Thursday, April 23, 2026

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50+ Homes Burn, Google Data Center, and Blessing of the Fleet

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1985, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola introduced New Coke, sparking consumer backlash over the first formula change to original Coke in 99 years.

Sadly, the state's wildfires have now claimed dozens of homes. We bring you the latest in Top Stories. Let us know if you're impacted by the new burn ban in today's Poll.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, and what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Mother's Day is closer than you think. Our 2026 Gift Guide has something for every kind of mom, from thoughtful to practical to a little over-the-top. Don't sleep on it.

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10/month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

50+ Homes Destroyed as Wildfires Spread

A wildfire in Brantley County grew to more than 5,000 acres on Wednesday, destroying at least 54 homes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the state's largest wildfire, in Clinch County, grew to more than 16,000 acres, with smoke drifting into Metro Atlanta on Wednesday.

Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties and issued mandatory outdoor burn bans across those counties.

This week, Georgia has recorded more than 90 wildfires due to drought conditions, with more than 21,000 acres scorched.

Shooting Spree Suspect Dies in Jail

An immigrant accused of killing three people in a DeKalb County shooting spree this month was found dead in his jail cell Tuesday night.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was discovered unresponsive at 6:48 p.m. Authorities said lifesaving measures failed, and he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

The cause of death was not immediately released as an investigation continued.

Adon Abel, originally from the United Kingdom, faced charges in connection with the shooting spree that killed Lauren Bullis, Prianna Weathers, and Tony Matthews in separate incidents across DeKalb County. A motive remained under investigation.

U.S. Rep. David Scott Dies at 80

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a 12-term Democrat who represented Atlanta's southwestern suburbs for more than two decades, died Wednesday at age 80.

Scott was seeking a 13th term representing the 13th Congressional District. A special election will be required to fill the vacancy.

Scott first won in 2002 and later served as the first black chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Wednesday afternoon.

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➤ Statewide: More than 500,000 Georgians dropped their Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage after pandemic-era subsidies expired, a drop of 37%. (More)

➤ Woodstock: A suspect died and an officer suffered a non-life-threatening injury in a shootout Wednesday evening after a traffic stop on I-575. (More)

➤ Augusta: Augusta Technical College received a $6.81 million federal grant to help fund the opening of a state-of-the-art automotive workforce training center. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: The city approved funding for the expansion of family and individual homeless shelter services offered by Haven Hope House. (More)

➤ Savannah: Vrbo named the General Lachlan McIntosh House one of its vacation rentals of the year, drawing national attention to one of the city's oldest brick residences. (More)

➤ No. 3 Georgia Tech baseball run-ruled No. 5 Georgia 14-4 on Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. (More)

➤ The Athens Rock Lobsters will move from the FPHL to the SPHL next season, becoming the first hockey team to move up a tier without a major rebrand or sale of the franchise. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks host the Knicks at 7 p.m. today for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The winner will take a 2-1 lead. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons enter today's NFL draft without a first-round pick and a completely new front office. New General Manager Ian Cunningham said the depth of the draft aligns well with Atlanta's needs at multiple positions. (More)

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➤ Google announced plans for a new data center in LaGrange, pledging to fund 100% of the center's power needs while utilizing advances in energy affordability and water replenishment. The company also pledged $1 million to a local nonprofit that provides energy efficiency upgrades to local seniors and families. (More)

➤ A report found the Valdosta campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine made a $292.6 million direct economic impact on the region in 2025. (More)

➤ Business and education leaders are meeting this week for Atlanta AI Week, discussing artificial intelligence’s future and the city’s growing role as a tech and innovation hub. (More)

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➤ The town of Thunderbolt near Savannah will host its annual Blessing of the Fleet this weekend, featuring a parade, vendor market, and entertainment. (More)

➤ A Savannah man discovered a bobcat mother and her kittens took up residence in his backyard. He's working with a company to safely relocate the animals. (Photo)

➤ Tripadvisor ranked Georgia’s top five state parks to visit in celebration of Earth Day, based on guest reviews. (List)

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➤ Experience the future of oral care with the Sonic Glow Toothbrush. An advanced, hands-free toothbrush that cleans all your teeth at once. Powered by sonic vibrations and LED whitening technology, it removes plaque, protects gums, and delivers a complete 360° clean in just 30 seconds for a brighter, healthier smile.

