Georgia

Hurricane aid and transgender girls in sports top Georgia Legislature's agenda

Published

9 months ago

January 13, 2025

Hurricane aid and transgender girls in sports top Georgia Legislature's agenda

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s General Assembly is being sworn in for a new two-year term on Monday, with 180 state representatives and 56 state senators taking office after winning election in November.

Republicans will continue to control both chambers, returning to the Senate with the same 33-23 majority they had in the previous term. Republicans’ majority in the state House narrowed by two seats to a 100-80 edge after court-ordered redistricting.

There are only 18 new House members and four new senators taking their oaths.

Top issues will include Gov. Brian Kemp’s push to limit lawsuit verdicts and proposed responses to September’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder. Revenue growth is slowing, but Georgia has an $11 billion surplus lawmakers can spend if Kemp, a Republican, lets them.

Here’s a look at some other key issues:

Doing more to ease Hurricane Helene damage

Georgia leaders are generally applauding a relief package that Congress passed in December. But they say more needs to be done after Hurricane Helene cut a swath from Valdosta to Augusta in September, causing billions in damage.

After Hurricane Michael in 2018, Georgia allocated $470 million on top of federal spending. That included $200 million in income tax credits for timber and pecan farmers to replant trees and $69 million to help state and local agencies cover emergency response costs, $55 million to assist farmers suffering crop losses and $20 million for timberland cleanup.

State officials have already approved a plan for $100 million in loans to affected farmers and timber owners.

House Speaker Jon Burns in particular wants more money to clean up downed timber, saying fallen trees will become a wildfire risk if not removed.

Republicans push to ban transgender women in school sports

Georgia Republicans in both chambers, including Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Burns, have promised to prioritize banning transgender women and girls from competing in women’s school sports.

The General Assembly in 2022 left it up to the Georgia High School Association to make decisions about transgender women and girls in sports. The association, mostly made up of public high schools, then banned transgender women and girls from participating in its sports events.

Top Republicans now say that’s enough, after Donald Trump and others have made opposition a political issue.

“I have four granddaughters, and they’re engaged in athletics, and they work hard spending hours a week preparing themselves to participate,” Burns said at a recent press conference. “We want them to have the opportunity to excel and to win and to be first.”

Jones has said Senate Republicans will seek a ban at the college level as well as in high school athletics, but it is unclear if the House will go that far.

Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, noted there are no known instances of transgender athletes in Georgia participating in school sports.“They are really putting a lot of time and effort into solving a problem that does not exist,” Graham said.

Spending could improve conditions in Georgia’s prisons

Lawmakers in both chambers have said they will pursue legislation to address violence and deaths in Georgia’s prisons.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in November that conditions in state prisons are “inhumane” and prison officials are violating prisoners’ Eighth Amendment protections against cruel punishment.

In a meeting earlier this month with lawmakers, Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said Kemp is proposing to spend more than $600 million to renovate prisons and hire more staff, among other investments. Oliver also said the state would build another new prison.

Lawmakers want to cut off access to cell phones and drones, which officials say bring contraband inside. Others have suggested increases in mental health staff.

Fighting over election rules may persist

Georgia’s 16 presidential electors met in December and cast their votes for Trump with nary a peep of opposition, much less the avalanche of activity that followed Joe Biden’s 2022 win in Georgia.

But that doesn’t mean fighting over election laws is over. The state Republican Party wants to cut off automatic voter registration when Georgians get a driver’s license and end no-excuse absentee voting.

Lawmakers could also consider some of the State Election Board rules that a court blocked. Those include include counting the total number of ballots by hand on election night and making it easier for county election board members to refuse to certify an election.

Other possibilities include requiring voters to fill out ballots by hand and having election officials count those ballots by hand, reflecting distrust of Georgia’s electronic voting system. Some lawmakers may want to make it easier to challenge a voter’s eligibility.

Can sports betting come up a winner?

Despite support from Jones, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Atlanta’s pro sports teams, legalizing sports betting in Georgia has gone nowhere in recent years. Proponents will certainly try again to legalize it.

There are multiple issues that need to be resolved before legislation can move forward. Some argue that legalization requires an amendment to the Georgia Constitution, which would require a two-thirds vote in each chamber, followed by approval from a majority of those voting in a statewide referendum. Others say only a simple majority vote would be required if sports betting is regulated by the Georgia Lottery.

There are also disagreements about how the proceeds should be spent, and how heavily the state should tax the activity. ___

Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon.

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Georgia

Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | Oct. 24-26, 2025

Published

15 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | Oct. 24-26, 2025

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ATLANTA – Celebrate the season with a weekend full of festivals, food, and family fun across metro Atlanta and North Georgia. Here are some of the best events happening Oct. 25–26.

🎡 Festivals & Fairs

Inside Atlanta

Atlanta Fair
Through Nov. 2 – 710 Central Ave. SW, Atlanta
Traditional fair featuring rides, carnival games, and food.

FULL LIST: Fall festival & fair guide for metro Atlanta, North Georgia

Outside Atlanta

Artisans at The Avenue
Oct. 24–26 – The Avenue Peachtree City
Shop handmade art, jewelry, and gifts at this Night Market pop-up featuring 13 local makers.

