Qualifying for Georgia’s 2026 election cycle is underway, with several major candidates filing paperwork this week. Democratic U.S. Sen. John Ossoff officially qualified for reelection, while Republican U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter also entered the Senate race. Ossoff used the moment to criticize President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, calling the upcoming midterms a crucial test of checks and balances. In the governor’s race, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former state Sen. Jason Estevez qualified on the Democratic ticket, while Attorney General Chris Carr filed to run as a Republican. Candidates have until Friday to qualify.

Meanwhile, members of Atlanta’s Iranian community say internet disruptions are making it difficult to reach family amid unrest in Iran. One resident described the moment as both hopeful and frightening as many in the diaspora watch events unfold overseas.

And Georgia lawmakers are pressing federal immigration officials to release Rodney Taylor, a Gwinnett County barber detained for more than a year at Stewart Detention Center despite serious medical concerns. Taylor, who was brought to the United States from Liberia as a child and has never left the country, lost both legs due to medical complications. Lawmakers say conditions at the facility have worsened his health and are demanding federal officials act.

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Two Georgia Supreme Court justices could soon face challengers. Former state Sen. Jen Jordan has launched a campaign against Presiding Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren, focusing on protecting voting rights and privacy. Warren was appointed by former Gov. Nathan Deal in 2018 and won a full term in 2020.

Farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for relief starting March 16 through Georgia’s $531 million block grant program, covering losses not addressed by federal aid.

At the Capitol, the Georgia Senate failed to vote on a bill meant to shield consumers from costs tied to data center energy infrastructure after key residential protections were removed.

In Gwinnett County, former physician Dr. Candace Richardson is using holistic wellness and a “Sneaker Spirit Squad” attendance program to support students at an alternative school.

A proposed Georgia Senate bill would give the attorney general exclusive authority to file PFAS pollution lawsuits, potentially blocking local governments from pursuing their own cases.

Internationally, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi says the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could open a path for change, though he says he is not seeking office.

And U.S. Sen. John Ossoff, launching his reelection campaign, criticized President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran and says he will support a War Powers Resolution requiring congressional approval for further strikes.

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Over the weekend, U.S. and Israeli forces launched major strikes on Iran, targeting Revolutionary Guard sites, missile facilities and air defenses. Iranian state media reports Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, though independent confirmation remains limited. President Donald Trump called the operation historic and urged Iranians to “take over” their government. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones across the region, reportedly striking U.S. military sites, including damage near the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. As Congress prepares possible votes on war powers resolutions, protests have erupted in Georgia, including in Augusta, where demonstrators say lawmakers — not the president alone — should authorize military action.

At the Capitol, Georgia Democrats have introduced legislation to protect public school students from punishment for participating in protests. Senate Bill 479 and House Bill 1239 would allow excused absences for civic engagement, following reports that some students were disciplined for protesting federal immigration enforcement.

In Stone Mountain, one mother says Georgia’s housing crisis has forced her family to move more than two dozen times, highlighting the strain of rising rents. Meanwhile, Fulton County hosted its 19th annual Black History Film Festival, awarding scholarships and spotlighting Black storytelling as both culture and economic driver.

And in energy news, the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $26.5 billion in loans to Georgia Power and Alabama Power — subsidiaries of Atlanta-based Southern Company — to modernize the grid amid growing demand from data centers. Georgia Power is set to receive $22.5 billion, with officials claiming long-term customer savings.

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After a 10,000-gallon jet fuel spill at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport contaminated the Flint River, the city of Griffin is investing $100,000 in upgraded water contamination detection equipment. Griffin temporarily shut off its water intake and later flushed millions of gallons from its system after residents reported foul odors traced to a de-icing agent reacting with chlorine. Though tests showed no toxins, city leaders say stronger monitoring is needed.

Meanwhile, grocery prices have risen 30% since 2020, according to the Urban Institute, prompting some advocates to call for a temporary price freeze on staple foods. At the federal level, key Education Department responsibilities are being shifted to other agencies, including moving school safety grants to Health and Human Services.

