip-hop stories to life. Business/Development: Eric Trump joined the official launch of Trump Tower Tbilisi, pitching the project as a major Georgia-linked investment and branding play.

FBI Crime Update: FBI Special Agent in Charge Marlo Graham says new data shows violent crime dropped more than 9% nationwide, with Georgia homicides down 18% thanks to multi-agency partnerships and targeted gun-and-violent-offender operations. Voting Access: National Voter Registration Day is Sept. 15, and Georgia voters are reminded to check registration and use online, mail, or in-person options before deadlines. U.S. Senate Race Watch (Georgia): A Rasmussen survey gives Sen. Jon Ossoff 51% to Rep. Mike Collins’ 42% in Georgia, with 6% undecided. Election Security Tension: At a Senate hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel faced questions about whether agents could be sent to polling places, while Democrats pressed on Georgia election-related investigations. Entertainment & Economy: “American Idol” is moving production to the Atlanta area for Season 25, with details on filming locations still scarce. Public Safety Tech: Georgia’s 2025 digital driver’s license law will require verification equipment for officers by July 1, 2027. Local Courts: Federal prosecutors unsealed charges tied to the H-2A visa program, alleging visa fraud and smuggling in Georgia. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports Wheeler County’s lowest midgrade price at $4.38 for the week ending Sept. 5.

Georgia Politics & Voting Tech: Georgia’s next statewide voting system is headed toward a tight deadline for 2028, with lawmakers racing to reach consensus before election-year politics and legal fights complicate the timeline. Statehouse Power Struggle: A lieutenant governor race could create a rare split setup—Democrats in the presiding role while Republicans control the Senate—shaping how much power the next LG actually has. Campaign Flashpoint—Data Centers: In the governor’s race, Keisha Lance Bottoms pressed Rick Jackson to divest from data center projects, while Jackson demanded she disclose her client list, turning the energy-and-jobs boom into a direct political fight. Federal Court Mail Ballots: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked a Trump mail-ballot scheme, keeping midterm ballot rules in limbo and setting up more legal battles. Immigration Enforcement in Georgia: More than 300 South Korean workers from a 2026 Ellabell raid are challenging the Trump administration in the first major legal action tied to that operation. Local Business & Community: A new Cuban market, Sabor Cubano, opened in Warner Robins, bringing fresh Cuban staples and plans for a small cafe. Weekend Life: Metro Atlanta’s weekend picks include a reimagined Georgia Aquarium River Scout and a Beltline Lantern Parade.

Georgia Elections: A new Trafalgar Group poll shows Sen. Jon Ossoff leading Rep. Mike Collins in Georgia’s Senate race, 49.4% to 42.8%, with 6.5% undecided and the race tightening about 50 days out. Campaign Clash: With early voting less than a month away, Gov. candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are trading barbs over data centers and transparency, including Bottoms’ push for a statewide pause and Jackson’s argument for local approval hurdles. Voting Security: Researchers warn Georgia’s ballot secrecy could be exploited with AI, while separate reporting alleges federal investigators may have broken state laws during a voter-fraud probe. Local Governance: Kemp-appointed members took office on a new Dublin school board tasked with turning around the district after the prior board was suspended and removed. Public Safety/Justice: Georgia AG Chris Carr announced indictments tied to a multistate carfentanil trafficking investigation in Chatham County. Sports/Community: Atlanta Ballet expands scholarships for children who can’t afford training as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Georgia Politics & Elections: U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms drew a crowd of more than 1,400 at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, focusing on cost-of-living pressures and criticizing Republican rival Mike Collins. Voting Access: A federal judge in Washington, D.C. issued a new order freezing President Trump’s attempt to tighten mail voting rules for the midterms, with election officials saying the changes can’t be implemented before November. Governor Race Watch: Bottoms and Jackson’s campaigns are sharpening contrasts on health care, as Rick Jackson’s “intelligent Medicaid expansion” pitch faces uncertainty over what’s legally possible under new federal limits. Statehouse/Policy: Georgia lawmakers’ recent income tax cut is still driving debate over budget impacts, with candidates now forced to explain how they’d handle the deficit. Local Economy & Jobs: Georgia’s data center boom is raising demand for skilled construction workers, but labor shortages could slow projects. Public Safety: Schools and police across the U.S. are warning about the “Cat in the Hat” online threat trend after teen arrests tied to threatening posts.

Georgia Senate Race: Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms held a high-energy Athens rally while Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins hosted a separate, low-key event nearby—two competing messages as early voting nears. Voting Security: Georgia election officials face renewed scrutiny after researchers warned AI could exploit a flaw in Dominion/Liberty Vote-style equipment to match voters to ballots, raising concerns about ballot secrecy and possible legal fights. Governor’s Race & Abortion: Bottoms’ abortion-rights push is fueling fresh heat in the Georgia governor’s contest. Rural Health: ABAC and UGA’s vet school launched a five-year incentive program aimed at boosting rural and food-animal veterinarian supply. Education: New enrollment data show Parkside Elementary’s multiracial student count rising while chronic absenteeism remains a statewide concern. Fuel Prices: Diesel prices in parts of Georgia dipped in the week ending Sept. 5, with the lowest reported rates varying by county. Sports: Georgia is No. 2 in the AP Top 25 ahead of its Week 3 game at Arkansas after Texas jumped to No. 1.