Health advocates warn Georgia’s rural communities could be hit hardest by proposed federal health policy changes, with nearly 100,000 rural residents projected to lose coverage on top of the state’s already high uninsured rate. Advocates say cuts tied to H.R. 1 and the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies could cost rural hospitals more than $600 million, threatening facilities that are already struggling to stay open.

Changes at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development could also ripple through Georgia, as federal officials shift away from a housing-first approach for people experiencing homelessness. Service providers receiving tens of millions in federal funding say they may be forced to rethink how they deliver care.

Georgia drivers may see some relief at the pump as three insurance companies announce rate reductions, with state officials pointing to increased competition and recent tort reform as stabilizing forces in the market.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a historic expansion of Georgia Power’s capacity after protesters were removed from the hearing, a decision critics say could lock ratepayers into higher costs for decades. And uncertainty around the future of ACA subsidies has already driven down enrollment in Georgia’s insurance marketplace, with analysts warning hundreds of thousands more could drop coverage in the coming years.

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Criminal organizations are increasingly using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons across Georgia and the country, prompting calls for expanded authority to detect and counter the devices. A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 would give correctional facilities those powers after clearing the U.S. House.

New national rankings are also spotlighting Georgia hospitals for maternity care, with seven facilities earning high-performing marks from U.S. News & World Report. Meanwhile, a family-owned manufacturer based in São Paulo plans to invest $4.4 million in Colquitt-Miller County, creating 150 jobs and launching a recycling hub focused on transportation safety products and hard-to-recycle materials.

A newly released New York Times recording sheds fresh light on former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election, capturing him urging then-House Speaker David Ralston to convene a special legislative session. Political scientists say the call reinforces evidence of pressure on state officials, even if it carries no immediate legal consequences.

Travelers are also adjusting to full enforcement of REAL ID requirements for domestic flights, with the TSA set to offer a $45 identity verification option for unprepared flyers beginning Feb. 1. Atlanta is preparing to ring in the new year with citywide fireworks and a drone countdown display, including a digital “Peach in the Sky” show just before midnight.

In state politics, Dr. Jaha Howard narrowly won a special election for Georgia Senate District 35 and is expected to be sworn in ahead of the 2026 legislative session. Georgia is also joining several states in forming a new higher education accreditation body, a move critics say could politicize access to federal funds. And Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defended her handling of the Trump election interference case during a tense Senate committee hearing, as lawmakers continue an investigation with no direct disciplinary authority.

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A newly released recording obtained by The New York Times adds new context to former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election, capturing him urging then-House Speaker David Ralston to call a special legislative session. Political experts say the audio reinforces evidence of pressure on state officials, even if it carries no immediate legal consequences.

Georgia Republicans have filed an ethics complaint against a mysterious group funding attack ads against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who is running for governor in 2026. The ads have prompted demands for TV stations to pull them, while both major parties deny any ties to the group.

Georgia has moved into the “moderate” range for respiratory illnesses this flu season, with nine reported deaths and more than 300 hospitalizations, as doctors warn activity is starting earlier than usual. Meanwhile, friends of a Georgia native injured in the Brown University shooting are raising money to support his recovery, with donations nearing their goal.

Health officials say women veterans face higher pregnancy risks tied to service-related injuries and mental health conditions, underscoring the need for specialized care. The Trump administration is also expanding its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to the National Park Service, prompting concerns about erasing history at sites like Okmulgee Mounds and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park.

And Rivian is investing more than $300,000 in education partnerships across Georgia to help train students and veterans for careers in electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing ahead of its planned $5 billion factory.

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A special election has added a new face to the Georgia Senate, with Dr. Jaha Howard set to take the District 35 seat after narrowly defeating fellow Democrat Roger Bruce. Howard will be sworn in ahead of the 2026 legislative session, representing parts of Cobb and Fulton counties.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defended her handling of the Trump election interference case during a tense Senate committee hearing, pushing back against Republican lawmakers who questioned her decision to hire a special prosecutor with whom she had a personal relationship. While the committee cannot discipline Willis, the investigation is continuing.

A new report shows nearly half of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food purchases go to just 25 large companies, sparking criticism from small farmers and advocacy groups who say federal procurement favors industrial agriculture over local producers.

In DeKalb County, commissioners voted to extend a moratorium on data center development for six months as residents raise concerns about environmental and community impacts, with potential regulations expected to be debated later this month.

State prosecutors have also indicted the owners of an Atlanta-area behavioral health center on Medicaid fraud charges, alleging more than $1.4 million in false claims. And Georgia is joining several other states in forming a new higher education accreditation body, a move critics say could politicize access to federal funding for colleges and universities.

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The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a high-stakes copyright case that could reshape how internet providers operate, with Atlanta-based Cox Communications potentially avoiding more than $1 billion in damages. Legal experts warn a ruling could have ripple effects for everyday internet users if providers are pressured to restrict access or throttle speeds in shared spaces like schools, hospitals and businesses.

Atlanta is preparing to ring in the New Year with a citywide celebration featuring fireworks and a drone countdown display, including a digital “Peach in the Sky” show launching just before midnight. Meanwhile, travelers are adjusting to full enforcement of REAL ID requirements, with federal officials acknowledging the policy could disproportionately affect people with limited access to documentation — and a new $45 identity verification option coming for unprepared flyers.

In politics, Sen. Raphael Warnock says he’s confident Democrats will hold Georgia in 2026, backing Sen. Jon Ossoff as health care costs rise and Affordable Care Act subsidies near expiration. And police continue searching for a suspect in a deadly shooting near Brown University that killed two students and left a normally busy campus neighborhood silent.