At the Capitol, leaders honored the Original 33 — the first Black legislators elected to Georgia’s General Assembly in 1868 — following passage of a law requiring a monument in their honor. Lawmakers are also working to improve maternal health outcomes through a new Maternal Health Vitality Think Tank aimed at reducing systemic barriers to care.

And State Rep. Gabriel Sanchez is advancing housing legislation to ban hidden rental fees, curb AI-driven rent hikes and increase transparency around corporate ownership of single-family homes, saying systemic changes are needed as families struggle with affordability.

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State Rep. Lynn Smith of Newnan is retiring after a 30-year career under the Gold Dome. First elected in 1996, Smith represents House District 70 and chairs the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. She helped shape Georgia’s regional water planning framework and championed the statewide Water Management Planning Act. Smith will complete her term through November’s elections.

In Columbia County, a resident has filed two lawsuits challenging approval of major data center rezonings at White Oak Business Park and Pumpkin Center, alleging incomplete water, sewer and traffic analyses. Meanwhile, the Georgia House passed House Bill 1023 requiring weapon detection systems at main public school entrances, with grants available and $50,000 per school proposed in the 2027 budget.

President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history, touting economic gains and immigration crackdowns. He claimed 2.4 million Americans were lifted off SNAP, though reports say that figure reflects projected benefit losses under new work requirements. Democrats disputed his broader economic claims.

House Republicans also advanced the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, which would place a literacy coach in every K-3 public school and provide added resources to teachers and families, though funding details remain under review.

And in Richmond Hill, environmental concerns continue over a proposed Westwind Elements nickel refinery. While local officials declined to offer incentives, the company can still proceed. Residents worry about toxic chemicals, environmental risks and the site’s proximity to neighborhoods and schools.

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A new bill at the Capitol could make it easier for Georgians to use solar power. House Bill 1304, the Georgia Residential Solar Access Act, would expand access to portable residential solar devices up to 1,200 watts and prevent utilities from requiring prior approval, special meters or extra fees. Supporters say it would lower barriers to clean energy and help families save money.

In the governor’s race, a federal judge has temporarily blocked Lt. Gov. Burt Jones from raising unlimited funds through his leadership committee, siding with rival Rick Jackson and reshaping the Republican primary. Meanwhile, another GOP lawmaker has introduced a bill that would bar candidates with certain state contracts from running for office — a move critics say targets Jackson.

Wildfires in southeast Georgia forced evacuations in Charlton County over the weekend before orders were lifted. Crews reported the 550-acre blaze was about 70% contained Sunday night, with roughly 75 homes and 150 outbuildings near the fire footprint. Officials believe a downed power line sparked the flames.

New research from the University of Georgia links adverse childhood experiences to a higher risk of obesity, with experts urging pediatricians to screen children during annual checkups. Georgia businesses are also reacting to shifting federal tariff policies, with some reporting gains and others welcoming court rulings that struck down portions of President Donald Trump’s plan. And as Atlanta prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Airbnb is offering a $750 incentive to attract new hosts and meet rising demand.

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Georgia has confirmed its second measles case of 2026. State health officials say an unvaccinated Bryan County resident who recently traveled out of state tested positive. Bryan County is part of the Coastal Health District, which also reported Georgia’s first measles case this year. In 2025, the state recorded 10 cases, including at least one in Fulton County. Health leaders are urging vaccination as the best protection and are working to notify anyone who may have been exposed.

In Atlanta, the Black Health Matters Winter Summit brought free screenings, fitness sessions and medical resources to Friendship Baptist Church, with more than two dozen partners offering services from mammograms to blood pressure checks to help close persistent health gaps. Meanwhile, the Georgia Senate has set aside $409 million in its amended budget to build a 300-bed state mental health hospital — the first since the 1960s — with a proposed location near Atlanta or Augusta. Lawmakers say local jails have become de facto mental health facilities and the investment is needed to ease the strain.

