Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1952, the Atlanta area reached a high of 91 degrees, a record for the date. The average high for the date is 77 degrees.

The stock market has been on a tear as of late. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh all-time highs last Friday, and the Dow is climbing back toward 50,000. Yesterday was down a bit, but the market has been rallying. What’s actually driving it? Is it Big Tech earnings? The AI buildout? Hopes that the war in Iran ends soon? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the three forces behind Wall Street’s record run and what investors are watching next. Tune in!

Today’s sponsor is Cozy Earth, and if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your sleep or finding a Mother’s Day gift that actually gets used, this is worth a look. Their bamboo sheets have quickly become a standout with The Flyover readers and have been one of the most talked-about home upgrades we’ve featured.

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.

State Tax Refunds Go Out

If your bank account shows a direct deposit labeled “GASTTAXRFD,” don’t be confused. That stands for Georgia State Tax Refund, not a gas tax refund.

The $1.2 billion state tax rebate program kicked into gear Monday, with the Georgia Department of Revenue beginning to issue payments to eligible residents statewide.

Payments will arrive via direct deposit or check, matching the delivery method from your most recent return.

The state says it could take six to eight weeks for all refunds to go out. You can check your rebate status online using your Social Security number and adjusted gross income.

Braves’ Start Best in 134 Years

The Atlanta Braves are off to the franchise’s best 35-game start in 134 years after sweeping the Colorado Rockies this past weekend.

The milestone traces back to the Boston Beaneaters, the Braves’ 19th-century predecessor that finished 102-48-2 in 1892.

Atlanta’s 25-10 start also puts them atop all of Major League Baseball.

Sunday’s game against Colorado marked Braves pitcher Spencer Strider’s 2026 debut after returning from his injury rehabilitation.

Aquarium Readies Canopy Walk

Georgia Aquarium is taking the visitor experience to new heights with its Canopy Walk and Treehouse Playscape, set to debut Memorial Day weekend.

The elevated walkway will let guests stroll above the gallery’s outdoor exhibits for a bird’s-eye view of the aquarium’s natural habitats.

The Treehouse Playscape will give children—and curious adults—a hands-on perch to discover what life looks like from the treetops.

Both are part of Phase 2 of the Atlanta aquarium’s River Scout gallery renovation that includes a redesigned otter habitat and new signage and lighting.

Flying together with our sponsor

Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheet set is designed to completely change how your bed feels. These sheets are incredibly soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating, helping you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night. That’s a big reason they’ve become such a hit with both Flyover readers and our own staff.

They’re also built with durability in mind, holding their softness wash after wash, which isn’t always the case with standard sheets. Whether you’re upgrading your own setup or looking for a Mother’s Day gift that feels thoughtful and elevated, this is a purchase that doesn’t miss.

Use code FLYOVER for 20% off and see why so many people are making the switch.

➤ Coastal Georgia: A state wildlife official praised the Trump administration’s granting of an exemption to expand the recreational red snapper season from a few days to a full two months in July and August. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Georgia State University will launch GSU Health on Wheels, a federally funded mobile health clinic that will visit underserved metro Atlanta communities. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Republican National Committee criticized Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s ties to the Southern Poverty Law Center after federal prosecutors charged the center with transferring money to extremist groups. Ossoff has not commented on the case. (More)

➤ Floyd County: The county earned a 2026 Georgia County Excellence Award for its innovative rubber-modified asphalt project to improve local roads. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Georgia Sun‘s voter guide offers a rundown on contested races, polling places, and more ahead of the May 19 primary election. (More)

➤ Young Harris: A child was safely rescued Monday after a SWAT team and other law enforcement officers responded to a barricaded person who was taken into custody. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels was fined $25,000 for his in-game altercation with Mitchell Robinson during the team’s Game 6 playoff loss to New York. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Hawks are not expected to pursue a trade for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo despite previous reports that they may do so. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Olivia Carter married this weekend in Atlanta, with tight end Kyle Pitts among the teammates in attendance. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Gas prices in Georgia are the cheapest in the nation due to the state’s gas tax suspension but, as with other states, they’re trending higher. (More)

➤ Shares of FedEx and Atlanta-based UPS sank in value Monday on reports that Amazon planned to directly compete with them by opening up its delivery and warehouse services to other businesses. (More)

➤ Port of Brunswick retained its title as the nation’s busiest automobile terminal for the second straight year, handling 779,000 vehicle units in 2025. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

A great set of sheets is something you use every single day, which is why this upgrade tends to stand out immediately. Cozy Earth has built a reputation around comfort and quality, and their bamboo sheets continue to deliver on both.

If you want better sleep or a gift that won’t get returned, this is an easy choice.

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➤ Brantley County paramedic Brandon Lynn remained on the job even as a wildfire burned his home to the ground, a story of duty resonating across the first-responder community. (More)

➤ Savannah: The city’s Stone Stairs of Death—33 steep cobblestone steps connecting Bay Street to River Street—are a viral hit on social media, despite no known fatality in its history. (More)

➤ Albany parks and recreation supervisor Tee Taylor spotlighted senior programs in Southwest Georgia on a weekly program hosted by WALB. (Watch)

Flying together with our sponsor

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