Friday, November 6, 2026

On this day in 1977, 39 people died after the Kelly Barnes Dam failed at about 1:30 a.m. during heavy rains, inundating parts of the Toccoa area and the campus of Toccoa Falls Bible College.

🍗 Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we’re feeling nostalgic. Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory, sweet, funny, or unexpected? A pet that would not be denied a seat at the table? A relative who showed up out of the blue after years away? A special Thanksgiving dish? Reply to this email with your story, plus your first name and city, and we may feature it in our holiday edition.

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Flooding Swamps McCaysville

Record flooding along the Toccoa River swamped McCaysville early Thursday after heavy overnight rain, forcing evacuations and swift-water rescues across Fannin County.

The river crested near McCaysville at a record 18 feet, topping the 1990 mark and submerging some buildings to their rooflines.

Police Chief Michael Earley said crews made more than 30 rescues overnight. State agencies used boats and aircraft to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

Officials issued a boil water advisory, and an emergency shelter opened at the Fannin County Recreation Center in Blue Ridge. Schools in Fannin and Gilmer counties closed Thursday.

Walmart Ruling Tests Tort Law

The state Court of Appeals granted Walmart a new trial in a Valdosta slip-and-fall case, potentially marking the first successful appeal under the state’s 2025 tort reform law.

Judges ruled the plaintiff’s attorney made improper closing arguments about pain-and-suffering damages, erasing a $926,000 judgment.

Among other changes, the new law restricts how attorneys address dollar amounts for pain and suffering. The plaintiff’s attorney is considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

Supporters say the new law will curb excessive jury awards and rising liability insurance premiums. Opponents argue the changes would protect insurance companies at victims’ expense.

Troopers Accept Digital Licenses

Georgia motorists can now show a state-issued digital driver’s license on their phones to state troopers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers, and Capitol Police officers.

The option is voluntary, and officers won’t request a digital ID. Drivers should tell the officer first and then show their phone at the window for scanning, the State Patrol said.

State officials recommend still carrying a physical license because other agencies may not accept digital versions yet.

All law enforcement agencies in the state must accept digital licenses by July 1. More than 800,000 Georgians have downloaded a digital license. Learn more about them here.

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➤ Columbus: Georgia House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley is set to become the first woman and first black House speaker after returns showed Democrats winning a House majority for the first time since 2004. (More)

➤ Decatur: A CSX train collided with a tractor-trailer Thursday morning, scattering large rolls of cargo near North McDonough Street, officials said. No injuries were reported. (More)

➤ Marietta: The Cobb County school board flipped to 4-3 Democrat control in Tuesday’s election, and Democrat Kevin Redmon ousted Republican County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell. (More)

➤ Martinez: A small fire outside WFXG (Fox 54) temporarily interrupted the station’s broadcast Thursday morning. Authorities said the fire was minor. (More)

➤ Savannah: Volunteers hung American flags that once draped veterans’ caskets above Broughton Street, continuing the annual “Flags on Broughton” Veterans Day tradition. (More)

➤ Statesboro: The city and Georgia Southern University will hold a second town hall Nov. 10 seeking residents’ input on growth. An online survey is also available. (More)

➤ Bulloch County: County officials issued a rabies alert after four cases involving dogs and cats, including a kitten, were reported in Bulloch and Evans counties. (More)

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➤ Clayton Dover, an 18-year-old Butts County rodeo rider paralyzed from the chest down in an accident, continues to recover at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, leaning on his faith and goal of someday going pro. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech men’s basketball opened the Scott Cross era with a 75-55 win over Hampton before more than 6,700 fans on Tuesday night, its largest home-opener crowd since 2015. (More)

➤ Former Savannah Christian star Elijah Griffin said he’s grown more confident since last season’s Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss as Georgia prepares for Saturday’s rematch in Oxford. (More)

➤ The Double D Foundation raised $915,000 at a banquet in Black Creek to expand shooting sports in the state. (More)

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➤ Macon-Bibb County released a housing needs study that officials said will guide land use and investment through 2050. The plan prioritizes affordability, better housing conditions, and expanded capacity. (More)

➤ Destination Augusta highlighted tourism’s role in the area’s growth at its State of Tourism event and offered residents a chance to win a staycation for supporting local businesses. (More)

➤ The Pooler City Council rejected a zoning request for more than 1,000 apartments at the proposed mixed-use site called The District, after neighbors cited traffic and crowded classrooms. (More)

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➤ The Hamptons Whodunit Festival makes its first stop outside New York this weekend in Savannah, bringing best-selling authors, forensic challenges, and a real cold-case investigation. (More)

➤ America’s Best Restaurants Roadshow will visit The Slice Pizzeria in Hahira on Nov. 19 to film a feature on the downtown brick-oven pizzeria. The public is welcome. (More)

➤ Calving season for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales is beginning off the Georgia coast as the whales migrate south from feeding grounds off New England and Canada. (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.

➤ Diagnosed peanut allergies may not be allergies at all, new research suggests, prompting calls for retesting. (Hear Story)

➤ Unions joined France’s escalating student protests with a nationwide strike Thursday, as the government deployed 70,000 police. (Listen Now)

➤ British actor/commentator Russell Brand has been convicted of rape and sexual assault in London, with a judge warning of significant prison time. (Hear Details)