Friday, May 8, 2026

Good Morning! On May 8, 1886, the first Coca-Cola was sold at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta.

This week marks Small Business Week, and the owner of Goat Kick Coffee in Evans discusses her business strategy and the importance of community support here.

Another small business, Hummingbird Flowers in Hampton, shows how it’s handling the Mother’s Day flower rush. Share your favorite flowers in today’s Poll.

Say goodbye to back-breaking scrubbing and tangled cords. Today’s sponsor, the HydroX5 Cordless Pressure Washer delivers powerful, hassle-free cleaning that makes spring refreshes faster, easier, and oddly satisfying.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Veterans Cemetery Plans Advance

The Augusta area’s first veterans cemetery is moving closer to becoming a reality, with plans advancing for a long-awaited final resting place for the region’s military heroes.

If construction begins before the end of 2026, an 18-month build timeline puts a summer 2028 opening within reach. The cemetery will sit on state-owned land near Gracewood.

Earlier this year, the project reached a funding milestone by securing a federal grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The first phase will cover roughly 50 acres and include an entrance, administration building, burial sections, and maintenance facilities. More than 100 additional acres have been identified for future expansion.

FBI Keeps Ballots

A federal judge ruled that the FBI can keep the 2020 election ballots seized from Fulton County, rejecting the county’s bid to have the materials returned.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee found Fulton County failed to show that any FBI affidavit or actions in the case were deficient as a result of any “callous disregard” by agents.

The FBI search targeted the county’s elections hub in Union City on Jan. 28, with agents hauling away 656 boxes of documents from a warehouse. The Justice Department says it’s investigating “irregularities” during the 2020 presidential election.

Town Loses Entire Police Force

A Whitfield County town woke up Wednesday to find its police department dissolved by Mayor Ron Shinnick, who posted a sign at the station declaring the department closed.

In response, the town council scheduled a special meeting for today to formally request Shinnick’s removal as mayor and the reinstatement of the department.

Whitfield County Sheriff Darren Pierce announced his office would assume all policing responsibilities in the interim, with no disruption to emergency response times.

The firings followed a months-long dispute over the mayor’s wife and former town clerk, Pam Shinnick, who allegedly retained access to town systems and payrolls despite her termination for allegedly causing a hostile work environment.

Police officers filed formal complaints about her conduct. Former police Sgt. Jeremy May called Friday’s mass firing “a personal vendetta.”

No Cord. No Hassle. Just Pure Cleaning Power.

Tired of spending your weekends scrubbing with a hose, wrestling with cords, or watching expensive pressure washers sit collecting dust? HydroX5 is rewriting the rules… no cords, no fuss, no mess. This cordless, jet‑powered washer blasts away grime, moss, and dirt in just seconds, transforming patios, driveways, and fences with minimal effort.

Light enough to carry, powerful enough to impress, it works with any water source: bucket, faucet, hose, whatever’s closest. Imagine WOW reactions from guests and neighbors…all from a tool that feels less like hardware and more like magic.

LEARN MORE

➤ Pin Point: Native son Clarence Thomas on Thursday became the second-longest serving U.S. Supreme Court justice in history, having served for more than 34 years. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Gov. Brian Kemp faces pressure to suspend Georgia’s congressional primary as fellow Republicans push for a redrawing of House district maps. (More)

➤ State: The state Department of Public Health is monitoring two residents who returned from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak. Both show no signs of illness. (More)

➤ North Georgia: Storms dropped 2 to 3 inches of rain across the region overnight Wednesday, helping ease dry conditions. (More)

➤ South Georgia: Storms rolled through the region on Thursday, bringing damaging winds to some areas. (More)

➤ Columbus: A Sinaloa cartel member was sentenced to prison as part of Operation Sweet Silence, a federal investigation yielding 30 convictions and the seizure of $20 million in drugs in the area. (More)

➤ Augusta: The city broke ground on the Village at Riverwatch Trailhead and Pedestrian Bridge on the Augusta Canal, to include a kayak launch, fishing areas, and walking trails. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves dropped their series finale against Seattle this week, their first series loss of the 2026 season. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons learned who they will play in 2026, giving new head coach Kevin Stefanski a clearer picture of his inaugural season. A detailed schedule is set for release later this month. (More)

➤ ESPN ranked Georgia football No. 4 nationally in its offseason power rankings, pointing to a talented recruiting class and the third-most returning production in the SEC. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay warm and comfortable wherever you relax with the Chair Blanket as seen on Shark Tank, the cozy blanket designed to fit perfectly over your favorite chair or recliner. Soft, plush, and easy to use, it keeps you snug while reading, watching TV, or unwinding—without constantly adjusting slipping blankets or dealing with cold drafts. (LEARN MORE)

➤ The Chattahoochee River Club private dining restaurant in Columbus closed after 34 years, citing a decline in membership support, economic challenges, and an aging infrastructure. (More)

➤ Albany-area leaders are pushing for more investment in hospitality and visitor infrastructure, citing a study that found tourism generates more than $300 million for the Dougherty County economy. (More)

➤ Delta Air Lines will eliminate free snacks and beverages on flights under 350 miles starting May 19, affecting many on short trips in Georgia and elsewhere. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ SpaceX is expected to go public in June, but most investors won’t get direct IPO access. That’s why the Trading Tips Research Team created a free report highlighting seven publicly traded space stocks positioned to benefit from a potential $1.5 trillion SpaceX valuation. Discover the companies with real revenue, catalysts, and upside potential before the IPO.

*By clicking this link you agree to receive emails from Trading Tips and our affiliates. You can opt out at any time. – Privacy Policy

Flying together with our sponsor

Spring is here—time to blast away months of dirt and grime without the hassle. The HydroX5 Pressure Washer delivers powerful, cordless cleaning that’s up to 5× stronger than a standard hose, making it easy to refresh patios, driveways, cars, and outdoor furniture in minutes.

Lightweight and portable, it lets you clean anywhere—no cords, no heavy equipment—so you can enjoy a spotless home all season long.

LEARN MORE

➤ National Day of Prayer services filled venues across the state on Thursday, including in Macon. (More)

➤ The city of Morven’s annual Peach Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 16, featuring a parade, vendors, entertainment, and a kids’ corner. (More)

➤ Graduation ceremonies for undergraduates at the University of Georgia will take place today at Sanford Stadium. Graduate student ceremonies took place on Thursday. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stop snoring and sleep more peacefully with SnoreRx, the adjustable anti-snoring mouthpiece designed to help keep your airway open all night long. Using a custom “boil-and-bite” fit and precision jaw adjustment, it’s built for comfort, quieter sleep, and more refreshed mornings for you and your partner.