Raffensperger: Georgia Ready for Election

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Monday expressed confidence that voting would go smoothly in the state’s elections this year.

Speaking to the Atlanta Rotary Club, Raffensperger detailed the reforms implemented since the 2020 election, including requiring all voters to show a photo ID, regardless of how they deliver their ballots.

Raffensperger also discussed preparations to ensure minimal wait times on Election Day, predicting that about 65% of voters would vote early or by absentee ballot.

New Polls Give Trump Edge in Georgia

Former President Trump has a slight lead over Vice President Harris in Georgia, while the North Carolina race remains closer, according to Quinnipiac University polls.

In Georgia, Trump leads with 49 percent support compared to Harris’s 45 percent among likely voters; other candidates each receive 1 percent.

Conversely, in North Carolina, Harris leads Trump by 3 points, within the margin of error, indicating no clear frontrunner in that state.

Party support remains strong for both candidates, with Trump securing over 90 percent of Republican votes in both states, and Harris capturing 94 percent of Democratic votes in Georgia and 99 percent in North Carolina.

Firefighter Union Says Pay Inadequate 

Around two dozen Atlanta firefighters appealed to the city council for a pay increase for 2025, citing concerns about potential resignations if they don’t receive more compensation.

Nate Bailey, representing the Atlanta Professional Firefighters, said the removal of four other major cities from salary comparisons reduced the fire department’s salary budget by about $5 million.

Currently, the department has about 860 firefighters but aims to increase to 1,100.

Bailey warned that the situation potentially compromises safety due to inadequate staffing and excessive overtime hours.

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➤ Bethlehem: Brooke Lewis-Slamkova, a teacher at Apalachee High School, shared her school shooting experience during a service at Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, recalling how she shielded her students as the crisis unfolded. (More)

➤ Sandy Springs: Sandy Springs-based UPS is laying off more of its employees, after letting 12,000 go from management earlier this year. The number of cuts and the departments affected haven’t been announced. (More)

➤ Gas prices in Georgia continue a steady decline, with the average cost per gallon for regular unleaded now at $3.06. (Details)

➤ Atlanta: The Colonnade, an iconic restaurant known for fried chicken, traditional Southern sides, and chilled martinis, has been purchased by Paul Donahue and Lewis Jeffries, co-founders of Lingering Shade cocktail bar. (Details)

➤ Glynn County: A former supervisor in the County Public Works Department has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for wire fraud. He made fraudulent purchases on the department’s cards from a fictitious company he had set up. (More)

➤ Atlanta: J.D. Vance and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp are set to headline the Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition’s event scheduled for Sept. 15. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves suffered a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds to drop them one game back of the National League’s final playoff spot. The Braves had only two hits. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that starting quarterback Kirk Cousins is healthy, despite a rough performance in his return from an Achilles heel injury last season. (More)

➤ Joey Logano took first place in NASCAR’s playoff opening race, which was held at Atlanta Motor Speedway. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA

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➤ Atlanta-based Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders will merge with Dallas-based Locke Lord to become Troutman Pepper Locke on January 1, 2025. The combined firm will have about $1.57 billion in revenue and 1,600 attorneys distributed over 35 offices. (More)

➤ Norfolk Southern’s CEO Alan Shaw is under investigation for potential ethical lapses, the Atlanta-based railroad confirmed Monday. (Details)

➤ The Public Service Commission heard arguments from environmental groups that Georgia Power’s three proposed biomass energy plants would be major polluters. A final decision on the plants will be made on Sept. 17. (Detail)

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➤ Two Delta airplanes collided while taxiing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, with the wing of one making contact with the tail of another, damaging both planes. (Details)

➤ Actor James Earl Jones, who passed away Monday, is being remembered for many accomplishments, among them as the voice of Atlanta-based CNN for 34 years. (More)

➤ The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and choirs from historically black colleges Morehouse and Spelman are teaming up for a “Hope” tour through Georgia and the southeastern United States. (More)

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Do you prefer mustard or ketchup on your hotdogs?

1. Mustard
2. Ketchup
3. Both
4. Neither
5. I hate hotdogs

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you prefer college or professional football?

1. College: 70% 
2. I hate football: 17%
3. Professional: 13%

What is the state’s official reptile?

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