AGP Executive Report

Metro Atlanta Weather: Flash-flood warnings and heavy storms disrupted travel Friday, with flooding reported on Georgia 400 and a temporary ground stop at Hartsfield-Jackson that was later lifted, though delays lingered. Public Health: Georgia DPH confirmed two more measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, bringing the outbreak total to 10 cases and 16 confirmed cases statewide in 2026. Local Courts & Safety: The GBI is investigating a shooting involving a Rome police officer that triggered a brief school lockdown and road closures. Politics: Rick Jackson’s campaign launched a statewide attack ad targeting Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Atlanta mayoral record, using resident accounts of crime and unrest. Sports (Georgia): Cooper Rush is set to start for the Falcons in Week 1 after Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, while Georgia Tech and Tennessee gear up for a key matchup. Business/Development: Bartow County planning commissioners will consider rezoning requests tied to the Hyundai-SK battery area and a new Kroger site near Highway 411.

Flock misuse crackdown: USA TODAY reports at least three more Georgia-area police officers were arrested and another fired over alleged misuse of Flock license plate reader cameras, bringing the total tied to the investigation to 22 nationwide. Election integrity: Georgia’s Secretary of State is in a fight over absentee ballots, with a Supreme Court freeze reported, while DOJ is also asking Georgia to preserve 2024 election records. State politics: Georgia GOP chair Josh McKoon is trying to project unity, even as internal party feuds keep resurfacing. Public safety & courts: A Georgia deputy was arrested in connection with repeated Flock searches, and another case highlights how long-running misuse can trigger criminal exposure. Metro Atlanta education: Crawford Long Middle School reported 73 Hispanic students enrolled for 2024-25, up sharply year over year, as Georgia continues to track attendance and enrollment trends. Commemoration: Georgia Tech alumnus Michael Arad’s 9/11 memorial design story is spotlighted as the state marks the 25th anniversary.

Death Penalty Appeal: Stacey Humphreys, set for execution Sept. 16 for the 2003 double murder of Cobb County realtors, is asking for a new trial after defense attorneys alleged extreme juror misconduct in his 2007 case. Election Integrity Fight: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger joined other officials urging the U.S. Supreme Court to block a Trump administration mail-ballot rule, warning the Postal Service’s late role could disrupt Georgia’s absentee ballot processing before the midterms. Court Battle Over Mail Rules: A federal appeals court kept a freeze on Trump’s mail-ballot changes, keeping the legal fight headed toward the Supreme Court. Midterms Politics: In Dallas, top Republicans privately acknowledged they could lose Georgia and North Carolina for Senate control as they scramble to shore up their map. Public Safety: An Atlanta-area Army veteran, Adam Schlueter, was sentenced to life in federal prison for sexually abusing two children while stationed in Germany. Local Interest: Nicholson Public Library is kicking off Library Card Sign-Up Month with programs, a book club, and a free Movie in the Park.

Local Safety: A 21-year-old driver escaped serious injury after his Mercedes became wedged between concrete beams on an I-20 overpass in downtown Atlanta, with only one vehicle involved. Election Integrity: Georgia election officials warned the U.S. Supreme Court that new federal mail ballot rules could trigger “massive chaos” in November, arguing there’s no time or budget to redesign envelopes and meet new USPS requirements. Voting Rights Fight: Georgia Supreme Court filings and a separate push from other states back Kentucky’s AG bid to protect proof-of-citizenship rules and bar noncitizens from voter rolls. Public Safety Tech: Doraville leaders weighed Flock surveillance cameras amid privacy concerns, with the ACLU urging strict guardrails before any deal. Courts & Justice: A Georgia man scheduled for execution next week, Stacey Humphreys, is seeking a new sentencing trial over claims of juror misconduct. Community & Culture: Georgia Tech marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a memorial of hundreds of flags near Tech Green, including a tribute to a former student killed in Iraq. Education: Bulloch County’s school board will consider raising compensation for board members, aiming to keep service accessible to working parents. Health: Georgia reported additional measles cases tied to an Atlanta-area daycare outbreak.

