Regional

The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Kemp suspends gas tax for third time

News Staff
Thursday, October 1, 2026
By Ty Tagami,Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — For the third time this year, Gov. Brian Kemp ordered a suspension of Georgia's fuel tax, as prices at the pump keep rising with no sign of relief.The 30-day suspension order, which Kemp signed Monday, went into effect at 12:01 a.m....
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

AI raising questions about who writes the rules

News Staff
Thursday, September 24, 2026
By Ty Tagami, Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Some worry artificial intelligence could one day rule humanity.Robots have not taken over yet, but AI may be helping with a core function of democracy in Georgia's largest county: writing ordinances and resolutions.A Fulton County...
A screenshot from a Walmart promotional video shows the inside of the company’s next-generation fulfillment centers that combine the work of employees, robotics and automated shipping technology to move packages to customers. Walmart announced last week that a new next-generation fulfillment center will be built in Franklin County and employ 1,000 workers. Photo courtesy of Walmart.com.

A screenshot from a Walmart promotional video shows the inside of the company’s next-generation fulfillment centers that combine the work of employees, robotics and automated shipping technology to move packages to customers. Walmart announced last week that a new next-generation fulfillment center will be built in Franklin County and employ 1,000 workers. Photo courtesy of Walmart.com.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Walmart fulfillment center bringing 1,000 jobs to Carnesville

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
By Shane ScogginsFranklin County Citizen LeaderCARNESVILLE – Walmart will build a $1.3 billion “high-tech, next-generation fulfillment center” on Old Federal Road off of Exit 160 on I-85.Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a press release last week announcing the new industry that is slated to bring...
A flock camera in the City of Hartwell. State lawmakers are working to curb misuse of the cameras after several arrests statewide. Photo by Madison Linton.

A flock camera in the City of Hartwell. State lawmakers are working to curb misuse of the cameras after several arrests statewide. Photo by Madison Linton.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lawmaker exploring legislation to curb Flock camera misuse

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
By Ty Tagami,Bureau Chief, Capitol Beat News ServiceATLANTA — Growing public concern about license plate reader systems has led a state senator to consider legislation to limit abuses by police.After nearly weekly reports of law enforcement officers accused of misusing license plate reader data for...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Toccoa teen connects loved ones to gravestones

News Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
By Michael O'HearnThe Toccoa RecordA Tallulah Falls School student is making a difference in people’s lives across the country, with just a single click of his camera at the cemeteries he visits.Fifteen-year-old Dylan Johnson, whose family owns Blackberry Farmstead in Stephens County, embarked on a...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Metro Atlanta water authority investigates outage

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
By Ty Tagami, Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — A water utility that serves 300,000 homes and businesses in metro Atlanta was still investigating whether a hacker caused a service outage at the end of July, as of Aug. 4.That July 27 shutdown in northern Clayton County occurred the...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Math scores continue to rise in Georgia, but many students left behind

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
By Ty Tagami,Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA— Statewide scores on the Georgia Milestones tests continued to rise in math as teachers adapted to standards that were updated several years ago.The 2025-26 results for every subject but English were released last week.The Georgia...
The Hartwell Sun

The Hartwell Sun

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Georgia tax revenues remained strong in July, bolstered by the sales tax

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
By Ty Tagami,Bureau ChiefCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia tax revenue continued rising in July, bolstered by strong receipts from the sales and use tax, which sent more money to local governments.Net tax collections were $2.57 billion, up $78.1 million from July 2025.That 3.1 percent...