Rabu, 24 Juni 2026

Great American Fair, Ballot Counting, and NBA Draft

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1840, Mary Latimer McLendon, Georgia’s Mother of Suffrage, was born in DeKalb County.

Today is National Pralines Day, a sweet nod to one of Georgia's signature treats. Savannah's River Street Sweets is marking the day with samples and a fundraiser for Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia's Kids Cafe.

Today's sponsor, Miso Robotics, is betting that the future of fast food isn't replacing workers with robots. It's pairing employees with AI-powered "cobots" that help restaurants run faster, smarter, and more profitably.

Macon Approves Costco Plans

Macon-Bibb's planning commission approved a rezoning, clearing the way for the city's first Costco.

Developers said the store will employ up to 200 workers, with groundbreaking possible later this year. Mayor Lester Miller said the city is also courting Trader Joe's, Topgolf, and Dave & Buster's.

The approved plan rezones nearly 28 acres near the Shoppes at River Crossing for a 158,000-square-foot warehouse, 32 gas pumps, and 873 parking spaces.

Planning staff backed the request, calling it consistent with the county's 2050 plan. Some raised concerns about traffic on a corridor that planners estimate could see more than 6,300 vehicle trips on a typical weekday.

Oil Change Costs Rise

Metro Atlanta motorists are paying more for routine vehicle maintenance as a shortage of synthetic motor oil pushes prices higher.

Georgia Tech supply chain expert Chris Gaffney said prices are rising due to the Middle East conflict, including disruptions of the Strait of Hormuz and the bombing of a key production plant in the region.

Before this week's announcement of a cease-fire in the conflict, some shops predicted that a synthetic oil change that recently cost $60 to $65 could eventually climb to $85 or even $90, while premium services could top $120.

Industry publication Lubes’n’Greases reports that global base oil markets have tightened amid geopolitical uncertainty and shipping disruptions, adding pressure to supply chains.

Georgia Heads to America 250 Fair

Georgia will take part in the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

The fair will run from Thursday through July 10, with exhibits highlighting culture, innovation, and economic achievements from across the country.

Georgia will showcase key industries as well as iconic Georgia-based companies such as Waffle House and Chick-fil-A.

“From information about famous Georgia-grown goods to exclusive products from major Georgia-based brands, visitors from around the world who experience our showcase will have plenty of reasons to keep us on their minds," Gov. Brian Kemp said.

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“Cobots” Are Transforming This $1T Market

They’re not replacing humans; they’re working with them. That’s the promise of “cobots,” or collaborative robots.

In a robotics market NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang called “one of the largest industries ever,” the cobot segment is projected to grow 15X by 2035.

And Miso Robotics is proving its value in the $1T fast-food industry.

Their Flippy fry station AI robot boosts restaurant profits up to 3X, logging 200k hours in live kitchens alongside human employees for brands like White Castle.

Flippy carries $4B/year in U.S. revenue potential on its own. And that's just one piece of Miso’s platform.

Big-name brands like Jersey Mike’s and Cinnabon just became customers. Industry powerhouse Ecolab already invested. Join them as an early-stage shareholder before Miso hits their $2.5M raise goal for June.

➤ Statewide: State lawmakers ended the special session Tuesday, passing a bill that requires hand counts only in close finishes in the governor and lieutenant governor races. The measure now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for his review. (More)

➤ Albany: Residents shared videos of the water that covered streets during the area's latest storm Sunday night, with several vehicles seen submerged. (Watch)

➤ Metro Atlanta: Filming will begin in August on the NASCAR drama series Thunder Road, starring Dennis Quaid. Production will be based at Riverwood Studios in Senoia. (More)

➤ Gainesville: Radio host and state school board member Martha Zoller died Monday following a sudden illness. The longtime WDUN talk-show host and 2012 congressional candidate was an influential voice in conservative politics. (More)

➤ Statewide: Legislative committees from the state House and Senate held a joint meeting to discuss the implementation of the Georgia Early Literacy Act, with one committee chair calling the measure the most impactful change to education in the state since the 1990s. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Hawks selected Houston guard Kingston Flemings with the No. 8 pick in the NBA Draft on Tuesday night, followed by St. John's Zuby Ejiofor with the No. 23 pick. (Draft)

➤ Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is expected to receive at least an eight-game suspension for his offseason legal problems, including alleged instances of domestic violence and stalking. (More)

➤ Morocco faces Haiti in a FIFA World Cup Group C match today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (More)

➤ Atlanta United introduced Mauricio Culebro as its president of soccer, a newly created role overseeing both the MLS club and the incoming NWSL Atlanta franchise launching in 2028. Culebro previously ran both the men's and women's programs at Mexico's Tigres club. (More)

➤ Yesterday's results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA

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➤ A real estate company sued Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, claiming the closure of the Georgia country music stars' Nashville steakhouse violated the lease agreement. (More)

➤ The state's economic development efforts supported 423 facility expansions and new locations last year, with 77% of the projects based outside of metro Atlanta. (More)

➤ Atlanta-based UPS will invest $48 million to build 27 temperature-controlled freight facilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, targeting growing demand for Ozempic and other refrigerated pharmaceuticals. (More)

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Musk: This Will Make Everyone Wealthier Than Me

After SpaceX’s history-making IPO, Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire. But he says the forthcoming AI and robotics boom will make everyone wealthier than him.

