Georgia
Rick Jackson disputes reports about abortion comments, says he supports Georgia’s current law
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson is facing renewed scrutiny over his stance on Georgia’s abortion law, as audio recordings obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and HuffPost surface amid heightened attention to the law’s real-world consequences — including the death of Amber Thurman, a Georgia woman whose delayed abortion care made national headlines, as reported by CBS News.
Jackson is pushing back against those reports about comments he made regarding abortion restrictions in Georgia, saying recent coverage mischaracterized his position on the state’s abortion law.
According to the recordings, Jackson expressed support for further restrictions beyond Georgia’s current six-week abortion law and discussed potential enforcement measures aimed at doctors who violate state abortion regulations.
Georgia currently prohibits most abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, typically around six weeks into a pregnancy. The law includes exceptions for rape and incest when certain reporting requirements are met, as well as exceptions involving medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that during an April campaign stop in east Georgia, Jackson was asked about enforcing the state’s abortion law and whether doctors could manipulate records to avoid liability.
“What do you think you could do as governor to go after doctors who just do something like that?” one attendee asked, according to audio.
“Well, you basically make it against the law, No. 1,” Jackson responded. “No. 2, they have to have evidence to prove in order to not have liability themselves.”
Later in the conversation, the attendee raised concerns about the law’s rape exception and argued that women seeking abortions under that provision should have to prove they were raped.
According to both the AJC and HuffPost, Jackson responded that a pregnancy resulting from rape is “still a life” and appeared to agree with the attendee’s comments about proving rape claims.
The comments have drawn attention because Georgia’s current law – called the LIFE Act- already requires documentation in cases involving rape or incest.
In a statement to CBS News Atlanta, Jackson’s campaign said reports suggesting he supports removing those exceptions are inaccurate.
“That’s an incorrect framing based on ‘Democratic spin,’” the campaign said. “Rick strongly supports Georgia’s current Heartbeat law and will defend it as governor.”
“As the AJC reported today, the current law allows an abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy in cases in which an official police report has been filed alleging the offense of rape or incest,” the statement said. “Rick believes we have a strong pro-life law in place and he wants to keep it as it is.”
The campaign pointed to a questionnaire completed for Georgia Life Alliance, saying both Jackson and his Republican runoff opponent, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, expressed support for the law’s existing exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.
Jones has also voiced support for broader abortion restrictions and has aligned himself with anti-abortion groups during his political career.
Abortion remains one of the most closely watched issues in Georgia politics following the state’s six-week abortion law, which has faced multiple legal challenges since Thurman’s death and the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Jackson’s comments and his campaign’s response come as voters prepare to decide between him and Jones in the Republican runoff for governor on June 16.
Trader Joes mini pastel canvas totes
Trader Joe’s customers are seen snapping up the pastel mini canvas totes, which were first released in April 2025.
Trader Joe’s is continuing its expansion in Georgia with the opening of a new metro Atlanta-area location this week.
The popular grocery chain is set to open a new store in Johns Creek on Wednesday, June 11, giving shoppers in north Fulton County another option for the retailer’s private-label products, frozen favorites and specialty foods.
Here’s everything to know.
Where is the new Trader Joe’s in Georgia?
The new Trader Joe’s is located at 1000 Medley Blvd, Johns Creek. According to the company, the store will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
When does the new Trader Joe’s open?
The Johns Creek location is scheduled to open June 11.
All Trader Joe’s locations in Georgia
There are currently several other Trader Joe’s locations across Georgia, including:
- Alpharetta
- Athens
- Atlanta
- Marietta
- Norcross
- Peachtree City
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
What is Trader Joe’s?
Trader Joe’s is a national grocery chain known for its affordable prices, quirky branding, and exclusive product lines. Shoppers often rave about the store’s specialty items and neighborhood vibe.
Here’s how to request a Trader Joe’s location in your city
Want a store location close to you? By completing a form on the Trader Joe’s website, you can do just that!
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
The Georgia Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 8 drawing
03-24-34-43-49, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 8 drawing
Midday: 1-9-3
Evening: 9-5-4
Night: 0-5-8
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 8 drawing
Midday: 2-7-2-9
Evening: 1-8-5-3
Night: 4-1-3-5
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 8 drawing
Early Bird: 05
Matinee: 05
Drive Time: 15
Primetime: 02
Night Owl: 02
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Georgia FIVE numbers from June 8 drawing
Midday: 4-9-1-2-9
Evening: 3-0-7-3-4
Check Georgia FIVE payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 8 drawing
01-28-30-34-38
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 8 drawing
20-25-40-50-55, Bonus: 01
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.
MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Early voting is underway across Georgia for the state’s primary runoff elections, part of a final week of campaigning before voters head to the polls.
The runoffs will determine the major-party candidates for the upcoming general election, following a primary last month where some candidates did not receive a majority of the vote.
MORE INFO ON ELECTION | Georgia Primary Election Day | State, local races across Middle Georgia
Key races include the Republican contest for governor, featuring Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and businessman Rick Jackson. The candidate who wins the runoff will face the Democratic nominee, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, in the fall.
Republicans are also deciding their nominee to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff. This race is between U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley.
Other runoffs include contests for lieutenant governor. On the Democratic side, Josh McLaurin and Nabila Parks are competing for the nomination. The Republican runoff is between Greg Dolezal and John F. Kennedy.
Georgia Secretary of State GOP candidates Tim Fleming and Vernon Jones are included in the runoff. The winner of the two will challenge the Democratic nominee, either Dana Barrett or Penny Reynolds, who are also in a runoff.
DID YOU HEAR | Fall Line Church women’s group promotes anti-violence message through faith and experience
Candidates Marshall Talley and Ron Lemon are on the ballot in the upcoming Bibb County runoff election for the District 2 seat on the Macon Water Authority Board.
Incumbent Monroe County Commissioner Al Turner is also in a Republican primary runoff election with William Kerry Osborne for the District 4 seat.
“I think every election is important,” Said Thomas Gillon, Election Supervisor for Bibb County. “The party you picked for the May election is the party you would need to be voting for this election. If you voted non-partisan in the May election, you can vote for any party in the runoff, but we had about a little over 21,000 people vote in May. I’d like to see at least that many people come out to vote for this one.”
Gillon explained there are three locations to vote in Bibb County: the main office at the Macon Mall (3661 Eisenhower Pkwy, STE MB101), Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive) and Theron Ussery Community Center (815 N Macon Park Drive). This goes until 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Under state law, voters who cast a ballot in the initial primary must vote in the same party’s runoff. Registered voters who did not vote in the primary are eligible to participate and may choose either party’s ballot.
State election officials encourage voters to check their designated polling locations and hours, which can vary by county during early voting. Voters can verify their registration status and find their precinct by visiting the official Georgia My Voter Page online.
Election Day is Tuesday, June 16.
Stick with WGXA as we keep you ready for what’s next.
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