Newnan-Coweta Art Association Arts & Crafts Market
Oct. 25 – The Avenue Peachtree City
Browse handcrafted art, pottery, and jewelry at this outdoor market celebrating local creativity.

West Fest at the Booth Western Art Museum
Oct. 25 – Cartersville
Celebrate Western heritage with reenactments, Native American dancers, birds of prey, and kids’ activities.

Appalachian Brew and Music Festival
Oct. 25 – Hiawassee
Sample 70+ breweries with live music, food, and vendors.

Crafts & Drafts Festival
Oct. 25–26 – Downtown Smyrna
Explore more than 150 booths of arts, crafts, food, and live music, plus fun kids’ activities. Free admission.

🎉 Special Events

Inside Atlanta

Atlanta Streets Alive
Oct. 26 – Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.
Enjoy open streets for walking, biking, skating, and community play.

Chastain Park Auto Show
Oct. 26 – Chastain Park
See 175 classic cars, grab a coffee, and stroll among local vendors. Free admission.

Alessio’s Restaurant & Pizzeria 30th Anniversary Celebration
Oct. 24–25 – Roswell, Cumming & Johns Creek
Celebrate 30 years of family dining with cake, scratch-off prizes, and balloon artists.

Outside Atlanta

Think Pink Cherokee Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
Oct. 25 – Cannon Park, Canton
Join the fourth annual one-mile walk supporting breast cancer awareness. $20 donation.

🎃 Halloween

Inside Atlanta

Halloween Boo’s Bash at The Office Bar
Oct. 31 – Midtown Atlanta
Enjoy themed cocktails, live music, and costume perks like a free house drink.

Boo-Nanza
Oct. 26 – Skiptown, Atlanta
Halloween party for pups with costume contests, treat stations, games, and fall drink specials.

Halloween at Hogwarts with ASO
Oct. 26 – Atlanta Symphony Hall, Midtown Atlanta
Experience magical music from the Harry Potter films and classic Halloween scores performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

FULL LIST: Halloween happenings in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | 2025

Outside Atlanta

Halloween at Halcyon
Oct. 25 – Alpharetta
Trick-or-treating with 30+ businesses, farm animals, and face painting. Benefits Bald Ridge Lodge.

Pumpkin Fest 2025
Oct. 25 – Fayette County Courthouse Lawn, Fayetteville
Family fall fest with music, train rides, costume contests, a petting zoo, and inflatables.

Halloween Skelebration
Oct. 31 – Woodstock
Family festival with trick-or-treating, games, mini golf, inflatables, and music. Free entry.

Haunted Cabin at Red Top Mountain
Oct. 25 – Cartersville
Tour the historic cabin filled with spooky surprises, then enjoy s’mores by the fire.

Halloween JamBOOree
Oct. 25 – Logan Farm Park, Acworth
Trunk-or-treat, games, music, and costume contests for all ages.

Chaplin’s Annual Halloween Party
Oct. 25 – Roswell
Patio party with a silent disco, drinks, and mandatory costumes.

Wild Rumpus Halloween Celebration
Oct. 25 – Downtown Athens
Join the 17th annual Halloween street party featuring costumes, parades, drumming, food, and live music. Free and open to all ages.

Spirits & Spice Festival
Oct. 25 – Downtown Newnan
Sample spooky cocktails, enjoy a chili cook-off, and shop from local vendors and artists at this festive fall event.

5th Annual Día de los Muertos Intercultural Fest
Oct. 26 – Downtown Cartersville
Celebrate Day of the Dead with Latin music, authentic food, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly fun. Free admission.

Tour de Frights: Fayetteville Witches’ Ride 2025
Oct. 26 – Fayetteville
Costumed community bike ride with music, prizes, and a beer for riders 21+.

Grave Rave
Oct. 25 – Pontoon Brewing, Sandy Springs
DJ, 15+ beers, costume contest, and food trucks. Free admission.

🎶 Live Music

Inside Atlanta

ONE MusicFest
Oct. 25–26 – Piedmont Park
Massive two-day festival featuring Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, Future, and more.

Halsey: Back to Badlands
Oct. 26 – Coca-Cola Roxy
The pop star marks 10 years of her debut album with a nostalgic tour.

Frankly Scarlet – Grateful Dead Tribute
Oct. 25 – Smith’s Olde Bar
A full night of Grateful Dead jams and dancing. Ages 18+.

Cameron Whitcomb: I Got Options Tour
Oct. 25 – Terminal West
Country-pop singer performs with Jonah Kagen; $1 per ticket supports mental health.

David Lowery
Oct. 24 – Criminal Records
Acoustic set and album signing with the Camper Van Beethoven frontman.

BadAsh AllstarTeam: Halloween Jam IV
Oct. 25 – Red Light Café
Live “monster music,” festive vibes, and a costume contest.

Outside Atlanta

Myles Morgan Live
Oct. 24 – Eddie’s Attic, Decatur
Enjoy an intimate set from the soulful singer-songwriter.

