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Georgia school weapons detector bill clears Senate committee vote

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Georgia school weapons detector bill clears Senate committee vote


A proposal to mandate weapons-detection systems at every public school entrance in Georgia is one step closer to becoming law following an emotional hearing at the State Capitol on Monday.

What we know:

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The State Senate Public Safety Committee on Monday unanimously approved House Bill 1023. The move comes in response to the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School that killed two students and two teachers.

“A place of nightmare”

What they’re saying:

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The committee heard harrowing testimony from Apalachee High School students who survived the gunfire. 

Daria Lezczynska, a junior, and Sasha Contreras, a senior, are members of “Change for Chee,” a group advocating for increased school safety measures.

READ APALACHEE SHOOTING COVERAGE HERE 

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“The place where we used to feel safe, turned into a place of nightmare,” Lezczynska said through tears. 

She told the committee that the gunfire erupted directly outside her classroom. 

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“The fear, the blood and the chaos that is burned into my memory,” she said. 

Contreras, who was locked down inside the school with her mother during the attack, remembered a teacher who was gunned down that day.

 “I left feeling happy, not knowing it would be that last time,” she said. “No child should step into school anxious about coming out alive.”

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A proactive step

The legislation, originally introduced by Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, R-Dacula, seeks to create a physical barrier against firearms entering school buildings.

“Ensuring that weapons cannot come into our public schools is a first step to make sure that students are safe,” Efstration said. “Georgia students deserve to know that they’re going to be safe at school. Parents need to know when they drop their kids off at school in the morning, they’re going to be able to pick them up safe at the end of the day.”

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The student advocates believe the technology would have changed the outcome at Apalachee, where investigators say a student killed four people and injured seven others.

“If there had been weapons-detection systems in every place at every entry of the school on that day, that rifle never would have reached our hallways,” Lezczynska said, calling the proposal a “very good bill.”

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Contreras added that the unanimous committee vote was a necessary step forward. 

“This is a proactive measure that I think is necessary,” she said. “I’m glad that people today stepped up and were able to pass it.”

What’s next:

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The bill now moves to the full Georgia Senate. Lawmakers have just over a week to pass the measure before the legislative session concludes.

The Source: This is a FOX 5 original report where Christopher King gathered information from Georgia State Capitol legislative proceedings, the text of House Bill 1023, and public testimony from students and state representatives.

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Georgia Lottery Powerball, Cash 3 results for June 20, 2026

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The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 20, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from June 20 drawing

16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 0-9-2

Evening: 9-6-9

Night: 2-4-6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 0-1-2-5

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Evening: 1-8-1-5

Night: 5-4-6-0

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 20 drawing

Early Bird: 06

Matinee: 03

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Drive Time: 09

Primetime: 06

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from June 20 drawing

Midday: 4-0-5-8-9

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Evening: 3-3-9-2-2

Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 20 drawing

01-09-10-15-42

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 20 drawing

01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes under $601: Can be claimed at any Georgia Lottery retail location. ALL PRIZES can be claimed by mail to: Georgia Lottery Corporation, P.O. Box 56966, Atlanta, GA 30343.
  • Prizes over $600: Must be claimed at Georgia Lottery Headquarters or any Georgia Lottery district office or mailed to the Georgia Lottery for payment.

When are the Georgia Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Cash 3 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash 3 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash 3 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash 4 (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash 4 (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash 4 (Night): 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop (Early Bird): 8 a.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop (Matinee): 1 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop (Drive Time): 5 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop (Primetime): 8 p.m. ET daily.
  • Cash Pop (Night Owl): 11:59 p.m. ET daily.
  • Georgia FIVE (Midday): 12:29 p.m. ET daily.
  • Georgia FIVE (Evening): 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
  • Fantasy 5: 11:34 p.m. ET daily.
  • Jumbo Bucks Lotto: 11 p.m. ET on Monday and Thursday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Georgia editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Democrats block local property tax referendums as Georgia lawmakers clash over affordability  – The Current

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Democrats block local property tax referendums as Georgia lawmakers clash over affordability  – The Current


House Republicans are attempting to pass a wave of local property tax measures during an ongoing special session that would allow communities to vote on whether to raise their sales taxes to give homeowners a tax break. 

But Democrats have so far successfully blocked the effort, stymying GOP lawmakers from putting the question before voters this November. They argue the change represents a new tax that shifts the burden of paying for local services from homeowners to lower income Georgians – and they question the rush to put it before voters this year. 

