FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2024

Good Morning! On this date in 1942, Bernice Johnson Reagon, the founder of the a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was born in Dougherty County.

Today, we want to extend a special thank you to Georgia’s farmers, who were hard hit by Hurricane Helene, as we report in Top Stories. Much of what promised to be a bumper crop was lost in a single day. Farming is not only hard work, but it can also be heart-breaking. Our prayers go out to you!

Save thousands on car repairs with today’s sponsor FIXD.

Farmers Take Massive Hit from Helene

Hurricane Helene has caused significant agricultural damage across Georgia, with the most severe impact seen between Augusta and Valdosta.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture reported that 35% of the state's cotton crop has been affected, with even greater losses expected in the timber and pecan industries due to widespread tree destruction.

Poultry facilities were hit hardest, with over 100 chicken houses damaged or destroyed.

In Ocilla, Randy Hudson, owner of Hudson Pecan Company, described the damage to his orchards as catastrophic, estimating that his family lost between 40% and 60% of their trees, amounting to millions of dollars in losses.

Low prices and crop damage are pushing many cotton farmers to the brink of financial collapse.

Attorney General Challenges Pro-Abortion Ruling

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has appealed the ruling of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney that struck down the state's "heartbeat" abortion law.

Carr, a Republican, is asking the Georgia Supreme Court to reinstate the six-week abortion ban while the court reviews the state's appeal.

McBurney's ruling found that the abortion ban, enacted immediately after the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, violates women's rights to privacy and liberty under the Georgia State constitution. His decision temporarily reinstates the prior law that allowed abortions until fetal viability, approximately 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Carr's appeal proceeds directly to the state's highest court, given that it challenges the constitutionality of the abortion law.

Auburn Tigers Meet Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday

The Auburn Tigers meet the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium in Athens on Saturday.

Georgia enters the game following a tough 41-34 loss to Alabama, marking their first defeat of the season.

Auburn, with a 2-3 record, has yet to find consistency this season and faces a major challenge against Georgia. Quarterback Payton Thorne threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns against Oklahoma but also added his sixth interception of the season, contributing to their 27-21 loss.

Georgia's game plan should leverage their strong rushing attack to exploit Auburn's vulnerability to chunk plays on the ground. Georgia's depth and more dynamic offensive capabilities could lead to a convincing win.

Flying together with our sponsor

Prevent $1000s in Unnecessary Car Repairs

FIXD instantly tells you why your ‘Check Engine Light’ is on, how severe it is, and how much the repair should cost—all in simple and easy-to-understand terms (so you never get ripped off by a mechanic again)!

FIXD works with all gas-powered cars and trucks built after 1996 and diesels built after 2008.

➤ Georgia Power reports that approximately 200,000 customers remain without power following Hurricane Helene, largely due to floodwaters, downed trees, and damaged transformers that are delaying restoration efforts. (More)

➤ Augusta: Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta on Wednesday to survey the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, handing out meals, meeting with impacted families, and pledging federal assistance. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp slammed the Biden administration on Thursday, for delaying the expansion of disaster declarations after Hurricane Helene's devastation. (More)

➤ Atlanta: A chlorine odor and haze were expected to reach Atlanta on Thursday due to a fire at the BioLab chemical facility in Conyers, which released chemical gas and led to evacuation orders. (More)

➤ Bulloch County: Children ages 5–15 are invited to participate in the 2024 Gary Oglesby Memorial Youth Fishing Tournament at Mill Creek Regional Park this Saturday, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. and fishing from 8–11 a.m. (Details)

➤ Cobb County: The Sheriff's Office introduced new non-lethal devices from the PepperBall System, aimed at reducing deaths and injuries while controlling situations without deadly force. Sheriff Craig Owens emphasized, "We want everybody to go home safely." (More)

➤ The Falcons pulled out an overtime win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night, 36-30. Younghoe Koo tied the game in regulation with a 54-yard field goal, and Kirk Cousins threw his fourth touchdown pass to seal the game in OT. Cousins broke a franchise record with 509 passing yards, and he even danced a little after the game. (Watch Kirk)

➤ The Atlanta Braves were swept out of the wild-card round by the Padres, losing 4-0 in Game 1 and 5-4 in Game 2. The team finished with 89 wins, but injuries to star players Spencer Strider, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Austin Riley contributed to their early exit. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks star guard Trae Young told reporters he believes he is the second-best three-point shooter in the NBA, behind four-time NBA champion Steph Curry. (More)

➤ Bally Sports is dropping all MLB teams from its broadcasts next season, except for the Atlanta Braves. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | PGA

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Hale Breathing Aid is like a contact lens for your nose—it instantly opens up your nasal passages and is virtually undetectable to those around you. Unlike toxic medicines or sprays, Hale corrects the structure of your nose without the need for invasive surgery. (See It Here)

➤ Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that Georgia-based Public Partnerships LLC will manage New York's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program, which helps elderly and disabled people hire aides using public funds. (More)

➤Phoenix-based NexMetro has entered the Atlanta market with a new build-to-rent project called South Pine in South Fulton County, featuring 193 townhomes with private backyards. The community will offer amenities like a pool, dog park, and sports court. (More)

➤ Tech start-up Infinite Giving has raised $2 million in a seed round of investment led by Cubit Capital, Morgan Stanley, and Atlanta Ventures. The company provides financial management solutions for nonprofits. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Clean any screen or lens in seconds! WaterBear makes it easy and convenient to keep all types of screens and lenses free from smudges, grime, and bacteria—and since it sticks to your phone or camera, it’s always with you. (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

With FIXD, you don’t need to know anything about cars to know what’s going on with your car—just plug it in and start scanning. FIXD inspects every inch of your vehicle to expose any current or potential issues.

The sensor connects via Bluetooth with the free FIXD App on your phone, so the results are sent straight to the palm of your hand as soon as the scan is complete. And the best part is that everything is explained in simple terms, so you’re never left scratching your head asking, “What does that mean?!”

➤ The Gainesville Chicken Festival is returning to Hall County on Oct. 19 featuring 17,000 pounds of freshly cooked chicken prepared by various cook teams. (Details)

➤ Currently, 29 film and TV projects are shooting in Georgia, including the Netflix limited series His & Her, starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, and the Lifetime movie Can You Feel the Beat? about the life of R&B singer Lisa Lisa. (More)

➤ Augusta National Golf Club has donated $5 million to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund for recovery efforts in Augusta. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Peeps™ are a revolutionary new way to get spotless lenses. They clean perfectly every time and are trusted by leading Optometrists worldwide. Keep your glasses crystal clear; no cloth required! (See It Here)