Thursday, May 14, 2026

The Georgia Flyover

Wednesday, May 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, the Battle of Resaca began 75 miles northwest of Atlanta, the first major engagement of Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign, as Union and Confederate forces clashed for two bloody days.

A burn center doctor warned of a summer spike in childhood scalding burns, many tied to kids making ramen unsupervised. See the details in Around Georgia.

Scientists say one small part of the brain holds the key to memory, navigation, and long-term cognitive health, but many Americans are unknowingly letting it weaken. The good news? A few surprisingly enjoyable activities may help protect your brain before real decline begins. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Ayla Brown shares three simple habits researchers say could help keep your brain sharper for years to come. Listen here.

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Incogni, about how data brokers collect and sell personal information and how to remove it from hundreds of sites automatically.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing practical money-saving strategies designed to help retirees cut unnecessary expenses, stretch their monthly budgets further, and focus more on enjoying retirement instead of worrying about rising everyday costs.

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.

Bomb Threat Disrupts Raffensperger Rally

A bomb threat disrupted a campaign stop for Republican gubernatorial candidate Brad Raffensperger at Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon on Tuesday.

Bibb County deputies arrived at the airport around 8:21 a.m. and found a suspicious object inside a vending machine in a secure area, about 90 minutes before Raffensperger was scheduled to speak. The Bomb Squad swept the facility and found no hazardous devices.

The day before, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi received a multipage manifesto bearing Raffensperger’s photo with the word “Boom” scrawled across his face. Campaign officials said law enforcement dispatched protection for Raffensperger and his family and has identified a suspect.

“No, I will not back down,” Raffensperger said in a statement. “I’ll continue fighting for what’s right, and I’ll continue standing for Georgia, no matter what.”

Kemp Signs Metro Atlanta Nonpartisan Law

Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday signed House Bill 369, making most local government races in five major metro Atlanta counties nonpartisan starting in 2028.

The law applies to district attorney, county commission, school board, and tax commissioner races in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton counties, five of the state’s most heavily Democratic jurisdictions. Sheriff and coroner races are the only local elections exempted from the change.

District attorneys in the affected counties called the bill a partisan power grab, arguing it strips party labels in Democratic strongholds to benefit Republican candidates. Kemp and GOP lawmakers say the change depoliticizes local offices that voters should judge on qualifications, not party affiliation.

Pills Bound For Georgia Seized

Federal customs officers in Philadelphia seized more than 32,000 unapproved pharmaceutical pills bound for a Spalding County address, part of ongoing efforts to block illegal drug shipments into Georgia.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the 32,000 counterfeit pills were smuggled in two parcels from the Netherlands and London, labeled as “XOMETRY” and “100 X TSHIRT (GIFT)” to disguise the contents.

The haul included 17,000 tramadol tablets along with thousands of Schedule IV pills such as Ativan, Ambien, Valium, and Xanax. CBP officials warned consumers that medicines ordered online from overseas vendors can contain toxic fillers or be cut with fentanyl.

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement should be about your bucket list, not your grocery list. Finding extra room in your monthly budget doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul—just a few strategic moves.

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Check out this list

➤ Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 220 yesterday, expanding the state’s medical marijuana program to allow vaping and adding new qualifying conditions for roughly 30,000 registered patients. (More)

➤ Athens: The University of Georgia was reaffirmed yesterday as an APLU Innovation and Economic Prosperity university, one of only 16 schools nationwide with the designation, held continuously since 2013. (More)

➤ Macon: The Georgia Department of Public Safety advised Central Georgia drivers to delete scam texts that are demanding a payment for fake traffic tickets, threatening license suspension, and linking to a fraudulent state agency page. (More)

➤ Augusta: A doctor at the JMS Burn Center at Doctors Hospital warned parents about a summer rise in childhood scalding burns, often tied to kids cooking ramen noodles unsupervised. (More)

➤ Atlanta: A man pleaded guilty to entering an automobile and criminal trespass after stealing jump drives of unreleased Beyoncé music during her Cowboy Carter Atlanta tour stop. He was sentenced to two years in prison. (More)

➤ Cartersville: A blue-green algae bloom was detected in Lake Allatoona near Red Top Mountain Park Marina, prompting officials to warn people and pets to avoid swimming or drinking the water. (More)

➤ Grant Holmes and three relievers combined on a one-hitter as the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 Tuesday, improving to a major league-best 29-13 behind homers from Austin Riley and Mike Yastrzemski. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons will face the Cincinnati Bengals at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Spain on November 8 in Week 9, marking the franchise’s fifth regular-season game played overseas. (More)

➤ Georgia football coaches are on the road this week, visiting top 2027 recruiting prospects. The Bulldogs are building a deep early class despite losing five-star cornerback Donte Wright to Miami. (More)

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➤ Turn toothbrushing from a daily battle into something kids actually enjoy with the Sonic Glow Tootbrush. Its fun, kid-friendly design and gentle 30-second cleaning help children brush longer and more effectively while encouraging healthier habits, cleaner teeth, and happier smiles — without the constant reminders or struggles from parents. (LEARN MORE)

➤ The Savannah Bananas generated $24.4 million in total economic impact during their two-game Chapel Hill series at UNC’s Kenan Stadium last month, drawing more than 100,000 fans, a university study found. (More)

➤ Atlanta ranked No. 1 in WalletHub’s 2026 Best Places to Start a Career report for the third straight year, citing 2.1% annual job growth, plentiful entry-level jobs, and a $90,400 median household income. (More)

➤ Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, a national plate-lunch chain with more than 70 locations across 14 states, will open its first Georgia restaurant in downtown Atlanta in early 2027. (More)

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➤ InvestorPlace is spotlighting what it calls a potential “Black Swan” AI investment opportunity tied to the explosive race for artificial intelligence dominance. As billions pour into AI infrastructure and next-generation technology, early investors could gain exposure to companies positioned to benefit from what some analysts believe may be the market’s next massive disruption. (LEARN MORE)

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You’ve worked hard for your retirement; now make sure your money is working just as hard for you. Stretching your budget doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. With a few effortless adjustments from the expert advice of FinanceBuzz, you can breathe easier knowing your finances are optimized for the long haul.

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➤ The Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival returns to the North Georgia mountains this weekend for its 11th year, with artists, wine tastings, and jazz filling the historic downtown square and Hancock Park. (More)

➤ Fifty-five Muscogee County high school seniors were honored at Carver High School’s 9th annual Military Service Recognition ceremony for enlisting in the Army, Marines, Navy, or Air Force. (More)

➤ 221 Speedway, a go-kart track in Wrens, has reopened under new ownership after six months of dormancy, offering racing classes for drivers of all ages. (More)

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➤ Experience all-day comfort with Grounded Footwear’s barefoot-inspired shoes, designed to support natural movement, improve posture, and reduce pressure on your feet, knees, and joints. Lightweight, flexible, and slip-resistant, they help you walk with greater ease and stability — whether you’re running errands, traveling, or staying active throughout the day.