Jazz Under the Stars with the Jazzy Petrels
Oct. 24 – Brookhaven
Free outdoor concert by Oglethorpe University’s jazz ensemble.

The B-52s and Devo: Cosmic D-Evolution Tour
Oct. 25 – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Alpharetta
Two iconic new-wave bands unite for a high-energy night.

Brandon Reeves
Oct. 25 – Alpharetta
Acoustic country and blues show featuring John Willingham on bass.

🎭 Film / Theater / Art

Inside Atlanta

9 to 5 The Musical
Oct. 23–Nov. 8 – Out Front Theatre
A Dolly Parton–powered comedy about workplace revenge and empowerment.

Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival
Oct. 24–25 – AMC Phipps Plaza
Independent sci-fi films, panels, and global storytelling.

Macbeth – The Atlanta Shakespeare Company
Oct. 24 – Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse
Shakespeare’s dark tale of ambition and betrayal in an intimate setting.

Celestial Illuminations featuring The Planets
Oct. 23–25 – Atlanta Symphony Hall
Experience Holst’s The Planets and more in this cosmic concert.

Indian Cultural Festival & ASO Concert
Oct. 25 – Atlanta Symphony Hall
Free celebration of Indian culture and music with the ASO and violinist Kala Ramnath.

Atlanta Children’s Film Festival: Family Day
Oct. 25 – Emory University
Free workshops, panels, and screenings for aspiring young filmmakers.

Outside Atlanta

Dracula: A Ballet to Die For
Oct. 24–26 – Gas South Theatre, Duluth
Ballet retelling of Bram Stoker’s gothic tale with stunning choreography.

Jeff Kinney’s Partypooper Tour – Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20 Celebration
Oct. 24 – Decatur City Church, Decatur
Join author Jeff Kinney for a fun, interactive game show–style event celebrating Diary of a Wimpy Kid #20. Perfect for families and fans of all ages.

Movie Night: Invaders from Mars
Oct. 25 – Kennesaw
Free outdoor screening of the classic sci-fi film with vendors and family fun.

Spooky Season & More at The Strand Theatre
Oct. 23–Nov. 13 – Marietta
Halloween films, live music, and classic cinema at the historic Strand.

Scream on the Green: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct. 26 – The Mill on Etowah, Canton
Free outdoor showing of the Tim Burton holiday favorite.

⚽ Sports

Outside Atlanta

Athens Rock Lobsters Opening Game
Oct. 25 – Athens
The Rock Lobsters kick off their hockey season against Twin City Thunderbirds.

Sumo + Sushi
Oct. 24–26 – Shadowbox Studios, Atlanta
Watch live sumo demonstrations while enjoying fresh sushi and drinks. Sunday shows are all-ages friendly.

📚 Other

Outside Atlanta

Author Signing: Jay Olsen-Thrift
Oct. 25 – Acworth
Meet the fantasy author and explore her Chronicles of the Second Sun series.

⏰ COMING UP

DreamHack Atlanta
Oct. 31–Nov. 2 – Georgia World Congress Center, downtown Atlanta
Gaming, cosplay, and esports tournaments with a $6.6M prize pool and 1,000+ guests.

Gallop and Go 5K Run & Family Festival
Nov. 1 – Canton
Peachtree qualifier 5K supporting BEATS therapy programs, plus games, vendors, and horses.

27th Annual Vineyard Fest
Nov. 1–2 – Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, Braselton
Celebrate North Georgia’s grape harvest season with food tastings, wine, live music, and workshops at this beloved annual event.

Wine, food and more at Chateau Elan’s Vineyard Fest

The 27th annual Vineyard Fest is happening Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton. The popular event is a celebration of the grape harvest season here in North Georgia, and features food, live music, workshops, and wine. This year’s event has been stretched into two days, with Saturday dedicated to “à la carte bookable experiences,” and Sunday featuring the signature all‑inclusive festival.

Día De Los Muertos Festival
Nov. 1–2 – Woodstock
Free family celebration with mariachi music, food, dancing, and ofrenda displays.

5th Annual Collins’ Cure Golf Tournament & Silent Auction
Nov. 8 – Cumming
Charity golf tournament and auction benefiting cystinosis research.

DC Heroes Fest
Nov. 8–30 – Six Flags Over Georgia
Meet DC heroes, enjoy shows and rides, and join the 5K Hero Run supporting Cobb PAL.

If you would like to submit information for an upcoming things to do list, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.

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Georgia

Daily Horoscope for Wednesday, October 22, 2025 by Georgia Nicols

Published

1 day ago

October 22, 2025

Press Room

Today's horoscope. — Cat Syman/Times Union

The Sun’s entrance into SCORPIO today marks the beginning of a four-week journey through deep emotional waters. SCORPIO urges transformation, power and uncovering hidden truths. Venus, joining Neptune, forms a dreamy connection between the material and spiritual worlds, making today ripe for creative pursuits or romantic contemplation. You might be drawn to art, music or quiet introspection. There’s an almost mystical quality to this energy, that can help you get in touch with what lies beneath the surface.