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Trump campaign files lawsuit challenging ‘illegal’ early ballot collection in Georgia

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Trump campaign files lawsuit challenging ‘illegal’ early ballot collection in Georgia


ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – New lawsuits have been filed by the Trump campaign challenging Georgia’s election.

The 21-page lawsuit filed in Savannah argues county offices in the state were “illegally” open over the weekend.

The federal and state lawsuits are the latest move from Republicans contesting Georgia’s election procedures.

“The Republican national committee and team Trump, we filed ligation,” said Trump Campaign Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

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Leavitt addressed the filings at an event in Atlanta Saturday.

“We learned that in four counties including Fulton County Democrat election officials were – one trying to process ballots after the deadline last night and two – trying to open additional drop boxes that were not predetermined prior,” she said.

The Republican National Committee filed a similar lawsuit in Fulton County, where it was struck down by a judge. The judge said absentee ballots can be collected until polls close on election day.

Georgia judge rejects GOP lawsuit trying to block counties from accepting hand-returned mail ballots

County offices across the state were open Saturday and Sunday. However, the court restricted the option for drop boxes.

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Gabriel Sterling, Chief Operating Officer for the Georgia Secretary of State, responded claims on Twitter saying, “To be clear, no election laws were broken in Georgia today. The law clearly states that govt buildings can be used to receive absentee ballots. A judge said so this morning. Monitors, observers, & SOS investigators were all in Fulton locations. 104 ballots dropped off there.”

The Trump campaign says they continue to fight the re-opening of the centers at federal and state level.

“We want everyone in Georgia to remain diligent,” said Leavitt.

The Sectary of State’s Office is expected to address the pending lawsuits at a press conference set for Monday morning.

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Northwest Georgia Congressman pushes for impeachment of federal judge for misconduct

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Northwest Georgia Congressman pushes for impeachment of federal judge for misconduct


A north Georgia congressman is calling for the impeachment of an Atlanta federal judge after a judicial investigation found she engaged in on-the-job sexual misconduct and lied to investigators about it.

U.S. Rep. Clay Fuller, whose district covers much of northwest Georgia, joined fellow Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde in filing impeachment resolutions against U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross.

Clyde wrote on social media that Ross’ “deeply disturbing actions prove she is incapable of displaying integrity or impartiality. She must be impeached and removed from the bench.”

The resolutions come months after Ross was privately disciplined following an investigation into allegations involving a high-ranking police officer and workplace misconduct.

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The investigation began after a law clerk reported that Ross had engaged in sexual activity with a uniformed police officer inside her chambers while staff members were nearby, according to findings released through the federal judiciary’s disciplinary process.

The investigation also looked into allegations that Ross improperly supervised clerks and mistreated staff.

A special committee appointed to investigate found evidence supporting claims that Ross had an extramarital sexual relationship with the officer, attended a partisan political event and initially denied the allegations when questioned by Chief Judge William Pryor of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ross later acknowledged the relationship, according to the committee’s findings.

The committee also reviewed security footage and visitor logs showing a police officer frequently visited the judge’s chambers during lunch hours.

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Multiple law clerks reported seeing someone matching the officer’s description, and some told investigators they overheard what they believed was sexual activity.

The committee did not find evidence supporting allegations of abusive behavior toward staff, though clerks described what investigators called an “eggshell culture.”

Ross received a private reprimand as a result of the investigation.

A person who answered the phone in Ross’ chambers told The Associated Press the judge had no comment.

The House Judiciary Committee would decide whether to move forward with any impeachment proceedings.

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Federal judges serve lifetime appointments and can only be removed through impeachment.

Ross was nominated to the federal bench in 2014 by then-President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate later that year.

Separately, the Atlanta Police Department has said it is investigating whether the officer identified in the judicial findings is one of its employees.

Depend on us to keep you posted.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rick Jackson disputes reports about abortion comments, says he supports Georgia’s current law

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.



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New Trader Joe’s location coming to GA. Here’s where, when it opens

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New Trader Joe’s location coming to GA. Here’s where, when it opens


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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.

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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:

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  • 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.



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