Probe into GOP Donor Group Widens

The State Ethics Commission filed a complaint against the Georgia Republican Assembly PAC, accusing it of spending more than $220,000 tied to an alleged Ponzi scheme to sway elections between 2021 and 2024.

The political action committee was run by Brant Frost V, whose father, Brant Frost IV, is at the center of an alleged $140 million Ponzi scheme tied to the family’s First Liberty Building & Loan in Newnan.

Federal and state investigators say the scheme was used in part to funnel more than $570,000 to the PAC’s preferred candidates and groups across multiple states. Some of the recipient candidates are returning the money.

“Our investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be coming at a future date,” ethics commission general counsel Steven Knittel said.

  More Federal School Aid Unfrozen

The state Board of Education released another $48.2 million in federal funds to schools, part of the nationwide $6 billion in federal school grants previously frozen pending a White House review. 

Federal officials ordered the temporary freeze to review whether some states were misusing federal grants. Critics said the move disrupted planning days before school starts for many districts.

The grants, part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, support students in high-poverty and low-performing schools with afterschool programs, at-risk student programs, and teaching support.

Four Georgia Governors Attend Dedication

Four of Georgia’s five living governors gathered in Blue Ridge for the dedication of David E. Ralston Hall, a new $15 million building at the University of North Georgia named after the late state lawmaker.

The 22,000-square-foot building will house new bachelor’s programs in nursing and health sciences, an expansion aimed at improving education access in rural North Georgia.

Ralston, who died in 2022, was praised by Gov. Brian Kemp and others for championing access to education and economic development in the state’s mountain communities.

In addition to Kemp, former governors Sonny Perdue, Roy Barnes, and Nathan Deal attended.

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➤ Clayton County: Officials agreed to relocate 12 teenagers in a state foster care program from a church basement that lacked fire safety systems. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Georgia’s election board ruled Lyft violated state law by offering discounted Election Day rides, calling the practice an unequal benefit akin to vote payment. (More)

➤ Cobb County: A Marietta man was convicted of a $13 million scheme to defraud the IRS and the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program, spending the money on luxury items. (More)

➤ Statewide: Georgia’s largest immigrant populations come from Mexico, India, and Jamaica, with nearly 20% of foreign-born residents originating from Mexico, based on U.S. Census Bureau data. (More)

➤ Clarkesville: A lightning strike caused a temporary shutdown at the Habersham County jail, disrupting phone and internet service. (More)

➤ Gainesville: A former operations manager for trucking company Tribe Transportation was indicted for wire fraud after allegedly stealing more than $500,000. (More)

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➤ Georgia football games were ranked the nation’s fifth-costliest for fans in terms of gameday expenses, with an average cost of $289. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves traded right-handed pitcher Rafael Montero to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Double-A infielder Jim Jarvis. (More)

➤ Newly acquired center Kristaps Porzingis said he’s excited to play with the Atlanta Hawks this season instead of the Boston Celtics, where it was “championship or bust.” (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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➤ A JCPenney store in McDonough is the chain’s lone Georgia location included in its 119-store portfolio sale to Onyx Partners in a $1 billion deal. The new owner plans to keep all of the stores open. (More)

➤ An Emory University associate professor co-authored a new National Bureau of Economic Research study that found hospital acquisitions of private physician practices are driving up healthcare prices. (More)

➤ Georgia received a $6.1 million federal grant to expand apprenticeship programs at technical colleges. (More)

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➤ The state’s campsites earned praise from Hipcamp, with 15 of them named among the nation’s best, including Secluded Waterfall Haven near Dillard and Bliss Hills Farm in Claxton. (More)

➤ A survey found 80% of Georgia’s Gen Z travelers are choosing road trips over flying this summer. (More)

➤ Scratch-off ticket players from Axson and Decatur each won $1 million as Georgia Lottery players claimed more than $41 million in winnings last week. (More)

What is the longest you’re willing to drive for a road trip?

1. Less than 5 hours
2. 5-7 hours
3. 7-10 hours
4. 10+ hours

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to Six Flags Over Georgia

1. Yes: 70%
2. No: 30%

What is the longest state road in Georgia? 

Show me the answer