Georgia Gets $499M for Helene Water Projects

Georgia was awarded more than $499 million in Helene Resilience Funding to upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, Gov. Brian Kemp announced this week.

Nearly $360 million is set aside for drinking water projects and $124.9 million for wastewater, with smaller shares for septic systems and emergency response. 

Eligibility requires communities to show that Helene affected their area and propose a project that cuts flood risk or strengthens water systems against sudden hydrologic shifts and other natural disasters. 

The funding was made available through the 2025 American Relief Act.

  Donkey’s Owner Sues Cedartown Officer

The owner of HeeHaw, a miniature donkey shot and killed by a Cedartown police officer, filed a federal lawsuit against him Friday.

A $1 million demand was also sent by the owner’s attorney to the city, its police department, and its commissioners, giving them 30 days to respond.

The 1-year-old donkey died in a Polk County pasture on Aug. 30 during a police search for a missing child. Authorities later located the child safely at a nearby church.

A police report states that Officer Trenton Garner shot the donkey after it continued to charge officers despite an attempt to deter the animal with a Taser.

Garner is on administrative leave while an investigation is conducted.

Helen Oktoberfest Kicks Off

Helen tapped the first kegs of its 56th Oktoberfest on Saturday, following a parade that made its way from Edelweiss Strasse onto Main Street. 

The festival takes place at the Helen Festhalle every Thursday through Sunday in September, then daily from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1.

The city bills its Oktoberfest as the longest-running in the nation, and the event was named a runner-up for Best Oktoberfest in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2024 and 2025.

Admission for adults is $10 Monday through Thursday, $15 on Friday and Saturday, and free on Sundays.

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➤ Valdosta: The Union at Valdosta, a $14.3 million mixed-use project on West Hill Street with 51 apartments and ground-floor retail, has broken ground. Construction is scheduled to finish in late 2027. (More)

➤ Clayton County: A medical examiner ruled the death of jail inmate Scott Worthy, 57, a homicide, finding that “medical neglect and uninhabitable living conditions” led to the sepsis that killed him in September 2025. (More)

➤ Loganville: According to authorities, a social media threat against Loganville Middle School resulted in roughly 30% of students missing class Thursday, and a juvenile was arrested in connection with the incident. (More)

➤ Savannah: The Salvation Army is seeking a new site for its Center of Hope after the Housing Authority of Savannah denied an extension Wednesday for its proposed Augusta Avenue location. (More)

➤ Monroe County: A dump truck driver was hospitalized after colliding with a train at a rock quarry on Highway 41 South. (More)

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➤ Gunner Stockton threw five touchdown passes to five different targets, tying a Georgia record, as the No. 2 Bulldogs buried Western Kentucky 70-20 on Saturday in Athens. (More) 

➤ Georgia Tech led heading into the second quarter, but No. 18 Tennessee pulled away from the Yellow Jackets for a 45-24 win in Atlanta. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons begin their 2026 regular season today against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. It will be new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s first game with the team. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves outfielder Lane Thomas has been placed on the 10-day injured list after suffering a left intercostal strain during batting practice. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | US Open | MLB | Soccer | FIBA Basketball

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➤ Middle Georgia State University landed $3.48 million in federal funding to expand aviation training at its Eastman campus. (More)

➤ LaGrange firefighters climbed the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center, at Callaway Stadium on Friday in honor of the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. (More)

➤A half-scale replica of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stood at the main entrance of the Tifton Mall on Thursday and Friday. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ America’s colleges receive a brutal free speech report card. (Hear More)

➤ While other retailers chase AI, one legendary retailer chooses models, cameras, and catalogs over tech shortcuts. (Listen Now)

➤  This tiny workout creates a surprisingly mighty molecular response. (Podcast Available)

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