G20 Talks End without Consensus

Diplomats from the world’s 20 largest economies wrapped up two days of talks in Midtown Atlanta on Saturday without agreeing on a joint statement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who hosted the meeting, planned to issue a chairman’s statement summarizing the talks instead. “We have wars going on, and we have participants in those wars around the table,” Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said.

Russia’s war with Ukraine overshadowed the gathering from the start. Rubio canceled the traditional group photo Friday after European diplomats objected to posing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Lavrov said Moscow won’t accept a Ukraine that poses a “military threat” to Russia’s security. Other disputes included the administration’s decision not to invite G20 member South Africa.

Midtown streets around the Loews Atlanta Hotel, closed since early Friday, are set to reopen at noon today.

  Suspect in Officer Dragging Arrested

Clayton County police arrested a 59-year-old man accused of dragging an officer with his car during a recent traffic stop.

Investigators say Christopher Harold Lovett sped away from the stop around 2:15 p.m. Oct. 21 in Riverdale, dragging the officer along with the vehicle. 

The officer was treated at Grady Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening head and body injuries and is recovering at home. Police impounded Lovett’s car shortly after, but he ran from the area.

The U.S. Marshals Service, South Fulton police, and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office helped track him down. Police haven’t said where he was caught or released a full list of charges.

Troopers Now Accept Digital Licenses

Georgia state troopers can now scan a digital driver’s license during traffic stops, crash investigations, and other encounters.

The Department of Public Safety said the change also covers Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers and Capitol Police. Drivers tell the officer they’d like to use the digital ID, then hold their phone near the reader without handing it over.

State officials still recommend carrying a physical license, which remains an accepted form of identification.

The rollout follows House Bill 296, a 2025 law requiring Georgia police to be able to verify electronic licenses by July 1, 2027. The Department of Driver Services explains how to add a license to your phone.

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➤ Hawkinsville: An inmate at Pulaski State Prison has died of tuberculosis complications, the Georgia Department of Corrections confirmed. The woman entered custody at McRae Women’s Facility before her transfer and was hospitalized Oct. 3, and officials began contact tracing and testing other inmates and staff. (More)

➤ Fulton County: Judge Scott McAfee sentenced six people for a 2025 robbery spree that killed three men, including one ambushed at his Union City apartment by someone posing as an Uber Eats driver. Javion Clemmons, Willie Beasley, and Tyla Sprattling received life plus five years. (More)

➤ Savannah: The Housing Authority of Savannah and the Yamacraw Village Residents Council signed an agreement Thursday to demolish and rebuild the downtown public housing complex. It promises relocation help and at least 100 income-based units for returning residents, though demolition still awaits a response from HUD. (More)

➤ Kennesaw: A tree crashed through the roof of a family’s rental home as they slept, splitting the house nearly in half. No one was hurt, but asbestos contamination ruined about 99% of their belongings, and the uninsured family is relying on an online fundraiser. (See Video)

➤ Macon: Mercer University formally installed Penny Elkins as its 19th president Thursday, making her the first woman to lead the school in its nearly 200-year history. Elkins, a Mercer graduate, began her career as a third-grade teacher and has spent more than 25 years at the university. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Dream fell one win short of their first championship, losing 68-63 to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals—the franchise’s fourth Finals appearance. (More)

➤ No. 3 Georgia forced four turnovers and beat No. 17 Florida 27-8 in Atlanta for its sixth straight win in the rivalry. The Bulldogs outrushed the Gators 217-48. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech dropped its third straight game, falling 34-11 at Pitt after managing just 238 total yards and converting only three of 18 third downs. (More)

➤ Georgia Southern beat rival Appalachian State 19-3, moving into first place in the Sun Belt’s East Division. Tripp Bryant kicked four field goals, and the defense held the Mountaineers to six rushing yards. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons can take control of first place in the NFC South with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers today. However, a loss would drop them to third place. (More)

➤ Additionally, Atlanta will add former first-round edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to the team’s 53-man roster next week. Pearce was suspended for the start of the season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | WNBA | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Golf

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➤ University of Georgia researchers incubated 146 alligator eggs at fluctuating temperatures and found hotter nests began producing females at about 93 degrees, not the 97 degrees earlier studies predicted. In alligators, incubation temperature determines a hatchling’s sex. (More)

➤ Tegus, South American lizards that can grow up to 4 feet long, are turning up more often in southeast Georgia, and state wildlife officials want them gone. The invasive reptiles typically don’t attack people but threaten native wildlife and agriculture. (See Video)

➤ Five Franciscan missionaries killed on the Georgia coast in 1597 were set to be declared “Blessed” Saturday at the Savannah Convention Center in the first beatification held in Georgia, according to the Diocese of Savannah. Beatification is a key step toward sainthood in the Catholic Church. (Watch)

➤ The Macon Telegraph turns 200 today. Myron Bartlett launched the weekly on Nov. 1, 1826, and the paper is marking the milestone with special editions and free ice cream at Shuster’s Candy & Creamery. (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. 

➤ Halloween came with curfews and extra cops as towns braced for a repeat of last year’s teenage mayhem. (Hear More)

➤ Scientists uncovered secrets of Mars’ ancient, watery past inside a rose-colored meteorite found in the Sahara Desert. (Listen Now)

➤  Art experts revealed how beginners could start collecting valuable artwork without spending a fortune. (Podcast Available)

Behind-the-scenes peek before this Friday’s public debut:

How often do you read a printed newspaper?

1. Every day 
2. A few times a week
3. Once in a while
4. Never

Yesterday’s Results:

Will you hand out candy tonight?

1. No, lights off: 49%
2. Yes, the porch light’s on: 35%
3. Headed out instead: 16%

Crawford Long performed the first surgery using ether as an anesthetic in 1842. In which Georgia town did it happen?

Show me the answer