Runoff Election Costs in Focus

The July 15 Democratic runoff for the state Public Service Commission could cost up to $10 million, despite expectations for a record-low turnout of possibly under 1%.

Turnout was less than 3% for last week’s Democratic primary election in the race, with one small county, Miller, reporting that only one qualifying vote was cast.

The use of runoff elections continues to stir debate, with some calling the approach wasteful and outdated, while others are critical of possible alternatives such as ranked choice voting.

  100+ New Laws Take Effect July 1

More than 100 new state laws—covering taxes, crime, education, and more—take effect on July 1 in Georgia.

Higher-profile laws include lower state income taxes (HB 111), expanded child care credits (HB 136), harsher fentanyl penalties (SB 79), and wrongful conviction compensation (SB 244).

New education laws prohibit cellphones in schools for K-8 students (HB 340), ban boys from competing in girls’ sports (SB 1), and boost funding for public education (HB 371).

Other laws legalize in vitro fertilization (HB 428) and permit human composting (SB 241).

Troops on Alert After Iran Strikes

Georgia-based military units are closely following developments after U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday.

Georgia is home to several major military installations and more than 120,000 active-duty service members, National Guard personnel, reservists, and civilian defense workers.

Meanwhile, the state stepped up non-military security statewide after the strikes, with Gov. Brian Kemp putting law enforcement on high alert.

On Tuesday, a ceasefire took effect between Iran and Israel in their fighting, and Iran also pledged to pause any military action toward the U.S.

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➤ Macon: Macon-Bibb County seeks developers for a downtown hotel and convention center costing between $120 million and $150 million, aiming to revitalize the riverfront. (More)

➤ Metro Atlanta: Counties are opening cooling centers this week to aid residents facing triple-digit temperatures. (More)

➤ Fulton County: A jury awarded a Georgia couple $2.25 million after a pathologist posted autopsy videos of their baby without consent on Instagram. (More)

➤ Gwinnett County: Officials cleared tons of debris from a nuisance property after neighbors used the citizen petition process to push for the cleanup. (More)

➤ Paulding County: A 3-year-old child accidentally shot and killed a sleeping 19-year-old man at a Hiram home after finding a gun. (More)

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➤ Ronald Acuna’s explosive return from an injury has reignited the Atlanta Braves’ season and sparked calls to extend his contract. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons’ legend Roddy White praised wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and urged tight end Kyle Pitts to step up to help elevate the team’s offense. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks may trade up in today’s NBA Draft to land a center, but the team could stay at No. 13 to take Joan Beringer or Kasparas Jakucionis, analysts say. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ Kroger will close four metro Atlanta grocery stores by October as part of a nationwide plan to shut down 60 locations. (More)

➤ Turkish Airlines backtracked on a plan to add another winter flight between Istanbul and Atlanta. (More)

➤ Georgia Power projects electricity demand among its customers to double by 2031, driven by data centers. (More)

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➤ Metro Atlanta dominates Georgia’s most expensive housing markets, led by Milton, where the median home value is $944,000. (More)

➤ A $60 million land deal ended Twin Pines’ mining bid, marking a victory for a Georgia-led coalition that opposed the company’s proposed project near the Okefenokee Swamp. (More)

➤ Moving storage company PODS ranked Atlanta among 2025’s trendiest destinations, citing its warm weather, diversity, and a cost of living 4% below the national average. (More)

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