“Local papers need to adapt to avoid falling behind, and that’s what we’re trying to do now. This may be because I work in it, but I’ve never been under the impression that local journalism is going to die," said Evan Newton, who bought his hometown newspaper. New from @elliefivas.bsky.social.

Meet the Gen Z journalist who bought his hometown newspaper in Georgia • Georgia Recorder

Four years ago, Evan Newton was an intern at the Monticello News. Last month, he became the newspaper’s editor, publisher and owner after purchasing the outlet from its previous local owner.  At 25 ye...

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Meet the 25-year-old who still believes in a future for local journalism. When Evan Newton purchased his hometown newspaper, he became one of the youngest newspaper owners in Georgia. Click for more about how he hopes to use new ideas to help an old industry. ⬇️ georgiarecorder.com/2026/08/04/m...

Meet the Gen Z journalist who bought his hometown newspaper in Georgia • Georgia Recorder

MONTICELLO, Ga. – Four years ago, Evan Newton was an intern at the Monticello News. Last month, he became the newspaper’s editor, publisher and owner after purchasing the outlet from its previous loca...

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Billed as an official White House event, President Trump's visit to Georgia had the hallmarks of a campaign rally. The event was held at a public school in Cobb County. Story by @mayahoman.bsky.social + @journalistross.bsky.social + @elliefivas.bsky.social + @jillnolin.bsky.social.

Trump's Cobb County visit boosts Republican candidates • Georgia Recorder

Several Republican candidates for statewide office had speaking slots, giving the official White House event a distinctly partisan tint.

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Trump enters Wheeler High School in Marietta. The president’s speech is over now, with several highlights and lasting about an hour and 15 minutes. Check out live coverage of those highlights on my account. #gapol

“We are in the golden age of America,” Trump says as he exits the stage. He leaves quickly, with YMCA playing and the crowd dancing. It was a long event, with the president hitting on over 10 policy areas.

Surprisingly, Trump did not discuss election integrity or the FBI investigation on Fulton County’s 2020 ballot counting. Being under an hour from Fulton, it’s an issue lots of Georgia voters are familiar with. Both Georgia senators heavily criticized the president’s administration for the raid.

The president’s thanking members of the state legislature, his cabinet officials and other allies. Seems like he’s wrapping up. Trump acknowledged U.S. Rep. Mike Collins at the end of his address, saying he stayed back in DC for an important House vote.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson joins the president on stage in Marietta. He says he wants to be Trump’s “favorite governor.” Jackson’s certainly selling himself as Trump 2.0, promising to be business-minded in running Georgia.

About 30 minutes in, Trump has started taking about the savings accounts. He’s bringing a Georgia family up on stage, a young man and woman with their three young children.

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins did not end up speaking at the Marietta event today. He’s needed for a key vote on the House floor this afternoon, according to his post on X No mention of Collins from the president so far.

The president’s jokes about the price of eggs and affordability didn’t quite land. Several Trump supporters I spoke with earlier said affordability is a sincere concern for them. Even in a state like Georgia, with more conservative fiscal policies, it seems Georgians are feeling the pressure.

President Donald Trump is in the building.

Trump has taken the stage in Marietta. He’s yet to mention in depth the savings accounts for children, the policy focus of this event. He’s focusing on immigration policy, American action in Venezuela and made one passing comment in praise of gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.

I spoke with several attendees earlier for @georgiarecorder.com. Many are eager to hear the president’s plan to fix affordability and the Iran War. While pleased with his second term, a few voters told me they are not completely satisfied and hope to see the president step it up in coming weeks.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson spoke over an hour ago, notably an early speaker on the line-up. It will be interesting to see how much the president embraces a fellow billionaire-turned-politician whom he did not initially endorse in the Republican primary election.

After a parade of introductions, all eyes on the stage in Marietta, GA, as the crowd awaits President Donald Trump’s speech. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins is still expected to speak as well.

After spending 16 years moving away from a psychiatric care system centered on institutionalization, state officials are preparing to build Georgia’s largest state hospital in decades. New from @elliefivas.bsky.social.

Georgia is building first state psychiatric hospital since landmark disability case • Georgia Recorder

After spending 16 years moving away from a psychiatric care system centered on institutionalization, state officials are preparing to build Georgia’s largest state hospital in decades.

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Georgia is building its first state psychiatric hospital since Olmstead v. L.C. — a milestone SCOTUS case for disability rights. Why does it matter? Advocates warn against a potential return to the state institutionalization of mentally ill and disabled people. georgiarecorder.com/2026/07/20/g...

