Georgia Recorder

Following being outbid for the GOP nomination for governor by Rick Jackson, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has reportedly refused to endorse or appear with Jackson. This conflict is troubling for Georgia Republicans who face a likely prospect of losing the U.S. Senate race to Jon Ossoff. The article notes that the governor’s office controls jobs, appointments, and contracts, making this election highly consequential.

Georgia’s highest court announced that it will stop routinely hearing most murder case appeals starting July 2027. These conviction appeals, which currently make up over half of published cases, will be handled by the Georgia Court of Appeals instead. Chief Justice Nels Peterson called for this change to end a longstanding practice he argued was consuming too much judicial workload.

The Democratic National Committee approved six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, starting in South Carolina and Nevada. DNC Chair Ken Martin stated that any nominee must earn support across the full breadth of America through this process. The complete lineup of contests includes dates in New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico, and Virginia.

As community and legal scrutiny increases over its automated license plate reader surveillance network, Flock Safety is tightening privacy controls, recommending a reduction in data retention from 30 to seven days. The company also plans to restrict data sharing between agencies and mandate that law enforcement searches be associated with case codes. These changes come amid concerns about misuse of the technology, including inaccurate information contributing to wrongful police stops.

The article argues that successful political work relies on fundamental constituent service—or 'grunt work'—which involves helping people with issues concerning federal agencies. This model of public service has a history exemplified by John Lewis’s office, and it is Jon Ossoff who has picked up this mantle. Due to his willingness to help constituents across party lines, local leaders in south Georgia have endorsed Ossoff.

Lawmakers in Georgia are investigating the rising cost of child welfare services, noting that foster care costs were projected to increase 159% since 2022. This investigation follows budget cuts made by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services due to an estimated $85 million deficit. Advocacy concerns also center on private companies allegedly delaying or denying medically necessary mental healthcare benefits covered under Medicaid.

Based on initial campaign finance disclosures, Republican candidates outraised Democrats in most of Georgia’s statewide races. However, Democrats reportedly led Republicans for the attorney general, secretary of state, and one Public Service Commission seat. In the gubernatorial race, Rick Jackson raised over $13 million while Keisha Lance Bottoms trailed him with about $5.6 million.

More than 50 Black Georgia lawmakers condemned Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over alleged ties to white nationalists, citing antisemitic tropes found in posts by his son-in-law, David Alan Scheer II. In response, Collins stated that he condemns all forms of hate and pointed out his voting record supporting Israel’s military. The controversy occurred as Collins prepares to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Georgia farmers are facing issues receiving compensation for damages caused by Hurricane Helene, nearly two years after the storm hit. Farmers who purchased federal hurricane insurance report that their claims have not been paid out, despite existing eligibility criteria tied to sustained hurricane-force winds. Officials acknowledge that uncompensated losses could be as high as $10 million.

The Trump administration is increasing efforts to grant states more control over federal education money by implementing waivers for funding consolidation. Six states received waivers allowing them to consolidate over $109 million while bypassing certain requirements, and additionally, 22 states received Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex) authority to waive various federal educational mandates.

Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson presented differing views on data centers and Medicaid expansion at a Georgia Chamber of Commerce business luncheon. Bottoms proposed a temporary pause on data center construction to assess environmental and economic impacts, while Jackson supported data centers as economically beneficial, particularly for rural areas.

Georgia’s medical cannabis patient registry increased by 22% in over a month, with 8,200 new patients enrolling after a new law expanded access by removing potency caps, adding qualifying conditions, and eliminating the 'low-THC oil' branding. The surge reflects 'pent-up demand,' but the Department of Public Health faces delays processing applications due to the influx.

The US Senate stopgap spending bill does not renew $38.6 billion in annual transportation funding from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, which expires Sept. 30. The stopgap measure, passed by the Senate, keeps the government funded at current levels through Dec. 11 but leaves states facing budget cuts starting Oct. 1, affecting transportation programs for bridges, airports, and transit.

U.S. acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination advanced after two Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, supported it following Blanche's assurance that President Donald Trump’s 'anti-weaponization' fund is rescinded. The 12-10 party-line vote sends the nomination to the full Senate, with Cornyn and Tillis citing an agreement with Justice Department officials reaffirming tax audit immunity limits tied to Trump’s lawsuit.

A possible cyber attack on Georgia's Clayton County water system caused low water pressure and a boil water advisory, with authorities suggesting it may be part of a multistate campaign linked to Iran. Similar attacks targeting water infrastructure have been reported in seven other states, prompting investigations by the FBI and federal agencies.

Evan Newton, a 25-year-old Gen Z journalist, purchased the Monticello News in Georgia, becoming one of the state's youngest newspaper owners. He acquired the outlet from previous owner Katherine Mudd to keep it local, avoiding a corporate takeover. The sale has drawn national attention as a rare example of optimism in local journalism amid widespread newsroom closures.

A federal judge denied 25 states' request to pause Medicaid work requirements, upholding a congressional mandate that requires Medicaid expansion states to impose 80-hour monthly work, education, or volunteer mandates for coverage. The states argued the rule's medical frailty exemptions were too narrow, but the judge ruled the January 1 deadline set by Congress must be met.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche secured key Republican support for his nomination to lead the Department of Justice after submitting a written assurance that the administration's 'anti-weaponization' fund is rescinded. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who had withheld support, endorsed the move following the announcement, which also addressed Cornyn's concerns about an IRS settlement agreement.

A bipartisan deal in the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee freezes the Trump administration's proposed rule on federal grants until December 11, extends highway and transit funding, and avoids a government shutdown. The agreement includes adjustments for programs like WIC and the Disaster Relief Fund, blocking controversial House provisions.

Georgia Power is expanding Plant Bowen with natural gas turbines and battery storage despite environmental concerns over air quality in the Atlanta region. The project, supported by a $26.5 billion federal loan, aims to add 1,500 megawatts of natural gas capacity and 500 megawatts of battery storage to meet growing energy demand, particularly from data centers.