Superintendent Resigns After Indictment

DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Devon Horton resigned on Wednesday, days after he was indicted on wire fraud, tax fraud, and embezzlement charges stemming from his time as a school superintendent in a Chicago suburb.

A group of DeKalb County parents said the indictment didn’t come as a complete surprise to them, noting that the district was aware around the time of Horton’s hiring that he was involved in legal issues.

Parents also cited the district’s general struggles. “Honestly, there is so much going on in the district right now that this is just one of the things that is news today,” parent Jeannette Fusia said.

The Georgia Federation of Teachers urged Georgia state lawmakers to establish minimum qualifications for future DeKalb County superintendents.

  City of Augusta Faces $21M Shortfall

The city of Augusta’s budget crisis has deepened, with an expected shortfall ballooning to $21 million, nearly double an earlier projection, city officials say.

The end of federal COVID relief funds, rising healthcare costs, and a spike in sheriff’s office expenses are driving the gap, the officials say.

City Administrator Tameka Allen warned that Augusta faces difficult decisions, describing the situation as “the house is on fire.” She proposes 3% in spending cuts, a 2-mill property tax increase, and reduced funding for nonprofits.

The Augusta City Commission will participate in a budget work session on Oct. 23.

Early Voting Begins

Early voting kicked off this week across Georgia ahead of the Nov. 4 general election, featuring municipal races and two contested seats on the state’s five-member Public Service Commission.

In the Public Service Commission races, Republican incumbent Tim Echols faces Democratic challenger Alicia Johnson, and GOP incumbent Fitz Johnson faces Democratic challenger Peter Hubbard.

Some cities and towns are hosting votes on local offices such as mayor, city council, and school board, along with tax measures and other ballot questions.

You can find your sample ballot by visiting the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Savannah: Mayor Van Johnson said 84 of the city’s 100 most wanted individuals have been apprehended since the police department began posting a weekly list in summer 2024. (More)

➤ Macon: Mercer University alum Bill Westwood reflected on how a college setback led to his 50-year career as an award-winning medical illustrator and pioneer in visual medical communication. (More)

➤ Riverdale: The body of a 6-month-old boy was found three days after his father reported him missing, with the father now considered a suspect in the death, authorities said. (More)

➤ Hapeville: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport declined to air a U.S. Homeland Security video faulting Democrats for the government shutdown, citing policies against political content. (More)

➤ Atlanta: R&B singer Daniel Caesar drew a massive crowd to Piedmont Park for an unpermitted pop-up concert. (More)

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

➤ The Gateway Center in College Park will host a FIBA World Cup men’s basketball qualifying game between the U.S. and Nicaragua on Dec. 1. (More)

➤ Alabama prep star Shadarius Toodle, considered the No. 14 linebacker recruit in the country, flipped his commitment from Georgia back to Auburn. (More)

➤ Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan will retire after the team’s game on Saturday. The former U.S. National Team goalkeeper logged 261 appearances with Atlanta United, the most in club history. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Get whiter teeth overnight?  Blast away plaque, tartar, and stubborn stains with the power of Denta Blast. Its ultrasonic cleaning action leaves your teeth looking brighter and feeling smoother in just minutes a day. Gentle yet effective, it’s the easy way to wake up with a more confident smile. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Courtland Grand Hotel in Atlanta completed a full renovation, upgrading all of its 763 rooms, adding modern amenities, and unveiling a redesigned restaurant led by chef Reginald Shankle. (More)

➤ A report lists timberland manager Weyerhaeuser as the state’s largest private landowner, managing 750,000 acres for wood production, conservation, and recreation. (More)

➤ A co-founder of beer and beverage maker Scofflaw praised the Atlanta company’s decision to add THC-infused drinks, which now drive 80% of its revenue. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Want guaranteed growth on your terms? Lock in a high CD rate with terms ranging from 3 to 24 months, backed by FDIC insurance for total peace of mind. Select the timeline that aligns with your goals and enjoy safe, predictable returns—no market swings required. Today’s CD rates won’t last forever, so it’s a smart time to secure yours.

Lock in your CD rate today

Flying together with our sponsor

Meet America’s Newest $1B Unicorn

This U.S. startup just surpassed a $1 billion valuation, joining billion-dollar private companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Unlike those other unicorns, you can invest. Over 35,000 people already have. Similarly, industry giants such as General Motors, Eni, and POSCO have also done so.

Why all the interest? EnergyX’s patented tech can recover 300% more lithium than traditional methods. That’s a big deal as demand for lithium is projected to outstrip supply by 2030.

Now, they’re moving toward commercial production, developing 100,000+ acres of lithium deposits in Chile, a potential $1.1B in annual revenue opportunity at projected market prices.

Currently, you can invest at this pivotal stage for just $10/share, before the price increases on October 30th. Invest in EnergyX here.

➤ Mountain Motorsports co-founder Ryan Hardwick, who in June won the LMGT3 class endurance car race at Le Mans, discussed the powersports dealership’s multistate success during a tour of its Marietta location. (Watch)

➤ Looking for a novel Halloween experience? Emory University’s Rose Library in Atlanta hosts one of the largest Bram Stoker and Dracula-related collections in the world. (More)

➤ Georgia ranked 42nd in WalletHub’s latest safety report, scoring poorly in road safety and economic security. The report also evaluated states on personal safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness. (More)

Will you vote in the Public Service Commission election?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever had a home sale fall apart?

1. Yes: 43%
2. No: 57%

When was the last World Cup soccer match played in Atlanta?  

Show me the answer