Officer Killed in Ambush; Suspect Dead

A Warm Springs police officer was shot and killed in an ambush while in his patrol car late Tuesday, and the suspected shooter was found in South Carolina with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died.

The officer, Chris Fisher, 36, had arrested the shooting suspect days earlier on suspicion of police obstruction, firearm possession during an attempted crime, and marijuana possession/distribution.

Fisher was married and a father of two. He recently joined the department after serving as a deputy with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office from 2018 to 2025. “This is a tragic reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis in service to their communities, and I ask that all Georgians lift up Fisher’s family and his fellow officers in prayer,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.

The suspected gunman was identified as Jimmy Steverson, 23, of Warm Springs, who fled the scene, touching off a statewide manhunt. On Wednesday, sheriff’s deputies in Anderson County, S.C., stopped a car around 11:30 a.m. and found Steverson.

  Late Summer Heat Bakes State 

Georgia remains locked in summer, with Atlanta coming off its fourth-hottest August ever and highs holding in the mid-90s across much of the state.

Football fans braced for a sweltering opening weekend, including at Georgia’s sold-out home opener at 3 p.m. Saturday. Forecasters expect a gameday high of 97 degrees and a heat index of 103.

South Georgia could see a little relief today, with scattered storms arriving this afternoon and evening and a wetter Friday predicted.

The National Weather Service warned that the feels-like heat index will exceed 100 and may approach hazardous levels in parts of the state through at least Sunday.

Swamp Park Gets New Name

The name change from Stephen C. Foster State Park to Okefenokee State Park officially went into effect this week, as state leaders seek to give visitors a clearer sense of the destination.

The park near Fargo is the western entrance to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and is Georgia’s only International Dark Sky state park.

The move away from the American music pioneer’s name follows the refuge’s July designation as Georgia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, an honor expected to draw global travelers.

The park’s largest-ever capital improvement push continues, with construction ongoing on 10 cottages, a visitor center, and an ADA-accessible kayak launch. Last year, the park completed a campground renovation and boat basin work.

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➤ Perry: The Georgia National Fair’s online flash sale ends at 10 p.m. today. Tickets are $10 plus a $1 fee and are good for any single day of the Oct. 8–18 fair. (More)

➤ Douglasville: County commissioners approved a one-year lease for the Douglas County Museum of History & Art in the old courthouse, reversing a decision to end the arrangement. (More)

➤ Savannah: The Bohemian Savannah Riverfront hotel rebranded as Hotel Orielle, a change the mayor says reflects growing luxury interest downtown. (More)

➤ Butts County: A trucker who felt his load shift was surprised to find about 1,800 pounds of marijuana bound for Florida inside. The sheriff’s office plans to give him a reward. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Department of Homeland Security plans to conduct unspecified voter fraud investigations in Georgia and eight other states ahead of November’s election, according to a departmental memo. (More)

➤ Valdosta: A burglar dubbed the “14 bottle bandit” broke through the door of a downtown pizza restaurant and spent about four hours inside drinking, authorities said. A suspect was arrested. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Braves entered September atop the National League East, a few games ahead of Philadelphia with seven head-to-head games remaining this month. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech hosts Colorado tonight as a touchdown favorite. Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza, brother of reigning Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, will start at quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. (More)

➤ College of Coastal Georgia softball right fielder Rily Andrews received a 2026 NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove Award after recording 78 putouts without an error on the season. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ Savannah entrepreneur Michelle Peth built the national sunless-tanning brand BEETTAN after her younger sister’s skin cancer scare at 17, starting with spray tanning as a side hustle. (More)

➤ Walmart’s planned 1.5 million-square-foot Carnesville fulfillment center will feature next-generation technology designed to speed same-day and next-day shipping. (More)

➤ Irish fashion retailer Primark will open its first Georgia store Sept. 8, a 26,000-plus-square-foot location at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville. A location in Augusta is also planned. (More)

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➤ Macon-Bibb County will dedicate parts of Cotton Avenue and Mulberry Street Lane as Otis Redding Way on Sept. 9, which would have been the soul legend’s 85th birthday. (More)

➤ Dale Sanders, 91, of Tennessee, completed the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, reclaiming his title as the oldest person to thru-hike the trail that runs north from Springer Mountain to Maine. (More)

➤ Registration opened for Woodstock’s annual Scarecrow Invasion, with many lining up hours early to secure a display spot. The event fills downtown with custom displays starting Sept. 28. (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. 

➤ Five after-dinner rituals every American once knew have gotten lost over a single generation. (See Rituals)

➤ The Lindsay Clancy murder trial has hit another wall, leaving jurors deadlocked and a mistrial looming. (Hear Details)

➤ Meanwhile, in the Charlie Kirk assassination trial, Tyler Robinson has pleaded not guilty and now faces a possible death penalty. (Listen Now)

What’s your opinion of scarecrows?

1. Love them
2. Kind of creepy
3. Effective for gardens/farms
4. Other/no opinion

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s a must at your Labor Day cookout?

1. Burgers and hot dogs: 64%
2. Barbecue: 19%
3. Other: 10%
4. Sides and desserts: 7%

What song by former Okefenokee park namesake Stephen C. Foster made the Suwanee River famous?

Show me the answer