Three Drown in Macon River Tragedy

Three people, including two young girls, drowned at Amerson River Park in Macon after entering the Ocmulgee River on Tuesday evening.

Authorities say 7-year-old Summer McRae and 10-year-old Skyler Worthen went under while swimming, and 28-year-old Johnny Collins III drowned after trying to help. All three bodies were recovered by Wednesday afternoon.

The incident adds to the growing number of drowning deaths this summer across Georgia.

  Columbus Judge Named to State Supreme Court

Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Appeals Court Judge Benjamin Land of Columbus to the Georgia Supreme Court, filling the vacancy when Chief Justice Michael Boggs returned to private practice this spring.

Land, a Columbus native and University of Georgia graduate, has served on the state Court of Appeals since 2022.

Previously, Land served as a superior court judge in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit and worked for 26 years in private civil litigation.

Land was praised by Kemp and Chief Justice Nels Peterson for his integrity and experience. He will begin his duties immediately.

Rivian Updates Plans

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian will make Atlanta the site of its East Coast headquarters, pledging up to 500 jobs in addition to the 7,500 jobs that would be created at its planned Atlanta factory, according to the company’s updated plans.

Rivian officials also said the company hopes to restart prep work for the construction of the factory next month and break ground early in 2026, with a goal of starting production in 2028.

Rivian’s update comes amid continued uncertainty over a $6.6 billion federal loan awarded to the project. The company says talks are ongoing with the Trump administration about the loan, awarded in the final days of the Biden administration.

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➤ State: Georgia hit a record 5 million jobs in June, led by hiring in the healthcare and hospitality industries. The state’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.5%. (More)

➤ Ware County: Two teens in Waycross were found dead after likely being struck by lightning while fishing, but the GBI has been called in to investigate. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: Federal agents seized more than 2,500 pounds of meth from two auto mechanics, including a twice-deported illegal immigrant from Mexico. Both face drug trafficking charges. (More)

➤ Cobb County: Former police officer and Georgia State baseball player Chase Childers drowned after rescuing a family from a rip current off Pawleys Island, South Carolina. (More)

➤ State: Georgia’s Main Street community development program reported $824 million in private and public investments in 2024, creating 3,658 jobs and 667 businesses across 91 cities. (More)

➤ Atlanta: State lawmakers held a prayer service this week for more than 100 missing people after deadly Texas flooding. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts enters the final season of his five-year rookie deal with “no whispers” about a possible contract extension. (More)

➤ Georgia football secured a commitment from Nick Abrams II, one of the best linebackers in the 2026 recruiting class. The commitment came a day after the Bulldogs lost out on five-star linebacker Trace Atkinson. (More)

➤ Georgia State is looking for a naming rights partner for the school’s basketball stadium in downtown Atlanta. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: Soccer | PGA | Tour de France

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➤ Trader Joe’s will open a store in Peachtree City, the only Georgia addition included in the company’s announcement of its 2025 national expansion plans. (More)

➤ Superman generated more than $100 million in economic impact for its filming locations, including $82.8 million in Georgia through local jobs, wages, and business support during filming. (More)

➤ Three Georgia small businesses ranked among the most investable in a national Shark Tank-style survey by MarketBeat. (List)

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“Big Plastic” Hates Them

Whether it’s water bottles or shrink wrap, traditional plastic suppliers should be worried.

That’s because Timeplast invented a new type of plastic that can dissolve in water, completely eliminating plastic waste. Even more impressively, their plastic can be programmed to dissolve at a precise time, whether it’s in 60 seconds or 60 years.

In a global plastic market worth over $1.3 trillion, Timeplast’s breakthrough is a game changer.

Even better? You can own a stake in the company as it expands globally. Learn more about the opportunity to invest in Timeplast stock here.

➤ Georgia Tech earned the top mark of five stars in Money’s Best Colleges rankings, with the University of Georgia and Emory close behind at 4.5 stars each. (More)

➤ The Marburger Atlanta Antique & Design Show returned this week, filling 35,000 square feet with antiques from more than 100 dealers at Southern Exchange Ballrooms. The event continues through Saturday. (More)

➤ Alpharetta, Brookhaven, Johns Creek, Marietta, and Sandy Springs were named among the nation’s most enviable places to live by community ranking site Niche. (More)

Do you collect any antiques?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you eat Truist Park’s deep-fried hot dog rolled in Cheetos and Fruity Pebbles?

1. Yes: 31%
2. No: 69%

Which former UGA golfer and Savannah native won the 2023 Open Championship?

Show me the answer