Saturday, February 21, 2026

Good morning! On this date in 1856, Georgia's legislature renamed Kinchafoonee County after residents complained it was too awkward a moniker. They named it Webster County in honor of New England statesman Daniel Webster.

A historic 1920s building in downtown Atlanta is transforming into an exciting new entertainment, dining, and event venue. Learn all the details in today's Top Stories.

Today's sponsor, Grounded Footwear, is helping you step into spring with barefoot shoes designed to support natural movement, improve balance, reduce joint pressure, and keep you comfortable with lightweight, non-slip protection—now up to 60% off for a limited time.

Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

$600M Japanese Investment in Georgia

Georgia is set to receive a $600 million high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic diamond grit facility as part of a major U.S.–Japan trade agreement.

The move follows a broader U.S.–Japan trade deal in which Tokyo pledged up to $550 billion for U.S. projects.

The facility is one of three projects announced to arrive in the U.S. under a $36 billion investment package tied to the trade deal.

A location for the plant has not been released.

Decatur Speed Limits Reduced

Decatur is reducing speed limits on all state routes within the city as part of an initiative aimed at improving traffic safety.

Speed limits on College Avenue, Scott Boulevard, South Candler Street, Clairemont Avenue, and Commerce Drive will be lowered by five miles per hour.

The changes, which are part of the Decatur Safe Streets Safety Action Plan, were approved by the city in Sept. 2025.

It's unclear when all the new speed limit signs will be in place.

New Multi-Venue Complex For Atlanta

207 Peachtree, a new 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event venue, will open at the corner of Peachtree Street and Andrew Young International Boulevard in Atlanta this spring.

The complex will feature a new dive bar, upscale sports bar, rooftop lounge, and an event space spanning 10,000 square feet.

The concepts will be accompanied by the existing Red Phone Booth speakeasy-style cocktail bar and Amalfi Cucina + Mercato restaurant.

The project will be housed in a restored, 1920s building formerly home to Regenstein's Department Store, which closed in the late '70s.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Fulton County: Jan Jones, the longest-serving speaker pro tempore in U.S. history, will retire in Jan. 2027 after more than 20 years in the Georgia House of Representatives. (See Details)

➤ Covington: This year's July 4 fireworks show has been canceled over safety concerns, and alternative events are being considered. (More)

➤ Baldwin County: The county has received $1.3 million to fund 10 new affordable Habitat for Humanity homes on its south side. (More)

➤ Forsyth County: Over 600 community volunteers are needed to serve as poll workers for the upcoming 2026 election cycle. (More)

➤ Albany: The city will vote next week on a $10 million proposal to demolish and rebuild its 72-year-old Fire Station 2 at its current site on the corner of Palmyra Road and 8th Avenue. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Falcons hired former Wisconsin wide receivers coach (and Lilburn native) Jordan Reid as their new assistant quarterbacks coach. (More)

➤ Georgia State men's basketball squeezed out a 66-64 win over Georgia Southern in a Sun Belt Conference grudge match. Their next game is today against James Madison. (More)

➤ Georgia baseball's Kenny Ishikawa will miss time after being hit with a pitch against USC Upstate, causing a hairline foot fracture. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech men's basketball takes on No. 21 Louisville this afternoon. (How to Watch)

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➤ Nine of the nation's worst traffic bottlenecks are in metro Atlanta, with four ranking in the top 10, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. (More)

➤ The Milton Fire Department rescued a 30-year-old horse that became stuck after falling into a slick creek bank at The Painted Horse Winery and Vineyards. (More)

➤ The National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center in Columbus was named the No. 2 best free museum in the United States on a USA Today list. (See Full List)

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