Monday, June 29, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1993, Gov. Zell Miller bought the first Georgia Lottery ticket, approved by voters the prior year.

Who joined in the tribute to Alan Jackson at his farewell concert? Check out Top Stories. Still humble after all these years, the 67-year-old Newnan native told the crowd, "One of the lines of my song (is): ‘I’m just a singer of simple songs.’ That’s exactly what I am."

Today’s sponsor, Lemonade Pet Insurance, helps pet owners manage rising vet costs with affordable plans starting around $10/month and flexible coverage designed to protect both your pet’s health and your budget.

100+ New State Laws Take Effect

More than 100 new state laws take effect on Wednesday, touching everything from public safety to health care, consumer protection, and the courts.

The annual July 1 rollout follows the General Assembly session that ended in the spring. State legislative staff compiled a full list you can see here.

Among the new laws, HB 350 expands the state's Safe Haven law, letting parents surrender newborns at ambulances, public safety vehicles, and approved baby boxes. SB 470 bans the possession, sale, and use of signal jammers, with limited exceptions.

Magistrate courts can now hear civil disputes up to $25,000, raised from $15,000. Meanwhile, SB 220 overhauls the state's medical cannabis program.

Other measures stiffen penalties for harming service dogs, require real-time online updates on building-permit applications, and add fraud protections for elderly bank customers.

Georgians Rally Aid for Venezuela

Venezuelans in metro Atlanta gathered water, clothing, medicine, and food in Lawrenceville to ship to earthquake victims back home.

In Macon, the Kings of Barbers shop ran its own collection drive on Saturday, gathering food, water, clothes, and medicine.

Two powerful earthquakes killed more than 1,400 people in Venezuela, with tens of thousands unaccounted for as rescue crews search collapsed buildings.

Organizers of the Lawrenceville drive expect the supplies to reach Miami today and then continue to Venezuela, where they will go to families.

Alan Jackson Plays Last Show

Newnan native Alan Jackson closed out his touring career Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

The Country Music Hall of Famer, whose hits include the Georgia-rooted Chattahoochee, has sold more than 60 million records since breaking out in the 1990s.

Billed as Last Call: One More for the Road—The Finale, the farewell concert drew an all-star lineup including George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, and Eric Church.

The 67-year-old Jackson announced his retirement after revealing he lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative nerve condition that affects his balance and mobility.

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➤ South Georgia: Forecasters expect a prolonged heat wave over the next week, with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s and heat index values above 100. (More)

➤ Lyons: Friends remembered Tony Zorn, who died Wednesday when his small aircraft crashed on Highway 144 west of Glennville. He was known for his frequent low-altitude ultralight flights in the area. (Read Story)

➤ Cobb County: A woman who discharged bear spray during a June 20 argument at a hotel pool, sending eight children and seven adults for treatment, faces charges of cruelty to children, battery, and reckless conduct. (More)

➤ Cherokee County: Three sheriff's deputies were fired and arrested after internal audits found they used the county's automated license plate reader database for non-law-enforcement purposes. (More)

➤ Albany: The historic Ritz Cultural Center, shuttered since 2011, moved a step closer to restoration after the city secured federal authorization and submitted restoration plans. (More)

➤ Augusta: The Augusta Fire Department hosted a community event Saturday to help residents stock up and plan for hurricane season. (More)

➤ Douglas: A 57-year-old man was charged with criminal trespass for allegedly stealing copper wire from a rural electric cooperative. He told officers he was trying to sell the wire to pay for a dermatologist visit. (More)

Yesterday, we asked a simple question: if The Georgia Flyover has earned a place in your morning, would you chip in to help keep it free? If you meant to give yesterday and the day got away from you, here's your nudge.

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➤ DR Congo advanced to the World Cup Round of 32 for the first time and will face England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at noon Wednesday. (More)

➤ Atlanta United is offering free tickets to people who have never attended a match, aiming to ride the wave of World Cup soccer interest. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves signed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to a minor league deal. The 40-year-old was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. (More)

➤ Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray will serve as a lead analyst for the SEC Network’s primetime football broadcasts this season. (More)

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➤ Your gums do more than protect your teeth. They play a major role in your overall oral health. Great Gums is a daily formula designed to support healthier gums, fresher breath, and stronger teeth from the inside out. See how it works and why so many people are adding it to their daily routine. (More)

➤ Braselton-based Precision Turf is maintaining the World Cup grass at NRG Stadium in Houston, one example of Georgia's turf industry stepping onto the global stage as natural grass returns to domed stadiums for the tournament. (More)

➤ A developer plans to open a $23.8 million affordable housing community in Warner Robins, bringing a mix of 90 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. (More)

➤ Cobb County recently issued 57 new business licenses, spanning healthcare, construction, services, real estate, and specialty retail in unincorporated areas. (More)

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➤ Pooler held its first-ever drone show Saturday to mark America's 250th anniversary, pairing the light display with food trucks, bounce houses, and live music. (Watch)

➤ All 54 dogs and puppies that Thomasville Humane rescued from high-euthanasia shelters across Georgia were adopted on the first day of a mega-adoption event in Delaware. (More)

➤ Derrick Canteen held his sixth annual youth football camp at Evans High School, the San Francisco 49ers defensive back's alma mater. (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. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A "perfect storm" of falling birth rates and high prices could shrink the U.S. auto market by 2040. (Listen Here)

➤ A mother's decision to leave her daughter behind after she forgot her passport has sparked a heated online debate. (Episode Available)

➤ The common habit of washing strawberries right after buying them is the main reason they spoil so fast. (Hear Details)