Thursday, June 18, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1927, George Heery was born in Athens. The architectural pioneer's firm shaped Atlanta’s skyline with landmarks such as the Georgia Dome, Georgia Aquarium, and Five Points MARTA station.

Who'll be facing off in November's election after Tuesday's primary runoffs? See an updated list of matchups here.

Why are there suddenly dogs everywhere? The grocery cart, the coffee line, the seat next to you on the plane. More and more, the family dog is just part of the crew, tagging along wherever we go. You've probably noticed, and maybe you're one of the folks who can't bear to leave your furry friend at home. But underneath all those wagging tails is a real question. What do the rules actually say? Tune in to today's Flyover Podcast as Ayla breaks down why pets are showing up everywhere, and what the law really says. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a special message from our partner, Fisher Investments, featuring a free guide on retirement investing and the mistakes that can derail a $1 million-plus portfolio.

Today's sponsor, Particle Face Cream for Men, offers a simple 6-in-1 skincare solution designed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, eye bags, and dark spots, helping men look more refreshed and confident in just minutes a day.

Tax Swap Could Hit Ballots

State lawmakers' special session that opened Wednesday may let counties ask voters as soon as this November whether to trade higher local sales taxes for property tax relief.

Another part of the measure would cap property tax rates on owner-occupied homes to inflation.

The tax swap legislation would let counties pursue a 1-cent sales tax in exchange for lowering property taxes on owner-occupied homes, as rising values push costs higher.

An analysis suggested roughly 110 counties could eliminate county and city homestead property taxes through the approach.

Flood Watch Spans Much of State

The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur are forecast to sweep heavy rain and a flash-flooding threat across parts of Georgia from today into Friday.

A flood watch goes into effect this morning for most of north and central Georgia, with 2 to 4 inches of rain and locally higher totals possible.

Forecasters warned of some risk of other severe weather, including brief tornadoes and gusty winds across north and central Georgia.

Arthur formed on Wednesday near the Texas Gulf Coast as the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

New Accounts Help Storm-Hit Owners

Georgia homeowners can stash tax-free money for disaster repairs under a state law that took effect in January.

House Bill 511 allows residents to open a special tax-free savings account for use on repairs and insurance deductibles after a governor-declared disaster.

Covered events include hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, ice storms, hail storms, cyclones, windstorms, and high winds.

Families may open one account per primary residence, with contribution limits tied to their insurance deductibles.

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➤ Atlanta: The Republican-led state legislature opened a special session by shelving a proposed redrawing of congressional and legislative maps, saying more time is needed for public input. (More)

➤ Thomasville: Hiring began for Rideout Arsenal's planned 120-worker manufacturing plant, seeking workers in production, engineering, administrative, and management. (More)

➤ Athens: Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Dexter Fisher was elected the city's mayor, defeating former commissioner Tim Denson. (More)

➤ Columbus: Former city manager Isaiah Hugley won the mayoral runoff over Joanne Cogle. Hugley pledged unity and called his win a people-powered movement. (More)

➤ Augusta: The Salvation Army and WifeSaver began a donation drive to collect water, sunscreen, and fans to help vulnerable residents endure extreme summer heat. (More)

➤ Albany: The police department and community groups are partnering on a summer youth engagement effort, offering teens a safe place to spend time and reduce unsupervised evening activity. (More)

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➤ Georgia's bid for a College World Series title ended with an 11-4 loss to Oklahoma on Wednesday night in Omaha, Nebraska. (More)

➤ Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts its second World Cup match at noon today, when South Africa faces Czechia in group play. (More)

➤ Augusta University introduced area native Brent McMillian as the school's athletics director. He most recently served as a senior associate athletic director in Tennessee. (More)

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

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➤ Jersey Mike's dethroned Chick-fil-A as the top quick-service restaurant for customer satisfaction, ending the Georgia-based chain's 11-year reign, according to a new American Customer Satisfaction Index. (List)

➤ Costco submitted plans to rezone a 27-acre site in Macon for a warehouse store, drawing mixed reactions from neighbors worried about traffic. (More)

➤ Golf cart maker Textron E-Z-GO of Augusta will donate more than 40 carts to the 2026 Special Olympics Airlift, a nationwide effort giving athletes and families a VIP travel experience at the Special Olympics Games in Minnesota. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ A WorldAtlas roundup names Georgia's 11 safest towns for senior living, spotlighting communities that feature low crime, nearby hospitals, walkable downtowns, and active senior programs. (More)

➤ Skies across the state will blaze this Fourth of July, ranging from Stone Mountain's drone and fireworks shows to Savannah's harbor barge launch platform. (List)

➤ The Greater Augusta Arts Council invited residents to help rank the sculptures featured along the Augusta Sculpture Trail, shaping the public display's future. (More)

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➤ Still using a cutting board that can trap odors, stains, and bacteria? The Tibo Titanium Cutting Board offers a durable, non-porous surface designed for everyday food prep. Resistant to scratches, easy to clean, and built to last, it’s a modern kitchen upgrade that helps keep meal preparation simple, hygienic, and hassle-free. (LEARN MORE)

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:

➤ Student behavior is getting worse, and teachers are pointing the finger at parents, a new survey says. (Hear Details)

➤ Cuba's power grid collapsed for the third time this month, leaving millions in the dark again. (Hear Episode)

➤ Gen Z is ditching the bar for the gym, and the numbers are striking. (Listen Now)