Politics (Georgia): Georgia election leaders joined a national coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to pause new Postal Service mail-ballot rules ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, arguing Georgia counties have already printed envelopes and budgets and won’t have time or money to meet the new requirements. Elections (Georgia): In Dallas, Republicans kicked off their first-ever midterm convention with President Trump taking the stage, pitching voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot while Georgia Sen. race candidate Mike Collins used the spotlight to energize support against incumbent Jon Ossoff. Courts & Public Safety (Georgia): A death-row inmate, Stacey Humphreys, is seeking a new sentencing trial after claims of juror misconduct ahead of his scheduled lethal-injection execution next Wednesday; separately, a Gwinnett mother charged in a toddler hot-car death was granted $5,000 bond with strict conditions after a bond hearing. Local Governance (Metro Atlanta): Gwinnett and Doraville are holding public discussions on Flock camera usage after prior misuse allegations and officer discipline. Health & Safety: A Georgia-Florida convenience store sandwich recall was issued after egg was listed in ingredients but missing from an allergen warning. Education (Georgia): New enrollment figures show Taylor County schools had 1,110 students in 2024-25, and Marietta Center for Advanced Academics reported 43 Hispanic students that year. Sports (Georgia): Georgia high school football matchups and Week 4 previews are rolling out as teams track defensive performance through Week 3.

Head Start Funding: The U.S. Health Department awarded Georgia Head Start programs $2.43 million in supplemental grants for nutrition upgrades, facility repairs, and one-time operating needs. Georgia Politics: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger launched a bipartisan Election Integrity Task Force aimed at keeping elections “fair and secure,” tackling topics like voter list maintenance, transparency, and misinformation. Gubernatorial Race: Republican Rick Jackson rolled out a broader “Jackson Action Plan” covering health care, public safety, education, and jobs, while Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms met with Atlanta business owners to highlight development she says can help surrounding communities. Midterm Politics: Republicans are gathering in Dallas for a Trump-centered midterm convention, with debate already swirling over who comes next and what Trumpism should look like after 2029. Local Business: Toastique is opening a second Atlanta location in Brickworks on Sept. 12 with opening-day giveaways. Public Health: Georgia is dealing with a growing measles situation tied to a metro Atlanta daycare, with additional cases confirmed. Sports & Culture: The 45th Savannah Jazz Festival runs Sept. 18-20 with multiple free events.

UN World Map Fight: The U.N. General Assembly backed “Correct the Map,” pushing an Equal Earth projection that makes Africa look far larger than on Mercator; Georgia abstained while the U.S. voted no, calling it politically driven. Metro Atlanta Traffic: GDOT shut down an I-85 northbound ramp to I-285 eastbound in Fulton County after an overturned tractor-trailer near Hartsfield-Jackson, with reopening expected around 9:45–9:50 p.m. Public Safety & Justice: A jury convicted former East Point Sgt. Richard Gooddine in a retrial on multiple sexual assault-related counts. Community & Culture: Dragon Con hit 40 years in downtown Atlanta with 75,000 attendees, raising $320,000 for Hope Atlanta and collecting 5,000+ children’s books for Georgia libraries. Georgia Politics: The governor race is turning on health care as Rick Jackson rolls out “intelligent Medicaid expansion” with work requirements, while Keisha Lance Bottoms presses for full expansion. Education: Georgia Pre-K Week will distribute 87,000+ copies of “Every Amazing Song” to classrooms statewide.

Judicial Appointments: Gov. Brian Kemp named Richard E. “Richy” Braun Jr. as district attorney for the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy, and also announced other court/prosecutor appointments across the state. Public Health: Georgia DPH confirmed three more measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, bringing the total to 14 statewide (eight linked to the current cluster). Elections & Voting Systems: An independent audit says Georgia’s voter registration and list-maintenance system hits 99.9% accuracy, with processes found compliant with statutory requirements and best practices. Law & Courts: Jurors continued deliberations in the retrial of former East Point officer Richard Goodine, accused of sexually assaulting a teenager and another woman, with testimony focused on DNA found in his patrol car. National/Tech Policy: The U.S. voted against a UN push for a new world map projection, while Georgia abstained—an unusual cartography fight with political undertones. Business/Atlanta: Six Flags announced it will acquire ArieForce One from Fun Spot Atlanta, with a reopening planned for 2028 or 2029.

