Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1936, NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown was born in St. Simons.

Robert Duvall's death at 95 has us reflecting on his many memorable roles, including his performance in The Great Santini. Based on the novel by Georgia-born author Pat Conroy, the 1979 movie was filmed in Georgia and South Carolina and earned Duvall an Academy Award nomination for best actor. Reply to share your favorites.

On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown reports on the latest developments in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case. What have authorities released so far, and what questions remain? Plus, President Trump is now weighing in on the Guthrie case with a big announcement. Tune in here for the latest news.

Today's sponsor, Viriflow, is sharing a natural method designed to help flush out buildup linked to prostate discomfort and support stronger flow and better bladder control.

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.

Meyers Taylor Wins Gold

Douglasville bobsledding icon Elana Meyers Taylor captured her first Olympic gold medal, winning the women's monobob in a dramatic final heat Monday at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

Meyers Taylor, 41, became the oldest American woman to win Winter Olympic gold and tied speed skater Bonnie Blair for the most medals by a female U.S. winter Olympian with six.

Competing in her fifth games and Georgia's lone member of Team USA, Meyers Taylor will go for a record seventh medal in the two-woman bobsled that begins Friday.

She currently lives and trains in New Braunfels, Texas, but still considers Douglasville her hometown. "My heart will always be in Atlanta. I'm a Douglasville girl," she said.

Entering the games, Meyers Taylor was featured among Olympic mothers, in her case balancing elite competition with raising her two children, both of whom are deaf and one with Down syndrome.

Apalachee High Father's Trial Opens

Opening statements took place Monday in the Barrow County trial of Colin Gray, the father of the teenage boy accused in the September 2024 shooting deaths at Apalachee High School in Winder.

Prosecutors told jurors Gray should be held responsible for giving his son access to a rifle and ammunition despite alleged warnings about threats, fascination with school shooters, and worsening mental health.

The defense said Gray did not know about any plan for an attack and cannot be criminally liable for his son's alleged actions.

Gray faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, in a case watched nationally as prosecutors test when parents can be held criminally liable for the actions of their children.

Atlanta No. 3 In State Capital Rankings

Atlanta ranked No. 3 on a WalletHub list of best U.S. state capitals, based on affordability, economic well-being, education, health, and quality of life.

Atlanta trailed Austin, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina, while Madison, Wisconsin, and Boise, Idaho, rounded out the top five. The lowest-ranked capital cities include Jackson, Mississippi, and Augusta, Maine.

Atlanta ranked high in part based on its median household income and cost of living, according to the report.

"Some state capitals boast incredible job markets, high average salaries, world-class universities, and an abundance of attractions," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "States should aim to make their capital city a shining example of the best they have to offer."

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➤ North Georgia: Early voting began ahead of the March 10 special election to fill the congressional seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene. (More)

➤ Savannah: Local chef Joe Randall died at 79, celebrated for shaping Savannah cuisine through teaching and mentorship. (More)

➤ Sandersville: Authorities identified two children killed in a fire, as investigators and the state fire marshal work to determine how the blaze started. (More)

➤ Irwin County: The county moved to dissolve the Ocilla-Irwin County Industrial Development Authority amid questions about oversight of proposed data centers and other projects that rely on development deals. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones' campaign dismissed rival governor candidate Rick Jackson's lawsuit challenging Jones' fundraising. (More)

➤ Augusta: U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-St. Simons Island, and a candidate for U.S. Senate, visited a local church and attended the local Republican Party's breakfast meeting, saying more focus is needed on areas of the state outside of Atlanta. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrep is out indefinitely with an elbow injury. An MRI showed "loose bodies" in his elbow, but no ligament damage. (More)

➤ Former Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith revealed his new tattoo commemorating the school's 2021 and 2022 national championship wins. (See Tattoo)

➤ Wisconsin wide receivers coach Jordan Reid will reportedly join the Atlanta Falcons as an assistant quarterbacks coach. (More)

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➤ The average gas price in Georgia was $2.72 as of Monday, up 6 cents in a week as pricier oil and springtime refinery maintenance tightened supplies, AAA reported. (More)

➤ Georgia-Pacific will keep its paper mill in Perry, Florida, shuttered at least another year while the Atlanta-based company studies other uses for the site. (More)

➤ Businesses in Marietta are temporarily unable to pay license fees online after a nationwide ransomware attack on the city's online payment vendor, BridgePay Network Solutions. (More)

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➤ 7 Hidden Signs Your Body Is Crying Out for Magnesium. Think your anxiety, muscle tension, and irregular heartbeat are just part of getting older? Think again. Groundbreaking research reveals how a single mineral deficiency could be behind dozens of common complaints after 50. Even more intriguing? Many of the medications commonly prescribed to older adults might be making this deficiency worse. Before you accept another prescription, there's something crucial you need to know about magnesium. (Learn more)

Flying together with our sponsor

Prostate changes aren't always just about aging. Research shows inflammation and lifestyle factors may play a role in urinary symptoms many men experience.

This short video explains a doctor-developed method designed to support healthy prostate function naturally. Watch here to learn more.

➤ Country music legend and Georgia native Ray Stevens released a new song titled Savannah, a musical tribute to the coastal city. Stevens, 87, will release his latest album, Favorites Old and New, in April. (More)

➤ A Lee County student who developed a lung cancer screening tool is teaming with Emory, Ohio State, and Harvard universities on a project to improve health care access in rural areas. (More)

➤ Gov. Brian Kemp was named 2026 Governor of the Year by Safari Club International, honored for his policies supporting wildlife conservation, sportsmen's rights, and public access to hunting lands. (More)

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➤ "Impossible" Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Doctors are doing double-takes at recent DEXA scans showing unprecedented bone density improvements in women over 60 after adding this protein in their diet. The stunning results have doctors questioning if their equipment is malfunctioning—but the explanation lies in a revolutionary protein compound that provides what calcium supplements alone cannot. (Learn More)