Saturday, October 31, 2026

School Shooter's Appeal Rejected, Cocktail Party Preview, and Acuña, Albies Staying

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1860, Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts in her hometown in 1912, was born in Savannah.

The toilet gets scrubbed every week. So why do scientists say it’s one of the cleanest spots in the house? Today, we count down the seven biggest germ hotspots in the average home. Which refrigerator drawer tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria? What morning ritual grows mold in half of homes? Why would a microbiologist rather make a sandwich next to the toilet than in most kitchens? Amy has the answers on today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is offering a guide for tips and advice on creating a retirement strategy that’s cohesive, current, and aligned with your full financial picture.

Court Rejects Apalachee Shooter's Appeal

The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously declined to hear Colt Gray's bid for a new sentence, leaving the Apalachee High School shooter's life-without-parole sentence in place.

The court denied his application Oct. 8, court documents show. Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty in July to all 55 charges in the Sept. 4, 2024, attack in Winder that killed teachers Cristina Irimie and Ricky Aspinwall and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.

His attorneys argued the judge discounted evidence of abuse and neglect by his drug-addicted parents. The state countered that the sentence was reasonable given Gray's actions before, during, and after the shooting.

Prosecutors had pointed to months of planning, including a notebook with sketches of the school. Gray's father, Colin, is serving 15 years for his own role and has asked for a new trial.

Early Voting Breaks Midterm Record

Georgians cast more than 2.4 million in-person early ballots before the final day of early voting, breaking the state's midterm record.

As of Friday morning, 2,402,408 voters had voted early in person, topping the 2,289,951 cast in 2022. Another 111,372 absentee ballots had been accepted.

Mail voting has fallen by roughly half since the last midterm. As a result, overall turnout as a share of active voters is running about even with 2022.

Turnout has run higher in metro Atlanta and lower in rural counties. Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon described "two elections," with Democrats leading early voting and Republicans leading on Election Day.

Georgia Takes Cocktail Party to Atlanta

No. 3 Georgia takes the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party indoors today, facing No. 17 Florida at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the first meeting outside Jacksonville since 1995.

Coming off a bye following a home loss to Auburn, Georgia looks to avoid its first back-to-back regular-season losses since Kirby Smart’s debut season in 2016. Ball security remains a concern: the Bulldogs have fumbled six times in their past two games.

Florida will counter with Bogart native Aaron Philo, who returns from a shoulder injury to start at quarterback. Philo holds Georgia’s high school record for career passing yards, set at Prince Avenue Christian, less than 14 miles from Sanford Stadium.

The Bulldogs have won five straight meetings and lead the all-time series 58-44-2.

Flying together with our sponsor

When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Guide

A successful retirement strategy should account for more than individual investments. Your goals, health, spending needs, family and other accounts all influence when you may be able to retire and how much you may need. For investors with $1 million or more, bringing those pieces together can be especially important. When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide explores how to balance short-term volatility against long-term growth needs, prepare for inflation, generate investment income, schedule withdrawals and keep your retirement plan current.

Download the guide for tips and advice on creating a strategy that’s cohesive, current and aligned with your full financial picture. Then schedule a conversation with a financial professional to discuss ways to bring your retirement plan to life.

➤ Canton: Cherokee County Schools Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis said suspects in the alleged Cherokee High School shooting plot never accessed the school's protected floor plans, as warrants had suggested. Police told her the suspects had only publicly available images. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Department of Corrections locked down more than two dozen state prisons after four inmates got into a gang-related fight Tuesday at Hays State Prison in Chattooga County, citing fears of retaliation. The lockdown continues until further notice. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Officers shot and killed a driver who rammed a patrol car Thursday on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard as police tried to serve a domestic violence warrant. The driver wasn't the wanted suspect, who ran and remains at large, and the GBI is investigating. (More)

➤ Fayette County: QTS Data Centers and Georgia Power launched a $14 million program to fund pre-weatherization repairs, such as fixing structural and safety problems, for more than 800 eligible households. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson ranked fifth of 122 U.S. airports for avoiding major flight disruptions in a ConsumerAffairs study, with about 1.24% of departures canceled and 1.25% delayed more than three hours. (More)

➤ McIntosh County: A GoFundMe is helping Capt. Jamey Bennett after a Monday night fire destroyed Miss Kristin, the shrimp boat he ran for about seven years, at the Sea Gardens dock. Bennett said he hopes to buy another boat and get back to work. (More)

➤ Thomasville: The city won a $1 million Community Development Block Grant from the state Department of Community Affairs to build a new domestic violence shelter for Halcyon Home. (More)

The Georgia Flyover exists to call things what they are, fairly and objectively. We keep the spin out and trust you with the facts. So today we're asking: if news that calls things what they are is something you want to see thrive, will you stand behind it? Support the news in plain words. Free, every morning. Will you make a generous donation to support The Georgia Flyover?
Give $25Give $50Give $100Give $250

