Georgia
Georgia’s First National Park to be Named Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
National Parks, a vital influence on the American culture have been around since 1872. And while many states in the U.S. benefit from the beauty and attractiveness of the attributes that make a national park a national park, not every state has that honor. There are twenty states that have yet to gain a title, however, it is not due to the lack of personality. Georgia is one such state.
Macon, Georgia is home to a historical park that contains over 17,000 years of historical artifacts. Ocmulgee Mounds is a beautiful grassy piece of land where a variety of Native American cultures have resided for thousands of years. The historic park is known for its cultural history and houses the only spiral staircase mound known to be existing in North America, and has several different nature trails and hikes.
Although the state of Georgia has 11 sites designated by the National Park Service, over 60 parks, and 17 historic sites, an official National Park has been in the works for over 90 years. This week, however, the Peach State took one step closer to having its first national park and preserve. The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act passed through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
Concerning the act, U.S. Rep and cosponsor on the bill, Austin Scott elaborates, “This is a bipartisan initiative that goes all the way back to 1934. The Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act would create a historic opportunity to protect important natural and cultural resources, protect hunting and fishing for generations to come, and bring economic opportunities to middle Georgia through the creation of Georgia’s first national park.”
This initiative has been a long time coming and the state is looking forward to highlighting the hidden cultural and ecological gems they have to offer on a nother level.
“Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species.” Environment Georgia, an e
The Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve Establishment Act also takes a step to guaruntee the preservation of the natural life that resides in Macon. “Experts estimate the Ocmulgee River corridor is home to 32 mammal species, 170 species of birds, 26 amphibian species, 31 fish species and 35 reptile species,” environmentalist group, Environment Georgia stated in a release.
As well as preserving the wildlife of Ocmulgee Mounds, this next step in ensuring Georgia’s first National Park will bolster the local economy and allow tourists from across the U.S. to delve into the rich history and culture that Georgia has to offer.
They were designed to hold a drink, but cups produced in Rome, Georgia, have become one of the FIFA Men’s World Cup’s most unexpected souvenirs.
Inside the Top Cup plant in Rome, millions of cups were created to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event.
“We made 10 million over 70 different graphics for the World Cup,” said Rome native and Top Cup General Manager Zach Dixon.
The plant in north Georgia produces up to 750,000 cups a day.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup … but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Top Cup CEO David Cuthbert.
Fans have been taking them home from matches. Some have even been listed for sale online.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup… but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Cuthbert.
Dixon said they begin the process with massive coils of aluminum, each weighing about 30,000 pounds. The metal is stamped, stretched, washed, and moved down the line.
The plant produces about 1,100 cups every minute.
Ricardo Marques, the senior vice president of marketing for Michelob ULTRA, said that there have been venue-specific, match-specific, and Finals-specific stadium cups for the World Cup. There are also three separate red, white, and blue designs available for fans at bars and restaurants around the U.S.
“We’ve seen an incredible response to the collection. Together, these commemorative cups give fans a unique keepsake and a lasting reminder of an unforgettable FIFA World Cup experience and the moments that brought millions of people together through the world’s game,” Marques said.
Cuthbert said his company has seen how the World Cup has done wonders for metro Atlanta businesses.
“Our team in Rome, Georgia takes tremendous pride in helping bring this fan experience to life for one of the world’s biggest sporting events,” he said.
So when soccer fans celebrate the surprise victory or mourn their last-minute loss, they’re doing so with a little piece of Georgia.
Athlon Sports projected the best SEC games for each week of the 2026 regular season.
The conference features some of the most compelling matchups in all of college football, from opening weekend through rivalry week. The selections emphasize games anticipated to have the biggest impact on the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff picture.
Florida’s annual clash with Georgia was tabbed as one of the SEC’s premier fixtures. The game has grown in national significance since it began in 1904, continuing as a battle of blue-blood programs that routinely produces iconic results. The game temporarily moves to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the Jacksonville stadium renovations.
The Jon Sumrall era carries with it an increasing sense of belief — many experts see the Gators as a dark-horse CFB playoff contender. Regardless of its final win-loss record, UF will play a part in shaping the season’s narrative as they face several post-season favorites in Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Noted in the article is the SEC’s depth and newly implemented nine-game conference schedule. Georgia, Texas, Alabama and LSU appear multiple times on this list, with Georgia facing Alabama in Week 6 and Ole Miss in Week 10 while LSU hosts Clemson in Week 1 and will see Texas in Week 11 take on Alabama.
Many contenders from the SEC face multiple nationally relevant foes over the course of the season.
Athlon Sports’ Best game for every week of the 2026 season
- Week 1: Clemson at LSU (Sept. 5)
- Week 2: Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
- Week 3: LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 19)
- Week 4: Oklahoma at Georgia (Sept. 26)
- Week 5: Auburn at Tennessee (Oct. 3)
- Week 6: Georgia at Alabama (Oct. 10)
- Week 7: Alabama at Tennessee (Oct. 17)
- Week 8: Ole Miss at Texas (Oct. 24)
- Week 9: Florida vs. Georgia (Atlanta) (Oct. 31)
- Week 10: Georgia at Ole Miss (Nov. 7)
- Week 11: Texas at LSU (Nov. 14)
- Week 12: Texas A&M at Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
- Week 13: Texas at Texas A&M (Friday) (Nov. 27)
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