Georgia also more than doubled the number of hospitals earning national recognition for maternity care, even as the state continues to rank near the bottom for preterm birth. And an Atlanta-based STEM program says it is expanding its global reach despite recent funding challenges, rebranding to keep resources accessible to all students.

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Georgia leaders are reacting after a weekend marked by deadly violence at home and abroad. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock condemned two mass shootings — one at a college campus in Rhode Island and another at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia — calling the attacks evidence of a global rise in hatred and antisemitism that must be confronted.

The execution of Georgia death row inmate Stacey Humphreys has been put on hold after the State Board of Pardons and Paroles suspended it without explanation. Humphreys was scheduled to be executed Dec. 17, and the delay could force the state to seek a new death warrant.

Farmworkers in Georgia could see their wages drop after a Trump administration policy cut minimum pay under the H-2A visa program, a move critics warn may also drive down wages for domestic agricultural workers. Small business owners are also feeling pressure from tariffs, with some saying rising costs may soon be passed on to consumers.

Several new Georgia laws take effect Jan. 1, including changes to civil lawsuits, insurance cancellation notices and expanded use of digital court proceedings and teledentistry. And members of Atlanta’s Jewish community are marking Hanukkah amid grief and resilience, saying the violence in Sydney underscores the need to stand against hate while continuing to live and practice faith openly.

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Criminal organizations are using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons across Georgia and the country, prompting calls for new authority to detect and counter the devices. Corrections officials say they currently lack the power to take drones down, but a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 could change that after clearing the U.S. House.

An arctic blast is driving dangerously cold temperatures across Georgia, with wind chills expected to dip into the teens and 20s. Cold weather advisories are in effect statewide, and overnight warming shelters are opening across South Georgia and the Big Bend to protect vulnerable residents.

In DeKalb County, residents packed town halls to push back against data center development, warning of threats to health, property values and water resources. Community members say proposed regulations lack enforcement teeth as the county’s data center moratorium is set to expire Dec. 16.

New rankings from U.S. News & World Report highlight seven Georgia hospitals as top performers for maternity care, while a former administrator at Truett University has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly lying to investigators about a relationship with a former student and employee.

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Georgia health officials are urging lawmakers to ramp up investment in maternal and infant health. The Department of Public Health is requesting nearly $9 million to expand its Home Visiting Program into all 82 counties without an OB-GYN, calling it one of the state’s most cost-effective tools for reducing mortality.

Georgia Power says it needs more than $15 billion to expand electricity capacity as AI-driven data centers flood into the state, a plan critics warn could saddle ratepayers with higher bills. Regulators will vote Dec. 19, even as environmental groups say the rush to approve the expansion ignores voters who rejected commissioners over rising energy costs.

In the courts, the teen accused in the Appalachee High School shooting appeared before a judge with a new attorney as the case awaits a psychological evaluation. A hearing to determine next steps is set for March 2026.

Effingham County leaders are expanding early literacy efforts, partnering with First Readers to deliver free books and build reading skills long before students reach kindergarten. Meanwhile, access to gender-affirming care remains unchanged for incarcerated transgender people after a federal judge temporarily blocked Georgia’s new ban while the state appeals.

Health officials also warn norovirus cases are rising in Georgia and South Carolina, urging residents to rely on soap, water and bleach-based cleaners instead of sanitizer as cases are expected to climb through the winter.

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Georgia could see major shifts in health care access after the U.S. Senate failed to renew Affordable Care Act subsidies, a move that could leave more than 1 million Georgians facing steep premium hikes or losing coverage entirely. Sen. Jon Ossoff warned during the vote that the lapse in tax credits could be life-threatening for families who rely on them.

At the Georgia Public Service Commission, protests erupted as regulators heard arguments over Georgia Power’s request for an unprecedented capacity expansion. Critics fear consumers will be stuck with the costs if projected data-center growth doesn’t materialize, while supporters say the upgrade is necessary for the state’s rapidly expanding energy demands.

A $12 billion federal agriculture package is expected to serve as a bridge for farmers until larger industry investments take effect next year. Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper says the aid will help stabilize markets and open new global opportunities for growers.

In state politics, Sen. John F. Kennedy resigned to focus on his campaign for lieutenant governor, triggering a special election in District 18. And a federal judge declined to halt the upcoming execution of Stacey Humphreys, convicted in a 2003 double murder, despite attorneys arguing pandemic-era agreements should protect him from lethal injection.

Health officials say norovirus cases are rising in Georgia and South Carolina, urging residents to use soap, water and bleach-based cleaners to prevent spread. Meanwhile, the PSC released a new stipulation reversing its earlier recommendation and signaling support for Georgia Power’s full expansion request.

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Georgia Democrats flipped a state House seat Tuesday as Eric Gisler won District 121 by fewer than 200 votes, a district former candidates note was +12 for Trump just two years ago. District 23 in Cherokee County is headed to a Jan. 6 runoff between Republican Bill Fincher and Democrat Scott Sanders.

Small business owners across Georgia say rising premiums under the Georgia Access Marketplace are forcing tough cuts, from increased workloads to reduced marketing budgets. And the teen accused in the Appalachee High School shooting appeared in court with a new attorney as the case awaits a psychological evaluation ahead of a 2026 hearing.

Effingham County leaders are expanding early literacy efforts through a new partnership with First Readers, providing free books to young children and emphasizing prevention-focused reading support.

Gender-affirming care for incarcerated transgender people remains accessible after a federal judge blocked Georgia’s ban, though the attorney general’s office has filed an appeal. Advocates warn the measure is unconstitutional and ignores medical needs.

Georgia’s State Election Board rejected a proposal defining when hand-marked paper ballots could replace voting machines, saying the decision belongs to lawmakers. And new CDC guidance ends the longstanding recommendation for babies to receive the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they are born, shifting toward shared decision-making based on maternal testing.

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