Over 44,000 people are tapping into this boom by investing in a private robotics company: Miso Robotics.

Miso’s AI and robots are becoming fixtures across the $1T fast-food industry, serving customers at Cinnabon, Jersey Mike’s, Jamba, and many more. In fact, Miso’s Flippy Fry Station AI robot has already logged over 200,000 hours in real kitchens like White Castle.

Now Miso’s scaling Flippy across a $4B/year US revenue opportunity. And it’s only one piece of Miso’s growing platform.

This is your chance to tap into this growth as a Miso shareholder. Invest before Miso hits their $2.5M raise goal for June.

This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com

➤ NOAA's research ship Nancy Foster opened its decks to the public on Savannah's River Street before launching an ecosystem survey of Gray's Reef. (More)

➤ The first-ever tomato festival in Brooklet included a tomato contest judged by local celebrities, with prizes awarded for the biggest, best-tasting, and ugliest tomato. (More)

➤ Macon received a shout-out as one of the must-stops for music fans touring the country, celebrated as the launching pad for Otis Redding, Little Richard, the Allman Brothers, and others. (More)

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➤ A Harvard scientist discovered a new "facelift protein" that smooths wrinkles, shrinks pores, and evens-out red blotchy skin in just 7 seconds a day. What surprised researchers the most wasn't just the results...It was that women with higher levels of this "facelift protein” appeared to age dramatically better than their peers. Learn about this new discovery here.

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:

➤ Savannah Guthrie made a tearful on-air plea as new details emerge in her mother's disappearance. (Listen Here)

➤ Should weight-loss drugs be banned in sports? Serena Williams reignited the debate. (Hear More)

➤ These are the 20 highest-paying jobs in America that aren't doctors. (Tune In)

What's your favorite way to eat pecans?

Yesterday's Results:

Do you ever go to the Georgia National Fair?

Every year: 37%
Once in a while: 34%
Never been: 29%

Where does Georgia rank among the nation's top pecan-producing states?

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6 Laws Signed, NBA Draft Picks, and Leatherback Nests

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1933, Hall of Fame basketball shooting guard Sam Jones was born in Laurinburg. Jones starred for the Boston Celtics, forming the “Jones Boys” backcourt with K.C. Jones. A 10-time NBA champion, five-time All-Star, and career 17-plus-points-per-game scorer, Jones, who died on Dec. 30, 2021, was known for his bank shot and versatility.

Speaking of basketball, Duke and UNC stars were first-round standouts in last night’s NBA Draft, and the Charlotte Hornets landed two top-20 NBA picks. Learn more in Sports, then reply to let us know what you think of them.

Today’s sponsor, Miso Robotics, is betting that the future of fast food isn't replacing workers with robots. It's pairing employees with AI-powered "cobots" that help restaurants run faster, smarter, and more profitably.

Stein Signs Six Bills into Law

Gov. Josh Stein signed six bills into law on Monday, addressing agriculture, housing, legal protections, worker safety, health care, and tourism.

Senate Bill 401, the NC Farm Act of 2026, strengthens water resource protections for agriculture and extends conservation tax credits through 2031 to preserve farmland and natural lands.

Senate Bill 695 incentivizes development finance districts to spur partnerships between local governments and private developers, and House Bill 315 makes North Carolina the first state to ban third-party litigation investment, barring outside financiers from funding civil lawsuits for profit.

House Bill 258 enacts the Worker Safety Act of 2026 to enhance workplace protections, and House Bill 536 modifies the Physical Therapy Practice Act to update health care regulations.

Lastly, Senate Bill 484 clarifies allowable uses of room occupancy tax proceeds for tourism-related expenditures.

Trump Warns 11 Hospitals about Pricing

The Trump administration has issued warnings to 11 North Carolina hospitals for failing to fully comply with federal hospital price transparency rules, part of a nationwide effort targeting over 500 facilities.

The requirements, stemming from a 2025 executive order, mandate clear public posting of prices for 300 common services to help patients comparison shop. Noncompliance could result in fines up to $2 million annually.

Affected hospitals include Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Catawba Valley Medical Center, ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, ECU Health Medical Center, FirstHealth Montgomery Memorial Hospital, FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Fry Regional Medical Center, Holly Hill Hospital, J. Arthur Dosher Memorial Hospital, Kernersville Medical Center, and Veritas Collaborative LLC.

Advocates say greater transparency will empower consumers and reduce health care costs, though critics note persistent regulatory barriers in the industry.

Boozer, Wilson Go No. 3 and 4 in NBA Draft

North Carolina’s basketball pipeline delivered again on NBA draft night, with Duke’s Cameron Boozer selected No. 3 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies and UNC’s Caleb Wilson taken No. 4 by the Chicago Bulls.

