Saturday, September 26, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1865, Archibald Butt, who served as a military aide to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, was born in Augusta.

Every fifth grader at a Macon elementary school was given a pair of shoes this week. Learn more in Et Cetera.

The age at which Americans can start collecting full Social Security checks could drop for millions of workers. A new bill in Congress would move retirement up years early for some, just as Social Security speeds toward insolvency, and not everyone thinks it's a good idea. So who would qualify, and who gets left out? Amy has the full story on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Splash Spotless Cleaning Products, is here to upgrade your cleaning routine with a hands-free foam toilet cleaner that tackles stains and odors without scrubbing. Just pour, let it foam, and flush for a fresh, sparkling bathroom.

Atlanta Native Among Ole Miss Deaths

Robert Strang, a 20-year-old Ole Miss junior from Atlanta, was one of two University of Mississippi students found dead Monday.

The other student was identified as 18-year-old freshman Aidan Hamilton of Colorado. Hamilton was reportedly found on campus and Strang was discovered off campus.

Kratom, a federally legal herbal supplement that has been banned in Oxford, Mississippi, where the college resides, was found at both scenes, according to authorities. Investigators have not determined whether it contributed to either death.

As of Thursday, neither cause of death has been released. Officials say there is no evidence connecting the deaths and two state agencies in Mississippi are taking steps to accelerate the toxicology testing for the students.

Georgians Face Cost Burdens

Seventy percent of Georgians face financial pressure from at least one basic expense across housing, food, healthcare, and childcare, according to a new index from the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality.

In the index, 48% of Georgia residents were classified as burdened or severely burdened by healthcare costs, compared with 41% nationwide. Food costs affect 36% of Georgians, compared with 32% across the country.

Housing sits near the national mark at 32%. Among Georgia households with a child under 6, 53% are burdened by childcare costs, eight points below the national figure.

“We’re hearing stories from people at all income levels who feel squeezed by the costs of those everyday essentials,” said the center’s executive director, Lelaine Bigelow.

Giant Pandas Heading Back to Zoo Atlanta Soon

Two giant pandas will arrive at Zoo Atlanta within days, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Thursday.

Xi announced the timing at the White House, calling the loan program a symbol of "friendship between the Chinese and Americans."

Ping Ping, a 6-year-old male, and Fu Shuang, a 5-year-old female, were born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Zoo Atlanta announced the pairing in April under a new agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

The zoo has had no giant pandas since Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their two cubs returned to China in October 2024 at the end of a 25-year partnership. The pair produced seven cubs, including two sets of twins.

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➤ Covington: Piedmont Healthcare filed with state regulators to build a $600 million hospital replacing the Piedmont Newton Hospital. (More)

➤ Moultrie: Two men have been arrested and are facing multiple charges as authorities investigate unauthorized cameras found at Withers Auditorium. (More)

➤ Macon: Roughly $2.4 million in SPLOST-funded renovations at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center on Mercer University Drive have been completed. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: The county’s fire department added 11 new firefighters after each of them completed more than 640 hours of EMT and fire training. (More)

➤ Columbus: The city council unanimously approved a contract for a new parking garage across from the Columbus Convention and Trade Center that will add about 500 spaces and nearly double the facility’s parking capacity. (More)

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➤ UGA football hosts the Oklahoma Sooners today at 3:30 p.m. Former Bulldogs running back Garrison Hearst, a member of the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, will receive an on-campus salute during the game. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream take on the Washington Mystics tomorrow at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena as the No. 4 seed in Game 1 of the first round of the WNBA postseason. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech football travels to Stanford for the first time ever in an ACC matchup tonight at 10:30 p.m. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NCAAF | MLB | NHL | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy… But according to Stanford researchers, there's one delicious “dessert” food that Costa Ricans in the famous "blue zone" there eat each morning that… So, what's the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

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➤ Every fifth grader at Macon's Southfield Elementary got a new pair of Nike shoes Thursday through a partnership with Hope Church. (More)

➤ The Salvation Army of Augusta received a $50,000 donation for its planned Center of Hope shelter. (More)

➤ Atlanta criminal defense attorney Alexis Levine is competing in the newly premiered 51st season of Survivor. (More)

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➤ Chuck Norris spent years researching what he believed were hidden threats inside the body that contribute to “rapid aging.” He identified three “internal enemies” that may affect energy, digestion, muscles, and joints. Before his passing, Chuck recorded a short video explaining what he discovered and the approach he believed could help. Watch the video here >>

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country.

➤ Some American workers could start collecting full Social Security years early, but critics warn of fallout. (Hear Details)

➤ Coastal flood alerts cover 33 million people as a rare multiday nor'easter threatens the East Coast through the weekend. (Listen Now)

➤ The robotic spacecraft launched to save a failing NASA telescope has itself plunged back to Earth. (Podcast Available)