Public Safety: Georgia State Patrol says five people died in crashes over Labor Day weekend, with troopers responding to 209 crashes statewide and making 299 DUI arrests. Local News: A missing Winder woman, Erica Gibson, was found safe in the Atlanta area after leaving Fort Yargo State Park. Politics & Voting Access: Disability advocates are urging Georgia lawmakers to protect voters with disabilities as the state moves toward a new election system, including hand-marked paper ballots. Civil Liberties: The ACLU of Georgia is suing over restrictions on what media can see and hear during executions ahead of a Sept. 16 scheduled execution. Elections Watch: A report says billionaire Rick Jackson’s pro-jobs campaign is undercut by millions paid to settle worker wage complaints. Environment & Agriculture: Georgia officials report finding 1,090 yellow-legged hornets and 60 nests in August as eradication efforts continue. Sports: Georgia RB Dante Dowdell posted an update after a serious off-campus ATV crash, describing major injuries and an ongoing recovery.

Labor Day in Georgia: Metro Atlanta finally cools off for the holiday, with a forecast high around 86°F and only scattered showers later. Gas Prices: Georgia’s average hit $3.89 a gallon on Labor Day weekend—about 98 cents higher than a year ago—while the national average reached a record $4.14. State Patrol Crash: A Georgia State Patrol vehicle wrecked in DeKalb County at Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Hugh Howell Road; the intersection was blocked briefly and later cleared. Healthcare & Disability Rights: A new federal move could make it easier for states to place disabled and elderly people in institutions by weakening a long-standing requirement to fund home care. UN Map Fight: The UN backed a push for more accurate world maps after “Correct the Map,” with Georgia among the abstainers. Local Business/Jobs: FAA announced $481M in airport grants, including $100M for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta for runway, taxiway, and terminal safety upgrades. Sports (Georgia): A Union County student-athlete was airlifted after a spinal concussion during a Friday night game at Stephens County High School.

Hyundai & Coastal Georgia Jobs: A new report says Hyundai’s big Coastal Georgia hiring is moving, but several smaller suppliers tied to state incentives are lagging on promised job creation. Local Economy & Industry: Hyundai Motor Group also broke ground in Louisiana on a major integrated steel mill, aiming to build a U.S. supply chain for its vehicles. WWE in Atlanta: Sunday Night’s Main Event is live from State Farm Arena, with Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi headlining and a surprise Bronson Reed return derailing the “future of WWE” storyline. Education & Enrollment: Georgia school enrollment data highlights demographic shifts at Atlanta-area campuses, including E. Rivers Elementary and A.L. Burruss Elementary. Road Safety: A Safe Driving Summit is planned at Banks County High School to tackle distracted and impaired driving with first responders and trauma experts. Weather/Travel: Metro Atlanta is still cleaning up after severe storms and outages, with Labor Day conditions affecting plans.

Storm Aftermath in Metro Atlanta: Thousands were left without power after strong overnight storms, with Georgia Power reporting nearly 5,000 customers in the dark, and officials say no injuries have been reported. Heat + More Storms: A First Alert Weather Day continues with heat index values around 100–105 and scattered storms possible this afternoon and evening, including damaging wind gusts and hail. Flock Camera Backlash: Georgia’s debate over surveillance cameras keeps heating up as DPS says it will keep using its existing AI camera network even as some spending is blocked, with reporting that out-of-state agencies—including Georgia law enforcement—access the system. UN Map Fight Lands in Georgia’s Orbit: The UN’s push for a more accurate world map is still sparking controversy, with the U.S. the lone no vote and Ukraine raising objections over how Crimea is shown. Georgia Politics Watch: Democrats are signaling they’ll use a potential 2027 Congress to probe the Trump administration, while election-security and voter-access issues remain front and center. Local Growth: A new 267-home rental community is proposed for Ellabell, aiming to start construction in late 2027. Miss World Spotlight: Georgia-Lee Gill was crowned Miss World Caribbean, adding another continental title to the 2026 pageant lineup.