Georgia is building first state psychiatric hospital since landmark disability case • Georgia Recorder

After spending 16 years moving away from a psychiatric care system centered on institutionalization, state officials are preparing to build Georgia’s largest state hospital in decades.

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While some Georgia newsrooms are shrinking or closing down, two of the state’s largest local publications are being reimagined as nonprofit newsrooms. New from @elliefivas.bsky.social.

Georgia communities rally support to help convert local newspapers into nonprofits • Georgia Recorder

While some Georgia newsrooms are shrinking or closing down, two of the state’s largest local publications are being reimagined as nonprofit newsrooms.  The Georgia Trust for Local News announced Wedne...

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These invasive insects may not be a familiar sight yet, but researchers predict the spotted lanternfly population in Georgia will continue to increase in the coming years, which could spell trouble for the state’s fruit crops. New from @elliefivas.bsky.social.

Spotted lanternflies are inching closer to Georgia crops. Here’s how experts say you can help. • Georgia Recorder

These invasive insects may not be a familiar sight yet, but researchers predict the spotted lanternfly population in Georgia will continue to increase in the coming years, which could spell trouble fo...

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Without new state funding, Georgia domestic violence, sexual assault programs brace for the worst, reports @elliefivas.bsky.social #gapol

Without new state funding, Georgia domestic violence, sexual assault programs brace for the worst • Georgia Recorder

The two dozen beds at the Haven, a domestic violence shelter in Valdosta, are almost never enough, according to Executive Director Michelle Girtman.  Rising demand for services and years of declining ...

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NEW: What happens when new state spending for domestic violence & sexual assault programs is vetoed? I spoke with advocates & lawmakers who said the funding for these resources was essential — and now, programs aren't sure how they'll make it. READ MORE: georgiarecorder.com/2026/06/22/w...

Without new state funding, Georgia domestic violence, sexual assault programs brace for the worst • Georgia Recorder

The two dozen beds at the Haven, a domestic violence shelter in Valdosta, are almost never enough, according to Executive Director Michelle Girtman.  Rising demand for services and years of declining ...

georgiarecorder.com

NEW from me: georgiarecorder.com/2026/06/18/d... A small town in Georgia has successfully fought off the federal government from converting an empty warehouse into a 10,000-bed immigration detention facility. Multiple sources from DHS confirmed to city leaders that the project has been abandoned.

DHS appears to axe plan to construct immigration detention megacenter in small Georgia town • Georgia Recorder

After months of tension between the city of Social Circle and the federal government, the city announced in a press release Thursday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will abandon its plan...

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Georgia’s runoffs are over. Here are the candidates who are advancing to November’s election. New from @elliefivas.bsky.social #gapol

Georgia’s runoffs are over. Here are the candidates who are advancing to November’s election.  • Georgia Recorder

As Georgians headed to the polls on Tuesday, voters were doing more than just determining Republican nominees for the top of the ticket  — both parties also decided nominations for key down-ballot pri...

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Georgia Republican lawmakers drop plans to redistrict, citing pending legal cases #gapol

Georgia Republican lawmakers drop plans to redistrict, citing pending legal cases • Georgia Recorder

Georgia Republicans abruptly changed course on redistricting Wednesday, retreating from their plans to redraw congressional and state district lines for the 2028 election less than an hour before lawm...

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The special legislative session will still happen. Lawmakers still need to resolve a voting issue relating to QR codes and local tax referendums. We can expect continued conversation around redistricting during this session — even if it’s off the agenda for now.

BREAKING: Georgia Republicans have put aside redistricting measures for this special legislative session, according to a letter from House majority leadership to Gov. Brian Kemp.

Today, Georgia’s special legislative session will began. On the table? Potential redistricting for 2028 elections. On the South Steps inside the Georgia State Capitol, Democratic representatives are addressing a massive crowd. Stay tuned for more updates.

Jackson defeats Trump-backed Jones to win GOP race for Georgia governor after costly primary battle, reports @alander.bsky.social #gapol

Jackson defeats Trump-backed Jones to win GOP race for Georgia governor after costly primary battle • Georgia Recorder

An expensive slugfest between two Republican candidates for governor fighting for the party’s nomination came to an end Tuesday night. The Associated Press called the race for wealthy businessman Rick...

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Rick Jackson, Republican nominee for Georgia governor, beat out Lt. Gov Burt Jones. President Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp both endorsed Jones. This will be one of the highest profile elections in which a Trump-endorsed candidate hasn’t clinched the Republican nomination.