Sonny Perdue to Retire

Sonny Perdue will retire as chancellor of the University System of Georgia, closing one of the longest careers in Georgia public life.

Perdue, the state’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction, went on to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Trump before taking the USG chancellor post in 2022.

“From Houston County to the governor’s office to Washington and back home again, my career has been guided by a simple belief: public service is a calling, and we’re meant to lift others and leave things better than we found them,” Perdue said.

Gov. Brian Kemp and other state leaders praised Perdue’s public service and stewardship of the state college system. Perdue will remain in the role until the Board of Regents selects a successor through a national search.

Immigrant Charged in Deadly Attacks

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was charged in Monday’s deadly shooting and stabbing spree in the Atlanta suburbs of Decatur, Brookhaven, and Panthersville.

Two women were killed and a third victim, a man, was critically injured. One of those killed, Lauren Bullis, 40, was a federal DHS investigator walking her dog when she was shot and stabbed multiple times.

Abel, who is from the United Kingdom, has prior convictions in Georgia and California. His attorney has requested his release on bond. As of midday Thursday, a judge had yet to decide.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the attacks “acts of pure evil” and said Bullis “brought warmth and kindness” to her colleagues.

Courthouse Fate Unclear

Floyd County is moving on two tracks to recover from a March 23 fire that gutted Rome’s 134-year-old courthouse, with the site’s future still unclear.

The county hired a construction team to shore up the clock tower and exterior walls pending further study into the extent of damage and restoration possibilities.

The county also awarded a $2.8 million renovation contract to relocate displaced E-911, Juvenile Court, and tax offices to a former law enforcement center.

County officials have not yet determined whether the historic building can be fully restored. A fire marshal’s investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.

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➤ Tybee Island: More than 100 officers will be deployed this weekend for Crush Reloaded spring break festival, with police concerned about possible teen-takeover events. (More)

➤ Atlanta: President Trump nominated Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, to be the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (More)

➤ Coastal Georgia: State officials warned residents about spreading nests of yellow-legged hornets, an invasive Asian species that preys on honey bees and threatens coastal agriculture. Officials asked the public to report sightings. (More)

➤ South Georgia: Monday was the official Vidalia Onion Pack Date, kicking off the 2026 season for the world-famous sweet onions. They will be available through early September. (More)

➤ Gainesville: Hall County Schools hosted its fifth annual Tool Expo, giving students hands-on time with carpentry, welding, and HVAC equipment. (More)

➤ Fulton County: Commissioners approved $1.3 billion to renovate the troubled county jail and build a new special-purpose facility. (More)

➤ Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Amaris Williams, a prized transfer from Auburn, tore his ACL in spring practice and will miss the entire 2026 season. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder lowered his ERA to 0.77 through four starts in a 6-3 series-clinching win over Miami. (More)

➤ No. 2 Georgia Tech plays No. 3 North Carolina in college baseball today, while No. 5 Georgia faces No. 16 Arkansas. (See Schedule)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Several Walmarts around the state are getting renovated this year, with upgrades touching store layouts, checkout technology, and overall design. (More)

➤ Georgia added a record number of jobs in the first quarter of 2026, according to a state labor department report that showed workforce participation also hit an all-time high. (More)

➤ Registration opened for the Mayor’s Small Business Conference on May 6 in Savannah, a National Small Business Week event offering resources and networking opportunities. (More)

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➤ Athens is bracing for a jam-packed weekend, with several of the city’s biggest spring festivals scheduled for Saturday due to overlapping permit schedules. (More)

➤ Habitat for Humanity of Hall County named a street after a volunteer who spent 12 years helping build 29 homes for Gainesville families. (More)

➤ Georgia will send a delegation to the 79th Cannes Film Festival in May, promoting the state as a top global film hub. (More)

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Which events would you attend during Athens’ busy weekend ahead?

1. Twilight Criterium
2. International Street Festival
3. UGA spring football game
4. Boybutante Ball
5. Too many choices
6. Some/all
7. None

Yesterday’s Results:

Will you watch this year’s NFL draft?

1. Yes: 22%
2. No: 78%

Tybee Island’s annual beach festival was originally named after a citrus drink. What was it called?

Show me the answer