By Ross Williams | Deputy Editor
Today marks a sad anniversary.
On Sept. 4, 2024, students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder in Georgia’s deadliest school shooting.
In a solemn ceremony at the state Capitol, Gov. Brian Kemp declared today Apalachee Remembrance Day, praising the bravery of the students, staff and first responders who were present during the attack.
Following the shooting, Kemp signed an omnibus school safety bill intended to prevent similar attacks, but two years out, some advocates and lawmakers are calling for more action, including metal detectors in schools and safe gun storage mandates.
Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp pose for a photo on Sept. 3, 2026, at the state Capitol in Atlanta with community members affected by the deadly 2024 Apalachee High School shooting after issuing a proclamation marking Sept. 4, 2026 as Apalachee Remembrance Day. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
SCHOOL SAFETY
By Alander Rocha
Georgia marked the second anniversary of the deadly 2024 Apalachee High School shooting as Apalachee Remembrance Day while drawing calls for state leaders to move beyond commemorations and enact measures to prevent another tragedy.
Gov. Brian Kemp gathered with Apalachee High School families, community members affected by the 2024 shooting and law enforcement Thursday after issuing a proclamation marking Sept. 4, 2026, as a day of remembrance, honoring the victims and celebrating law enforcement for their response to the school shooting. The Sept. 4, 2024, shooting in the Winder high school left two students and two teachers dead and nine other students injured.
A ballot-marking device displays accessibility options to allow voters with disabilities to independently select candidates of their choice. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
ELECTIONS
By Maya Homan
Accessibility advocates are urging state leaders to prioritize access for voters with disabilities and those who require language assistance as lawmakers prepare to overhaul Georgia’s election equipment ahead of 2028.
Karen Kost took part in the North Dakota primary election early voting available June 3, 2026, at City Hall in Casselton, North Dakota. (Photo by Dan Koeck/North Dakota Monitor)
2026 ELECTION
By Jennifer Shutt
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said earlier this year he’d “do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections” this fall, declining to rule out sending the National Guard or federal law enforcement officers to polling locations throughout the country.
Those comments came a few months after Trump casually and briefly mentioned canceling the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
Any such actions would lie outside the bounds of presidential power and the law, according to experts interviewed by States Newsroom. Nonetheless, one Democratic U.S. senator is sending letters to numerous members of the administration asking for commitments troops won’t be sent to the polls, and state officials are readying plans to keep voting secure.
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ICYMI FROM THE RECORDER
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