Uncommon Knowledge
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Judge Scott McAfee’s requirement to run for reelection in Georgia could “add a whole new dimension” to Donald Trump’s election interference case in the state, a former U.S. attorney has said.
McAfee, a Superior Court judge in Fulton County, will rule in the case against the former president and 18 others—who are accused in a 41-count indictment of trying to overturn Trump’s 2020 election loss in Georgia—when it goes to trial.
Trump pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges against him and has said the case is politically motivated because he is the front-runner for the GOP presidential nomination.
The case has been delayed thanks to a hearing that will determine whether Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney prosecuting Trump, should remain on the case after Michael Roman, a former Trump staffer and co-defendant, accused her in a court filing of having an affair with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor.
He also alleged the pair benefited financially from taxpayers’ money, as Wade has earned more than $650,000 from the district attorney’s office since he began working on the case and has paid, the filing said, for vacations for the couple.
Roman’s attorneys have argued that the relationship between the district attorney and the special prosecutor is a conflict of interest, and that Willis should be removed from the case and the charges against Roman dropped.
Though Willis and Wade have admitted to having a personal relationship, they have denied a conflict of interest, saying the relationship did not begin until after Wade was appointed to the case. They have also denied the allegation of financial impropriety.
McAfee, who is presiding over the hearing, will decide whether to remove Willis from the case.
Joyce Vance, a former federal prosecutor, said in her legal blog Civil Discourse Sunday that McAfee’s role in Georgia may also attract interest.
McAfee was appointed to the bench in 2023 by Brian Kemp, Georgia’s Republican governor, to fill a vacancy and must run for election this year.
“Presumably, Judge McAfee will run for reelection, which may add a whole new dimension to the past few weeks of theatrics in the Fulton County case,” Vance wrote.
Newsweek called the Superior Court of Fulton County for comment. A member of staff said they would relay a message to McAfee.
McAfee was Georgia’s inspector general from 2021 to 2023. He also previously served as a senior assistant district attorney in Fulton County and as an assistant United States attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
His campaign website says: “Scott is running for election in 2024 so that he can continue serving our community by clearing the COVID backlog, giving everyone their fair day in court, and keeping our community safe.”
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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:
16-20-44-48-50, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 0-9-2
Evening: 9-6-9
Night: 2-4-6
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 0-1-2-5
Evening: 1-8-1-5
Night: 5-4-6-0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Early Bird: 06
Matinee: 03
Drive Time: 09
Primetime: 06
Night Owl: 02
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 4-0-5-8-9
Evening: 3-3-9-2-2
Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.
01-09-10-15-42
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
01-10-16-30-31, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Should you rent a car for your summer trip? There are pros and cons
Rising car and gas prices are pushing some Americans to consider renting a car for their summer road trip instead of driving their own vehicle.
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.
Among the eight communities selected were Greensboro and Clayton.
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.
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.
Southern Living’s list included:
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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