Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have declined to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in his 2026 reelection bid. So far, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and Georgia Insurance and Fire Commissioner John King have thrown their hats into the GOP Senate primary, with more candidates perhaps on the way. 

A metro Atlanta couple witnessed the historic election of the first American pope Thursday.

During their honeymoon trip in Italy, Chase Adams and Sandra Padilla heard news of white smoke pouring from the Sistine Chapel chimney — a signal of a new pope being elected to lead the Catholic Church.

Gov. Brian Kemp decided this week not to run for U.S. Senate in Georgia, thus opening the door for an array of GOP challengers hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.

MORE HEADLINES

Gov. Brian Kemp bows out of Senate race, reshaping Georgia’s political landscape

With Kemp out, which Georgia Republican could run for US Senate against Jon Ossoff?

‘MAGA warrior’ Buddy Carter enters Senate race to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff

Charlie Bailey, new Dem. chair in Georgia, has big plans for the party

Political Update podcast: Brian Kemp for president?

Sen. Josh McLaurin announces campaign for Lt. Governor

US House approves Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill renaming Gulf of Mexico

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.

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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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