➤ The Atlanta Braves exercised 2027 club options on Ronald Acuña Jr. ($17 million) and Ozzie Albies ($7 million). Acuña, the 2023 NL MVP, hit .255 with 20 homers in 107 games this past season, and Albies can become a free agent after next season. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks (3-3) visit the New Orleans Pelicans (1-4) at 7 p.m. tonight, with Mouhamed Gueye out with a foot injury and Henri Veesaar out for the season. (See Preview)

➤ June Jones, who coached the Falcons from 1994-96 and led them to the 1995 playoffs with his run-and-shoot offense, died Thursday at 73, the Falcons announced Thursday. Jones later became Hawaii's winningest coach, guiding the 2007 team to a 12-0 regular season and the Sugar Bowl. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect the photos you can’t replace. ThePhotoStick OMNI automatically finds, sorts, and saves your photos and videos while filtering out duplicates. Compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, it makes backing up family memories simple. Order yours today and enjoy the peace of mind of a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Flying together with our sponsor

More accounts, managers and investment choices do not always add up to a cohesive wealth strategy—especially when you’re considering when to retire. Investors with $1M+ may benefit from considering how each decision fits their goals, time frame and full financial picture.

When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide examines risk, inflation, withdrawals and your investment income sources. Download the guide and schedule a conversation with a financial professional to talk about your plan.

➤ A single adult with no children must earn $27.32 an hour to cover basic expenses in Gwinnett County, the highest among metro Atlanta's five core counties, according to MIT's Living Wage Calculator. Clayton County was lowest at $23.79. (More)

➤ Staff at Augusta's Wellstar Golisano Children's Hospital of Georgia dressed up, decorated booths, and lined the hallways Friday so young patients could trick-or-treat through the hospital. (More)

➤ Disney On Ice brings Frozen and Encanto to the Macon Coliseum this weekend, with shows at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. (See Schedule)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Your next favorite wine is waiting. Firstleaf matches award-winning wines to your tastes and delivers them to your door. Through October 31, get an extra bottle with your introductory order: seven bottles starting at just $44.95. Take the wine quiz to discover wines matched to your palate, and claim your bonus bottle before this offer ends. (Find Your Perfect Pour)

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.

➤ What are the seven dirtiest things in your home? Hint: the toilet doesn’t make the list. (Hear List)

➤ Election season may take a measurable toll on your heart, researchers say, no matter which party wins. (Listen Now)

➤ New research is challenging centuries of scholarly doubt over a nearly 2,000-year-old non-Christian account of Jesus. (Podcast Available)

Game day!

Will you hand out candy tonight?

Yesterday's Results:

What’s your favorite B-52s song?

Love Shack: 74%
Roam: 9%
Other: 9%
Rock Lobster: 8%

Juliette Gordon Low started the first troop of what became the Girl Scouts in Savannah in 1912. What was the group originally called?

Show me the answer

Unsubscribe (Step One)

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

Tackling Youth Gambling, Stolen Vintage Guitars, and First Frontier Trail

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Good Morning! On Halloween night 1891, striking coal miners and their supporters in East Tennessee launched a major uprising during the Coal Creek War. Hundreds of masked and armed men attacked and burned prison stockades belonging to the Tennessee Coal Mining Company at Briceville and the Knoxville Iron Company at Coal Creek. They freed hundreds of leased convict laborers, many of whom fled into the surrounding hills and valleys.

Check out today's Trivia for a ghost story rooted in Tennessee history.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is offering a guide for tips and advice on creating a retirement strategy that’s cohesive, current, and aligned with your full financial picture.

Tennessee Targets Youth Gambling with $3M

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is offering $3 million in grants to fight youth gambling, with a state survey showing the average young gambler starts at about age 12.

That 2024-25 survey of more than 11,000 students in 34 counties found 15% had gambled in the past month, and 43% of those gambled on six or more days. Kids find it through sports betting content, apps, video games, and illegal betting sites.

Public agencies, nonprofits, colleges, and licensed providers can apply for the money, with $1.5 million set aside as yearly funding and $1.5 million as one-time money. Mary Beth Thomas, who leads the state’s Sports Wagering Council, said illegal sites “prey upon our youth” by not keeping minors out.

A 5% cut of the tax on licensed sportsbooks pays for the grants. It also funds free counseling through The Gambling Clinic in Memphis, Nashville, and Johnson City, or by telehealth.

Lee Questions Immigrant License Denials

Gov. Bill Lee said Wednesday he’s looking into why Tennessee stopped issuing driver’s licenses to immigrants with federal work permits.

