Kemp Touts Rural Jobs Record

Gov. Brian Kemp called Audi’s plan for its first U.S. plant in Peach County the capstone of his two-term efforts to bring jobs to rural Georgia.

The Peach County site is the last of three state megasites to land a manufacturer, after Rivian near Social Circle and Hyundai near Savannah.

“We will see this pay off for decades to come,” said the term-limited Kemp, who met with Audi officials during a trade trip to Germany in 2025.

A Middle Georgia State University economist said the gains will ripple across the local economy. Jobs will average more than $63,000 a year.

Audi aims to start construction on the $4 billion project next year and reach full production of 200,000 vehicles a year by 2031. President Trump announced the project on Saturday, citing his tariff policies as a key factor in Audi adding a U.S. plant.

  Ponzi Schemer Gets 15 Years

First Liberty Building and Loan founder Brant Frost IV was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for running a $140 million Ponzi scheme through the Newnan lending firm.

Frost, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, must pay $76.5 million in restitution to about 300 investors. Prosecutors said he used religion and politics to win their trust.

U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May imposed a prison sentence one year longer than prosecutors requested, saying some victims lost a lifetime of savings.

Prosecutors said Frost diverted at least $5 million, including $570,000 in political contributions to conservative candidates.

State Fair Attendance Dips

The Georgia National Fair in Perry drew 468,059 visitors during its 11-day run this month, fair officials said.

That is down from a record 612,706 visitors last year, partly because this year’s fair faced the threat of severe weather on opening weekend.

Military Day on Oct. 12 drew an event-record 51,061 guests. Active, veteran, and retired military and their families received free admission.

Organizers are already planning the 2027 fair, set for Oct. 7-17 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Macon: Bibb County Schools cited overall tax revenue gains and more local jobs from a planned Costco in its backing of an incentive deal for payments in lieu of property taxes for the first 15 years. (More)

➤ Tybee Island: Video captured a great white shark lunging at a researcher who went to touch it off the island. (More)

➤ Fulton County: Election officials say the Justice Department’s plan to send Election Day monitors is not unusual. Monitors are also headed to Bibb, Chatham, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said an Anthropic AI agent pulled only public non-paywalled data from the state’s free election Data Hub, contrary to reports of a possible breach. (More)

➤ Warner Robins: Weapons detection systems were set to go live Tuesday at Warner Robins and Northside high schools, about 2½ months after a shooting at Warner Robins High. (More)

➤ Winder: The city named 30-year fire services veteran Scott McCullers as its fire chief. (More)

➤ Cherokee County: A cow on the loose since Oct. 19 keeps eluding animal control officers, who ask anyone who spots the animal to call 911 rather than approach it. (More)

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

➤ At 6-foot-9, former Savannah Ghost Pirates goaltender Cooper Black became the tallest goalie ever to play in an NHL game when he debuted with the Florida Panthers last week. (More)

➤ Georgia Southern football and Appalachian State, both 2-1 in Sun Belt play and chasing East Division leader James Madison, will play Saturday night in Statesboro in a Halloween rivalry game. (More)

➤ Columbus State basketball held its Hoops Madness event Monday with a dunk contest and 3-point shootout. (More)

➤ Unbeaten Lowndes hosts Valdosta in the Winnersville Classic at 8 p.m. Friday at Martin Stadium. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Your Bladder Might Be Playing Tricks on You. Always looking for the nearest bathroom? Waking up at night to pee? Dehydration may be making things worse. When your body isn’t properly hydrated, it can irritate your bladder, contributing to frequent urges and nighttime bathroom trips. Discover why essential minerals and amino acids matter for hydration — and the tasty morning drink worth knowing about. Learn more

➤ Trolley tours in Savannah are seeing a fall rebound after higher fuel prices weighed on local tourism during a slower summer. (More)

➤ October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and two Augusta-area business owners shared how they built companies focused on more than profit. (More)

➤ Atlanta-based UPS beat third-quarter expectations and raised its full-year revenue outlook for the second straight quarter, citing progress in its turnaround plan that included ending low-margin Amazon deliveries. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Need a simple place for your phone while driving? Try Cell Phone Seat, it doesn’t block your view, vents, or even your cup holder. It’s the easiest cell phone mount to install and use, plus it’s Made in America by Veterans! Get the two-pack discount, makes a great gift. (See video here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Same Car. Same Coverage. A Smaller Bill?

You don’t have to wait until you buy a new car to look for a better insurance rate. Insurify estimates drivers who switch through its marketplace can save up to $1,100 per year* by comparing offers side by side.

The service is free, with no hidden fees. Just a few minutes could help you find a monthly expense worth trimming.

See how much you could save with Insurify today.

Average savings based on initial quotes. Actual savings vary. Not typical.

➤ Fayetteville firefighter and paramedic Ryan Hyde flies with the Navy Blue Angels this morning in Peachtree City during a preview of the Atlanta Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. (More)

➤ Nike, UGA, and Outkast released a limited “Outkast U” apparel collection for Saturday’s Georgia-Florida game in Atlanta. (More)

➤ Marvel actor Paul Bettany received the Virtuoso Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, which continues through Saturday. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ This popular fruit marketed as healthy contains a toxic nutrient, triggering immune attacks that harm your body and joints. Dr. Brian Paris reveals this hidden threat (and 4 other dangerous foods) in a viral video helping Americans feel better. See which fruit (and 4 other foods) are feeding your joint pain, free

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ The classic 4% retirement rule got a haircut, and new research is rewriting savings targets. (Listen Now)

➤ ACA premiums are slated for another double-digit jump, and new enrollment rules could slow sign-ups. (Hear Episode)

➤ About 80% of the seafood Americans eat is imported, and the White House has a new strategy to shrink that number. (Hear Details)

How often do you rake leaves in the fall?

1. Every week
2. Few times a season
3. Only after they’re all down
4. I let them be

Yesterday’s Results:

Were you aware of the Middle Georgia Megasite before this week?

1. No: 91%
2. Yes: 9%

UPS moved its headquarters to Atlanta in 1991 from which city?

Show me the answer