A man accused of trying to kidnap a toddler at an Acworth Walmart was released from jail after a month and a half behind bars.

Mahendra Patel, 57, from Kennesaw, was arrested in March after a mother said Patel grabbed her child in the store. But Patel’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, claims he was just trying to help the mother, who had her hands full and was riding on a handicapped shopping cart with two kids.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge A. Gregory Poole granted Patel a $10,000 bond, which was met by cheers and applause in the courtroom.

In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, New Pope Leo XIV emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization.

Robert Prevost is a missionary who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops. He is the first elected pope from the United States in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.

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Outgoing Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday he is not running for U.S. Senate.

Kemp had been rumored to be a possible Republican challenger to U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, the Georgia Democratic incumbent who made his reelection campaign official in March.

So far, no GOP candidate has stepped up to challenge Ossoff, whose Georgia U.S. Senate seat is seen as a priority for Republicans to pick up in 2026.

Dr. Ben Taylor, professor of political science at Kennesaw State University, talks about the ramifications of Kemp's decision, his future plans, and what this means for Georgia's 2026 US Senate and gubernatorial elections.

President Donald Trump’s national approval rating has dropped significantly since his inauguration, but recent polling suggests Georgia Republicans remain firmly in his corner.

A new court filing is revealing how the White House has gone about selecting certain student visas for cancellation.

Earlier this week, Gov. Kemp signed two major bills aimed at advancing educational opportunities and growing Georgia’s workforce.

These are your latest political headlines from Atlanta News First. Stream weekly episodes every Friday at 1 p.m. EST on ANF+.

Tickets are selling fast for the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

Atlanta News First has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to give away a brand new home and other prizes. The goal is to raise money for St. Jude Research Hospital and its fight to end childhood cancer.

The grand prize is a 2,518-square-foot home in Cumming. The 2025 dream home, valued at $750,000 and built by The Providence Group and their builder partners, is located in the Palisades at Sawnee Village community. The four-bed, four-bath open-concept house features 10-foot ceilings and a two-car front entry garage.

Other prizes include a brand-new 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid XL, a $10,000 Visa gift card and a $5,000 grocery gift card.

GET YOUR TICKET ON ATLANTANEWSFIRST.COM/DREAMHOME

Atlanta News First and Decaturish take you through your latest DeKalb County news headlines and the stories people are talking about most!

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US Rep. Marjorie Taylor is facing calls for her censure after a social media post she made after the death of Pope Francis was announced. Also: Greene said she could win Georgia's GOP Senate nomination if Gov. Brian Kemp doesn't run; Democrat state Sen. Jason Esteves said he's running governor in 2026, while Jason Carter rules out - for now - another gubernatorial run.

Reactions from around Georgia and the nation are pouring in after the death of Pope Francis.

 Atlanta News First and Decaturish take you through your latest DeKalb County news headlines.

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Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff, died Monday at the age of 88.

Emory University Professor of Catholic Studies Dr. Susan Reynolds weighs in on the life and lasting legacy of Pope Francis.