By Jill Nolin | Editor
Happy Saturday, y’all. Before we dive into the weekend, let’s look back at the week, shall we?
Endorsement do-over: Outgoing Gov. Brian Kemp surprised reporters when he appeared with the GOP candidate to replace him, Rick Jackson, when talking to the press at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual congressional luncheon in Athens. As you’ll recall, Kemp issued a last-minute endorsement of Jackson’s rival, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, during the primary. Now, he’s backing Jackson, although it remains to be seen if Jackson will get the full Derek Dooley treatment. Kemp had already announced his endorsement of Jackson, but this was his first time appearing with him.
Gubernatorial split screen: The chamber’s visit offered Jackson and the Democratic nominee for governor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, a chance to address the state’s business community. Their differing views on data centers and Medicaid expansion stood out, as Deputy Editor Ross Williams reported.
News from elsewhere: It was only a couple years ago when Georgia Republicans like House Speaker Jon Burns were eyeing Arkansas’ Medicaid expansion program as a possible conservative-friendly alternative to traditional expansion. Well now the Trump administration has notified Arkansas officials that it will not renew the state’s hybrid expansion model, although state leaders there are hoping for a temporary extension while they figure out what to do instead to keep people from losing their health insurance. The federal government says Arkansas’ program doesn’t comply with rules regarding budget neutrality.
Looking ahead: Friday was the final deadline for state candidates to file their campaign finance reports, and we’ll be sifting through those next week for surprises.
Right now, we’re celebrating the Recorder’s seventh birthday! Woot!
We try to keep our fundraising solicitations to a minimum, but as a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on donor support to report on the stories that matter to all Georgians, regardless of their ability to pay. So, we hope you’ll forgive the occasional request.
If you’re able to chip in here to help us celebrate, we greatly appreciate it. If not, we’re just glad you’re here. And if you’ve already donated, thank you.
Members of Georgia's Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee hold their first meeting in Atlanta on Aug. 7, 2026. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
VOTING
By Maya Homan
In 2028, as Georgia residents cast their ballots in the presidential primary, voters across the state will be using a brand new election system. At least, that’s the hope of a special committee dedicated to helping state officials make the switch.
The committee, which includes mostly Republican lawmakers from both chambers as well as current and former election officials and other experts, held its first meeting Friday at the state Capitol. The panel was established under a new law passed in June during the state’s special legislative session.
Editor and owner of The Monticello News, Evan Newton, printed his first newspaper on July 22, 2026. Ellie Fivas/Georgia Recorder
LOCAL NEWS
By Ellie Fivas
Three 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 years old, Newton is one of the youngest newspaper owners in Georgia. He told the Georgia Recorder that he got a “great deal” on the sale because Katherine Mudd, the paper’s previous owner, wanted to keep ownership local. If Newton hadn’t agreed to purchase the newspaper, Mudd said a corporate buyer would have likely been her next option.
While Newton didn’t share the value of the sale, he said he dipped into his savings for the purchase and is even considering buying more local newsrooms in the future.
The Georgia medical cannabis patient registry grew more than 22% in just over a month, with over 8,200 new patients enrolling after a new law changed the program significantly. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
HEALTH
By Alander Rocha
Georgia’s medical cannabis program experienced an unprecedented surge of new registered patients over the past month after the law changed significantly to ease access.
The patient registry grew from 36,595 patients in late June to 44,854 on Monday, an increase of more than 22% in just over a month. The increase of over 8,200 active patients marks a significant change of pace for a decade-old program that grew sluggishly under the previous law.
Some Clayton County residents experienced low water pressure or a lack of water last week after what may have been a cyber attack. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Sarah Ladd)
CYBERSECURITY
By Ross Williams
Clayton County authorities say a boil water advisory and low water pressure may have been part of a multistate cyber campaign targeting water infrastructure that could be linked to Iran.
Rex Democratic state Rep. Sandra Scott said she’s heard from constituents upset about the incident.
“It is critical that they truly get to the bottom of it because we know that we all need water,” she said
A cooling tower next to flue-gas stacks, or smoke stacks, at Georgia Power's Plant Bowen, a coal-fired power station in Bartow County, on July 28,2026. The utility company is planning to add natural gas turbines and battery storage capacity over the next few years. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder
ENERGY
By Alander Rocha
A major natural gas expansion at Georgia Power’s Plant Bowen will hurt air quality in the Atlanta region, which is already struggling with ozone pollution, according to environmental groups challenging a state air permit for the project.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division in January issued a permit authorizing Georgia Power to build new turbines that will be powered by natural gas, a fossil fuel that is mostly methane, at the Bartow County power plant, which can currently produce about 3,500 megawatts of coal-fired power.
News tips, feedback, question? Email us: [email protected]
OTHER GEORGIA NEWS
Atlanta’s tree canopy hits new low | Saporta Report
State regulator reviews OpenAI-Georgia Power contract | The Current
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