Do you live in a county with a burn ban?

Wednesday’s Results:

How worried are you about the drought?

Extremely: 21%
Very: 29%
Moderately: 30%
Slightly: 12%
Other: 8%

How many days passed before Coca-Cola restored the original formula after introducing New Coke?

Show me the answer

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Midstate Storms, K-9 Airlift, and Rare White Peacock

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1998, James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin who killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died in Nashville at the age of 70.

Have you ever seen the famed synchronous fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park? If not, maybe it's your time to shine, and the lottery for viewing tickets opens tomorrow. See details below.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog, your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Legislature Advances Honorifics Bill

Tennessee lawmakers approved a bill Tuesday shielding students from discipline if they refuse to use a teacher’s preferred honorific that conflicts with the teacher's biological sex.

The measure, already passed by the Senate, also applies to state employees and contractors and now heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk.

Sponsor Rep. Aron Maberry said the bill responds to parent concerns and aims to prevent confusion among students.

Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue it promotes disrespect for people who self-identify as transgender.

Midstate Braces For Storm Threats

Middle Tennessee will soon face two rounds of potentially severe weather, with the first arriving tomorrow night and a stronger system expected on Monday.

Forecasters say Friday’s storms carry a low risk, mainly bringing gusty winds and heavy rain, with no major tornado or hail threat.

Monday’s system could pack more punch, with isolated tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds possible late afternoon into the evening.

Officials urge residents to stay weather-aware as conditions may shift in the coming days.

Rescue Dog Found After 9-Day Search

A three-legged rescue dog named Nakoa was found safe after spending nine days lost in wooded areas near the Georgia border.

The shepherd mix was located using a thermal imaging drone operated by the same specialist who helped capture a runaway zebra in Rutherford County last year.

Searchers tracked camera sightings before a drone operator pinpointed the dog, though it took several more days to safely recover him.

Nakoa has since been reunited with his rescuers and placed in his permanent home.

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➤ Statewide: Several Tennessee lakes, including Reelfoot and Dale Hollow, are being flagged as among the most snake-populated due to abundant prey and shoreline habitat. (See Details)

➤ Knoxville: A North Carolina police K-9 became the first airlifted to Tennessee for emergency treatment after accidental ozone exposure caused severe respiratory distress. (More)

➤ Murfreesboro: A controlled natural gas release in Maury County caused a “rotten egg” odor in Rutherford County, but police said the mercaptan smell was harmless and posed no safety threat. (More)

➤ Oak Ridge: Kairos Power began building its 50-megawatt Hermes 2 reactor, a demonstration project expected to deliver carbon-free energy to the TVA grid and support Google’s operations. (More)

➤ Chattanooga: Officials launched a new program offering up to $21,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers as city housing costs rise. (More)

➤ Anderson County: A $1 million investment will soon transform aging tennis courts into a sports complex featuring areas for activities like pickleball and basketball. (More)

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➤ The Tennessee Titans pick No. 4 in tonight’s NFL Draft, where they’re rumored to be eyeing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. (More)

➤ The Tennessee women's golf team won its first SEC championship in program history, beating Auburn 3-2 in the match play final. (More)

➤ Vanderbilt men's basketball landed Auburn transfer Sebastian Williams-Adams, a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in his freshman season. (More)

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➤ Adient will close its Athens car seat manufacturing plant on June 30, eliminating 210 jobs, as state workforce officials coordinate support services for affected employees following the WARN notice. (More)

➤ Lion’s Share, a new fine-dining restaurant, has opened in Nashville’s Sylvan Park, taking over the former McCabe’s Pub space after its 2024 closure. (More)

➤ Memphis’ Oak Court Mall has officially closed after nearly four decades. Demolition is underway on the once-busy shopping center that struggled to retain customers in recent years. (More)

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➤ The Little Ponderosa Zoo took in a rare white peacock after an East Tennessee man found the bird in his backyard and said it refused to leave. (See Peacock)

➤ Great Smoky Mountains National Park will open a lottery tomorrow for limited viewing access to its annual synchronous firefly event, set for May 20-27 near Elkmont. (See Details)

➤ The World’s Biggest Fish Fry carnival opened on Monday in Henry County, offering $25 unlimited-ride armbands, discounted tickets for students, expanded attractions, and security from local law enforcement throughout the week. (More)

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