Thursday, June 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1940, Columbus-born novelist Carson McCullers published her debut novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, set in a Georgia mill town. It became an instant American classic.

Social Security's full retirement age just climbed again, and if you're thinking about retiring this year, the timing could permanently cost you. What's actually driving the change? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shares how much your retirement could be cut depending on timing, plus exclusive tips on how to squeeze the biggest possible check out of your benefits. Tune in here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Insurify, about how comparing car insurance quotes in one place could help you find a lower rate in just a few minutes.

Today's sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your privacy by automatically removing your personal information from data broker databases—the same databases scammers use to find your phone number, address, family members, and more—and The Flyover readers can get 55% off with code FLYOVER.

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.

Metaplant Debuts First Kia

The first Kia ever assembled in the U.S. rolled off the line Tuesday at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell.

The plant already turns out the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 electric vehicles, and the 2027 Kia Sportage Turbo Hybrid adds a third model to the mix.

Gov. Brian Kemp was on hand to put his signature on the inaugural vehicle, marking a milestone the plant's backers have been building toward since the plant opened.

The plant—the state's largest economic development project—is on track to produce 580,000 total vehicles annually by 2028.

Feds Offer Drought Aid

The U.S. Small Business Administration began offering low-interest federal disaster loans to help offset economic losses for Georgia businesses hit hard by drought.

Last month, the SBA declared Georgia a drought disaster area beginning Feb. 10, unlocking its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for affected communities.

Eligible applicants include small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations. Loans of up to $2 million are available.

The loans cover working capital and operating expenses that can’t be paid due to drought-related revenue loss, and not physical property damage. Businesses can apply here.

Early Runoff Voting Starts Monday

With early voting starting on Monday for the June 16 runoff elections, the state's final primary battles are heating up.

Early voting will last for one week, through June 12.

On Sunday in Atlanta, the GOP and Democrat runoff candidates for lieutenant governor debated. The Republican race pits state Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming against former state Sen. John F. Kennedy of Macon. The Democratic contest features state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and former Gwinnett County state Sen. Nabilah Parkes.

Meanwhile, a pro-President Trump pollster issued a warning to state Republicans after results from the May 19 primary voting showed more Democrats than Republicans voted. Nationally, Trump and Republicans' accomplishments are getting drowned out by a media focus on "nothing but war," said pollster Matt Towery, a former Georgia state representative.

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➤ Jesup: Escaped federal prison inmate Arthur Lee Cofield Jr. was added to the FBI's wanted list, with a $10,000 reward offered. Cofield, who walked away from a federal prison camp, was convicted of orchestrating $11 million in fraud schemes while behind bars in a Georgia state prison. (More)

➤ Mableton: Richard Pretlow II, the new president of Six Flags Over Georgia, outlined the theme park's summer plans and said visitor safety continues to rank as a priority. (More)

➤ Savannah Harbor: Georgia Ports Authority launched a study to determine whether the harbor channel needs further deepening and whether passing lanes could accommodate two-way ship traffic. (More)

➤ Statewide: The GBI crime lab's backlog is starting to decline, down from a peak of about 48,700 unworked cases in January, the agency's director says. (More)

➤ Columbia County: The county approved an $11.4 million construction contract to renovate the Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Martinez, extensively damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The project is expected to wrap up in 2027. (More)

➤ Athens: Prosecutors dropped two misdemeanor charges against Atlanta Falcons rookie wide receiver Zachariah Branch, filed after an April 19 incident outside a bar. Branch's attorney said videos and other evidence showed Branch "never should have been arrested." (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons signed receiver Drake London to a four-year, $141 million extension, making him the third-highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. (More)

➤ Georgia basketball added nonconference games against Duke and North Carolina to its 2026-27 schedule, including its first trip to face the Tar Heels since 1998. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks show interest in acquiring Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, a Marietta native, amid rumors that Boston could trade him. (More)

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➤ Authority Brands will relocate its headquarters from Maryland to Cobb County, bringing 390 new jobs and $13 million in investment to the Marietta area. The home services franchisor operates Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky, and The Cleaning Authority among its 15 brands. (More)

➤ Kansas City-based developer Hunt Midwest will enter the Georgia market with plans to build a 1.9 million-square-foot industrial park in Bloomingdale, near the Port of Savannah. (More)

➤ A partnership between AT&T and the federal government will provide first-responder backup communications infrastructure across metro Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (More)

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➤ Lenora Ophelia Alligood of Colquitt County marked her 111th birthday with a personal phone call from Gov. Brian Kemp. The supercentenarian, known for her cooking and kindness, resides in the same county where she was born. (More)

➤ A teen aviation academy in Augusta is back for another summer, sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Augusta and a local attorney. The six-week program pairs teens with aviation professionals. (More)

➤ Moultrie will mark Juneteenth with a two-day celebration on June 19 and 20, joining communities across Georgia in honoring the holiday. (More)

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