A major employer is heading to Cobb County, bringing nearly 400 new jobs and a $13 million investment as Authority Brands establishes a new Franchisee Success Center in metro Atlanta.

Plus, despite recent rain easing drought conditions across Georgia, experts warn that South Georgia remains in extreme drought and metro Atlanta could face future water supply challenges as Lake Lanier sits below full pool.

We'll also tell you about Clayton County Public Schools' $117 million investment in a new arena designed to create career-training opportunities for students while boosting the local economy.

And with the FIFA Men's World Cup coming to Atlanta, local leaders and hospitality workers are receiving specialized training to identify and report human trafficking as part of a global awareness campaign.

Also, Georgia gas prices remain steady as summer travel season gets underway.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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Georgia lawmakers are heading back to the Capitol for a special session on June 17, with Gov. Brian Kemp expanding the agenda to include property tax relief measures. Here's what's on the table and why election officials are also looking for answers before a looming ballot deadline.

Plus, the Georgia Chamber names its 2026 Legislators of the Year, early voting continues ahead of Georgia's primary runoff elections, and DeKalb District Attorney Sherry Boston challenges a new state law changing how some local races are conducted.

We'll also look at a federal judge's decision to block new restrictions on SNAP benefits that could affect millions of Americans.

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Unhoused residents have been displaced from two Gainesville encampments as advocates and community groups work to provide support. Also, a third reported jet fuel spill this year at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the environmental concerns surrounding the Flint River.

Plus, a new study finds many Savannah restaurants advertising local wild-caught shrimp may be serving imported products, a proposed bypass sparks debate in Oconee County, and Georgia's State Board of Public Health prepares to meet after an eight-month hiatus.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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Georgia voters have a narrow window to cast ballots before the upcoming primary runoff elections. We break down what voters need to know about early voting, the key statewide races still on the ballot, and what’s at stake as candidates compete for spots in November’s general election.

Plus, a new report finds Georgia is among a handful of Southern states driving a sharp rise in the number of uninsured young children. Advocates say the post-pandemic Medicaid renewal process has left many eligible families without coverage, raising concerns about access to critical healthcare during a child's earliest years.

Also in this episode: rising fuel costs are squeezing Georgia businesses as the state's gas tax suspension comes to an end; and researchers at Georgia State University are developing a telescope designed to search for signs of life beyond our solar system, with hopes of eventually building a larger instrument capable of studying distant planets in unprecedented detail.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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A longtime Jones County educator is headed to the state stage after being named Georgia’s 2027 Teacher of the Year. 

Plus, Georgia is set to receive millions of dollars to address PFAS contamination, even as federal regulators move to weaken some drinking water protections. Experts warn that the so-called "forever chemicals" can pose serious health risks and say communities in northwest Georgia have been dealing with contamination concerns for years.

Also in this episode: police K-9 teams sharpen their skills during specialized training at a Marietta water park; proposed federal student aid changes could impact beauty and wellness students who depend on financial assistance; and budget cuts aimed at balancing Georgia’s finances may have given the state's feral hog population an unexpected break.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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Federal funding is bringing healthcare upgrades and expanded services to hospitals, public health agencies and nonprofits across Georgia, with investments supporting neonatal care, rural health and family assistance programs.

Plus, Cafe Momentum Atlanta is helping young people impacted by the juvenile justice system gain job skills, education support and mentorship as they build pathways toward future careers.

Also, University of Georgia researchers are launching a new study to better understand Georgia’s male loggerhead sea turtle population and the effects of rising temperatures on the species.

And Gov. Brian Kemp announced that ArcelorMittal Building Solutions will establish its North American headquarters and a new manufacturing facility in Macon-Bibb County, bringing new jobs and investment to Middle Georgia.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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A federal judicial misconduct investigation is raising questions after a judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit received a private reprimand for an affair with a high-ranking law enforcement officer, including sexual activity in the judge’s chambers during business hours, and attending a partisan political event. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to remove U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross from a voting rights case, citing media reports that attempt to connect her to the misconduct probe.

Plus, Georgia is continuing to grapple with the rapid growth of data centers. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce has announced a new “Data Center-Ready” designation aimed at helping communities determine whether they have the infrastructure and workforce needed to attract the facilities.

Also, Savannah leaders and clean energy advocates are looking for new ways to strengthen energy resilience after the loss of federal funding for some renewable energy programs. Residents who benefited from solar initiatives say the investments paid off during Hurricane Helene.

In other news, Georgia drivers could soon feel more pain at the pump after Gov. Brian Kemp allowed the state’s gas tax suspension to expire, paving the way for higher fuel prices statewide.

And on the campaign trail, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms held their first joint campaign event, as Republicans prepare for key runoff elections later this month.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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Women veterans who experienced military sexual trauma face significantly higher risks during pregnancy, according to research from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Georgia NOW's latest episode examines the long-term health impacts of military sexual trauma, or MST, and why experts say the effects can extend far beyond military service. 

Plus, the Georgia Public Service Commission approves a deal that will lower electric bills for millions of customers by about four dollars a month. 

Also in this episode, Emory University selects its next president, unanimously choosing longtime executive Christopher Augostini to lead the institution beginning this fall. And the U.S. Small Business Administration opens a disaster loan outreach center in Southeast Georgia to help residents and businesses recover from a major wildfire.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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From energy infrastructure and data center growth to another major Interstate 285 shutdown, this episode of Georgia NOW News looks at the pressures shaping Georgia’s future.

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted its first “State of Energy” event in downtown Atlanta, where business and utility leaders discussed the state’s growing energy demands. 

Plus, drivers in metro Atlanta are preparing for another full weekend closure on Interstate 285 as GDOT continues its massive Westside reconstruction project. 

Also in this episode:

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A new center in southeast Georgia is helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse access resources all in one place. The Waycross Family Justice Center is already serving hundreds of victims while working to break down barriers in rural communities where transportation and services can be difficult to access. 

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is raising concerns about suspicious oil trades tied to the conflict in Iran and whether investors may have benefited from nonpublic information ahead of major announcements.

Plus, Emory University Hospital’s specialized infectious disease unit is staying prepared for threats like Ebola through ongoing training and emergency response drills. And the CDC is expanding precautionary Ebola screenings at Atlanta’s airport, even as officials stress there are currently no confirmed cases in the United States.

🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.

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