Atlanta Faces Environmental Lawsuit Threat

Two environmental groups notified the city of Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday that they intend to sue over fuel, sewage, and other pollution flowing from the airport into the Flint River.

The Southern Environmental Law Center and the Flint Riverkeeper filed a 60-day notice under the federal Clean Water Act. They say testing has found elevated “forever chemicals,” or PFAS in the river and that the pollution violates federal clean water and solid waste laws.

In 2026, there have been three jet fuel spills reported at the airport that flowed into the Flint River, which serves as a source of drinking water for more than 400,000 people. 

A city spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The two lawsuits are scheduled to take effect in late September and October. 

  Tornado Confirmed in Pickens County

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that an EF-0 tornado touched down in Pickens County during Tuesday night’s storms, leaving sporadic damage.

The twister snapped trees that blocked roads and was estimated to have maximum winds of 80 to 85 mph, with its path starting near East Price Creek Road. It largely spared structures due to it remaining primarily off the ground, the agency said.

The storm left more than 5,000 people without power and a historic 1930 monument in downtown Jasper was hit by lightning. 

The NWS is still mapping the tornado’s full path, and the agency expects to share more information as the review continues. 

Red Bull Showrun Kicks Off Today

Formula One and off-road race cars will roar down Hank Aaron Drive in Atlanta’s Summerhill neighborhood today for the free Red Bull Showrun. 

The exhibition, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., is not an official race but a showcase featuring high-speed runs, precision driving, burnouts, and other demonstrations. 

The show is one of four U.S. stops on the Red Bull Showrun tour in 2026. The event is open to the public and is expected to draw close to 50,000 people.

Several street sections go resident-only starting at 10 a.m. and MARTA’s Rapid A-Line is detouring through 6 p.m. Sunday. Organizers say residents keep access to their homes.

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➤ Augusta: A Goodwill on Wrightsboro Road reopened Thursday with new renovations after sitting closed for several years following the end of its lease. (More)

➤ Valdosta: The city is pouring more than $24 million into downtown, aiming to fill 180,000 square feet with housing, shops, restaurants, and other establishments over the next eight to 10 months. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: First responders rescued an overheated hiker on a Tower Road mountain trail earlier this week, hiking up to reach the woman before helping her back down for medical evaluation. (More)

➤ Savannah: Police will reactivate school zone speed cameras for the Savannah-Chatham County school district’s first day on Aug. 3, issuing warnings for the first two weeks before drivers who violate speed limits begin receiving fines. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: A police officer has returned to duty six months after being wounded in a shooting while responding to a domestic violence call. (More)

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➤ The Georgia High School Association will require all girls flag football players to wear protective headgear this fall, a first for the sport in the state. More than 11,000 athletes across 307 high schools now play flag football in Georgia, and research shows nearly one in four injuries in the sport involve the head, face, or neck. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London proposed to girlfriend Sofia Gabay over a Taco Bell spread at a desert ranch in Los Angeles, complete with Crunchwrap Supremes and hot sauce. She told London on their second date three years ago that being proposed to with Taco Bell would be “a dream.” (More)

➤ Cristina Ulbrich, the wife of Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, passed away this week after a battle with cancer. Ulbrich had been absent from the start of training camp this week to be with his family. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Golf | WNBA | Soccer

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➤ A Dairy Queen in Gray raised $250,000 for a Macon children’s hospital on Miracle Treat Day, more than double its goal and surpassing last year’s total of $180,000. (More)

➤ A Columbus K-9 is getting a donated bullet and stab-resistant vest worth about $1,800 from a nonprofit. (More)

➤ A senior at New Manchester High School in Douglasville scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT, a mark fewer than 0.05% of test takers reach. (More)

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

➤ Your $139 Amazon Prime membership includes hidden benefits most members are unknowingly paying for and never using. (Hear More)

➤ Mortgage rates have climbed to their highest level in a year as war fears and Fed doubts fuel inflation concerns. (Listen Now)

➤ Shark sightings are surging off New York City beaches, forcing police to send drones into the sky over swimmers. (Podcast Available)

Have you ever seen a tornado in person?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever felt a small earthquake?

1. Yes: 60%
2. No: 33%  
3. I felt Wednesday’s: 7%

Which Georgia city is home to the Lemonade Days festival?

Show me the answer