High school cellphone ban heads to Gov. Kemp's desk

ATLANTA — Cellphones will be banned in Georgia public high schools starting in the 2027-28 school year, if Gov. Brian Kemp signs House Bill 1009 into law. The state Senate passed the measure unanimously on Monday. "This is a great, great, win for our students and our classrooms," said Rep.

New proposal keeps voting system in place till ’28, despite QR codes

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia representatives abandoned a deadline to change the state’s voting technology before this November’s election, advancing a bill Tuesday that delays a switch to hand-marked paper ballots until the 2028 election year.

Deadline Friday for annual spring Lake Living magazine

By Kimberly Brown CNI News Service Lake Living magazine is looking for photos that represent springtime at the lake. The selected photo will be featured on the cover of the magazine’s spring 2026 edition.  Lake Living is a full-color regional guide to Northeast Georgia’s lakes.

Senators make a deal on fentanyl prison sentences

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Something unusual happened to an anti-fentanyl bill in the Georgia Senate on Monday.

Concerns raised about public access to police videos

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Four words added to legislation that targets mugshot mills have free speech advocates worried the public could lose access to videos that hold police accountable for their conduct.

Changes coming to legislature as lawmakers leave office

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — With legislators running for higher office, longtime lawmakers retiring, and many challenges to incumbents, the Georgia General Assembly is set for high turnover after this year’s elections.

Hand-marked paper ballot bill fails ahead of deadline for changing Georgia’s elections

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia senators shot down a bill Friday that would have switched the state’s voting method to paper ballots filled out by hand before this November’s elections.

Lawmakers debate legalizing silencers as gun safety bills stall

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia has some of the loosest gun laws in the nation, but a bill to remove the state’s restriction on silencers tested lawmakers’ limits.

Senate GOP targets data centers

ATLANTA — The Georgia Senate adopted legislation March 6 that would encourage judges to think of regular people when considering disputes about contracts between electric utilities and big customers like data centers.

State legislature unanimously approves tax rebates

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia taxpayers are getting some of their money back. With a unanimous vote Monday, the state Senate gave final approval to a bill that will distribute tax rebates worth $250 to individuals and $500 to married couples. Gov.