Live News Updates

Dozens of residents in Catoosa County, Georgia, were forced to evacuate their flooded homes with assistance from first responders, support agencies, and regional mutual aid partners after storms dropped several inches of rain in a short period late Tuesday.

Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Georgia, today introduced a resolution condemning recent anti-American remarks made by Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Illinois, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, who said that she is “a proud Guatemalan before I’m an American.” The resolution states that elected officials are expected to serve the American people, not foreign governments, and that comments of such character call into question a member’s ability to fulfill their oath of office.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Study Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, chaired by Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, will hold its first hearing.

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Transportation today shared information regarding the upcoming expiration of a federal exemption that applies to the utilization of High Occupancy Vehicles by Alternative Fuel Vehicles nationwide. An AFV is a motor vehicle that operates on alternative power sources or fuels, rather than traditional petroleum-based fossil fuels; the term can also be used to describe a battery-powered electric vehicle.

A New York Times bestselling author said the failed assassinations of Donald Trump may have given the former president and president-elect an edge among voters that helped him win on Tuesday.

“The assassination attempts on Donald Trump not only failed to bring him down but may have given him a boost among voters that carried through to Election Day,” Joshua Lisec said in a statement. “The attempts solidified Trump’s support among Republicans, who viewed them as an anti-democratic attempt to change the election outcome while also allowing him to showcase his strength and resilience among independent voters. As president, Trump can order more information about the attempts released, which could shed light on questions that remain.”

Lisec is the co-author of the new book “Bulletproof: The Truth about the Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump.” It is the first complete investigative report on the two attempted assassinations of Trump.

The State of Georgia and its participating local governments will receive more than $55 million to expand access to opioid treatment, prevention, and recovery services as part of a recently finalized settlement agreement with Kroger, Attorney General Chris Carr said.

The settlement agreement, which totals nearly $1.4 billion overall and includes a bipartisan coalition of 30 states, resolves allegations that the company contributed to the opioid crisis. The funds will be distributed over time.

Kroger has also agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens vowed to review the final report from the Task Force for Review of the Processes and Procedures of the Office of the Inspector General, the Ethics Office and the Governing Board of the Office of the Inspector General and the Ethics Office.

“We appreciate the diligent work of the Task Force in conducting this important review of the City of Atlanta’s Office of Inspector General and Ethics Office,” Dickens said in a statement. “We will review the report thoroughly, but on first reading, the recommendations are practical and grounded in common sense.

“Clarifying the roles, maintaining the independence and improving the procedures of not only the OIG, but also the Ethics Officer and their Governing Board, will strengthen the City’s continued commitment to rooting out corruption, waste, fraud and abuse and to serving the public with transparency, accountability and integrity,” the mayor added. “The OIG is a vital part of our City and is absolutely here to stay. These recommendations, if approved by City Council, will clear up ambiguity in its operations and processes, especially those concerning the rights of city employees.”

During remarks Thursday in the Rose Garden, President Joe Biden promised “a peaceful and orderly transition” and urged Americans to lower the political temperature.

“Campaigns are contests of competing visions,” Biden said. “The country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made. I’ve said many times you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree.

“Something I hope we can do no matter who you voted for is see each other not as adversaries but as fellow Americans, bring down the temperature,” Biden added.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Georgia restored relief for Cobb County voters who requested absentee ballots before the deadline but did not receive them on time due to the county’s failure to mail them on time, the ACLU of Georgia said.

The Court asked the parties to brief whether the case was still relevant, given the fact that the election contests had already been decided. In response, the groups that filed the appeal, the RNC and Republican Party of Georgia, moved to dismiss their appeal.

Affected voters in Cobb County will have their absentee ballots counted per the initial lower court order. For these voters, ballots that were postmarked by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5 will be counted as long as they are received by 5 p.m. on Nov. 8.

“President Joe Biden called President Donald J. Trump to congratulate him on his victory and extended an invitation to the White House to ensure a smooth transition between the current Administration and the incoming Administration. President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call.”

– Steven Cheung, Trump Campaign Communications Director