Thursday, February 12, 2026

Happy Georgia Day! On this date in 1733, a group of settlers led by James Oglethorpe established the colony of Georgia in present-day Savannah, an event celebrated each Feb. 12 as Georgia Day.

In recognition of the 293rd anniversary of Georgia's founding, the Georgia Historical Society's new video on the state's early history premieres online today. There's also an online quiz to test your knowledge. Tell us how you did!

Today's episode of The Flyover Podcast highlights surprising new research suggesting your daily coffee or tea habit could be linked to a lower risk of dementia. Host Ayla Brown unpacks what scientists found, including the ideal number of cups per day and why decaf didn't show the same effect. Listen here.

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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.

State Income Tax Cut Plan Detailed

Republicans in the state Senate unveiled proposed legislation to eliminate state income taxes on the first $50,000 earned by individuals and $100,000 for married couples.

The plan would eliminate state income tax liability for roughly two-thirds of Georgians while cutting the state's income tax rate to 4.99% this year, followed by reductions to 3.99% by 2028.

For those earning more than the exemption threshold, the changes would save an estimated $5,000 a year, according to Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery.

The proposal calls for the elimination of more than $1 billion in corporate tax credits for data centers, affordable housing projects, and other businesses to offset the revenue loss.

Escapees Jumped from Jail Roof

The two murder suspects who escaped the Sumter County jail in Americus climbed onto the roof to escape, with jail staff discovering them missing during a routine check around 2 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Sumter County Sheriff Eric Bryant said Rickey Martin, 20, and Kentravious Holmes, 21, accessed the roof, jumped, and ran. The sheriff reported there were signs that a jail lock suffered a possible mechanical failure.

A stolen vehicle was spotted on cameras in Albany shortly after the breakout. A search for the pair continued Wednesday.

The escape came days after an inmate at the Troup County jail walked out an outer door and climbed an exterior fence to escape before being captured in Cherokee County.

Visitor Center Extends Record Run

Georgia's first visitor center continues welcoming travelers after more than 60 years, maintaining its status as the nation's oldest continuously operating state welcome center.

The center—located near the South Carolina border on Highway 301 in Sylvania, northwest of Savannah—opened in 1962.

Built with materials from across Georgia, including pecan wood and pink Etowah marble on the facade, the center also showcases Georgia-made soap, jams, peanuts, pecans, and other products.

The center was built before the interstate system, when the highway served as a main route to Florida. Then-Gov. Ernest Vandiver pushed the project on the belief that tourism could improve the state's image and become a catalyst for economic growth.

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➤ Statewide: Ford pickups top the list of most stolen vehicles in Georgia, followed by Dodge Chargers and Chevrolet pickups, with the state reporting 197 thefts per 100,000 residents, according to a Compare the Market study. (More)

➤ Rome: The benefits of the $5.7 million runway extension at the local airport include allowing the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to base operations there for the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show in April. (More)

➤ Statesboro: Homeowners and businesses may pay a new monthly fee to fund the fire department after the city ended protection agreements with Bulloch County. (More)

➤ Macon: The Douglass Theatre is celebrating its 105th anniversary and Black History Month with a homecoming week and other events planned throughout February. (More)

➤ Putnam County: A group of residents opposes a proposed 900-acre rock quarry near Dennis Station Road, citing fears that the operation could dry up wells and damage a 200-year-old church. The quarry company did not immediately respond. (More)

➤ Americus: Phoebe Sumter Medical Center will host its annual Heart Walk & Run on Feb. 21 at the Mattie H. Marshall Walking Trail to promote awareness during American Heart Month. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Braves announced pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach will miss the first two months of the season with bone spurs in his elbow. (More)

➤ The contract extension for Georgia men's basketball coach Mike White will give him annual pay raises through 2031, culminating with a $4.41 million salary in the final year. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher was named as a replacement player for the Rising Stars event as part of the NBA All-Star weekend that starts Friday in Los Angeles, California. (More)

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➤ Georgia-based ApolloMD said a data breach last year gave hackers access to 626,540 patient names, diagnoses, Social Security numbers, and insurance data. Victims were notified in September. (More)

➤ Westwin Elements plans to proceed with the development of a nickel refinery in Richmond Hill, despite the Development Authority of Bryan County ending negotiations over possible incentives. (More)

➤ Raising Cane's opened its first South Georgia restaurant in Valdosta, celebrating with giveaways that included a drawing for free chicken fingers for a year for 20 winners. (More)

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➤ Restaurants across metro Atlanta will provide Valentine's Day options for every budget, offering deals for sit-down, fast-casual, and fast-food dining. (List)

➤ Youth softball players in Athens sharpened their skills during a free clinic led by members of the University of Georgia softball team. (More)

➤ The Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta hosted its Mardi Gras celebration and parade this past weekend. (Watch)

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