An attempt to pass dozens of local property tax measures failed Saturday in both the House and Senate, but Republicans say they aren’t giving up. Lawmakers will be back Monday for a special session that has no set end date. 

“We still have a chance to get this right,” said Rep. Shaw Blackmon, a Bonaire Republican who has led the House GOP’s efforts to target local property taxes. 

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House Republican leaders have prioritized property tax relief this year, saying it is needed to curb rising property taxes and help people who are struggling to stay in their homes. They unsuccessfully pushed to eliminate local property taxes statewide earlier this year, instead settling for a last-minute compromise that Democrats say is unconstitutional because of how it was passed. 

The ongoing special session was originally called to redraw Georgia’s political maps – although those redistricting plans were abandoned – and to address a looming deadline for the state to stop using ballot QR codes to count votes. Gov. Brian Kemp later opened the door for lawmakers to tee up local property tax referendums.  House Majority Chuck Efstration and other House Republicans criticized Democrats for voting against local property tax measures Saturday. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

Dozens of referendums are in the works for communities all across the state, from Fannin County in north Georgia to Lowndes County in south Georgia. 

“We missed an opportunity to help our neighbors today,” said Rep. Gerald Greene, a Cuthbert Republican who had sponsored several tax referendums for south Georgia communities. 

Republicans control both chambers of the Legislature, but since the measures involve homestead exemptions, they need two-thirds support to pass. That means Democratic votes are needed in both chambers. 

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“Today what we witnessed once again was Republicans cosplaying a care for affordability in this state,” said Rep. Tanya Miller, an Atlanta Democrat who chairs the minority caucus and is the party’s nominee for attorney general. 

“What they are trying to do is a bait and switch. What they propose today was nothing more than a tax increase on the people who are already hit the hardest,” she said, referring to the sales tax. 

Republicans criticized Democrats for denying communities a chance to decide for themselves whether to lean more on sales tax revenue to offset property taxes on homeowners. 

“This bill is very simple. It’s giving voters the chance to vote to lower their property taxes. Give voters that chance to do that,” said Rep. Scott Hilton, a Peachtree Corners Republican. 

“I believe the minority party deep down knows this would overwhelmingly pass if put on the ballot, but voters are being denied that chance right now, denied the chance to have a more affordable life, to be able to afford their home, to stay in their homes,” he added. 

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House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat, said GOP leaders are manufacturing a crisis by pursuing the tax measures during the special session instead of waiting until lawmakers return for their regular session in January.  

She framed the proposed local tax referendums as a GOP ploy to turn out conservative voters in November. 

“There is no reason for us to rush through this,” Hugley said. “The other thing is that you’re asking people to raise a sales tax on themselves so that homeowners can get a relief. You’re picking winners and losers, and that’s not what we should be doing here.”

Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

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Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.





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2 Georgia lake towns named among the South’s best places to live

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2 Georgia lake towns named among the South’s best places to live


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Two Georgia destinations have landed on a new list highlighting some of the South’s best lake communities for year-round living.

In a recent feature, Southern Living asked real estate professionals across the region to identify Southern lake towns that offer a strong mix of natural beauty, community amenities and full-time residential appeal.

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Among the eight communities selected were Greensboro and Clayton.

Best lake towns in Georgia

Greensboro, located along Lake Oconee, was recognized for offering residents a blend of lake living and small-town charm.

According to experts interviewed by Southern Living, the area combines boating, fishing and outdoor recreation with golf courses, restaurants and a historic downtown district.

Real estate professionals also pointed to continued residential growth and a range of housing options, from cottages and condominiums to luxury waterfront properties.

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Farther north, Clayton was highlighted as a gateway to several popular North Georgia lakes.

While not directly located on a lake, the mountain community provides access to Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, Seed Lake and Tallulah Falls Lake.

Southern Living noted that Clayton’s location in the Southern Appalachian foothills gives residents easy access to outdoor recreation while still offering restaurants, shops and other amenities in town.

Which Southern lake towns made the list?

Southern Living’s list included:

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  • Greensboro, GA
  • Clayton, GA
  • Seneca, SC
  • Hot Springs, AR
  • Chapin, SC
  • Guntersville, AL
  • Dandridge, TN
  • Cornelius, NC

The feature focused on communities that combine lake access, outdoor recreation, local amenities and year-round livability, according to Southern Living.

For more information, visit southernliving.com/southern-lake-towns-to-live-in-year-round-11983242.

Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.



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