Saturday, April 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1862, Confederate forces surrendered Fort Pulaski near Savannah after Union rifled cannons breached its 7.5-foot-thick brick walls in just 30 hours—proving masonry forts were obsolete overnight.

The conflict in Iran is dramatically affecting global oil markets, with crude oil briefly topping $100 a barrel this week. What does that mean for gas prices? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, our team breaks down how rising oil prices are forecast to push gas and diesel prices even higher, with some Americans already paying nearly $6 a gallon. What does this mean for you and your family? Tune in here for the full breakdown.

Say goodbye to backbreaking scrubbing and tangled cords. Today's sponsor, the HydroX5 Cordless Pressure Washer delivers powerful, hassle-free cleaning that makes spring refreshes faster, easier, and oddly satisfying.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Extreme Drought Intensifies Across Georgia

New data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows worsening conditions across Georgia, with parts of the southern region reaching exceptional drought, the highest category on the scale.

Extreme drought has now expanded into the metro Atlanta area, where rainfall since January is more than 5 inches below average. No significant rain is in the forecast, and temperatures are expected to approach 90 degrees.

Officials say the combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and a lack of rainfall has kept fire danger elevated, with some calling it the worst drought in a decade. Conditions are expected to continue worsening through at least mid-April.

US Marshals Arrest 78 in Crackdown

A 3-week operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service and Clayton County law enforcement netted 78 arrests across metro Atlanta, authorities announced Friday.

The effort, carried out from March 16 through April 3, targeted suspects wanted for violent crimes including murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and rape. Investigators with the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force also seized 46 illegal firearms, 57 pounds of narcotics and $18,000 in cash.

Officials said 44 of those arrested were wanted for violent offenses. Multiple agencies joined the operation, including the Atlanta Police Department and several county sheriff's offices.

Authorities said they will analyze crime data over the next 90 days to measure the operation's impact and pursue additional suspects.

McIlroy Pulls Away Ahead of Weekend

Defending champion Rory McIlroy woke up today with a six-shot lead at 12-under par, the largest 36-hole lead in Masters history, putting him in position to become just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles.

The top of the leaderboard features plenty of proven winners, with Patrick Reed, Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Brooks Koepka all entering the weekend within striking distance.

The cut line fell at 4-over par, sending players like Bryson DeChambeau, Akshay Bhatia, and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson home early.

Two-time winner Scottie Scheffler is 12 shots back after recording a 74 on Friday, ending his streak of 11 consecutive rounds of par or better at Augusta.

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➤ Savannah: A new study found the Port of Savannah offers lower costs and greater reliability than West Coast ports, boosting its case as a top U.S. trade gateway. (More)

➤ Chatham County: Nine dogs and a cat were removed from a home after authorities responded to an animal welfare complaint, with charges now pending against the owner. (More)

➤ Clayton County: A massive fire ripped through the Premier Garden Apartments off Garden Walk Blvd. on Friday morning, displacing multiple families and drawing a large emergency response to the scene. (More)

➤ North Georgia: Federal agents raided several dermatology centers across Georgia and Tennessee as part of an ongoing investigation, with details on specific allegations still emerging. (More)

➤ Atlanta: MARTA revealed its final NextGen bus schedules ahead of the system's relaunch, promising more frequent service and streamlined routes across the metro area. (More)

➤ Newnan: U.S. Rep. Brian Jack delivered a $1.98 million federal investment to City of Hope Cancer Center to support cancer prevention and early detection research. (More)

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➤ Angel Reese's Atlanta Dream jersey sold out on its first day of availability, just days after the team acquired the two-time All-Star from the Chicago Sky. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves debuted their new City Connect uniforms last night against the Cleveland Guardians, a powder blue throwback inspired by the franchise's 1980s SuperStation era on TBS. (See Uniforms)

➤ Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts signed the $15 million franchise tag this week and reported for offseason workouts, though trade speculation continues ahead of the draft. (More)

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➤ Georgia drivers are being warned about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets, with authorities urging people to ignore the messages and report them. (More)

➤ King of Pops is launching special frozen pop flavors tied to Atlanta's hosting of FIFA World Cup matches this summer, celebrating the city's role on the global stage. (More)

➤ Roku will stream Savannah Bananas games and the entire Banana Ball Championship League, giving fans nationwide free access to the viral baseball entertainment brand. (More)

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➤ 19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11). Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference. Here is how to start: Browse our list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier. (LEARN MORE)