Morning, y’all! Look, up in the sky ... it’s millions and millions of neotropical migratory birds returning to Georgia for the season! Unfurl the “Welcome Home” banners for your local hummingbirds, songbirds and shorebirds. They deserve it after traveling thousands of miles across latitudes to poop on your car hood.
Let’s get to it.
A MIDTERM ELECTIONS CATCH-22
Credit: John Spink /
Credit: John Spink /
November’s midterm elections, which include the Georgia governor’s race, a high-profile U.S. Senate race and contests that will serve as judgments on leaders state- and nationwide, are hurtling toward us.
Big problem: Georgia legislators haven’t made critical decisions about the state’s voting process.
How it started
- Two years ago, the state’s GOP-led legislature set a self-imposed deadline of July 2026 to eliminate touchscreen voting and QR codes in state elections.
- Because of that law, counties can’t rely on the state’s current voting system after the July deadline.
How it’s going
- During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers didn’t pass any changes to the state’s voting system or delay the deadline. They also didn’t decide on any transition plans.
- There are two main paths to a solution. Gov. Brian Kemp could call a special session, or let the matter go to the courts. Meanwhile, county and city leaders are frustrated that they don’t have clear election guidelines.
Oh, there’s one more possible solution. The state has an emergency backup system featuring hand-marked paper ballots. A hand-marked ballot system is what lots of state GOP legislators wanted all along.
🔎 READ MORE: What legislators are saying — and not saying
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TEEN KILLED IN PIEDMONT PARK SHOOTING
A 16-year-old girl was killed and another teenager wounded in a shooting in Piedmont Park Saturday night.
- The shooting took place at the same time as a planned 404 Day celebration in the park, but police say it occurred at a different, “unpermitted” gathering elsewhere on the grounds.
- Police activity and park closures continued through the night and into Sunday morning. No arrests have been made.
- Homicides in Atlanta’s largest park are exceedingly rare.
🔎 READ MORE: Police still have questions
GWINNETT’S NEXT SUPERINTENDENT SPEAKS UP
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC
Students need to feel they belong, and building a sense of belonging is critical in making sure they feel safe, welcomed and loved. I'm hoping I can inspire them to see that education is the path forward to success.
Gwinnett’s new superintendent will have a lot on her plate when she takes over July 1. Her two predecessors both had their contracts terminated early by the county’s school board.
🔎 READ MORE: Estrella’s plan to set Gwinnett up for more success
MUST-KNOW POLITICS AND BUSINESS
⚡ The Georgia Legislature didn’t pass a measure to protect consumers from rising data center costs, nor did they agree to revisit massive data center tax breaks.
🪖 How are Georgia troops and facilities involved in the Iran war? It’s hard to say for sure (national security and all of that), but assets like the 23rd Fighter Group’s A-10 “Warthog” attack planes in Moody are likely being used in the conflict.
IT’S MASTERS WEEK
Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC
Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC
The 90th edition of the Masters Tournament tees off at Augusta National Golf Club this week. Practice rounds begin today, and play culminates with the final round on Sunday, April 12.
⛳ Here are the basics re: watching, attending, keeping track, etc.
The AJC’s Jack Leo put together a handy guide of 10 phrases you need to know to not make a fool of yourself at the Masters. To wit:
“Augusta National workers speak in classic Masters fashion when they warn spectators a golfer is about to swing. A stern but calm, ‘Fore, please,’ politely silences patrons almost instantaneously.”
Noted.
NEWS BITES
How to make the Masters’ famous three-ingredient azalea cocktail
It really nails that deep pink azalea hue. (No flowers included.)
As Trump orders UFO data released, a question hangs: If aliens exist, what would they think of us?
“Bold of you to assume we would think of you at all.” — aliens, probably
Typical baseball foolishness. Very hard to explain to aliens.
ON THIS DATE
April 6, 1955
Credit: AJC
Credit: AJC
Churchill as Atlanta’s guest proved true seer. Russell Bridges and many other Atlantans will never forget Winston Churchill’s visit here. The time was February 23, 1932 ... Pointing out that prohibition was in effect in 1932, Bridges said Winston called him into a private room of his hotel suite ... and asked if he knew a chemist ... Churchill then said, “I have two quarts of bourbon which were presented to me in Charleston. But I always like to have your native beverages tested.” … That night at the hotel, Bridges gave Churchill the chemist’s report. The whisky was slightly poisonous. Informed of this, Churchill cried: “Get me a doctor — get me two doctors! I have been sick for two hours.” The doctors were called. Churchill recovered.
Yeah, remember that time we almost inadvertently poisoned Winston Churchill? During prohibition, the U.S. government put a lil’ bit of poison in industrial alcohol to dissuade people from drinking it. (Folly. More than 10,000 Americans died during prohibition from consuming booze with poisoned alcohol.)
This story published the day after Churchill resigned as Prime Minister of the U.K.
ONE MORE THING
Hot tip for any young ladies* going to the Masters. Last April, I overheard the women at my med spa planning their Augusta trips and they said tennis skirts are so overplayed. I assume that holds true this year. I can’t independently verify this information, and maintain a pro-tennis skirt bias. Thought I’d pass it along anyway.
*Or gents or anyone else, though the Masters isn’t exactly a hotbed of bold, gender-interrogating fashion decisions.
Thanks for reading to the very bottom of A.M. ATL. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact us at AMATL@ajc.com.
Until next time.
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