Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Good morning! On this day in 1909, Lamar Dodd was born in Fairburn. A renowned painter, he chaired the University of Georgia’s art department for decades.

Have you picked your retirement date yet? A new study says that choice may shape how long you live, not just how much you save. What happens to your odds if you work one more year? And does it matter whether you leave the job healthy or already sick? Ayla walks through what the researchers found on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is hear.com, offering the sleek, AI-powered Horizon IX hearing aid designed to deliver clearer, more natural sound with personalized technology you won’t find at big-box stores.

Rivals Unite Against Corporate Landlords

The candidates for Georgia lieutenant governor agree the state should curb the rise of corporate-owned homes.

Democrat Josh McLaurin, a state senator from Sandy Springs, wants to loosen zoning rules that make it hard to build smaller houses, townhomes, and accessory dwelling units.

Republican Greg Dolezal, a state senator from Cumming, introduced a bill this year capping institutional investors at 500 single-family homes. It cleared the Senate 49-3 but never reached a House vote.

At the federal level, a 350-home cap on institutional investors will take effect in January after the bill became law without President Trump's signature.

School District Pulls Book

The Cobb County School District removed Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye from its middle and high school libraries, citing sexually explicit content.

Superintendent Chris Ragsdale read an explicit passage aloud at last Thursday's board meeting. "Both as a father and as a superintendent, I think about a parent having to explain to their sixth-grade daughter" the contents, Ragsdale said of his decision to remove the book.

Free speech advocates say the district skipped its own review rules, which say a request for a removal should come from a parent or legal guardian.

Other Morrison works remain available at schools in the district.

Fair Salutes America's 250th

The North Georgia State Fair opens Thursday at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta, launching an 11-day run themed Fair Nights Under Stars and Stripes in a nod to America's 250th birthday.

Organizers expect 300,000 to 350,000 visitors for the expo, which features five new rides, food priced at $10 or less, and a sensory-friendly session Sept. 29 when rides run without music or lights.

Grandstand events include bull riding, motocross, and a demolition derby.

Admission is $15, $10 for seniors 55 and up, and free for children 10 and under, with several free or discounted days planned. Parking is free, and a shuttle runs from the Cobb Safety Village.

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➤ Gray: Slim Chickens owner Justin Kelly and his staff surprised employee Antonio Gibson with the keys and title to a Hummer after learning he had been searching for an affordable vehicle. (More)

➤ Dawsonville: Federal prosecutors charged three people from Dawsonville, Lawrenceville, and Morrow with voting as noncitizens in federal elections. (More)

➤ Augusta: More than 2,000 athletes will arrive this week for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon on Sunday, bringing lane closures and traffic delays from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. (More)

➤ Tybee Island: About 150 volunteers, including Savannah College of Art and Design students, combed the beach Sunday as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. (More)

➤ Roswell: The city will host its 76th Annual Youth Day on Oct. 3, featuring a parade, art fair, farmyard, Truck Zone, and food in a tradition that dates to 1950. (More)

➤ Stone Mountain: Authorities identified the two boys killed in a Sunday shooting that also wounded two women. Police say all four victims were related. (More)

➤ Decatur: A woman received a 10-year sentence—90 days in prison and the rest on probation—and was ordered to pay full restitution for laundering proceeds from a business email scheme that stole $158,000 from an agricultural company. (More)

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➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will make his season debut Thursday night at Green Bay after recovering from a torn ACL. (More)

➤ No. 2 Georgia opened as a 13.5-point favorite in its home matchup against Oklahoma at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Sanford Stadium, airing on ESPN. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London exchanged heated words with a fan he said got "personal" during the team's 34-3 home loss to Carolina on Sunday, with cameras catching the confrontation. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Georgia gas prices reached an average of $4.09 per gallon on Monday, up 8 cents in a week and $1.18 from a year ago, according to AAA. (More)

➤ Paramount settled with states suing to block its acquisition of Atlanta-based CNN parent company Warner Bros. Discovery. (More)

➤ Five industrial sites in the state earned shovel-ready certification, signaling they meet standards designed to accelerate new business projects. (More)

➤ Wiregrass Georgia Technical College broke ground on a commercial driver's license training facility in Valdosta, funded in part by the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation. (More)

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➤ The CSRA Auto Fest drew crowds to Grovetown, with Ferraris and Lamborghinis on display and some proceeds going to the owner of Mosh Pits Eats as he recovers from quadruple bypass surgery. (More)

➤ The state's first frost is on the way, with typical first freeze dates around Nov. 7 in Athens, Nov. 9 in Augusta, and Nov. 16 in Columbus. (More)

➤ The newly opened Satellite Restaurant and Arcade Bar in Marietta pairs rare vintage arcade games with game-themed food and drinks. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ Researchers found the timing of your retirement may matter far more than just to your savings account. (Listen Now)

➤ Insiders at major AI companies are openly mocking viral warnings that the technology could wipe out humanity. (Hear Episode)

➤ The New York Times writer behind the 1619 Project now says her decade-long public school experiment may have cheated her own daughter. (Hear Details)