Saturday, May 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1777, Button Gwinnett—one of Georgia's signers of the Declaration of Independence—was fatally wounded in a pistol duel with Lachlan McIntosh.

A seventh grader in north Georgia has gained online attention for his act of kindness at a Chick-fil-A. Learn more in Et Cetera.

These are the three incredible benefits of drinking coffee in the morning that researchers say could have surprising effects on your long-term health. Your daily cup is reportedly doing far more than boosting energy, including helping protect one of your body’s most important organs. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Amy Hess breaks down the latest research on coffee’s unexpected health benefits and what you should know before your next sip. Listen here.

Today’s sponsor, Money.com, is helping homeowners unlock record levels of home equity by matching them with HELOC providers that could save thousands in rates and fees in under a minute.

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.

Burn Ban Ends as South Georgia Fires Near Full Containment

Georgia's temporary statewide burn ban was lifted by Gov. Brian Kemp earlier this week as two major wildfires in South Georgia have both reached 90% containment as of Wednesday.

The Pineland Road Fire has burned more than 32,000 acres, while the Highway 82 Fire has scorched over 22,000 acres.

The burn ban was issued alongside a state of emergency for 91 counties on April 22.

Although the statewide burn ban has ended, certain counties may have their own local burn restrictions in place.

UGA Player Arrested on Felony Charges

University of Georgia (UGA) safety Ja'Marley Riddle was arrested last week on two felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor speeding charge.

Riddle was allegedly driving around 95 mph on I-95 near St. Simons. After being stopped by police, an officer searched Riddle's vehicle and found "a large amount of multicolored packaging, some with a leafy substance stating marijuana, and some containing vapes stating THC." Riddle later posted over $16,500 in bail.

Riddle, a transfer from East Carolina, is the third UGA football player arrested this year on driving-related charges.

"We are aware of the charges and are actively gathering additional information. As this is an ongoing legal matter, we will not be providing further comment at this time," said a University of Georgia spokesperson.

Falcons Schedule Revealed

The Atlanta Falcons' 2026 NFL schedule has been released.

Atlanta opens the regular season on the road at Pittsburgh in Week 1 before returning to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers. They will face the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, Spain on Nov. 8.

The Falcons play in three consecutive prime-time slots between Week 3 and Week 5.

The preseason opens at home against the Denver Broncos.

Tickets for all of the games can be purchased here.

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Homeowners Are Quietly Tapping Record Equity

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The average homeowner now has about $315,000 in equity, and many are using a HELOC to consolidate debt, renovate, or cover major expenses.

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➤ Atlanta: The closure of I-285 between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Cascade Road, previously postponed due to weather concerns, is in effect through Monday morning for construction work. (More)

➤ Tybee Island: Two individuals attempting to enter the country illegally were rescued after jumping from a container ship into the Savannah River. They were later turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (More)

➤ Statewide: Over 900,000 Georgians cast ballots ahead of the May 19 primary, setting an early-voting record for a Georgia primary. (More)

➤ Appling: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will reopen Ridge Road Campground on May 20, marking the final campground at J. Strom Thurmond Lake to return to service following damage from Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Augusta: Construction on the New Augusta Arena remains on schedule and within budget, according to the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority. (More)

➤ Georgia State named their new baseball field after former Panther and Cobb County police officer Chase Childers, who drowned last summer rescuing a family from a rip current off South Carolina. (More)

➤ Georgia and Georgia Tech continue NCAA softball tournament regional play today, with Georgia hosting in Athens and Georgia Tech playing in Gainesville, Fla. (See Bracket)

➤ UGA missed out on four-star quarterback Peter Bourque, who had the Bulldogs among his finalists before committing to Virginia Tech this week. (More)

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If you’re sitting on untapped home equity, Money.com says you may be able to turn it into cash for renovations, debt consolidation, or major expenses without touching your savings.

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➤ A Savannah Bananas baseball player has been announced as a contestant for Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. (More)

➤ The Wnek Garden in Tifton will serve as a tour stop for the 2026 American Hemerocallis Society National Convention on May 22. The event is expected to welcome hundreds of visitors to the area. (More)

➤ A Ringgold Middle School student won online praise after he skipped sitting with his classmates during a school trip stop to keep a grandmother company who was eating alone at a Chick-fil-A. (More)

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