FEEDPUNK Georgia Edition

State politics and public affairs

Ossoff and Collins clash over costs, health care and political ties

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins faced off for the first time in their Georgia Senate race, attacking each other over inflation, health care, immigration and their political records. Ossoff blamed Collins’ support for President Donald Trump’s tariffs and health care cuts for higher costs, while Collins attributed inflation to policies backed by President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats. The candidates also traded personal accusations, including Ossoff’s criticism of Collins’ ties to people he described as white nationalists. They are scheduled to debate again Tuesday at the Atlanta Press Club.

Athens-Clarke County tracks duplicate absentee ballots

A mailing-list error led Athens-Clarke County to send a second absentee ballot to 1,154 voters who requested one for the Nov. 3 general election. Elections officials said ballots are tied to individual voters and staff will check returned ballots to ensure that only one vote is counted per person. Voters who receive two ballots have been told to complete and return only one, and to shred the extra or return it in person rather than mail it back or discard it intact.

Federal Medicaid change removes coverage for some legal immigrants

A federal policy change effective Oct. 1 has ended Medicaid eligibility for some legal immigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking and domestic violence; green-card holders are not affected. The change is part of broader Medicaid provisions in the 2025 federal tax and policy law, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated could leave 7.5 million fewer people insured. Advocates warn that people unable to afford private coverage may delay treatment or rely on emergency rooms. Georgia-specific enrollment impacts were not reported, but the restrictions apply nationally.

Endangered Species Act changes raise concerns for Georgia wildlife

The Trump administration has narrowed federal interpretations of the Endangered Species Act, removing penalties for destroying protected species’ breeding, feeding and shelter habitat and limiting the definition of “take” largely to intentional killing. The changes could affect Georgia species including the red-cockaded woodpecker, whose recovery has involved habitat management and artificial nesting cavities at Fort Stewart. Nearly two dozen state attorneys general have sued over some of the changes, while conservation groups warn that weaker habitat protections could undermine species recovery.

Economy, housing and services

United Way grant expands Atlanta-area child-care assistance

Quality Care for Children received a $2 million grant from the United Way of Atlanta and the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation to expand its “boost scholarships” for families in Atlanta and Clayton County. Participating families pay 7% of their income toward child care, with the scholarship covering the remainder. In 2025, the nonprofit helped keep nearly 500 children in care and provided additional revenue to almost 300 child-care programs. The Atlanta Fed reported that Georgia child-care costs rose 29% from 2020 to 2024, while the average family spends about 14% of its income on care.

Bowen Homes redevelopment advances with 112-unit second phase

Atlanta Housing and city officials broke ground on the second phase of redevelopment at the former Bowen Homes site in northwest Atlanta, launching a project named Ariel Place at Bowen. The $50.2 million phase will add 112 units: 34 Atlanta Housing-assisted, 35 affordable, 10 workforce and 33 market-rate homes, along with community and study spaces, a fitness center and a playground. The larger 74-acre redevelopment envisions 2,000 homes, about 40% of them affordable, and is supported by a $40 million federal grant, $10 million in city funding and more than $520 million in aligned public-private investment. Construction on the second phase is expected to finish in January 2028.

APS reopens renovated L.P. Miles Elementary

L.P. Miles Elementary School in southwest Atlanta reopened after an $11.8 million renovation funded through the education sales tax approved in 2022. The nearly 60-year-old building received updated technology, brighter classrooms and flexible seating; students spent the previous school year at a temporary campus during construction. The project comes as Atlanta Public Schools pursues its Forward 2040 plan to close or repurpose 16 schools while upgrading facilities at campuses that remain open.

Fulton County launches veterans resource guide

Fulton County unveiled an online resource guide intended to help veterans find health care, housing, employment and business support. The guide was introduced at a Georgia Tech roundtable where veterans and local, state and federal officials discussed barriers faced by former service members transitioning to civilian work and business ownership. The county also highlighted state benefits available to eligible veterans, including a retirement-income exclusion of up to $65,000 and a property-tax exemption of up to $121,000 for qualifying veterans with total disability.

Public safety and justice

Five people die in apparent murder-suicide in Douglas

Douglas police are investigating the deaths of five adults at a home on Robin Lane as an apparent murder-suicide involving immediate family members who lived there. Officers responding to a report of an active shooter late Friday found four people dead inside; a fifth person died after being taken to Coffee Regional Medical Center. Police said a woman called from the home before the deaths, reporting a dispute with her husband. Authorities said there was no continuing threat to the public, and the investigation remains active.

