Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1992, Grace Towns Hamilton, who in 1965 became the first black woman elected to the state Legislature, serving for 18 years, died in Atlanta at age 85.

Voters turned out to decide primary runoffs ahead of the November general election. Full coverage in Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your privacy by removing personal information from data broker databases, reducing the risk of scam calls, phishing attempts, and identity theft before criminals can get their hands on your data.

Voters Make Runoff Choices

Georgia voters went to the polls Tuesday to make their choices in the primary runoffs, with Republicans nominating Rick Jackson for governor and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins for U.S. Senate.

Jackson's defeat of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who was endorsed by President Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp, followed a campaign in which the healthcare staffing company billionaire self-funded more than $100 million of his campaign.

Democrat and Republican runoffs took place for other offices, including lieutenant governor, secretary of state, some congressional seats, and other offices. You can find results here.

In November's general election, Jackson will face former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor. Collins, who defeated Derek Dooley in Tuesday's voting, will challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff. See more general election matchups here.

Special Session Begins Today

State lawmakers return to the Capitol today for a special session to redraw congressional and legislative maps.

The special session agenda also includes addressing QR codes on ballots, following the passage of a 2024 state law banning the codes as the method of tabulating votes after July 1.

Lawmakers will also discuss fast-tracking local votes to allow counties to add a 1-cent sales tax and use that revenue to reduce county and city property taxes.

Gov. Brian Kemp called for the talks on redistricting following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling requiring maps that comply with rules against racial gerrymandering. Kemp said the decision requires new maps before 2028.

Runner Goes Extra Mile for Shelter Dogs

A Savannah runner turned a personal challenge into a campaign for homeless dogs, logging one mile for every animal waiting at a local shelter.

After visiting Renegade Paws Rescue and meeting the dogs in its care, Cardio Dogs owner Stephen Burr pledged to run 57 miles for the 57 dogs housed there. Over four days, he covered the distance through Forsyth Park and surrounding neighborhoods.

The rescue, which recently upgraded its grounds to encourage adoptions, says the effort has grown into a wider push to raise funds and awareness across the Coastal Empire.

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➤ Macon: A crew began filming a Superman sequel, the latest Hollywood project to use the city's historic Terminal Station as a backdrop. (More)

➤ Atlanta: U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross recused herself from a case involving Georgia election records after an investigation found that she attended a partisan event. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: The city approved a plan to demolish six blighted buildings, part of an effort to remove longstanding eyesores. (More)

➤ Augusta: The 2026 Candlelight Music summer concert series will temporarily move to the Augusta Exchange Club Fairgrounds during utility work at the Augusta Common. (More)

➤ Savannah: Savannah State University named its second class of 40 Under 40 honorees, recognizing alumni in education, law, health care, public service, and entrepreneurship. (More)

➤ Milledgeville: Baldwin County residents marked Juneteenth with a community celebration, featuring about 40 local businesses, artists, and vendors. (More)

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➤ Georgia kept its College World Series title hopes alive with a 2-0 win against Texas on Tuesday night. One of four teams left, the one-loss Bulldogs must win against unbeaten Oklahoma today and again Thursday to advance to the championship series. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks after an MRI revealed inflammation in his right elbow. No ligament damage was found. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks remain linked to trade talk involving Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, though the Hawks have repeatedly said they prefer to build through development and the draft. (More)

➤ Athlon Sports picked Georgia to finish atop the SEC in its 2026 preseason football predictions, followed by Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. Athlon also predicted the Bulldogs could finish the regular season undefeated. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA

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➤ Job numbers were uneven in the state's 12 largest counties last year, with more losing than gaining, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. (More)

➤ West Marine will close 59 stores across the country, including one in Savannah, under its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. (More)

➤ Mashama Bailey of The Grey in Savannah was named North America's Best Female Chef for 2026 by The World's 50 Best, adding to her growing list of culinary honors. (More)

➤ French electrical component maker Socomec hosted a grand opening last month at its new Suwanee facility, expected to eventually employ 300 people. (More)

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➤ A sustainability event in Thunderbolt drew local vendors and offered a recycling drop-off, giving residents a chance to clear household items responsibly. (More)

➤ The Georgia Historical Society dedicated Tift County's first marker honoring black residents, noting the legacy of funeral home founder Frank T. Nixon and his son Solomon. (More)

➤ Statesboro: The city will mark America's 250th anniversary with a free July 3 community concert at the Emma Kelly Theater, featuring patriotic music, local performers, and tributes to veterans. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba's power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤ Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)