Soccer National Training Center Opens

The Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center and Headquarters officially opened in Fayette County on Thursday. 

The $200 million facility, serving all 27 U.S. national teams, spans 200 acres and features over a dozen soccer fields, as well as more than 400,000 square feet of facilities.

Arthur Blank, co-founder of the Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, donated $50 million toward the project. 

U.S. Soccer’s annual AdaptandThrive Invitational will be the first National Team competition to be held at the facility.

Georgia Gas Prices Up 34 Cents

Georgia’s average gas price jumped 34 cents in a week to $4.09 per gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA.

That price is the highest it’s been since the summer of 2022.

The surge arrives while Georgians still benefit from a fuel tax suspension, saving drivers roughly 35 cents per gallon. The suspension expires on May 19.

Georgia lawmakers have asked Gov. Brian Kemp to extend the suspension as prices climb, but the governor has not announced a decision. 

Veterans Swim with Aquarium’s Animals

Wounded U.S. military veterans swam alongside marine life, including manta rays, giant groupers, and a whale shark, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta earlier this week. 

The encounter is part of the aquarium’s Military Salute program, which aims to create memorable experiences for those who serve.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see my dad being able to enjoy things he couldn’t anymore,” said Ian Collins, son of U.S. Army Col. Quentin Collins. “It’s a great thing to see.”

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Atlanta: The planned shutdown of I-285 between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Cascade Road has been postponed due to weather concerns. (More)

➤ Gwinnett County: An Acworth man accused of stealing $10,000 worth of Pokémon cards from a local gaming store was arrested after police said he tried to sell the stolen cards at another shop. (More)

➤ Gainesville: The city relaunched its free trolley service with expanded routes, running from 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays until Sept. 12. (More)

➤ Early County: A historically significant pottery vessel, one of at least 120 artifacts stolen from Kolomoki Mounds State Park in 1974, was returned to the site earlier this month. (More)

➤ Monroe County: Oglethorpe Power broke ground on a $3 billion natural gas power plant off Rumble Road on Thursday, with the facility expected to generate enough electricity to power around 800,000 homes once it launches in 2029. (More)

Enjoy reading The Georgia Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✉️

➤ Georgia will host its 2026 soccer home opener against James Madison at Sanford Stadium, the Bulldogs’ 93,033-seat football venue. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream open their WNBA season tonight against Minnesota, where two-time All-Star Angel Reese will make her debut with the team. (How to Watch)

➤ UGA and Florida State mutually agreed to cancel their home-and-home football series scheduled for 2027 and 2028, citing the move to nine-game conference schedules. The two schools are now discussing a neutral-site game instead. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | WNBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Transform your daily shower with HydroSoothe, the filtered showerhead designed to remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other impurities that can dry out skin and damage hair. Featuring a 7-stage filtration system and boosted water pressure, HydroSoothe helps leave skin softer, hair shinier, and every shower feeling like a spa experience.

Flying together with our sponsor

Why pay thousands for hearing aids?

Oricle Hearing Aids deliver crystal-clear sound, all-day comfort, and rechargeable convenience for under $100. No prescriptions, no appointments—just powerful, affordable hearing support you can trust. Join over 150,000 satisfied customers who’ve made the switch.

Hear better, live better—order Oricle today and save!

LEARN MORE

➤ Warner Robins soldier Kanisha Kendrick surprised her daughter at school after returning home nine months into a 12-month deployment in Korea, creating an emotional reunion just ahead of the child’s birthday. (More)

➤ Eileen Reimer from Atlanta was revealed as the winner of the HGTV Dream Home 2026, receiving $100,000 and a fully furnished waterfront home on Lake Wylie in North Carolina. (More)

➤ Sali, an 18-month-old German shorthaired pointer, has joined the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit to assist in securing schools and public gatherings. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay safer wherever you go with the Siren Guardian personal alarm, the compact safety device designed to clip onto your keys, purse, or backpack. With a quick pull, it unleashes a powerful 130dB siren and flashing strobe light to attract attention, deter threats, and provide added peace of mind day or night.

What’s your go-to Mother’s Day tradition?

1. 1. Brunch out
   2. Home-cooked meal
   3. Outdoor adventure
   4. Just a card and call

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite flower?

1. 1. 1. Roses: 13%
      2. Hydrangeas: 13%
      3. Other: 13%
      4. Azaleas: 12%
      5. Sunflowers: 11%
      6. Daisies: 10%
      7. Tulips: 10%
      8. Rhododendrons: 9%
      9. Carnations: 9%

Which Georgia city is known as the “Hostess City of the South”?

Show me the answer