Jackson and Bottoms Debate

Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms clashed over taxes, health care, and data centers Tuesday in their only joint gubernatorial debate before the Nov. 3 election.

The hourlong event used a modified town hall format, with undecided Georgia voters questioning the candidates directly. You can watch the full debate here.

Bottoms backed a pause on new data centers, a moratorium on new Flock cameras, and expansion of the state Medicaid program. Jackson vowed to cut the income tax, rejected a statewide moratorium on Flock cameras, and supported local control of data center decisions. 

In a debate described as mostly cordial, each candidate also aired familiar attacks, with Jackson criticizing Bottoms’ record as Atlanta mayor and Bottoms criticizing Jackson for praising President Trump.

  Arrest Made in Collins Threat

A former Hampton resident was arrested in New York and charged with threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and his son-in-law, Butts County authorities said.

Collins linked the threat to Ossoff’s political attacks on him. “It’s become fashionable for leftists to say anything they want about their Republican opponents to try to irrationally and inaccurately paint them as monsters. My opponent clearly likes to play that irresponsible game, and here we are,” Collins said.

Authorities did not disclose details of the threat. This summer, Ossoff sought to portray Collins as antisemitic and racist. Collins strongly rejected the accusations. In response to the arrest, Ossoff’s campaign said Ossoff condemns all threats of violence.

Authorities said Anthony Lantrell Bennett, now living near Buffalo, faces two counts of terroristic threats after sending the threat through an Instagram direct message. They said Bennett acknowledged sending the message in response to an online story they described as inaccurate.

Zoo Sets Panda Debut

Zoo Atlanta’s two new giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, will make their public debut on Nov. 6, the zoo announced Tuesday.

The pair will live in the Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove, which underwent a $6 million renovation adding climbing structures, pools, and expanded dayrooms. The zoo plans a delayed opening on debut day.

Both pandas, born in China in 2020, arrived Sept. 27 and are on a 10-year loan. Ping Ping means peaceful, and Fu Shuang means double blessing.

Zoo Atlanta is one of three U.S. zoos with giant pandas, joining the San Diego Zoo and the National Zoo in Washington.

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➤ Statewide: Hackers accessed account information from as many as 300,000 Georgia Power customers, including names, contact details, and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The utility offered free credit monitoring. (More)

➤ Statewide: Public school students posted a mean SAT score of 1031 this year, up two points, as math rose four points and participation climbed to 59%. (More)

➤ Coffee County: Schools closed Tuesday after heavy rain washed out dirt roads, which about 70% of bus routes use. On Monday, seven buses needed assistance after getting stuck or diverted. (More)

➤ Savannah: The city will host public meetings this month to gather input on its first multimodal transportation plan, which aims to connect cars, buses, bicycles, and pedestrian paths into one system. (More)

➤ Vienna: The city declared a state of emergency and imposed a nightly curfew for 72 hours after Sunday’s homecoming block party shooting that killed two and injured 35. (More)

➤ South Fulton: The city seeks about $1.7 million to continue providing fire services at Fulton County’s Charlie Brown Airport, up from roughly $450,000 a year the county now pays. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: Former school superintendent Devon Horton pleaded guilty to wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion tied to a kickback scheme at his former Illinois district. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Braves fell 3-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on Tuesday and now face an elimination game at 6 p.m. today. (More)

➤ Injured Atlanta Dream All-Star guard Allisha Gray will not play tonight’s Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals against the New York Liberty, the team said. (More)

➤ Coming off their first playoff berth, the Savannah Ghost Pirates opened training camp at the Ice Cove, their new practice rink in Port Wentworth. Their home opener is Oct. 16. (More)

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

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➤ Human workers will keep taking drive-thru orders at Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, CEO Andrew Cathy said, as rivals McDonald’s and Wendy’s test automated voice ordering systems. (More)

➤ Pumpkins and corn mazes help Jaemor Farms in Hall County offset peach freezes and high diesel costs, according to owner and state senator Drew Echols. (More)

➤ The state’s technical college system reported more than 50,000 graduates and a 92.78% in-field job placement rate for the last academic year, according to Valdosta-based Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. (More)

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Memory Loss, Low Libido, Weak Bones

Not magnesium, and not calcium. A new study says memory loss and cognitive decline may be the result of a different mineral deficiency, one that can also cause stubborn weight gain, low energy, mood swings, a low libido, bleeding gums, and weaker bones.

An estimated 90% of adults over 60 may now be at risk. Soils have become depleted, and common medications such as blood pressure drugs, along with microplastics, strip it from the body.

There are seven warning signs that you might be running low. (See Warning Signs)

➤ College Park leaders honored Cornelius Chones, a 10-year-old who climbed onto his roof with a garden hose and held back a house fire until his six siblings escaped in August. (More)

➤ More than 100 artists, crafters, and vendors lined Crabapple Road for the Crabapple Fest in Milton this past weekend, featuring an expanded kids zone and a children’s entrepreneur market for young vendors. (More)

➤ Firefighters around the state will collect donations along roadways and intersections this month as part of the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s statewide Give Burns the Boot drive. (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. 

➤ Stubborn neck pain often lacks a clear cause, but physical therapists say five simple exercises can bring real relief. (See Exercises)

➤ Apple News has been accused of suppressing months of coverage about the DNC’s mounting debt ahead of the midterms. (Hear Details)

➤ Some everyday habits are damaging your hearing in ways audiologists say you won’t notice until it’s permanent. (Listen Now)

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Yesterday’s Results:

How often do you check online weather radars?

1. At least once a day: 61%
2. When storms roll in: 32%
3. Rarely or never: 7%

What election tradition did Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford revive in 1976?

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