Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1965, the Beatles made their only Georgia appearance, performing a 12-song set before 30,000 fans at Atlanta Stadium.

Before you pour the coffee, go take a look at your thermostat. Do you know why it’s set to that number, or did you pick it years ago and never touch it again? You’re not alone. A federal energy survey found that only 12% of American households program their thermostats to match their actual schedules. Everyone else runs one flat number all day on the single biggest expense in their power bill. There’s a specific setting, a certain number of degrees for a certain number of hours, that unlocks real savings with no new equipment. Ayla has the numbers on today’s Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a message from our partner Fisher Investments on 13 common retirement investing mistakes that could quietly cost you over time, and how to spot them before they derail your long-term plans.

We’re always interested in products that take an everyday task and simply make it easier. That’s what caught our attention about today’s sponsor, the Sonic Glow Brush. If you’ve ever wished brushing your teeth was quicker without sacrificing a thorough clean, this is worth a look.

Court Redirects Murder Appeals Caseload

The Georgia Supreme Court will stop routinely hearing murder appeals starting next summer, shifting the bulk of the caseload to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Chief Justice Nels Peterson said the appeals consume too much of the court’s resources, accounting for more than half of its published cases.

Legal experts and defense attorneys raised concerns about the potential impacts on the appeals court, where cases are decided by three-judge panels rather than as a full nine-member bench.

Court of Appeals Chief Judge Trenton Brown told lawmakers in July the shift would create an unfunded mandate on a court already working at or above capacity.

College Campuses Fill Back Up

Georgia’s colleges are reopening in staggered waves this month, with the University of Georgia starting classes this week after a hectic few days of dorm move-ins.

“You know, it’s a little bit crazy trying to unload all this stuff, but we get it done. My brothers came to help,” Georgia student Porter Grinalds said as he hauled his belongings.

Mercer University in Macon welcomed more than 1,000 freshmen, opening its 194th academic year with a fall convocation Monday afternoon. Augusta University kicked off its first week of classes with a freshman convocation, handing out class pins and T-shirts before a brunch with professors.

Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State are among the schools that start next week.

A report found that public colleges generated a record $25.1 billion for the state economy in fiscal 2025, up 8.9% and supporting 170,096 jobs.

Braves Push Toward October

The Atlanta Braves entered the season’s final six weeks at 74-50 going into Tuesday’s games, atop the National League East and in position for a first-round playoff bye.

Atlanta ranks No. 2 in the MLB Power Rankings behind Milwaukee.

On Sunday, Braves first baseman Matt Olson hit his 36th home run—second-most in the NL—in a 5-3 win over Arizona that avoided a home sweep. His 66 extra-base hits lead the majors.

Atlanta Manager Walt Weiss said Olson has evolved into one of the game’s best players, and many analysts currently rank him third in this year’s NL MVP race, behind Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs.

Flying together with our sponsor

A Smarter Way to Brush in Just 30 Seconds

Most of us spend two minutes brushing our teeth twice a day. The Sonic Glow Brush takes a different approach. Its soft, U-shaped mouthpiece surrounds your teeth and uses sonic vibrations to clean them all at once, delivering a full brushing routine in as little as 30 seconds.

It’s easy to see why so many people are making the switch. Whether you’re trying to get out the door faster in the morning, simplify your evening routine, or just want an easier way to stay consistent, this brush offers a refreshing alternative to a traditional toothbrush. It also features multiple cleaning modes, built-in blue light whitening technology, and a rechargeable battery that’s perfect for home or travel.

If you’re looking for a smarter, faster way to brush, see how the Sonic Glow Brush works here.

