Weather Radar Service Restored

Public access to radar data from five National Weather Service sites in the Southeast, including one near Valdosta, was restored Monday after a three-day technical outage.

Access went dark to the public from Saturday until Monday. Forecasters could see the data internally, but the radar data and maps weren’t reaching TV stations, apps, or websites.

The outage coincided with a period when heavy rain soaked South Georgia. On Monday, rain lingered ahead of drier and cooler air. A potential tropical system forming in the Gulf could bring rain this weekend.

  Gas Tax Pause Lowers Prices

Georgia’s average gas price fell 33 cents to $3.86 a gallon over the past week, as Gov. Brian Kemp’s suspension of the state gas tax went into effect.

Kemp declared a state of emergency on Sept. 28 to pause the tax through Oct. 29, saving drivers 33.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 37.3 cents on diesel.

AAA also credits crude oil prices falling into the low $90s per barrel for part of the drop.

Average statewide prices are about 96 cents higher than a year ago. Albany reported the state’s lowest metro average at $3.67, while metro Atlanta was highest at $3.91.

9 Towns Named Best for Retirees

A WorldAtlas list names nine small towns as the state’s best for retirees, from Blue Ridge and Dahlonega in the mountains to Darien and St. Marys on the coast.

The list also includes Helen, Toccoa, Madison, Senoia, and Thomasville.

The report also notes Georgia residents 65 and older can exclude up to $65,000 of retirement income from state income tax, and that the state does not tax Social Security benefits.

“Add mild winters, no estate tax, and county homestead exemptions that wipe out school taxes for seniors in a lot of places, and the arithmetic gets interesting fast,” the report states.

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➤ Vienna: The number of gunshot victims who were among the 35 injured at Sunday’s homecoming block party remained unclear as of Monday afternoon. The sheriff said some were struck by cars as crowds fled. No arrests had been made in the shootings that left two people dead. (More)

➤ Fannin County: A U.S. Army helicopter team from Camp Merrill hoisted an injured lost hunter from a steep ravine in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area on Saturday night after an hours-long ground search. (More)

➤ Emanuel County: The county agreed to a $650,000 settlement over claims its $30-per-parcel fire fee was an illegal tax. Refunds will amount to about 45% of payments, minus court-approved fees. (More)

➤ Augusta: Shepeard Community Blood Center launched its fourth annual Donation Domination drive, pitting Georgia fans in Augusta against Alabama fans in Tuscaloosa ahead of the schools’ football game this weekend. Donors get a T-shirt, plus a free sandwich from CSRA Chick-fil-A locations. (More)

➤ Statewide: Poll workers will record voters’ names on paper backup logs alongside electronic check-ins on Election Day under a new State Election Board rule. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: The DeKalb County school board appointed Norman C. Sauce III permanent superintendent after nearly a year as interim. He succeeds Devon Horton, who resigned in 2025 after a federal indictment. (More)

➤ Tybee Island: Pirate Fest will take place Thursday through Sunday, featuring the Buccaneer Ball, a Pirate Victory Parade, and a carnival with free admission. (More)

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➤ Bijan Robinson rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard score on the opening drive, as the Atlanta Falcons routed the Saints 45-24 on Monday night in New Orleans. Brian Robinson Jr. added three touchdowns, and the Falcons moved to 2-2. (More)

➤ Valdosta State will join the Peach Belt Conference in 11 sports starting in 2027-28, a move expected to reduce travel. Blazers football will remain an independent in Division II. (More)

➤ Georgia opened as a road favorite at Alabama, but the betting line quickly flipped to favor the Crimson Tide at some sportsbooks ahead of Saturday night’s kickoff in Tuscaloosa. (More)

➤ Atlanta’s National Women’s Soccer League expansion club celebrated its new name, Atlanta City FC, at a Peachtree Street fan fest on Sunday. The team will debut in 2028 and play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | NBA | Soccer

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➤ The Peach State reported a 2% increase in tourism spending last year, with 175.6 million visitors spending $46.2 billion, Gov. Brian Kemp said. (More)

➤ Georgia ranked 18th nationally for foreclosure activity in August, with one in every 3,576 housing units receiving a filing, a study found. Rockdale, Henry, Hart, and Long counties stood out. (More)

➤ A family put about 60 acres of the small Meriwether County town of Gay up for sale for $13.5 million, including 17 buildings and the grounds of the Gay Cotton Fair. (More)

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➤ Fall colors are running a few days to a week late across the Southeast due to mild weather, said Clemson forest ecologist Dr. Donald Hagan. He expects the Augusta area to peak around the second week of November. (More)

➤ Savannah’s 75th annual Greek Festival runs Thursday through Saturday, with free admission and new menu items including baklava cheesecake. (More)

➤ A new episode of Sozo Bear Films’ YouTube series Unknown focuses on stories from Macon to Augusta, including UFOs and the reportedly haunted Partridge Inn Augusta. (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. 

➤ Your dog’s sleep twitches aren’t random, and researchers can now decode what’s behind them. (Listen Now)

➤ Amazon is issuing a new wave of refunds worth up to $200 after regulators accused it of deceptively enrolling Prime customers. (Hear Episode)

➤ Gen Z students are fueling a Catholic surge at nearly 60 college campuses, from Texas A&M to Silicon Valley. (Hear Details)

How often do you check online weather radars?

1. At least once a day
2. When storms roll in
3. Rarely or never

Yesterday’s Results:

Will you watch the governor and U.S. Senate debates?

1. Neither: 51%
2. Both: 37%
3. Governor: 10%
4. U.S. Senate: 2%

In what year did the Braves move from Milwaukee to Atlanta?

Show me the answer