State Senate Adjourns Early

The state Senate adjourned just after 9 p.m. on Friday, concluding the legislative session hours ahead of schedule and leaving bills pending until the 2026 session.

While the state budget was passed earlier in the day and other significant bills were also sent to Gov. Brian Kemp, the early end surprised some lawmakers.

House Speaker Jon Burns said on the floor, “It appears the Senate has checked all its political priorities and decided to go home, but this chamber puts people over politics.”

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said the Senate went into the day hoping to adjourn early. “We had all our priorities done,” he said.

  Bottoms to Enter Governor’s Race

Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms confirmed she will run for governor, aiming to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp and end a streak of three Republicans in the state’s top seat.

Bottoms, a Democrat, said she will make a formal announcement soon. She was the mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and served in several positions in the Biden administration.

Bottoms released a statement criticizing President Trump and saying, “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that there is a ‘fierce urgency of now.'”

Among Republicans, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is considered a possible candidate, and state Attorney General Chris Carr announced as a candidate in November.

Escuder Wins Augusta Women’s Amateur

Carla Bernat Escuder, a 21-year-old senior at Kansas State, made history by becoming the first Spanish winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Escuder endeared herself to fans after the win, recalling how she accidentally called fellow Spaniard and two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal the wrong name and saying she may get an Augusta flower tattoo to celebrate her victory.

In her second-ever round at National, Escuder shot a 4-under 68 to win the sixth edition of the tournament. Sixteen-year-old Asterisk Talley finished second.

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McIntosh County: A mother and her four children were killed in a crash on I-95 when her SUV burst into flames after striking another vehicle. (More)

Augusta: All passengers safely deplaned after the cabin of an American Airlines regional jet filled with smoke shortly after landing. (More)

Griffin: City officials want the public’s opinion about potential changes to alcohol regulations, including earlier closing times and security measures for bars and restaurants. (More)

Bryan County: Lawmakers passed a bill advancing Bryan County’s effort to develop an airport. (More)

Atlanta: Protestors marched from Piedmont Park to the State Capitol as part of nationwide demonstrations against President Trump and Elon Musk. (More)

Tifton: The district attorney dismissed charges against a woman who miscarried and disposed of the fetus’ remains in a dumpster, citing no legal grounds for prosecution. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones announced his retirement after 13 NFL seasons. Considered one of the best receivers of his generation, Jones is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider looked strong in a rehab start with AAA Gwinnett on Friday, allowing no hits over 5.1 innings. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks lost 121-105 to the New York Knicks after falling behind by 34 points in the third quarter on Saturday. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | PGA | LPGA | NCAAW | NASCAR | F1 | NCAABB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Savannah, Athens, and Atlanta rank among the top U.S. cities for startup businesses in a survey by MarketBeat. (More)

➤ Small businesses in the state with ties to foreign suppliers and markets voiced concerns about the tariffs imposed by President Trump. (More)

➤ David Bridges and Ralph Evans were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame for their contributions to agricultural education and research. (More)

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➤ Onlookers recorded a video of a falling tree releasing a massive cloud of yellow dust as the state deals with record pollen levels. (Watch)

➤ Fulton County Schools introduced three Labradors trained to sniff out firearms, enhancing campus safety for students. (More)

➤ Atlanta’s Haven Postnatal Retreat at the Four Seasons aims to revolutionize postpartum support for new mothers, addressing gaps in traditional healthcare. (More)

How often do you eat peaches?

1. Weekly
2. Monthly
3. Other
4. Never

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you flown out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport before?

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

Where does Georgia rank among U.S. states in annual peach production?  

Show me the answer