Lawmakers Seek Big Raises for Kemp, Others

The state Senate approved a late-session proposal to hike Gov. Brian Kemp’s annual salary to a nation-leading $250,000 and give big pay raises to statewide elected officials and judges.

The state House has until the legislative session ends Friday to consider the measure.

House Speaker Jon Burns, in line for a raise to $200,000 from $106,000, questioned the timing of the proposal and said, if passed, he would donate his pay raise to the state treasury. Some lawmakers favor delaying pay hikes until after the 2026 elections. 

Kemp, who currently earns $182,000, would join New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as the nation’s highest-paid governor. Many state judges would receive higher salaries, and positions such as attorney general, school superintendent, and state commissioners would make $200,000.

    Domestic Abuse Defense in Focus

State lawmakers are considering allowing Georgia courts to resentence domestic abuse survivors convicted of crimes.

Supporters say histories of domestic abuse were often not adequately considered in cases, and that doing so would lead to fairer outcomes for women who acted in self-defense.

According to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, between 74% and 95% of incarcerated women are victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence.

Pollen Count Hits Record

The pollen count in metro Atlanta shattered a record on Saturday, with 14,801 pollen grains per cubic meter of air.

Experts recommend nasal sprays and antihistamine eye drops for allergy sufferers.

The previous recorded high was 9,369 in March 2012. The count fell to 11,159 on Sunday, still the second-highest ever.

Oak, pine, sweet gum, birch, and sycamore trees are the main contributors, with dry conditions making the pollen levels worse.

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Statesboro: Georgia Southern University’s bald eagle mascot, Freedom, died Saturday. He was a fixture at school events since he was found knocked out of a nest in 2004 in Maitland, Florida, and unable to return to the wild due to an injured beak. (More)

Fort Stewart: One of the four Georgia soldiers missing and presumed dead after a training accident in Lithuania was identified by his wife as 25-year-old Sgt. Edvin Franco. (More)

Cobb County: The family of a Marietta woman allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant spoke out, questioning why he wasn’t deported earlier. (More)

Villa Rica: Residents protested the proposed Mirror Lake Connector Project, which would displace some families with decades-long ties to their homes. (More)

Atlanta: A popular local rapper known as Young Scooter died on his 39th birthday after reportedly severely injuring his leg while fleeing police. (More)

Lawrenceville: Authorities found the body of a missing 5-year-old boy in a pond behind the family’s apartment complex. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider looked dominant in a rehab start on Saturday. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons signed international kicking prospect Lenny Kreig, who went 14-for-14 at the NFL combine. (More)

➤ No. 3 Georgia baseball completed a two-game sweep of No. 11 Auburn on catcher Daniel Jackson’s walk-off home run in the 10th inning. (Watch Video)

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

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➤ Atlanta’s hosting of NCAA March Madness games injected an estimated $35 million or more into the local economy, according to an economist. (More)

➤ Flowery Branch will become home to two Czech Republic manufacturers investing more than $3 million and creating 35 jobs in the electric vehicle sector. (More)

➤ Roswell officials selected Winter Construction to build a $14.4 million parking deck in its historic downtown district, with completion set for 2026. (More)

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➤ Macon’s attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the largest kazoo ensemble fell short, drawing 1,780 participants in support of the Otis Redding Foundation. The record is 5,190. (More)

➤ The city of South Fulton will host its fourth annual gun buyback event on April 12, offering up to $75 per firearm. (More)

➤ Atlanta nonprofit Caring for Others delivered nine tractor-trailers of clothes, shoes, and furniture to help Augusta families still recovering from Hurricane Helene. (More)

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