Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1785, Georgia founding father James Oglethorpe died at the age of 88.

Ever wonder which U.S. founding father's signature is worth the most? Turns out the rarest John Hancock isn't John Hancock's. It belongs to a Georgian. Details in Et Cetera.

Americans have been chasing the coveted 10,000 steps a day for years. We all know walking keeps the heart strong, the mind clear, and the body moving well into old age. But a major new study says the number of steps isn't what matters most. Researchers who tracked tens of thousands of adults found that how you walk does far more for your heart than how many steps you rack up. Tune in to today's Flyover Podcast as Ayla breaks down what the research found, plus five simple ways to get more out of the walking you're already doing. So are you walking the right way? Tune in here to find out!

Later today, watch for a special message from our partner, EnergyX, about an early-stage investment opportunity in a lithium company backed by major industry leaders.

Today’s sponsor, Fisher Investments, is helping you plan your ideal retirement with a free guide that aligns your goals, timeline, and investment strategy for lasting financial confidence.

Holiday Travel Rush Begins

AAA estimates more than 2.4 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Fourth of July holiday period, joining a near-record 72.2 million travelers nationwide.

Drivers are catching a bit of a break at the pump. The state's average gas price dipped 7 cents in the past week to $3.57 a gallon as of Monday. A year ago, the average was $2.94.

Peach State motorists will face the worst traffic congestion starting Thursday, according to AAA and traffic data firm INRIX.

AAA’s national travel estimate is up from about 71.8 million last year, though the year-to-year increase is smaller than recent holiday gains.

Jackson and Bottoms Pledge Debates

Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson said he will debate Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, days after she challenged him to debate before the Nov. 3 election.

"Of course I'll debate her," Jackson said. "I look forward to it. I think there's a clear choice and a difference."

Bottoms said she supports three debates before the Nov. 3 election. "Georgians deserve to hear directly from their candidates for governor,” she said.

Jackson and Bottoms are vying to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp, who is term-limited from seeking re-election.

By the Numbers: State's Business Appeal

Atlanta magazine published a By the Numbers look at Georgia's success in attracting businesses, starting with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta's No. 1 airport ranking.

Other numbers from the report:

26 public colleges
12 years at No. 1 in Area Development's top states for business rankings
70+ consulates, trade missions, and bi-national chambers of commerce
17 Fortune 500 company headquarters

The report also notes that the Peach State welcomed 174.2 million visitors in 2024, ranking fifth in the nation for overnight visitors.

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Source: HealthView Services, as of 11/07/2025.

➤ Atlanta: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a Milledgeville native who is the focus of a mortgage fraud investigation over her purchase of an Atlanta condominium, can stay on the board for now. (More)

➤ Towns County: Gov. Brian Kemp opened a second investigation into suspended Sheriff Kenneth Henderson, citing additional misconduct allegations. (More)

➤ Newnan: A CSX rail car derailed on Sunday morning, blocking U.S. 29 crossings for about nine hours and stranding Coweta County neighborhoods. Some residents climbed over the stopped train to reach cookouts and ballgames; deputies drove one worker to his job. No injuries or spills were reported. (More)

➤ Columbus: A free two-day veterans resource fair will take place July 23-24 at Columbus Civic Center, hosted by United Military Care and Warrior Outreach. (More)

➤ Macon: Mercer University demolished the last remaining wall of its storied Connell Student Center to clear ground for a new building. (More)

➤ Rincon: Thousands turned out for the area's Freedom Rings celebration on Saturday, marking the nation's 250th anniversary with a parade, festival, and fireworks. (More)

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➤ Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson was named college baseball's best player Monday night, winning the Golden Spikes Award after a standout season that included 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. (More)

➤ When asked about the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback competition, tight end Kyle Pitts refused to pick a side: “I just want to catch the ball as many times as possible,” he said. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech launched its Under Armour team apparel deal, featuring deeper shades of gold and blue under a 10-year deal that replaces Adidas. Tech was Under Armour's first-ever collegiate customer in 1996. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon

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➤ Farm-and-home retailer Rural King opened its fourth Georgia store in Mableton, with grand-opening events set for July 3-5. (More)

➤ Federal regulators cleared Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines in the July 2024 CrowdStrike software outage. The outage disrupted 1.3 million travelers and cost Delta an estimated $500 million. The airline's lawsuit against CrowdStrike continues. (More)

➤ Atlanta approved plans for a Delta One luxury lounge in Concourse E at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. The venue will span more than 39,000 square feet. (Details)

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Source: HealthView Services, as of 11/07/2025.

➤ A Reader's Digest report notes the rarest and most valuable signature on the Declaration of Independence belongs to Georgia's Button Gwinnett, who died in a duel less than a year after signing. "Documents bearing his signature regularly sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a Gwinnett-signed letter sold at Sotheby’s in 2010 for $722,500," a historian noted. (More)

➤ Golfer Mike Woodard began a 37-hour continuous round Sunday at Cartersville Country Club, aiming to set a world record and raise money for children's healthcare in underserved parts of Liberia. (More)

➤ Bibb County deputies arrested the suspected "brick bandit," seen on surveillance video allegedly stealing and loading bricks that were later listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. (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:

➤ Americans chase 10,000 steps a day, but a major new study says how you walk matters far more. (Hear Details)

➤ A coalition that owns nearly 400 local newspapers has accused OpenAI and Microsoft of copying their reporting to train AI systems. (Hear Episode)

➤ President Trump declared the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool "in full use" and blamed radical left vandals for the pool's recent problems. (Listen Now)