Ag Secretary Touts Georgia Deal

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited a Carroll County farm to announce a new agreement allowing Georgia’s small meat processors to ship products across state lines.

Georgia is the 11th state to enter into the Cooperative Interstate Shipment agreement that will permit 23 state-inspected facilities in the state to sell livestock products nationwide for the first time.

Rollins called the program a step toward “leveling the playing field” for family-owned operations, noting that four corporations control 85% of U.S. beef processing.

Georgia’s meat inspection program, the nation’s first when established in 1969, will inspect participating plants to federal standards under the deal.

  Kemp: AI ‘Scary’ but Vital

Gov. Brian Kemp called artificial intelligence “scary” but essential in an interview, weighing in on Georgia’s data center debate.

Kemp said blanket statewide moratorium proposals, including one from Georgia governor nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, are “irresponsible” and that communities should decide where facilities are built.

The debate is intensifying in Rincon, where about 100 people gathered at a coffee shop Monday night to organize opposition to OpenAI’s proposed $20 billion campus near the community.

Elsewhere, Columbia County leaders said revenue from two Google data centers near Appling could eventually eliminate homestead property taxes for residents.

Helene Rebuilding Continues

Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene damaged thousands of homes across the Augusta area, nonprofit Rally Augusta said Tuesday its biggest focus is finding families still awaiting help.

The privately funded group has completed 197 recovery cases and 135 major construction projects since February 2025 with more than 2,000 volunteers. Most homeowners served are 60 or older, and all are uninsured or underinsured.

Former Augusta mayor Deke Copenhaver, who helps lead the effort, said Mennonite teams—among the many faith-based groups volunteering their time—will return this fall to assist on projects.

Homeowners in Richmond, Columbia, and McDuffie counties who still need repairs can register for assistance through the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

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➤ Pearson: A murder suspect who escaped the Atkinson County Jail on Sunday was captured in the area Tuesday, ending a manhunt that included a $10,000 FBI reward. (More)

➤ Winder: A Barrow County judge sentenced Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray to life in prison without parole on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Metro Atlanta: A special election to fill the late U.S. Rep. David Scott’s 13th Congressional District seat appears headed to a runoff, with no candidates topping 50% in Tuesday’s voting. (More)

➤ Macon: George Israel, the city’s mayor from 1979 to 1987 and later Georgia Chamber of Commerce president, died Sunday at 78. He cut the ribbon on the city’s first Cherry Blossom Festival. (More)

➤ Gainesville: A former city water department superintendent was arrested on 99 charges after an audit uncovered an alleged $1.5 million fraud scheme against the city. (More)

➤ Columbus: Construction is nearing completion on the 342,000-square-foot John D. Allen Judicial Center, a project topping $200 million that replaces a government center in use for more than 50 years. (More)

➤ Valdosta: Wild Adventures denied social media rumors of a parasite at its Splash Island waterpark, saying independent water quality testing returned normal results. (More)

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➤ Ronald Acuña Jr. returned to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup after a nearly seven-week absence due to a left hamstring strain. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons hold their first full training camp practice today in Flowery Branch, opening the quarterback competition between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. (More)

➤ Six Georgia Bulldogs games are featured in ESPN’s 100 Games That Explain College Football, a ranking of most impactful games in the sport’s history. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Tennis | WNBA

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➤ Auto parts maker Asama Coldwater Manufacturing plans to close its Warrenton foundry and lay off all 107 workers beginning in September. (More)

➤ A Peachtree City environmental services firm agreed to pay $2.6 million to settle allegations it misrepresented its size to obtain a $2 million pandemic relief loan. (More)

➤ Dunwoody City Council approved a special land use permit and variances for a Kroger with a gas station and drive-thru pharmacy at the former Walmart site. (More)

➤ Coca-Cola reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street’s estimates, with sales boosted by the Atlanta company’s World Cup promotions. (More)

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➤ Thousands of young riders and their families filled Perry for last week’s Youth World Horse Barrel Racing Championships, with some local businesses reporting sales nearly doubling during the event. (More)

➤ Tyler Hubbard posted a video of his wife, Hayley, removing a fish hook lodged in the Georgia-Florida Line star’s head during a family camping trip, captioning the social media post “Breakfast had to wait.” (See Images)

➤ An avid thrift store shopper is papering the neighborhood with flyers seeking to meet Bruce, a mystery man pictured on a 70th-birthday shirt he found at a Buckhead Goodwill. (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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Your dreams follow hidden rules, and scientists just uncovered what actually controls them every night. (Hear Details)

➤ Air Force One has scrapped its decades-old look for new colors. (Hear Episode)

➤ Birds are struggling to stay hydrated in extreme heat, and you can help by adding this one common freezer staple to your feeder. (Listen Now)

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