Seven-month-old killed in 10-vehicle I-20 crash after police pursuit

Seven-month-old Kalayia Tolbert died after a 10-vehicle crash on I-20 involving an Audi driven by Cameron Kemp, 33, of Covington, Georgia State Patrol said. A trooper had observed the Audi traveling about 110 mph in a 60 mph zone with its headlights off; after briefly pulling onto the shoulder during an attempted stop, the driver accelerated and a pursuit followed. Kemp lost control while exiting at Wesley Chapel Road, struck a guardrail and crashed into multiple vehicles. Three infants were taken to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; Kemp later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Putnam County father and son charged in teenager’s killing

Michael David Ludwick, 20, and his father, Joshua David Ludwick, 38, were arrested and charged with murder after 19-year-old Zachary Brandon Smith was found dead beside Rooty Creek, about eight miles south of Eatonton. Investigators said Smith had been shot multiple times in the chest with a rifle. A witness identified Michael Ludwick as the alleged shooter and his father as a party to the crime, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.

Second suspect arrested in fatal Atlanta apartment shooting

Atlanta police arrested 19-year-old Chance Blue in connection with an Aug. 4 shooting at an apartment complex at 55 Maple St. that killed one person and wounded three others. Blue faces charges including murder, two counts of armed robbery and three counts of aggravated assault. He is the second person arrested in the case; Naim Smith, also 19, was arrested on the day of the shooting and faces murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and armed-robbery charges.

Newnan shooting investigation awaits medical examiner’s report

The family of 18-year-old Zadarious Dorsey reviewed body-camera footage and other evidence with prosecutors as the Coweta Judicial Circuit district attorney considers whether a Newnan officer’s use of deadly force was justified. The shooting occurred Oct. 3 after the officer pursued Dorsey on foot and deployed a Taser, which investigators said was ineffective; the GBI says the officer then saw Dorsey draw a gun before firing. Dorsey’s family agreed to public release of footage showing the encounter, excluding images depicting his suffering. The district attorney’s office says it plans to release evidence and a timeline after receiving the autopsy report, expected within the month.

DeKalb driver charged after striking three people with car

DeKalb County police say Amoy Rowe, 24, intentionally drove into three adults in a parking lot on Flat Shoals Parkway after a fight inside The Spot Sports Bar and Grill early Saturday. Officers found the three injured people at the scene; their injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Rowe was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The investigation remains ongoing.

Storm recovery

Isaias leaves widespread damage and power outages across Georgia

Isaias’ passage brought down trees, damaged homes and disrupted electricity across metro Atlanta and other parts of Georgia. Cherokee County reported 43 road closures and damage to four homes after wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph; Georgia Power reported about 45,000 customers without power, with Georgia EMC reporting another 40,000 outages. FEMA approved emergency assistance for dozens of Georgia counties, with the federal government covering 75% of eligible emergency protective measures. The storm also caused severe damage in Milton, Florida, where gusts exceeded 114 mph and a high school gym roof was torn apart.

Reynolds Landing clubhouse destroyed in major fire

A fire heavily damaged the approximately 20,000-square-foot Reynolds Landing clubhouse near Lake Oconee, with Greene County Fire Rescue reporting that the structure was heavily involved when crews arrived Saturday night. Firefighters used a deck gun and handline to contain the blaze to the building despite gusty winds, then continued working to extinguish hot spots. Officials credited Reynolds staff with evacuating patrons and clearing rooms before leaving the building. The fire was under control Sunday, but the facility was described as completely destroyed.

Education, industry and research

Agnes Scott receives $1 million for first-year global learning

The Delta Air Lines Foundation awarded Agnes Scott College $1 million to support Global Journeys, a program that combines semester-long global studies with travel for first-year students. The grant was announced at the college’s Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Decatur and brings the foundation’s total investment in the program to $2 million. The college says the support will help preserve access to the experience regardless of students’ ability to pay. Global Journeys is part of Agnes Scott’s Summit undergraduate curriculum.

Georgia’s first openly LGBTQ member of Congress joins Atlanta Pride parade

Thousands attended Atlanta’s Pride parade and festival in Midtown after storm damage concerns canceled Saturday’s events and compressed the celebration into Sunday. The parade moved along Peachtree Street and Tenth Street to Piedmont Park; organizers said a typical parade draws about 100,000 spectators and the weekend festival about 350,000. Among the participants was Everton Blair Jr., recently elected in a special election to complete the late David Scott’s term in Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. Blair is the state’s first openly LGBTQ member of Congress.

Sources (123 articles from 6 feeds)

11Alive Atlanta (15)

Georgia Recorder (3)

SaportaReport (4)

The Current GA (4)

WABE Atlanta (NPR) (6)

WSB-TV Atlanta (91)