MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1866, Martha Berry, one of Georgia's foremost educators, was born. Home-schooled, with only a year of formal education, she emphasized educating "the head, the heart, and the hands." Her legacy thrives today at Berry College.

Relief efforts are in full swing, as we report across this edition. Still, Georgia Power reports that 5% of its customers will remain without power until Oct. 13. Let's keep helping out.

Today’s sponsor is Hootie, the number one personal safety alarm for women.

Senators Call for Relief Package

Georgia’s two U.S. senators have joined a bipartisan push by colleagues from five other Southeastern states in calling for quick passage of a federal disaster relief package to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Congress went into recess after passing a temporary funding bill, but senators from the affected states argue that additional funds are urgently needed.

The hurricane made landfall in Florida before moving into Georgia, where it caused significant damage, resulting in 33 deaths and leaving 270,000 Georgians without power as of Thursday.

Democratic Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, along with other senators, emphasized the need for immediate action in a letter to Senate leadership, highlighting the scale of destruction and the billions of dollars needed for recovery.

Trump and Kemp Unite for Hurricane Recovery

Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp met in Evans on Friday to discuss recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

Trump thanked those working tirelessly on the recovery and expressed his support for the people of Georgia, stating, "We’re here in Evans, Georgia, to show our support, love and prayers."

Trump complimented Kemp's work, saying the governor is "doing a fantastic job" and pledging continued support whenever needed.

Kemp, in turn, thanked Trump for keeping national attention on Georgia during the recovery process.

Fire Destroys City Block in Metter's Historic Downtown

A fire engulfed a city block of Metter's historic downtown business district late Saturday afternoon, starting in the back of several businesses, including Aly's Restaurante and Sabor Michoacano.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but all businesses were evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

Flames erupted and eventually caused the back of smaller buildings to collapse, while smoke poured from nearby structures, including Queensborough Bank. The Metter Fire Department, supported by neighboring departments, controlled the fire while police guided bystanders away from the scene.

An explosion, believed to be caused by a propane tank, occurred during the firefighting efforts, though this hasn't been verified. By around 8 p.m., the flames appeared to be contained.

Flying together with our sponsor

The #1 Personal Safety Alarm For Women

Hootie is designed to deter attackers and help prevent life-altering tragedies. Simply activate the strobe light and ultra-loud siren to attract attention and stop any would-be attacker.

Hootie is designed to stop attackers in their tracks.

➤ Georgia's voter registration deadline is today. Check your registration status, register to vote, and learn about voting deadlines. (Check Status)

➤ Augusta: The Georgia Department of Health set up a pop-up distribution site for clothing and other supplies at May Park Community Center on Saturday as part of Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. (More)

➤ Atlanta: The Georgia Department of Agriculture has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to raise $1 million by December to aid farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Lenox: The city has lost its ability to issue speeding tickets for 180 days after a state investigation found that it altered tickets to hide the amount of revenue being collected from citations. (More)

➤ Atlanta: The American Dental Association is warning about the dangers of unlicensed dental work, citing the arrest of Brandon Diller in Georgia as an example. Diller marketed himself as "Atlanta's top veneer specialist" to over 158,000 Instagram followers. (More)

➤ The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has increased the cap for its Wildlife Viewing Program grants from $3,000 to $5,000 per project for 2025. These grants aim to enhance public experiences with Georgia's wildlife and natural habitats. (Details)

➤ No. 5 Georgia defeated SEC rival Auburn 31-13 on Saturday to improve to 4-1 on the season. (Watch Highlights)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons have inducted Matt Ryan into the team's Ring of Honor, recognizing him as the best quarterback in franchise history, an MVP winner, and the leader who took the team to a Super Bowl. (More)

➤ Georgia remained fifth in the latest AP college football poll after beating Auburn. Texas took the top spot, followed by Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State. Alabama fell to seventh after losing to Vanderbilt, while Tennessee dropped to eighth following a loss to Arkansas. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | PGA | NASCAR

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The Lightbulb That Protects Your Home – Introducing Sight Bulb™, the revolutionary security camera that easily screws into any socket like a lightbulb! It’s perfect for homeowners, parents, pet owners, and businesses. (See It Here)

➤ Rivian Automotive Inc. has applied for a federal loan to support the construction of a new electric vehicle plant in Georgia, which is expected to be partially operational by late 2027 and fully operational by 2028. (More)

➤ Georgia Power reports that while it has restored power to 95% of its customers, some areas, such as Augusta, may be without power until October 13. Crews are focusing first on hospitals and emergency response areas before smaller communities. (More)

➤ Eight additional Georgia counties, including Bryan and Glynn, have been approved for FEMA Individual Assistance due to damage from Hurricane Helene. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The NEXT Magnificent Seven. Discover the AI super stocks set to dominate the markets… Investing $1,000 in each could make you a millionaire in less than six years. (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Hootie is like having a personal siren right in your pocket. Its brilliance lies in the ear-splitting 130db alarm — as loud as a jet plane at take off! The piercing sound immediately draws attention, making anyone think twice before posing a threat.

Beyond sound, Hootie offers a bright strobe light, acting like a distress beacon in the night. This combo of sound and light doesn’t just alert others, it confuses and deters potential threats — ensuring your safety from multiple angles.

With Hootie, danger gets a loud and clear “stay away” signal.

➤ A new Ronald McDonald House is set to open on the Arthur M. Blank Children's Hospital campus in December 2025, replacing the Gatewood House with a $90 million facility that will double its capacity. (Details)

➤ Reader's Digest named NFA Burger in Dunwoody, located inside a Chevron station, the best burger in Georgia. (More)

➤ Atlanta's wildest Halloween-themed bar crawl takes place in the Buckhead entertainment district on Oct. 28, starting at 5 p.m. at 5 Paces Inn. The event features 10+ bars, clubs, and restaurants and a $750 prize for the best costume. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Check out the future of pain relief with Kailo. An all-natural pain patch, designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body in as little as 60 seconds. It’s all-natural, drug-free, and works anywhere on your body. (See It here)