Severe Weather in Metro Atlanta: Strong storms tore through the area Saturday, knocking out power for more than 50,000 Georgia Power and EMC customers and downing trees that damaged homes; officials reported traffic-signal outages and widespread storm warnings, with some airport departure ground stops briefly extended. Flock Safety Scrutiny: Gwinnett County and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office say reviews found misuse of license plate reader systems, leading to arrests and a resignation, as agencies move to tighten controls after alleged unauthorized access. Georgia Election Access Push: Disability and language-access advocates are urging lawmakers to protect voter access as Georgia considers new election equipment ahead of 2028, including how hand-marked ballots and required machines at polling places will work in practice. UN World Map Fight: The UN General Assembly backed a new equal-area world map showing Africa’s true size, with the U.S. casting the lone no vote; Georgia was among the abstainers. College Football Spotlight: Tennessee freshman QB Faizon Brandon dazzled in his debut with five touchdowns in a 56-9 win over Furman, while No. 3 Georgia rolled past Tennessee State 63-3 in 101-degree heat.

College Sports (UGA): Atlanta News First is set to go live for Georgia’s season opener vs. Tennessee State at Sanford Stadium, with “Gametime” coverage starting an hour before kickoff and former UGA QB Jake Fromm joining the broadcast team. Public Safety (Heat): A First Alert Weather Day is in effect for north Georgia and metro Atlanta as heat indices hit around 107 degrees, with storms possible Saturday and a cooler, drier pattern expected early next week. Metro Atlanta Water: Officials say the earthy/musty smell in tap water is tied to Lake Lanier’s autumn turnover, which stirs compounds that can show up in taste and odor. Local Courts (Snapchat crash): A Spalding County judge has set a jury trial for a 2015 crash case, with plaintiffs arguing Snapchat’s speed filter helped encourage speeding; trial is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2026. Nation & World (UN map): The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution encouraging more accurate world maps that show Africa as larger, with the U.S. voting against.

Retrial in East Point sexual assault case: Fulton County jurors heard closing arguments in the retrial of former East Point Sgt. Richard Gooddine, accused of abusing his badge to assault women and a teenage girl between 2016 and 2018; the case centers on counts that ended in a prior deadlock, including an aggravated sexual battery charge that carries a life sentence. Local governance & privacy fight: In Georgia’s fast-growing data-center debate, Haralson County residents are pushing back against a $45 million land deal that could pave the way for a data center, while across the state the Flock license-plate camera controversy keeps escalating, including arrests and resignations tied to alleged misuse. Public safety & justice: DeKalb County jail officials say 11 inmates were arrested after a violent attack left a man severely injured, and a federal case ended with a Riverdale man sentenced to 100 months after a traffic stop led to a stolen handgun arrest. Health watch: Georgia DPH confirmed three more measles cases tied to a metro Atlanta daycare outbreak, bringing the total to eight associated with the current cluster. Community spotlight: A Warm Springs police officer’s family is receiving support after Sgt. Christopher Fisher was killed in his patrol car, and Henry County marked a bus driver’s 50 years transporting students. Sports (Atlanta tie-in): Colorado opened the 2026 season with a 14-13 win over Georgia Tech, leaning on a strong rushing attack.

Snapchat Lawsuit: A Clayton County man’s severe crash injury case heads to a jury after a judge ruled disputed facts must be decided, including whether Snapchat’s speed filter encouraged Christal McGee to drive dangerously; trial is set for Nov. 2. Food Safety: A growing wave of recalls and outbreaks is raising fresh questions about how contamination spreads through the U.S. food system, with frozen berries and sprouts among the latest concerns. Healthcare Access: A new workforce study finds most U.S. counties lack certified headache specialists, highlighting gaps that can leave patients without clear pathways to specialized care. Public Safety & Community: Georgia marked the two-year anniversary of the Apalachee High School shooting with Gov. Kemp declaring Sept. 4 “Apalachee Remembrance Day,” while Atlanta police brief residents on Labor Day safety and a missing woman from Fort Yargo State Park was found safe. Politics & Privacy: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin asked Georgia AG Todd Blanche to investigate whether ERIC-related election data sharing improperly used sensitive motor vehicle records. Local Business: Maepole plans its first standalone drive-thru in Cumming, and Trulieve opened a new medical cannabis dispensary in Dunwoody. Sports: Everton Blair Jr. was sworn in as Georgia’s first openly gay member of Congress.