Insurance Commissioner Joins U.S. Senate Race

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King entered the 2026 U.S. Senate race on Monday, becoming the second major Republican challenger to Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.

King touted his background as a former police chief, a National Guard general, and the state’s first Hispanic statewide official. He also noted he is a strong ally of President Trump.

With prominent Republicans Gov. Brian Kemp and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene opting not to run, the potential GOP field remains wide open, analysts say. Last week, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, launched his campaign for the seat.

  State Shields Bayer from Roundup Lawsuits

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law making Georgia the second state to protect Bayer and other pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits claiming they failed to warn customers their products could cause cancer or other health issues.

The move comes amid nationwide litigation over Bayer’s weed killer Roundup, including a recent $2.1 billion jury award in Georgia.

The law aims to provide legal protection in Georgia to pesticide manufacturers that follow federal labeling requirements.

Supporters say the law protects farmers and food supply chains, while critics argue it prioritizes corporate interests over public health and environmental safety.

 Flooding Washes Out Roads

Heavy rain washed out roads in Candler County, prompting authorities to warn drivers and reroute school buses.

Schools in Candler, Evans, Montgomery, Screven, Toombs, and Tattnall counties asked students on dirt roads to meet buses at paved roads or bring notes if unable to travel safely.

Meanwhile, the Candler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspected drunk driver who ignored flood warnings and ended up in a ditch.

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➤ Statesboro: The mayor said reports that the city plans to build a homeless shelter in downtown or elsewhere are inaccurate. (More)

➤ Stephens County: A 70-year-old Toccoa man was arrested after a road rage incident in which he allegedly fired a gunshot, with the bullet striking a man and also hitting an off-duty sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle. The gunshot victim is expected to recover. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Dozens indicted in “Stop Cop City” protests in 2023 remain in legal limbo, with no trial dates set 20 months after they were charged under the state’s racketeering law. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: A Brookhaven woman was sentenced to one year in prison for Medicaid fraud after stealing more than $305,000 through fake therapy and false patient records. (More)

➤ Macon: Authorities asked for the public’s help in locating a 38-year-old woman missing since September 2024. (More)

➤ Clayton County: Jail inmate James Damonte Beasley escaped from a local hospital, carjacked a truck, and was recaptured after a chase, authorities say. Beasley was originally jailed for a probation violation on theft charges. (More)

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➤ No. 6 Georgia baseball dropped the final game in a series against No. 23 Alabama after a 37-hour rain delay, narrowing its path to securing a top NCAA Tournament seed. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons signed first-round NFL Draft pick James Pearce Jr. to a four-year, $16.8 million deal. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves’ hot streak cooled a bit with a weekend series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Buc-ee’s will open its store in Brunswick on July 1, which will become the chain’s largest in Georgia at 74,000 square feet, with 120 gas pumps and 200 jobs. (More)

➤ Georgia’s average gas price is down 11 cents from April and down 53 cents from a year ago. (More)

➤ Burlington Stores will take over leases of 45 Joann Fabrics locations, including one in Macon and two in Atlanta. (More)

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Crayola Advances Manufacturing Excellence with Hidden Tech

One of America’s most iconic brands is using cutting-edge technology to improve manufacturing quality and help reduce energy consumption by up to 30%. 

But they’re just one of several major brands leveraging IotaComm’s cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) platform to improve their business operations.

Wi-Fi alone has proven to be too costly for IoT tech, but IotaComm is quietly building a nationwide wireless network to make strong, secure, and low-cost connectivity possible in powering their commercial applications.  

They’re setting the foundations of a more connected world, which amounts to $1.5T in market potential.

Learn how you can become an IotaComm shareholder. 

➤ AAA forecasts a record 1.38 million Georgians will travel Memorial Day weekend, part of 45.1 million Americans hitting the road or skies amid lower gas prices. (More)

➤ Atlanta singer Slater Nalley advanced to the top five on American Idol, impressing with Elton John and Bob Dylan covers ahead of hometown visits. (More)

➤ Stone Mountain resident Kelly Campbell built a public Wind Phone in her yard to help people process grief, offering healing through symbolic calls. (More)

Have you ever heard of a Wind Phone?

1. Yes
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Yesterday’s Results:

Do you know what the acronym STEM stands for?  

1. Yes: 58%
2. No: 42%

Which city is home to the state’s first Buc-ee’s store? 

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