Politician Arrested in Child Sex Sting

Nineteen men, including a local political candidate, were arrested in an undercover child exploitation sting in Columbus.

They face charges of human trafficking and child exploitation, with some also suspected of illegal immigration.

The men range in age from 21 to 68 and were arrested after allegedly using social media and dating apps to solicit sex from undercover agents posing as children, authorities said.

Among those arrested was Carl Sprayberry, 32, of Columbus, who lost a race for the state House in 2024.

  Former State Rep. Ben Harbin Dies

Ben Harbin, a former Georgia state lawmaker and chair of a key state House committee, was found dead of suspected natural causes on Wednesday at an Augusta hotel. He was 61.

Harbin served as state representative for Columbia County’s 122nd District from 1994 to 2015 before becoming a lobbyist.

Georgia leaders remembered Harbin as a respected public servant who, during the Great Recession, played a key leadership role in keeping the state’s budget balanced.

Perdue Backs Okefenokee Bid

Former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue called on the Trump administration to support World Heritage status for the Okefenokee Swamp.

Perdue, who served as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in the first Trump administration, said the designation would protect the swamp and boost local economies.

The 400,000-acre refuge was nominated for the designation under President Biden, and the proposal is gaining bipartisan backing.

A decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee isn’t expected until at least next year.

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things.

Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed. Then one day, out of the heavens, came Amazon. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are nine of those perks.

Jackson County: A fire in Pendergrass killed a 63-year-old woman and injured two men trying to save her. Fire crews rescued one person, with investigators looking for the cause. (More)

DeKalb County: Officials asked a federal judge for more time to fix chronic sewer overflows, risking fines as regulators demand urgent action and makeshift solutions. (More)

Atlanta: Georgia State’s College of Law led Georgia’s February 2025 bar exam first-time pass rate at 74%, topping both Emory and the University of Georgia. (More)

Polk County: Aragon police discovered a 4-year-old girl and her mother dead after a 911 hang-up. Police didn’t release many details but said they do not think there is any threat to the public. (More)

Statewide: More than 20 years after Takata airbags were recalled over risks of accident injury and death, millions remain in use in cars across the nation, including an estimated 174,000 cars in Georgia. (More)

Columbus: Police found a 22-year-old woman fatally stabbed after a hit-and-run. Her ex-boyfriend was arrested following a high-speed chase through Banks County. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels won the NBA 2024–25 Most Improved Player award after boosting his scoring and emerging as a defensive star. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich apologized after his son prank-called Shedeur Sanders using leaked info, calling it a “difficult” situation and taking full responsibility. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves have rebounded from a 0-7 start, led by improving bats, but closer Raisel Iglesias’s struggles are raising bullpen concerns. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | LPGA | PGA

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➤ Georgia Power owner Southern Company reported first-quarter earnings of $1.3 billion, an increase from a year earlier. Investment plans include $15 billion in capital spending and 1,000 miles of new lines over 10 years. (More)

➤ A Waffle House cook in Pooler was convicted of aggravated battery for choking and beating a customer unconscious in 2022. (More)

➤ Columbus-based Aflac reported “very solid” adjusted first-quarter earnings. (More)

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Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer. Make sure you’re not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are nine Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ Southern Living’s list of the top 10 resorts in the Southern U.S. includes Jekyll Island Club Resort and Sea Island, along with others out of state that are within driving distance. (See Photos)

➤ Fayetteville’s Trilith Studios offers a 5-mile guided bike tour through its 700-acre campus for $38 per person. (More)

➤ Americus students from two Georgia colleges are building a home for a mother of seven. (More)

Have you ever been to Jekyll Island or Sea Island? 

1. Jekyll Island
2. Sea Island
3. Both
4. Neither

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to Fox Theatre?

1. Yes: 68%
2. No: 32%

How many Waffle House locations are in Georgia? 

Show me the answer