State election board considers mandating hand-marked paper ballots

ATLANTA — After Georgia lawmakers failed to act on their self-imposed deadline to overhaul the state's election machinery, a panel of appointees to the board that regulates elections narrowly voted Wednesday to consider a rule that would require hand-marked paper ballots.Two years ago, the...

Republicans for governor face each other in debate

ATLANTA — The only major debate between Republican candidates for Georgia governor brimmed with personal attacks and appeals to President Donald Trump's followers and offered less to guide voters on policy directions.The debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club and aired by Georgia Public...

Democrats for governor pitch tax cuts, with more spending in some areas

ATLANTA — Tax cuts coexisted with higher spending on education and health care when Democrats running for governor laid out their positions this week.At a debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club and aired by Georgia Public Broadcasting on Monday, as early voters headed to the polls, several...

Lavonia pair arrested following burglaries in Franklin, Hart counties

By Shane ScogginsFranklin County Citizen LeaderTwo Lavonia men were arrested Friday and charged with a series of burglaries in Franklin and Hart counties.The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Canon Police Department and Lavonia Police Department served a search warrant Friday at a residence on...

Gov. Kemp has a lot of bills on his desk after lawmakers finished their work

ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers went home in a flurry of ripped paper, as is the custom at the end of the 40-day legislative session.

QR codes to be illegal for tallying election results, raising questions about November midterms

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service  ATLANTA — When Georgia lawmakers went home April 3, they left the state on a collision course with their own self-imposed deadline to change the way residents vote.

Last-minute income, property tax cuts pushed through session

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia House and Senate Republicans with competing agendas managed to push through income and property tax cuts as the curtain closed on the 2026 Georgia legislative session after midnight Friday.

Schools could lose most if legislation becomes law

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Homeowners will get relief from their fast-rising property tax bills and may even see tax cuts if Gov. Brian Kemp signs Senate Bill 33 into law.

Failure of Georgia elections bill could lead to quick switch to hand-marked ballots

By Mark Niesse, Staff Writer Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers set up the possibility of a swift conversion to hand-marked paper ballots this year when they failed to pass a bill early Friday morning that would have gradually replaced the state’s touchscreen voting system.

Lawmakers send measure to governor to make ambulance rides more affordable

By Ty Tagami, Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA — People in Georgia who get injured badly enough to need an ambulance ride could worry less about the shock to their pocketbook if they have insurance and if Gov. Brian Kemp signs House Bill 506 into law.