Collins Enters U.S. Senate Race

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate on Monday, joining U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter in the GOP primary to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.

Collins, R-Jackson, touted his sponsorship of the Laken Riley Act and close ties to President Trump. 

The founder of a trucking company and son of late Georgia congressman Mac Collins, he is in his second term representing a large swath of urban, suburban, and rural areas between Atlanta and Augusta.

Last week, state Insurance Commissioner John King dropped out of the GOP primary race after a visit with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who’s reportedly encouraging ex-football coach Derek Dooley to enter the GOP primary.

  Heat Wave Continues

Georgia continues to swelter under its hottest stretch of the year, with heat index values climbing as high as 112 degrees in parts of the state. 

An excessive heat warning is in effect for several counties, while a heat advisory covers much of North Georgia, including Atlanta. Scattered storms may offer brief relief, but not before highs reach triple digits in some areas. 

State agricultural officials urged people to keep pets and livestock cool, shaded, and hydrated, warning that extreme heat can quickly become deadly for both animals and humans.

School Bells Sound Across State

Chattooga County kicked off its 2025–26 school year on Friday, one of the state’s first school districts to return to class.

The rural district operates on a four-day week, which district leaders say is a money-saver. Parents and teachers say the schedule boosts attendance, grades, and morale, but requires extra planning for child care.

Many school districts in Georgia will open this week or next week, with metro Atlanta’s largest systems set to resume classes Monday.

The state’s colleges and universities will start later in August, with the University of Georgia starting August 13, Georgia Tech on August 18, and others, including Georgia State, Spelman, and Emory, resuming classes by the last week of August.

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➤ State: Police in Pennsylvania arrested a woman who allegedly pretended to be a nurse and used 12 aliases across five states, including Georgia. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: High school football player MiKah King died after an unspecified medical emergency during practice last week at Arabia Mountain High School. (More)

➤ Harris County: State troopers urged caution following an increase in off-road vehicle fatalities. This year, the patrol has investigated 14 deaths and 114 serious injuries involving ATVs, golf carts, and other off-road vehicles. (More)

➤ Gwinnett County: Gov. Brian Kemp named a Buford bridge in honor of Trooper Jimmy Cenescar, who was killed in a January 2024 chase. In 2021, Cenescar was honored for rescuing a person whose car drove off a bridge. (More)

➤ State: Georgia’s Lemon Law covers only new vehicles that experience serious defects reported within two years or 24,000 miles. Used cars are not protected. (Details)

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➤ Buford High School in Buford hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration for its $62 million football stadium, which features a jumbotron, covered box seating areas, and room for more than 10,000 fans. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves acquired right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash and a not-yet-announced player. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream dealt the Minnesota Lynx their first home loss of the season on Sunday night, riding a season-high 22-point performance from Brittney Griner. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

Thank you to everyone who supported The Georgia Flyover yesterday—your generosity keeps us going. We rely on readers like you to power independent journalism, so if you haven’t yet, please consider chipping in today to help us keep bringing you the news without the noise.

➤ Georgia’s average gas price rose slightly to $2.92 per gallon over the past week, as crude oil held steady near $65 a barrel, according to AAA. (More)

➤ Dutch companies that have set up businesses in Georgia highlighted their advances in automation and infrastructure at a Cobb County forum. (More)

➤ Three trampoline and adventure parks—two franchise locations and one startup—are coming to the Warner Robins area. (More)

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➤ Forsyth County inmates are helping clean kennels at the county’s pet adoption center, part of a program aimed at rehabilitation and job skill development. (More)

➤ Residents in Albany are joining a local man’s grassroots fitness movement, with as many as 200 people now joining for morning community runs. (More)

➤ A giraffe being transported in May from a troubled Virginia zoo to Georgia Safari Conservation Park in Madison died en route, possibly due to a medication issue, Virginia officials confirmed. (More)

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