➤ Tennille: A suspected lightning strike sparked a fire at an assisted living facility Sunday afternoon. All residents evacuated safely and were reunited with family. Fire crews reported fire, smoke, and moderate water damage. (More)

➤ Albany: Renovations are underway on the former Belk department store on West Broad Avenue, a $35 million project that will house the Albany Museum of Art when it opens in spring 2028. (More)

➤ Savannah: Police began issuing school zone speeding fines Monday, ending a two-week warning period in which 606 warnings went out. First offenses cost $75 plus a $10 processing fee. (More)

➤ Douglasville: The Georgia Coroners Training Council voted to suspend Douglas County Coroner Renee Godwin for 180 days following an investigation into operations at her office. (More)

➤ LaGrange: A city councilman resigned after pleading guilty to misdemeanor public indecency and obstruction, receiving a sentence of 24 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine. (More)

➤ Mitchell County: A group filed the initial 100 signatures needed to begin recalling a county commissioner over a proposed power plant, one of three commissioners they are targeting. Organizers must now gather signatures from 30% of the district’s registered voters to force an election. (More)

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

➤ Georgia football opened at No. 3 in the first AP Top 25 of the season, behind Ohio State and Oregon. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, UGA’s spending on its football roster falls in the upper-$30 million range, mostly focused on high school recruits, according to estimates by more than 50 industry insiders. (More)

➤ Marietta High School’s football game in England against the NFL Academy will stream live at 1 p.m. Thursday on the NFL UK & Ireland YouTube channel. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves released veteran first baseman Carlos Santana from his minor league contract. The 40-year-old former All-Star was never called up by the parent club. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Upgrade Your Kitchen with Tivano. The Tivano Cutting Board features a non-porous TitaniumShield™ surface designed to resist odors, stains, and bacteria while staying gentle on your knives. It’s microplastic-free, waterproof, durable, and dishwasher-safe, making everyday meal prep cleaner and easier. Upgrade to Tivano today >>

➤ The statewide average gas price rose 3 cents over the past week to $3.79 a gallon, 88 cents higher than a year ago, according to AAA. (More)

➤ Georgia’s new HOA online complaint forms are available now, with processing set to begin in January. The Secretary of State’s office plans to release proposed rules in October. (More)

➤ Piedmont Urgent Care replaced the billing voicemail across its 88 Georgia locations with an AI agent that fields more than 20,000 patient billing calls a month and resolves roughly 48% of calls without involving a staff member. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Quiet Nights Start with SleepZee. SleepZee is a customizable anti-snoring mouthpiece designed to gently reposition your jaw and support better airflow while you sleep. Its moldable, compact design offers a personalized fit without complicated equipment—helping reduce snoring for more peaceful nights for you and your partner. Try SleepZee today >>

Flying together with our sponsor

A Small Upgrade You’ll Use Every Day

Some products promise to change your life. Others simply make your daily routine a little better. We think this falls into the second category. If you’re going to brush your teeth every day anyway, it makes sense to see if there’s a faster, easier way to do it.

Learn more about the Sonic Glow Brush and see if it’s right for you today.

➤ The Georgia Rotary Student Program marks its 80th anniversary this year, with its annual conclave set for Friday through Sunday in Savannah. This year, the program is sponsoring 38 students from 20 countries to attend 21 Georgia colleges. (More)

➤ The Miss Georgia Scholarship Organization held a send-off brunch Sunday at Green Island Country Club in Columbus for Miss Georgia Sophia Wootten of Peachtree City and Miss Georgia’s Teen Melony Tidmore of Powder Springs, who will compete Aug. 28-Sept. 6 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (More)

➤ A homeowner spotted a large black bear in his backyard near Sawnee Mountain off Highway 306, the animal’s second visit after raiding a bird feeder days earlier. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ What’s the Best Breakfast Food in 2026? Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, coffee…The best breakfast choice may not be what you think and how you prepare it could make all the difference. A leading cardiologist reveals his surprising breakfast recommendation, plus one simple morning change that may help support a healthy metabolism and your weight-management goals. See the Full List of Breakfast Recommendations >> “

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Most Americans never program their thermostats, and it’s costing them. There’s an exact degrees-and-hours setting that can trim real money off heating and cooling costs. (Hear Setting)

➤ Newly declassified files show the FBI stumbled onto former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s affair with a suspected Chinese spy while trying to recruit her as a confidential informant. (Hear Story)

➤ A popular Maryland state park is partially closed after rabid beavers attacked two teens. Experts say there are warning signs to watch for. (Hear Warning Signs)