Thursday, April 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1985, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola introduced New Coke, sparking consumer backlash over the first formula change to original Coke in 99 years.

Sadly, the state’s wildfires have now claimed dozens of homes. We bring you the latest in Top Stories. Let us know if you’re impacted by the new burn ban in today’s Poll.

The cost of living varies wildly across the United States, and for retirees, choosing the wrong state can cost up to six figures a year. On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shares new data that ranks the cost of living in every U.S. state, and what groceries, housing, and healthcare actually cost depending on where you live. Plus, which states give retirees the most financial breathing room? Where does your state land, and what does it mean for your retirement? Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a note from our partner, Incogni, on how to get your personal data off the internet, plus a special discount code for our readers.

Mother’s Day is closer than you think. Our 2026 Gift Guide has something for every kind of mom, from thoughtful to practical to a little over-the-top. Don’t sleep on it.

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10/month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

50+ Homes Destroyed as Wildfires Spread

A wildfire in Brantley County grew to more than 5,000 acres on Wednesday, destroying at least 54 homes and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.

Meanwhile, the state’s largest wildfire, in Clinch County, grew to more than 16,000 acres, with smoke drifting into Metro Atlanta on Wednesday.

Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for 91 counties and issued mandatory outdoor burn bans across those counties.

This week, Georgia has recorded more than 90 wildfires due to drought conditions, with more than 21,000 acres scorched.

Shooting Spree Suspect Dies in Jail

An immigrant accused of killing three people in a DeKalb County shooting spree this month was found dead in his jail cell Tuesday night.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was discovered unresponsive at 6:48 p.m. Authorities said lifesaving measures failed, and he was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later.

The cause of death was not immediately released as an investigation continued.

Adon Abel, originally from the United Kingdom, faced charges in connection with the shooting spree that killed Lauren Bullis, Prianna Weathers, and Tony Matthews in separate incidents across DeKalb County. A motive remained under investigation.

U.S. Rep. David Scott Dies at 80

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a 12-term Democrat who represented Atlanta’s southwestern suburbs for more than two decades, died Wednesday at age 80.

Scott was seeking a 13th term representing the 13th Congressional District. A special election will be required to fill the vacancy.

Scott first won in 2002 and later served as the first black chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Wednesday afternoon.

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➤ Statewide: More than 500,000 Georgians dropped their Affordable Care Act health insurance coverage after pandemic-era subsidies expired, a drop of 37%. (More)

➤ Woodstock: A suspect died and an officer suffered a non-life-threatening injury in a shootout Wednesday evening after a traffic stop on I-575. (More)

➤ Augusta: Augusta Technical College received a $6.81 million federal grant to help fund the opening of a state-of-the-art automotive workforce training center. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: The city approved funding for the expansion of family and individual homeless shelter services offered by Haven Hope House. (More)

➤ Savannah: Vrbo named the General Lachlan McIntosh House one of its vacation rentals of the year, drawing national attention to one of the city’s oldest brick residences. (More)

➤ No. 3 Georgia Tech baseball run-ruled No. 5 Georgia 14-4 on Tuesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. (More)

➤ The Athens Rock Lobsters will move from the FPHL to the SPHL next season, becoming the first hockey team to move up a tier without a major rebrand or sale of the franchise. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks host the Knicks at 7 p.m. today for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The winner will take a 2-1 lead. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons enter today’s NFL draft without a first-round pick and a completely new front office. New General Manager Ian Cunningham said the depth of the draft aligns well with Atlanta’s needs at multiple positions. (More)

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➤ Google announced plans for a new data center in LaGrange, pledging to fund 100% of the center’s power needs while utilizing advances in energy affordability and water replenishment. The company also pledged $1 million to a local nonprofit that provides energy efficiency upgrades to local seniors and families. (More)

➤ A report found the Valdosta campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine made a $292.6 million direct economic impact on the region in 2025. (More)

➤ Business and education leaders are meeting this week for Atlanta AI Week, discussing artificial intelligence’s future and the city’s growing role as a tech and innovation hub. (More)

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➤ The town of Thunderbolt near Savannah will host its annual Blessing of the Fleet this weekend, featuring a parade, vendor market, and entertainment. (More)

➤ A Savannah man discovered a bobcat mother and her kittens took up residence in his backyard. He’s working with a company to safely relocate the animals. (Photo)

➤ Tripadvisor ranked Georgia’s top five state parks to visit in celebration of Earth Day, based on guest reviews. (List)

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