Legislative Session Ends Today

Georgia’s 40-day legislative session wraps up today, with lawmakers working to resolve disputes over taxes and elections.

Data center tax breaks, a switch to paper ballots, and competing property tax overhauls were among the issues under debate in the closing days.

Earlier in the session, lawmakers agreed to a fourth year of income tax rebates, an expanded medical cannabis program, and a bell-to-bell cell phone ban extended to high schools. They also agreed to hire literacy coaches for the state’s elementary schools.

Ponzi Scheme Victims Get Relief

Bankers Life Advisory Services will return nearly $6.7 million to 46 clients caught up in the alleged First Liberty Building and Loan Ponzi scheme.

Former Bankers Life financial advisor Nathaniel Darnell allegedly directed the 46 investors into the scheme without the company’s knowledge.

In all, Newnan-based First Liberty and its owners are accused of running a scheme that defrauded about 300 total investors of more than $140 million starting in 2014.

The state continues to pursue settlements with other firms connected to the case.

Among those at an announcement about the Bankers Life settlement was 93-year-old James McMaster, who invested more than $1 million in First Liberty.

Woods Won’t Play at Masters

Tiger Woods will not compete in the Masters Tournament next week at Augusta National, stepping away from golf to focus on his health.

Woods was arrested Friday on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence after a rollover crash near his Florida home. Police say painkillers were found in his pocket.

Woods told police he was looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station when his car clipped a pickup’s trailer and rolled onto its side. He entered a plea of not guilty.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley said the club supports Woods as the five-time Masters champion focuses on his well-being, adding that his presence will still be felt.

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➤ North Georgia: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security put a hold on its plans to open more illegal immigration detention centers, including at warehouses in Social Circle and Oakwood. (More)

➤ Atlanta: A federal judge dismissed a civil rights lawsuit over a Cop City protester fatally shot inside his tent after authorities said he fired at state troopers, injuring one, in January 2023. (More)

➤ Lee County: One person suffered undisclosed injuries when a vehicle collided with a train on Tuesday on U.S. 19 south of Cordele. (More)

➤ Macon: Two U.S. Postal Service employees face felony charges for allegedly stealing mail, with two more suspects wanted. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Parents and students were left scrambling after a 158-student private K-12 school announced plans to close at the end of this week. (More)

➤ South Georgia: The state forestry commission urged residents to obtain burn permits as extreme drought conditions increase wildfire risks. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Falcons General Manager Ian Cunningham said he’d listen to trade offers for tight end Kyle Pitts, who is set to earn $15 million in 2026 on the franchise tag. (More)

➤ No. 4 Georgia baseball scored eight runs in the eighth inning to beat Georgia State 14-9 at home on Tuesday. (More)

➤ The U.S. men’s soccer team lost to Portugal 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday night. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech basketball player Mouhamed Sylla plans to enter the transfer portal, making him the third Yellow Jacket to leave the program this week. (More)

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

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➤ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects to set a single-day TSA screening record of 115,000 passengers on Friday. (More)

➤ Buc-ee’s will break ground Tuesday on a 74,000-square-foot travel center in Forsyth, its fourth Georgia location. (More)

➤ Dalton City Council approved a $130 million bond to build a new natural gas power plant, citing growing energy needs in Whitfield County. (More)

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➤ Atlanta TSA workers can keep the $250,000 in gift cards Tyler Perry donated during the government shutdown after an initial dispute over federal worker policies. (More)

➤ A lottery player in Saint Marys won $1 million on a 50X The Money scratch-off ticket, purchased at Addy’s Corner on Osborne Road. (More)

➤ Delta Air Lines is offering SkyMiles Members exclusive travel packages, hospitality events, and in-flight entertainment ahead of next week’s Masters Tournament in Augusta. (More)

Did anyone play an April Fools’ Day joke on you?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Is your home part of an HOA?

1. No: 49%
2. Yes: 43%
3. Not Sure: 8%

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