Monday, May 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2023, St. Simons Island native Jim Brown—often called the greatest NFL running back of all time—died at 87 after a life that spanned football dominance and civil rights activism.

Zoo Atlanta cleared out for a bomb scare on Saturday, and Georgia voters head to the polls Tuesday—buckle up for a busy week in the Peach State. All this and more in Top Stories.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide designed to align your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

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.

Georgia’s Voting Clock Is Ticking

Georgia lawmakers adjourned in April without fixing a deadline they set themselves: a July 1 ban on QR-code ballot tabulation, with no replacement system in place.

The GOP-controlled legislature passed the QR code ban in 2024 amid post-election distrust of the technology, but a compromise measure to delay the phase-out to 2028 died without a vote. Counties now face emergency procurement pressure and no clear guidance from the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp called lawmakers back for a special session starting June 17—one day after primary runoffs—to address the voting system alongside a redistricting dispute. Civil rights groups want the deadline extended to 2028.

Whatever system lawmakers approve in June will shape how Georgia runs its fall general election in one of the country’s most closely watched swing states. Local election boards will bear the procurement costs.

Georgia Heads to the Polls Tuesday

Georgia’s primary election arrives Tuesday, with contested governor and Senate races drawing national attention to the Peach State.

More than 1 million Georgians cast early ballots, breaking a state primary record. Democrats held a 15-percentage-point advantage in early voting turnout over Republicans heading into Election Day.

Former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads the Democrat’s governor field” with former President Biden’s endorsement; she held a final campaign stop in Savannah on Saturday. Eight candidates are competing for the Republican nomination, with incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp” ineligible to seek a third consecutive term.

Both parties also face crowded U.S. Senate primaries. In any race where no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two finishers advance to a June 16 runoff.

Zoo Atlanta's Very Bad Saturday

Zoo Atlanta was evacuated yesterday afternoon after a bomb threat, prompting a large Atlanta Police Department response and forcing thousands of visitors to clear the grounds mid-visit.

Zoo officials safely cleared all members, guests, and staff from the property, citing "an extreme abundance of caution." No injuries were reported.

Atlanta police determined the threat was false and gave the all-clear, allowing the zoo to reopen. The incident came just one week before Memorial Day weekend, one of the zoo's busiest stretches of the year.

Zoo Atlanta noted the threat may fit a pattern of false calls against organizations across the U.S. in recent weeks. At least five American zoos received similar threats earlier this month, with all sites cleared by authorities.

Flying together with our sponsor

Is Your Retirement Plan Built to Last?

Planning for retirement means preparing for the unexpected: increased cash flow needs, heightened health care costs or a longer life than you might think. One key risk many retirees face is underestimating how long their savings need to last. Another is inflation, which can quietly reduce your purchasing power over time.

The 15-Minute Retirement Plan can help you navigate these challenges. With this guide, you can learn ways to account for a longer time horizon and manage the effects of inflation. If you have $1,000,000 or more saved, download your free guide to start building a more resilient financial future.

➤ Albany: Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Carr is making a campaign stop in Albany today in Albany, the final day before the primary, as part of a statewide tour. (More)

➤ Macon: Hundreds of fans lined up Saturday for a surprise Phoebe Bridgers performance at Robins Financial Capitol Theatre, a rare national-act appearance for downtown Macon's arts scene. (More)

➤ Dalton: A former Calhoun police officer is among three people charged in a Whitfield County shooting under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. (More)

➤ Georgia baseball earned the No. 1 seed in the SEC baseball tournament bracket released Saturday and received first- and second-round byes. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech secured the No. 1 seed in the ACC baseball tournament after winning the regular-season conference title. (More)

➤ Georgia Gwinnett College swept Tennessee Wesleyan 4-0 on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, to win the NAIA men’s tennis national championship. The unbeaten Grizzlies captured their 11th title in 12 seasons, tying the NAIA record for most championships in the sport. (More)

➤ No. 10 Georgia softball advanced to the NCAA softball Super Regional with a 5-0 win over Clemson on Sunday, while Georgia Tech’s season ended with a 5-2 loss to No. 6 Florida. (See Scores)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ If you spend long hours standing, walking, or dealing with sore feet, Akusoli magnetic acupressure insoles are designed to provide all-day comfort and support with every step. These trim-to-fit inserts combine acupressure nodes, arch support, and magnetic cushioning to help reduce foot fatigue, improve comfort, and ease pressure on heels, knees, and lower back during daily wear.

➤ Southwest Atlanta businesses are feeling the pinch from GDOT's weekend I-285 shutdown, with shop owners along Cascade Road reporting slower foot traffic and lost sales during the two-mile construction closure. (More)

➤ Atlanta BeltLine merchants in Old Fourth Ward say business is booming despite recent trail violence, with foot traffic and sales actually up following a deadly stabbing that raised safety concerns along the popular corridor. (More)

➤ Hartsfield-Jackson is bracing for a rocky Memorial Day travel weekend as Delta, American, and Southwest logged dozens of delays and cancellations Saturday, offering an early preview of what could be a bumpy holiday season at the world's busiest airport. (More)

➤ HK USA will invest $13 million to expand its Columbus facility, Gov. Kemp announced Thursday, creating 35 new jobs at the German firearms manufacturer's Muscogee County operation. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 'I Just Flew Over Elon Musk's Next Big Venture' A former consultant to the Pentagon was able to enter the airspace near one of the most secure sites in the world. Hidden there, he says, is a potential $10 trillion tech breakthrough that could define the next decade of Elon Musk's career. Click here to learn about the stocks tied to Elon Musk's next big venture.

Flying together with our sponsor

The 15-Minute Retirement Plan

A comfortable retirement requires a plan that accounts for all your cash flow needs, as well as inflation's quiet erosion of your savings. Our guide offers insights to help you prepare. If you have $1 million or more, get your guide to help build a portfolio that lasts.

➤ Memorial Day weekend kicks off Georgia’s outdoor season. State parks from Cloudland Canyon to Cumberland Island are hosting family programs all weekend, with good weather forecast coast to mountains. (More)

➤ On May 17, 1973, the Senate Watergate committee’s televised hearings began—a constitutional turning point that Georgian Herman Talmadge helped define. Fifty-three years later, Georgia heads into its own consequential primary. (More)

➤ A South Georgia olive farm has landed in Southern Living for producing award-winning olive oil in a region better known for peaches and Vidalia onions — Woodpecker Trail Olive Farm sits between Glennville and Savannah and is reviving a slice of overlooked Georgia agricultural history. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Overpacked carry-ons and cramped bags can make travel miserable, but the Avio Apex Travel Backpack is designed to keep everything organized with spacious compartments, sleek storage, and airline-friendly sizing. Whether you’re flying for business or a weekend getaway, this versatile backpack helps travelers pack smarter, stay organized, and move comfortably through airports and daily adventures. (LEARN MORE)

With Georgia’s primary election tomorrow, what issue matters most to you?

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to the original Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in Hapeville?

1. Yes -

2. No -

Georgia's May 2020 primary made national headlines for hours-long lines. Which Georgia county had the longest wait times, prompting federal investigation?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

The Georgia Flyover
2274 Salem Rd SE
Ste 106 #5265
Conyers, GA 30013