Monday, June 22, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1979, Home Depot founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank opened the first two stores in Atlanta.

University of Georgia golf alum Keith Mitchell entered Sunday’s final round of the U.S. Open tied for sixth. In the opening round, he became the first player in U.S. Open history to shoot 40 or worse on one nine and break 30 on the other in the same round. See where he finished—and the second record he set—in Sports.

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Hand Count of Top Races Proposed

The state Senate voted to mandate hand recounts of the top two races starting with this November’s elections and put off the removal of ballot QR codes until 2028.

The proposal from state Sen. Max Burns, R-Sylvania, also would create a nine-member committee to design the state’s next voting system.

Democrats said they want more guarantees of representation on the new committee, while election security proponents criticized the plan to keep QR codes past the July 1 date set by state law.

The measure now heads to the House, where lawmakers could rewrite it as part of the ongoing special session.

Democrats Block Local Tax Swap

Democrats in the state House and Senate blocked a Republican plan that would let communities raise local sales taxes to lower homeowners’ property taxes.

Republicans said they aren’t giving up on the election-year fight, citing dozens of communities across the state that support putting a tax swap before local voters.

The special session debate over the measure is expected to continue today. Because the measures involve homestead exemptions, they require two-thirds support, meaning Democratic votes are needed in both chambers.

Republicans say the tax swap would curb rising property taxes and help people who are struggling to stay in their homes. Democrats called the proposals a “bait and switch” that would raise costs on necessities.

Boiled Peanuts Crowned Favorite

Move over, peaches, pecan pie, and barbecue: a new Food Network ranking named boiled peanuts the most iconic food in Georgia.

For many Georgians, it’s no surprise, since the peanut is the official state crop and the state grows nearly half the nation’s supply. Boiled peanuts also beat out peach cobbler, fried chicken, and Brunswick stew.

Food Network’s spotlight on Georgia’s boiled peanuts also gave a shout-out to Finch & Fifth in Augusta, where they remain a year-round favorite.

Unlike crunchy roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts are simmered in salted water until soft, a tradition dating to at least the 1800s. You can find a handful of seasoning recipes here.

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➤ Social Circle: The Department of Homeland Security dropped a plan to open an illegal immigrant detention center in the city. (More)

➤ Statewide: President Trump congratulated Rick Jackson on his win in the Republican primary for governor. Trump, who endorsed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the race, credited Jackson for running “a great TRUMP campaign” and also praised Jones. (More)

➤ Screven County: The state’s cattle producers remain on alert following the detection of New World screwworm—largely eradicated from the U.S. decades ago—in Texas and New Mexico. Officials say the food supply remains safe. (More)

➤ Worth County: The state transportation department will build a roundabout at the intersection of state routes 32 and 300 to curb high-speed angle crashes. (More)

➤ Cordele: The Watermelon Days Festival returned for its 77th year on Saturday, celebrating the self-proclaimed Watermelon Capital of the World. (More)

➤ Savannah: Mayor Van Johnson and Police Chief Lenny Gunther launched Behind the Badge, an interactive community education series on police policies, procedures, and training. (More)

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➤ University of Georgia alum Keith Mitchell tied for fourth at the U.S. Open on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York, becoming the first player in tournament history to shoot even par in all four rounds. (More)

➤ Spain boosted its position in Group H with a 4-0 World Cup win over Saudi Arabia on Sunday in Atlanta. (More)

➤ Tennessee five-star running back David Gabriel Georges canceled his scheduled official visit to Georgia. The Bulldogs already have commitments from two running backs, including five-star Kemon Spell. (More)

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➤ Lockheed Martin marked 75 years at its Marietta plant, sustaining production of the C-130J Super Hercules and F-35 fighter and noting a $4.5 billion state impact. (More)

➤ Home values keep climbing, with Zillow data showing the fastest dollar gains in the Albany area. (More)

➤ West Georgia’s retail growth rolls on, with Texas Roadhouse, Sprouts, and Raising Cane’s among the restaurants and shops coming to the region. (More)

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➤ Sophia Wootten of Peachtree City was crowned Miss Georgia and Melony Tidmore was named Miss Georgia Teen at the 81st annual scholarship pageant in Columbus. (More)

➤ Pendergrass eighth-grader Eden Pethel won the national Bookmark Design Challenge celebrating America’s 250th birthday, one of three K–8 winners chosen by the Second Lady’s office and the arts endowment. (More)

➤ Georgia Boys State, the American Legion’s weeklong government and leadership program for high school seniors, wrapped its 2026 session at Valdosta State University. (More)

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➤ Forgetting names and feeling weaker as you age? Researchers have identified a “silent epidemic” linked to increased frailty in adults over 50. Some experts point to a nutrient-rich superfood—whose discoverers earned a Nobel Prize—as a potential way to support cognitive function, muscle strength, and bone health. Learn why this overlooked food is getting renewed attention. (LEARN MORE)

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ An e-bike battery exploded while charging inside a Philadelphia home, and what happened next is every family’s nightmare. (Hear More)

➤ Single women are begging men to approach them at bars again, and the guys had a lot to say about why they stopped. (Listen Now)

➤ Scientists say the old advice about brushing your hair 100 strokes a night isn’t just wrong, it could be making things worse. (Podcast Available)