Boozer, the 6-foot-9 power forward and consensus National Player of the Year at Duke, averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. He brings versatile frontcourt scoring and playmaking to the Grizzlies program.

Wilson, a 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24 games for the Tar Heels, gives the Bulls an uber-athletic big man with perimeter skills and rebounding prowess.

View the full list of first-round draft picks here.

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“Cobots” Are Transforming This $1T Market

They’re not replacing humans; they’re working with them. That’s the promise of “cobots,” or collaborative robots.

In a robotics market NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang called “one of the largest industries ever,” the cobot segment is projected to grow 15X by 2035.

And Miso Robotics is proving its value in the $1T fast-food industry.

➤ Statewide: North Carolina boasts some of the nation’s lowest gas prices despite ranking among the highest in fuel taxation, with averages at $3.54 per gallon for unleaded as holiday travel ramps up. (More)

➤ NC Schools: A state accountability task force is weighing initial reforms to school grading, proposing a weighted proficiency index over simple pass rates and adding a five-year graduation metric alongside the four-year rate. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: A new state audit reveals $61 million was spent over 30 years on the unbuilt Mid-Currituck Bridge with no dirt turned, as costs balloon past $1.2 billion amid ongoing funding shortfalls. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Attorney Robert Harrington, president of the North Carolina Bar Association, was selected by the Charlotte City Council as interim mayor, succeeding Vi Lyles after a runoff vote. He pledged to focus on affordable housing and public safety for the remainder of Lyles’ term. (More)

➤ Uptown Charlotte: Police arrested 24 people, mostly teens, and cited 13 parents during a large “teen takeover” at Romare Bearden Park on Saturday, seizing one gun amid various charges, including curfew and disorderly conduct violations. (More)

➤ Rocky Mount: State Sen. Lisa Barnes, R-11, embraced a viral video using AI and gospel music depicting Jesus endorsing her re-election, highlighting her Christian journey amid a competitive race against the Rev. James Gailliard. (More)

➤ Wake County: As the South Wake Landfill in Apex nears capacity, officials are engaging residents on options including a new site, waste export, or waste-to-energy facility amid odor complaints. (More)

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➤ The Charlotte Hornets selected Washington forward Hannes Steinbach with the No. 14 pick in last night’s NBA Draft, followed by Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson with pick No. 18. (See Full Draft)

➤ Duke head coach Jon Scheyer turned down the Dallas Mavericks multiple times before the team hired Michigan’s Dusty May as its next head coach. The Mavericks were reportedly drawn to Scheyer in part because of his relationship with former Blue Devil Cooper Flagg. (More)

➤ North Carolina’s push for an MLB expansion team is gaining momentum in Raleigh, with state Senate leader Phil Berger signaling the upcoming budget may include provisions to support a bid. Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon and billionaire NC Courage co-owner Marc Lasry have both expressed interest in bringing a franchise to the Triangle. (More)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes legends Rod Brind'Amour and Eric Staal were both passed over in Monday’s Hockey Hall of Fame announcement. Brind’Amour has been eligible since 2013, whereas Staal was in his first year of eligibility. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA

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➤ Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that Duke Energy reduced its proposed residential rate hike from 18% to 11.6% following objections from his office, public staff, and residents. (More)

➤ Charlotte faces a severe construction worker shortage amid a $20 billion building boom, prompting the city to invest millions in workforce programs as local firms like AEGJ Construction step up to fill gaps at major projects. (More)

➤ The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst launched a $2 million renovation of its driving range and practice facilities, featuring expanded teeing areas, upgraded turf, and enhanced short-game spaces. The project should be completed within 10 weeks. (More)

➤ The N.C. Department of Labor fined Hildebrand Amusements and owner Harlan Blast $37,500 after a rider was injured on the Kamikaze ride at Carolina Beach when a lap restraint came loose due to operator error. The company failed to report the incident, which is required by law. (More)

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➤ Nearly half of parents say they need more life insurance

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Musk: This Will Make Everyone Wealthier Than Me

After SpaceX’s history-making IPO, Elon Musk has become the world’s first trillionaire. But he says the forthcoming AI and robotics boom will make everyone wealthier than him.

Over 44,000 people are tapping into this boom by investing in a private robotics company: Miso Robotics.

Now Miso’s scaling Flippy across a $4B/year US revenue opportunity. And it’s only one piece of Miso’s growing platform.

This is your chance to tap into this growth as a Miso shareholder. Invest before Miso hits their $2.5M raise goal for June.

This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com

➤ A new study identifies tile-horned prionus beetle larvae as an emerging threat to North Carolina blueberry crops, with drought-stressed plants becoming vulnerable hosts for the root-feeding pests. (More)

➤ Four leatherback sea turtle nests have been identified at Cape Hatteras National Seashore so far this year, the highest annual total for the endangered species since monitoring began in the 1980s. (See Photos)

➤ The Strawberry Moon—the first full moon of summer 2026—will peak on Monday, June 29. Named for the ripening of strawberries rather than its appearance, the moon will offer prime viewing opportunities across the country. (More)

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