Five former Albany police officers are facing criminal charges after investigators say they improperly used the city's Flock license plate reader system for purposes unrelated to law enforcement. The officers were fired following an internal audit, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says the case remains active as investigators continue examining how the data was allegedly used.

Also, conservation advocates are calling for greater investment in protecting the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the South's largest and most ecologically important wetlands. Environmental leaders warn that shrinking budgets and reduced staffing at national wildlife refuges could limit conservation efforts, threatening critical habitat and public access to one of Georgia's most iconic natural landscapes.

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Georgia's current voting system will remain in place through 2028 after Gov. Brian Kemp signed new legislation extending the use of QR-coded ballots. The law also creates a committee to recommend the state's next voting system, with lawmakers expected to weigh options that include hand-marked paper ballots and other election reforms before making a final decision.

Also, meet the DeKalb County educator who has spent nearly three decades giving children with disabilities an unforgettable summer experience. For 27 years, Timothy Strozier has returned to FOCUS Camp Hollywood, where he helps create an inclusive environment that allows every camper to feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated.

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Planning to travel or shop over the Fourth of July weekend? We break down what's open and what's closed, including changes to retail hours, mail delivery, shipping services, banks, and the stock market to help you plan ahead.

Plus, an Atlanta middle school is earning national recognition for an approach that starts every class with a simple act of connection. School leaders say focusing on relationships before instruction has led to fewer discipline referrals, better attendance, and healthier ways for students to resolve conflict, offering a model that educators across the country are watching.

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The FBI is expanding its investigation into Georgia's 2020 election by sending hundreds of intelligence analysts to Atlanta to review records tied to Fulton County. The move comes after federal agents seized ballots and other election materials earlier this year, despite multiple recounts and audits that previously confirmed Georgia's 2020 election results. The bureau has declined to comment on the expanded investigation.

Also, federal regulators are preparing to decide whether two major natural gas pipelines spanning Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi should move forward. Supporters say the projects are needed to meet growing energy demand across the Southeast, while environmental advocates argue the pipelines would increase dependence on fossil fuels and place environmental burdens on communities, with much of the projected demand tied to Georgia's rapidly expanding data center industry.

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The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld state laws restricting transgender girls and women from competing on female school sports teams, a decision expected to reinforce Georgia's existing law and shape similar legal challenges across the country.

Plus, Georgia has taken a major step toward expanding protections around the Okefenokee Swamp. State officials approved the purchase of nearly 2,900 acres that had previously been considered for strip mining, marking the first phase of a new wildlife management area that will preserve habitat while expanding public access for recreation and hunting.

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The 2024 BioLab fire in Conyers is renewing concerns about chemical safety as health advocates and Georgia lawmakers warn Congress could weaken the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. State Sen. Tonya Anderson says rolling back EPA oversight would encourage companies to do the bare minimum to maintain safety standards. 

Georgia could face millions of dollars in future penalties if it doesn't reduce payment errors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The state's error rate has climbed to 15.2%, well above the national average.

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A new report from Social Security's trustees warns benefits could be reduced by up to 22% as early as 2032 if lawmakers fail to address the program's funding shortfall. More than 1.9 million Georgians rely on Social Security, which helps keep more than 515,000 older adults out of poverty. AARP is urging voters to ask candidates how they plan to protect the program ahead of November's midterm elections.

Metro Atlanta's Venezuelan community is mobilizing to help survivors after two devastating earthquakes. Volunteers in Lawrenceville are collecting water, medicine, clothing, and non-perishable food to send to affected families, with donations heading first to Miami before being transported to Venezuela.

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A new state audit shows artificial intelligence is becoming a regular part of education in Georgia. Nearly 60% of teachers surveyed say they use generative AI to help prepare lessons, and almost 90% report it has improved their teaching and saved valuable time. At the same time, many educators worry students are relying on AI to complete assignments, raising concerns about cheating and the loss of critical thinking skills. The survey also found AI use is highest among high school students.

As thousands of visitors flock to downtown Atlanta for FIFA World Cup festivities, many are discovering one of the city's largest open-air art galleries. More than 20 local artists have transformed downtown walls into colorful murals celebrating Atlanta's culture, history, and identity. One standout work reimagines Edward Hopper's Nighthawks inside a Waffle House, complete with hidden Atlanta references, including a tribute to OutKast's André 3000.

Listen now for these stories and more from across Georgia.

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U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is criticizing President Donald Trump after the president backed away from signing the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, despite its passage in both chambers of Congress. Warnock says the bill would have made it easier for families to compete with large corporate investors by preventing companies that own more than 350 single-family homes from buying additional properties. The issue is especially relevant in metro Atlanta, where corporations own more than one in four single-family rental homes. Warnock also criticized efforts to tie the housing package to the SAVE Act, arguing lawmakers should stay focused on lowering housing costs.

Children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta will soon have expanded access to free mental health care through a new partnership with CHRIS 180. A three-year grant from The Rich's Foundation will fund two licensed therapists at club locations while providing trauma-informed training for staff across all 26 metro Atlanta clubs. Supporters say the initiative will reduce barriers to care and help create safer, more supportive environments for young people and their families.

Listen now for these stories and more from across Georgia.

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For the first time in more than 50 years, Haiti is back on soccer’s biggest stage. As the nation returns to the FIFA World Cup, Atlanta leaders are celebrating with Haiti House, a cultural hub featuring food, music, watch parties, and community events. Organizers say the space is designed to introduce visitors to Haiti's rich culture, history, and resilience while challenging stereotypes that have long shaped public perception.

Former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she's stepping away from the Republican Party. In a series of social media posts, Greene criticized Republican leaders she believes have failed their voters, while making clear she is not becoming a Democrat. Instead, she described herself as politically independent and "1000% a proud American."

Georgia could lose nearly 800,000 acres of farmland by 2040. A new state initiative, the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund, aims to slow that trend by helping farmers sell development rights while keeping their land in agricultural production. The first round of applications is currently under review, with $2 million available to support farmland preservation efforts across the state.

Listen now for these stories and more from across Georgia.

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