Since Oct. 1, hundreds of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients say they’ve been turned away, though many renewed for years using their work permit as proof of legal status. Thousands more could be denied at their next renewal.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security points to a 2025 state law, effective Jan. 1, requiring proof of a specific period of authorized stay. Spokesperson Jason Pack said a work permit “does not provide sufficient information to verify an applicant’s lawful status.”

Rep. John Ray Clemmons, who chairs the House Democratic Caucus, called the denials “devastating” for families who are “paying taxes just like everyone else.” Lee said he’d “just become aware” of the issue and wants to know whether state and federal law created “unintended consequences.”

Nashville Shop Flags $500K Stolen Guitars

Metro police arrested a 38-year-old man Thursday who they say tried to collect up to $500,000 in stolen vintage guitars from a Nashville shop.

At least two people brought the guitars to Carter’s Vintage Guitars on 8th Avenue South on Oct. 17 hoping to sell them. The shop said they’d need an appraisal but put the initial value at $400,000 to $500,000.

After the sellers left, Carter’s called police, who determined the guitars were stolen from Chattanooga. The shop then turned down the sale and was told the seller’s brother, “Niko Simpson,” would come pick them up.

Brian Hart showed up Thursday claiming to be Simpson, and police said officers found a driver’s license in Simpson’s name on him. Hart first denied knowing the sellers before admitting the seller dropped him off, and he’s now charged with felony accessory after the fact.

Flying together with our sponsor

When to Retire: A Quick and Easy Planning Guide explores how to balance short-term volatility against long-term growth needs, prepare for inflation, generate investment income, schedule withdrawals and keep your retirement plan current.

➤ Washington County: Gov. Bill Lee joined local leaders Thursday to open a finished stretch of the First Frontier Trail, a walking and biking path that will link Johnson City and Jonesborough. The governor put $5 million toward Johnson City’s share. (See Details)

➤ Nashville: The city’s local tax on groceries drops half a percentage point, from 2.25% to 1.75%, on Nov. 1. The average Nashville family will save around $72 a year on groceries. (More)

➤ Roan Mountain: One person died Friday morning in a hit-and-run crash involving a pickup truck and a bicyclist, the Carter County sheriff said. Deputies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the scene. Investigators are searching for a silver/gray Ford F150 that is a 2015-2020 model and will have damage to the right front area. (More)

➤ Lebanon: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Chad King, 41, last seen in Nashville Wednesday in a red shirt and blue jeans. He’s believed to be on foot and has a medical condition that may keep him from returning safely. (More)

➤ La Vergne: Police charged a juvenile with aggravated arson in an Oct. 26 fire at a Sarna Drive residential facility. The juvenile is accused of setting it after grievances involving staff. Other residents had already left, and no one was hurt. (See Details)

➤ Jackson: The Tennessee Economic Development Council gave Greater Jackson Chamber’s chief economic development officer, Mandy White, its Professional of the Year award Oct. 29. White helped secure over $1.4 billion in investment across 27 years. (More)

The Tennessee Flyover exists to call things what they are, fairly and objectively. We keep the spin out and trust you with the facts. So today we're asking: if news that calls things what they are is something you want to see thrive, will you stand behind it? Support the news in plain words. Free, every morning. Will you make a generous donation to support The Tennessee Flyover?
Give $25Give $50Give $100Give $250

➤ High school football region titles were on the line as No. 2 Brentwood Academy (7-2) hosted No. 5 Lipscomb Academy (6-3) in a Division II-AAA West Region showdown last night. (See Score)

➤ The Nashville Predators inducted former coach Barry Trotz as the sixth member of their Golden Hall before Thursday’s game against the Capitals. Trotz coached more than 1,000 games over 15 seasons in Nashville and retired July 1. (More)

➤ Memphis men’s basketball closed its exhibition slate with a 93-81 loss at No. 12 Arkansas Wednesday. The Tigers trailed by 21 early in the second half before outscoring the Razorbacks 47-45 after the break. (Read Recap)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Four black bears raided a pickup truck outside a Gatlinburg home Oct. 14, making off with granola bars and Crunch ‘n Munch and dropping a six-pack of beer onto the driveway. The owners hadn’t unpacked yet. (See Photos)

➤ An auto-shop teacher at Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville won a $10,000 Carhartt Steel Apple Award for his program. Bobby Cooper, a TCAT Knoxville graduate with more than 33 years in the trade, is one of eight trades teachers honored nationwide. (See Details)

➤ Chattanooga firefighters are collecting donations in their boots today for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual Fill-the-Boot drive. Crews will be at nine spots, from Hixson to Lookout Valley, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (See Locations)

Flying together with our sponsor

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.

➤ What are the seven dirtiest things in your home? Hint: the toilet doesn’t make the list. (Hear List)

➤ Election season may take a measurable toll on your heart, researchers say, no matter which party wins. (Listen Now)

➤ New research is challenging centuries of scholarly doubt over a nearly 2,000-year-old non-Christian account of Jesus. (Podcast Available)