GOP Turns Spotlight on Ossoff

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is under fire from Republicans for voting against GOP-led efforts to reopen the government, with critics accusing him of catering to donors rather than helping Georgia families.

In remarks earlier this month, Ossoff defended his position, saying Republicans are hurting people by not increasing federal health insurance subsidies.

GOP leaders claim Ossoff’s position is driven by fear of losing donations, with Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana echoing the claims at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Ossoff, who is up for re-election next year, begins his campaign with a large fundraising lead over Republicans trying to unseat him, but political observers expect GOP spending to ramp up significantly closer to the election.

  Ex-PSC Candidate Charged with Document Theft

A former Democratic candidate for the state Public Service Commission was arrested and charged with felony theft after allegedly taking a booklet labeled “Georgia Power Trade Secrets” during a commission meeting.

The arrest of Patty Durand comes with early voting underway for two commission seats. The commission is also beginning hearings on Georgia Power’s proposal to add 10 gigawatts of energy in the coming years.

The Republican incumbents for the two seats and their Democratic challengers offer differing views on how the state should handle its future electricity needs. In general, the incumbents support a mix of energy sources while the challengers call for more oversight and a shift to clean energy.

No comments were immediately available from Durand in response to the allegations against her.

Star-Studded Week Awaits Savannah

This year’s SCAD Savannah Film Festival will draw Hollywood stars Spike Lee, Sydney Sweeney, Kristen Stewart, and more to Georgia’s coast. The event runs from Saturday through Nov. 1.

The event’s Docs to Watch panel discussion, led by The Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg, will spotlight documentaries on topics ranging from Ukraine’s war to Southern racial history.

Ticket information is available here.

With screenings, awards, and student access to industry leaders, the festival blends star power with storytelling, putting Savannah on the global movie industry’s map each fall.

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➤ Statewide: The National Weather Service raised the fire danger warning for north and central Georgia due to dry air, gusty winds, and worsening drought conditions. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Georgia may leave a multistate voter verification program. Supporters call the program effective, while critics question its funding sources and possible use of data for partisan political purposes. (More)

➤ Rockdale County: An arsonist broke into Starr Kidz Academy 2 near Conyers on Monday night, setting the building on fire in a crime captured on surveillance video, authorities said. An investigation is ongoing. (More)

➤ Lexington: A high school teacher filed a federal lawsuit alleging Oglethorpe County Schools punished her for private posts criticizing Charlie Kirk after his assassination. (More)

➤ Hiawassee: Gov. Brian Kemp suspended Towns County Sheriff Kenneth Henderson for 60 days over a physical confrontation between the sheriff and a police officer at a 2024 shooting scene. (More)

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➤ Toronto spoiled the Atlanta Hawks’ home opener on Wednesday, pulling away in the third quarter en route to a 138-118 win. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons released wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III. (More)

➤ Kennesaw State’s win over Florida International on Tuesday snapped the team’s 13-game road losing streak dating back to November 5, 2022. (More)

➤ Georgia State football plays South Alabama tonight at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. Each team enters the contest at 1-6. (More)

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

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➤ As the partial federal government shutdown continues, halted loans and stalled contracts are hitting some of the state’s 5,000 federal-dependent small businesses. (More)

➤ Pinnacle and Synovus named their local market managers in advance of their 2026 merger, emphasizing local decision-making to drive growth across regional banking teams. (More)

➤ The state’s professional licensing board division in Bibb County relocated to a smaller office as space needs lessen with the ongoing shift to online services.  (More)

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[FINAL DAY] The AI Restaurant Brands Are Demanding

Sellouts are good for business, and Miso sold out its initial units of the newest AI-powered kitchen robot, Flippy Fry Station, in just one week. 

Why? The $1T fast-food industry faces 144% worker turnover and $20/hour minimum wages in places like California. But these units can boost industry profits by up to $24B. Brands like White Castle already use them. 

With partnerships in place with NVIDIA, Amazon, and Uber AI to refine its robots and AI, Miso is currently ramping up its U.S.-based manufacturing to capture a $4B/year annual revenue opportunity. 

There are over 100,000 U.S. fast food locations in need, making your opportunity to become an early-stage investor today all the more enticing.

Just don’t waste time. Today is the final day to invest this year.

➤ The invasive spotted lanternfly has reached Georgia, with Fulton County most at risk. USDA urges residents to inspect plants and kill the pest on sight. (More)

➤ A Macon resident won $1 million from a $10 Triple Match scratcher purchased at a Kroger store on North Avenue. (More)

➤ Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief, based in Alpharetta, reflected on a busy year that included multiple deployments, eight statewide training sessions, and expanded services. (More)

➤ Correction: Chuck Schumer is the minority leader of the U.S. Senate. An article in Wednesday’s edition misstated his leadership position due to an editing error.

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