A major housing measure championed by Sen. Raphael Warnock is now federal law. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes a provision preventing large private equity firms from purchasing additional single-family homes, while also expanding programs to increase housing supply, modernize appraisals and support homeownership. The law comes as corporate investors own more than 72,000 single-family rental homes across metro Atlanta.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is leading the first clinical trial of a new potential treatment for peanut allergies. Researchers are testing a microneedle stamp that delivers tiny amounts of peanut allergen through the skin in hopes of safely training the immune system to reduce the risk of accidental allergic reactions. If successful, the study will expand from adults to adolescents and eventually children.

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A statewide audit of Georgia's June runoff election found just 23 discrepancies among more than 1.1 million ballots reviewed. Election officials say every discrepancy involved hand-marked ballots, while no discrepancies were found among ballots completed using ballot-marking devices. The audit comes as Georgia continues work on its next generation of voting systems.

Metro Atlanta rideshare drivers are raising concerns about the growing rollout of Waymo robotaxis. Drivers say autonomous vehicles are reducing their earnings and making it harder to stay in business, with some now considering leaving rideshare driving altogether.

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A prominent Georgia conservative advocacy group has been fined $17,500 after state ethics officials found it violated lobbying and campaign finance disclosure laws during the 2024 election cycle. Regulators say the organization failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions and committed multiple lobbying violations. The group's president says the issues were clerical mistakes that have since been corrected.

Also, even though jet fuel prices are falling, airline tickets remain expensive. Travel experts say strong demand and reduced competition are keeping fares high, but new AI-powered tools are helping travelers find better deals by tracking price drops and automatically securing travel credits or savings after a flight is booked.

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As food prices remain high, a metro Atlanta nonprofit is helping residents take food security into their own hands. The Metro Atlanta Urban Farm in College Park has spent nearly two decades teaching sustainable gardening, expanding access to fresh produce, and building community through agriculture. The organization has also partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to provide veterans with hands-on gardening experience and the tools to grow food at home.

Also, hundreds of Georgia homeowners are set to receive restitution after a court ruled that Florida-based MV Realty used deceptive real estate agreements that locked homeowners into decades-long contracts. The company has been ordered to pay $1 million in restitution and is permanently barred from operating in Georgia. State officials encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for compensation to contact the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

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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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