Regional

Helen's 55th annual Oktoberfest is now underway! The long-running festival kicked off last weekend with a parade. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Helen's 55th annual Oktoberfest is now underway! The long-running festival kicked off last weekend with a parade. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

55th annual Oktoberfest kicks off

  Throngs of visitors strolled along every block of Helen’s 2.1 square miles last Saturday when the city’s 55th annual Oktoberfest went into high gear with a parade and tradition- al keg tapping. The festival officially kicked off on Sept. 4.
Peter Hubbard defeated former Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites for the Democratic nomination.

Peter Hubbard defeated former Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites for the Democratic nomination.

Hubbard wins PSC Democratic runoff

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service Clean-energy advocate Peter Hubbard captured the Democratic nomination for a seat on Georgia’s energy-regulating Public Service Commission (PSC) Tuesday. Hubbard defeated former Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites with 58.
John Yarbrough

John Yarbrough

TMU promises reform in wake of scandal

Following multiple allegations of sexual abuse and a cover-up at Truett McConnell University, acting President John Yarbrough insisted he is committed to rebuilding trust and implementing systemic changes to protect students.

County inmate death investigated by GBI

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an independent investigation into the in-custody death of 22-year-old Jacie Louise Harrison of Clayton while she was being housed at the Rabun County Detention Center.
Last week, protesters on the Truett-McConnell University campus demanded an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at the Christian school. DENISE ETHERIDGE/CNI News Service

Last week, protesters on the Truett-McConnell University campus demanded an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at the Christian school. DENISE ETHERIDGE/CNI News Service

TMU Board of Trustees place president on leave

By Jerry Grillo and Denise Etheridge CNI News Service      Truett McConnell University’s Board of Trustees agreed to place President Emir Caner on administrative leave until a third-party investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse and a cover-up are completed.    Dr.
A view of Great Temple & Lesser Temple Mounds from the Funeral Mound at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. (Photo/National Park Service)

A view of Great Temple & Lesser Temple Mounds from the Funeral Mound at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. (Photo/National Park Service)

Georgia’s congressional delegation calls truce to collaborate on national attraction for state

By Ty Tagami Capitol Beat News Service   After more than a century of trying, Georgia may soon get its first national park, as the state’s congressional delegation puts aside partisan differences to upgrade the status of ancient mounds in Macon.
Georgia DOT's website for the project includes a map showing the Project Study Area, includes the cities of Atlanta, Athens, Statesboro, Milledgeville, Macon, Augusta and Savannah. (GDOT/ atlsavpassrail-gdot.hub.arcgis.com)

Georgia DOT's website for the project includes a map showing the Project Study Area, includes the cities of Atlanta, Athens, Statesboro, Milledgeville, Macon, Augusta and Savannah. (GDOT/ atlsavpassrail-gdot.hub.arcgis.com)

State eyeing Atlanta-to-Savannah passenger rail line

By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   By the middle of the next decade, Georgians may be able to travel between Atlanta and Savannah by high-speed rail, avoiding traffic and expensive air fares.
Victor Anderson recaps this spring's legislative session. FILE

Victor Anderson recaps this spring's legislative session. FILE

Ending the 2025 Georgia Legislative Session

By State Rep. Victor Anderson      The 2025 Legislative Session has ended, Sine Die! This session proved highly successful, with House Republicans accomplishing many conservative legislative goals designed to ease your daily life.
A sharply divided Georgia Senate passed a comprehensive tort reform bill Friday that is Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s top priority for the 2025 General Assembly session.

A sharply divided Georgia Senate passed a comprehensive tort reform bill Friday that is Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s top priority for the 2025 General Assembly session.

Republican-controlled state Senate passes tort reform

by Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   A sharply divided Georgia Senate passed a comprehensive tort reform bill Friday that is Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s top priority for the 2025 General Assembly session.