In Athens, faith leaders held a candlelight vigil outside the federal courthouse to honor people held in ICE detention, reading names of those who died in custody and calling for compassion toward immigrants. And at the Capitol, State Rep. Eric Bell is advancing the Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act of 2026, which would require producers to reduce packaging and beverage container waste, establish producer responsibility organizations and create a state advisory board to guide implementation. Supporters say similar models in other states and countries have reduced waste and strengthened sustainability.

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A new report titled The Crimson Record documents more than 70 suspected modern-day lynchings across seven Southern states since 2000, arguing that some cases ruled suicides show troubling patterns. The findings come as 21-year-old Kyle Basinga of Atlanta, reported missing on Valentine’s Day, was found dead by hanging Feb. 19 at Fair Oaks Park in Cobb County. A recorded altercation with Atlanta police that Basinga posted to Instagram has resurfaced, fueling community concern. Authorities say there is no evidence of foul play, but some residents dispute that conclusion.

At the Capitol, State Rep. Eric Bell has introduced the Pollution Prevention and Producer Responsibility Act, which would create a framework requiring producers to reduce packaging and beverage container waste. On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump visited Georgia’s 14th Congressional District ahead of the race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, touting affordability gains, while critics argue middle-income families continue to feel economic strain. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms warned rural communities face even steeper health and financial challenges.

Democratic lawmakers are also backing the Henry McNeil-Turner Georgia Voting Rights Act, saying it would stabilize election rules and expand ballot access following federal court decisions that narrowed the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

And new research from Emory University, in partnership with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, suggests music therapy can improve mood and daily functioning for people living with dementia. The effort recently received $200,000 from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to expand the work.

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Georgia lawmakers are advancing proposals aimed at lowering insurance costs and increasing accountability. House Bill 1344 would raise fines on insurers, require faster storm-related claims processing and expand the insurance commissioner’s authority to review rate filings, with supporters saying the measures build on last year’s tort reform. At the same time, lawmakers are tackling the teacher shortage, as roughly 6,000 vacancies remain statewide. Proposals include expanding a program allowing retired teachers to return, launching a paid student-teacher pilot and increasing personal leave days to boost retention.

During Black History Month, advocates are urging Black families to begin end-of-life planning conversations, encouraging discussions about what a “good death” looks like as a starting point. Lawmakers are also weighing changes to Georgia’s craft beer laws. Senate Bill 456 would allow breweries to sell up to 1,000 barrels annually to in-county retailers and remove the current 24-can daily limit for individual sales, though the measure has not yet advanced out of committee.

Political leaders remain divided after a Savannah teacher was killed in a crash involving a driver fleeing federal immigration agents, as some blame immigration policy and others question enforcement tactics. And a bipartisan bill would allow pharmacists to dispense preventative HIV medications like PrEP and PEP without a primary care prescription, expanding access in a state where HIV diagnoses are twice the national rate.

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The Georgia Public Service Commission has again rejected a petition from environmental groups challenging Georgia Power’s capacity expansion, voting 3–2 against reconsideration as Commissioners Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson called for a closer review of natural gas facility certifications. Georgia is also set to land a $600 million synthetic diamond grit manufacturing plant operated by Element Six under a new U.S.-Japan trade deal, a project expected to strengthen domestic semiconductor supply chains and bring high-skilled jobs. On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump is visiting northwest Georgia ahead of the crowded special election in the 14th Congressional District, where early voting is underway in a field of more than 20 candidates to replace former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, with Election Day set for March 10 alongside several legislative races.

Meanwhile, environmental advocates are pushing back after the repeal of the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, warning it weakens greenhouse gas oversight. In Albany, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital has opened phase two of its expanded emergency and trauma center, adding private triage rooms, new treatment bays and a behavioral health emergency unit. And as domestic violence fatalities rise in Georgia, advocates are urging firearm restrictions for those under protective orders and a statewide danger assessment protocol, arguing evidence-based reforms could reduce deaths.

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