Monday, June 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1980, Ted Turner launched CNN in Atlanta, introducing viewers to the first 24-hour cable news channel.

Flyover Updates officially launches today! Each weekday afternoon, we're bringing the nation's biggest developing stories straight to your phone via text message. It's designed to be brief and easy to read, giving you news that breaks after your morning edition lands. If you’d like to stay informed between editions of The Flyover, sign up today.

Today’s sponsor, the knēNest Pillow, is designed to relieve nighttime pain and improve sleep by keeping your body properly aligned for deeper, more restorative rest.

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.

DOJ Moves to Oust Election Judge

The Justice Department asked a federal judge to step aside from a Georgia voter records lawsuit, citing evidence that she attended a partisan political event honoring Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia drew DOJ scrutiny after reports surfaced that the 11th Circuit Judicial Council issued her a private reprimand over attending the event.

The reprimand also involved a finding that Ross engaged in a sexual relationship with a high-ranking Atlanta police officer in her chambers. Atlanta police are now investigating the officer for possible misconduct.

The DOJ argued in its motion that, if the reports are accurate, Ross' appearance at a Willis victory event creates the appearance of bias, since Willis led the now-dismissed prosecution of President Trump over the 2020 election.

Ross and court representatives have not commented.

Deadly Helicopter Crash Investigated

Federal investigators are on the ground in Dawson County after a helicopter carrying two newlyweds and a pilot went down on Friday night, killing two and leaving one injured.

The crash happened during a flight from a wedding venue in the mountain foothills north of Atlanta. Those killed were the unidentified pilot and the groom, Dave Fiji, 25, who was on the helicopter with his bride, Jessni.

Fiji was an Atlanta resident and a Delta Air Lines pilot. He and his bride were traveling by helicopter to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, with plans to spend the night in a downtown Atlanta hotel, family members and friends said.

The cause remains under investigation. The NTSB will review the aircraft's maintenance history, weather conditions, and flight path as part of its standard investigation.

Community Braces for Hurricane Season

As the Atlantic hurricane season opens today, some residents of Lowndes County say they are still recovering from Hurricane Helene in 2024.

County leaders say the emotional scars from Helene have changed how people prepare for storms moving forward, with even ordinary thunderstorms triggering anxiety.

County emergency officials advise residents to register for the county's free AlertLowndes notification system. County Emergency Management Director Ashley Tye called the service one of the agency's most important communications tools.

You can find hurricane preparedness tips here.

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➤ Central Georgia: More thunderstorm chances are in the forecast through Tuesday, providing some drought relief to parched farms. (More)

➤ Cordele: Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Quay Walker returned to his hometown Saturday for a community fun day. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Georgia secretary of state's office conducted a routine audit of the state's May 19 primary election, with observers rolling a 10-sided die to select a random sample of ballots to hand-count. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: A bakery owner thanked the community after residents helped identify a man accused of taking an air conditioning unit and other items from the business's new location. (More)

➤ Haralson County: A confidential crime tip led investigators to the body of a missing north Georgia man in the woods. Two people have been charged in connection with his death. (More)

➤ Georgia baseball defeated Liberty 6-1 on Sunday to advance to the Super Regional, while Georgia Tech fell 15-8 to Oklahoma, setting up an elimination game between the Yellow Jackets and Sooners today. (More)

➤ Three-star offensive tackle DJ Dotson, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound prospect from Mississippi, committed to Georgia. (More)

➤ Matt Ryan has become a fixture at Atlanta Falcons practices, with players praising the former quarterback’s leadership and involvement as the team's president of football. (More)

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➤ A seafood testing company reexamined Savannah restaurants to see whether they're serving imported or domestic shrimp. The testing found mixed results. (More)

➤ Georgia cotton farmers are getting federal support as the USDA rolls out a new program supporting producers. (More)

➤ Business leaders from across the state gathered in Atlanta last week to discuss the state’s energy sector, with a focus on how data is powering both the economy and daily life. (More)

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➤ More than 900 cyclists kicked off a multiday charity ride across the Peach State, making a stop Sunday in Rome. (More)

➤ A rare blue micromoon peaked over Georgia and other states early Sunday. (More)

➤ UGA Presents unveiled its wide-ranging 2026-27 performing arts season in Athens, themed around American voices and featuring national touring acts alongside local premieres. (More)

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