State Rolls Out $1B in Tax Rebates

Georgia began issuing one-time tax refunds this week, returning up to $500 to eligible taxpayers as part of a $1 billion rebate approved by Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly.

To qualify, residents must have filed 2023 and 2024 state returns, paid taxes, and not owe back taxes. Refunds are capped at $250 for individuals, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for joint filers.

This marks the third year of rebates tied to Georgia’s budget surplus and fiscal management.

  New State Laws Take Effect July 1 

A slate of new state laws kicks in July 1, covering everything from wrongful convictions to school funding and fentanyl penalties.

Among the new laws, Senate Bill 244 allows for compensation for the wrongfully convicted, while Senate Bill 79 toughens fentanyl trafficking punishments.

Lawmakers boosted education funding by $75 million under House Bill 371 and outlawed sub-minimum wages for workers with disabilities via Senate Bill 55.

Storm Threat Nears Coast

The National Hurricane Center continued to monitor a low-pressure system off Florida’s Gulf Coast that could impact Georgia and the Carolinas.

Though the odds of the system developing into a tropical or subtropical storm are low at 10%, storms could bring heavy rain and gusty winds to coastal Georgia starting today.

Forecasters say the impact would be similar whether or not the system becomes a named storm.

The first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season will be called Andrea.

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➤ Savannah: A congested 10-mile stretch of I-95 around the Georgia-South Carolina border will be widened and upgraded by 2030 under a $825 million project that will include the building of a new bridge over the Savannah River. (More)

➤ Gwinnett County: Homeowners received redesigned property assessment notices, prompting confusion over tax estimates. (More)

➤ Laurens County: A missing 52-year-old man was found dead in the Oconee River near Dublin days after his boat struck a tree. (More)

➤ Statewide: National Fishing and Boating Week continues, and includes a free fishing day this Saturday, with no fishing licenses or Lands Pass needed to fish on public waters. (More)

➤ Glynn County: A missing teenager with high-functioning autism was found safe at Savannah’s Amtrak station after disappearing overnight near Brunswick. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Braves hired former manager Fredi Gonzalez as third-base coach. He replaces Matt Tuiasosopo. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt was named Michigan State’s athletic director. Batt helped boost athletic program donations by 43% and secure major sponsorship deals. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks are showing interest in possibly trading for Kevin Durant as Phoenix shops the 36-year-old star, one analyst says. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Middle Georgia cities are adding restaurants, retail, and homes, including a BJ’s Wholesale Club in Warner Robins and a 64-unit affordable housing project in Macon. (More)

➤ Gray Media-owned WANF will end its 31-year affiliation with CBS in August, becoming an independent TV station focused on leveraging its Atlanta News First brand. (More)

➤ Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines launched seven new Saturday-only routes from Orlando to various cities, viewed by some as a possible test of whether to make Orlando a hub. (More)

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➤ Magician Ken Scott will perform more than 100 comedy magic shows at Georgia libraries this summer, aiming to spark children’s love for reading through entertainment. (More)

➤ More than $92,000 has been raised for The Wire actor Tray Chaney’s family after a tornado destroyed their Locust Grove home and critically injured Chaney’s son. (More)

➤ Burger King awarded a $10,000 scholarship to high school graduate Mykale Baker of Dacula, who gained national attention after going to his job at one of the chain’s restaurants after getting his diploma. (More)

Have you ever watched The Wire?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you gone to see a movie this year?

1. Yes: 33%
2. No: 67%

What historic Georgia fort was key to defending the colony from the Spanish in Florida?

Show me the answer