Georgia

'America First' license plate approved by Georgia legislature

Published

11 months ago

April 4, 2025

'America First' license plate approved by Georgia legislature

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Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R–Dahlonega, shows a specialty “America First” license plate in the Senate chamber during the 2024 legislative session. (Georgia Senate Press Office)

ATLANTA – Georgia lawmakers have approved a bill that would create a specialty license plate emblazoned with the phrase “America First.”

Supporters say it promotes patriotism, but critics argue it carries divisive political undertones.

The backstory:

Senate Bill 291, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, and 24 other Republican senators, passed the House on April 2 by a vote of 95-68 after previously clearing the Senate in early March. The measure authorizes the Georgia Department of Revenue to begin issuing the “America First” plate without the standard requirement of 1,000 prepaid applications. If that threshold is not reached by Jan. 1, 2028, production of the plate would be discontinued.

The design would feature the American flag alongside the “America First” slogan. Revenue from the plate would be deposited into the state’s general fund.

Dig deeper:

Gooch initially promoted the idea during the 2024 legislative session, when a similar proposal was introduced as Senate Bill 507. At the time, he described the plate as a symbol of national pride.

“This license plate represents the tangible expression of patriotism and putting the needs of our country at the forefront,” Gooch said in 2024. “It provides Georgians with an opportunity to express their national pride, and underscores the importance of emphasizing domestic concerns like economic stability, national security, strong borders, and the protection of the rights of our citizens.”

What they’re saying:

The measure has sparked backlash from Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Doreen Carter, D-Lithonia, who issued a public statement condemning the bill and urging Gov. Brian Kemp to veto it.

“Let me be clear—‘America First’ is not just a slogan. It carries a history rooted in exclusion, division and the marginalization of communities, especially Black Americans, immigrants and people of color,” Carter said. “To place this phrase on a state-issued license plate is not merely symbolic—it is an endorsement of a narrative that has too often left many Georgians behind.”

Carter warned that the phrase’s use on official state material could alienate large portions of the population and undermine efforts toward unity.

“At a time when we should be working toward unity, equity and justice for all, this bill sends the wrong message,” she said. “Georgia must choose a path that brings people together and affirms the dignity and belonging of every resident, regardless of race, background or political belief.”

Carter represents Georgia’s 93rd House District, which includes parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. She has served in the legislature since 2015.

What’s next:

The bill now heads to Gov. Kemp’s desk for consideration. If signed into law, it will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The Source: This story uses quotes from Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, and Rep. Doreen Carter, D-Lithonia. Details on the bill come from the Georgia General Assembly website.

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Georgia

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

Published

2 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A person was found dead in the 5200 block of Radium Springs Road on Saturday morning, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

Body recovered in early morning water rescue call(WALB NEWS 10)

Fowler said the call came in as a water rescue. The body was recovered early Saturday, Feb. 28.

The coroner confirmed the person found was male. His identity and age remain unknown.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

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Georgia

Ga. lawmakers propose changes to state’s early voting process

Published

14 hours ago

February 28, 2026

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Ga. lawmakers propose changes to state’s early voting process

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – State legislators are considering more changes to Georgia’s voting law, proposing a new bill that would alter the way early voters cast ballots.

State Sen. Greg Dolezal, a Republican from Cumming, introduced SB 568 this week. The proposal would assign early voters to one precinct in their county. Currently, voters can cast early votes at any precinct in their county.

It would also move early voting to a hand-marked paper ballot system, where voters use a pen to mark their selections, instead of the currently used touchscreen system.

“So that we would not have to print so many permutations at the paper ballots, we would assign voters to an early voting location,” said Dolezal. “Most people are going to vote to the at the early voting location closest to their home anyway.”

The bill was immediately met with backlash from democrats as a barrier to the vote.

“I have no idea how voting on a piece of paper, marking it down with your pencil in any way suppresses the vote,” said Dolezal. “For most counties out of, you know, 140 call it out of 159, they just have one location.”

Dolezal’s proposal would also require local clerks to publicly post their entire voting rolls ahead of elections.

“Making public every single voter who is qualified to vote is to some extent, a little bit of an invasion of privacy for each individual voter,” said state Sen. Sonya Halpern (D-Atlanta). “We need to have trust in our election officials to run those elections.”

It’s the latest change the legislature has proposed to Georgia’s voting system.

“You have dirty, dirty voting rolls, you’re going to have dirty elections,” Dolezal said.

The bill would also shift responsibility for voter challenges from the counties to the State Elections Board. In addition, it would also move the threshold for an automatic recount in the state from a 1.5% margin to 2%.

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Georgia

No. 3 Georgia to Host Top-Ranked Auburn for Regular Season Finale – University of Georgia Athletics

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

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No. 3 Georgia to Host Top-Ranked Auburn for Regular Season Finale – University of Georgia Athletics

ATHENS – The third-ranked Georgia equestrian team will host No. 1 Auburn on Saturday at 12 p.m. to conclude the regular season.

Georgia fell at Auburn 14-6 to wrap up the fall slate of their season. The overall record against the Tigers currently stands at 31-31, including a 13-7 record in Bishop.

During their National Championship run in the 2024-25 season, the Mane Dawgs faced off against Auburn on three separate occasions. Georgia was victorious at home, 11-9, before falling on the road, 11-8. In the quarterfinals of the NCEA National Championships in Ocala, the Bulldogs stunned the second-ranked Tigers, 13-4, en route to their eighth National Championship title.

Georgia returns to action following a trip to Blythewood, South Carolina, to take on the third-ranked Gamecocks.

Top-ranked Auburn travels to Bishop after hosting No. 4 SMU at home the prior weekend. The Tigers defeated the Mustangs 13-7 and swept all four MOP honors.

Following the conclusion of the meet, Georgia will honor their seven seniors for their dedication and contributions to the program.

The meet will be streamed on SECN+ at https://gado.gs/e7v, and live scoring will be available at https://gado.gs/e7w.

HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA EQUESTRIAN: For complete information on Georgia equestrian, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAEquestrian on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

JOIN OUR MANE DAWGS FUND: Mane Dawgs Fund contributions make a direct impact in supporting our student-athletes and equines at the Georgia Equestrian program. A gift to the Mane Dawgs fund helps provide resources such as equipment upgrades for our student and equine athletes, travel assistance, and enhance overall team experiences. Contributions to the Mane Dawgs provide benefits such as membership gifts and information about upcoming special events. Click here for more information.

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