Georgia
Two ‘Love Island USA’ contestants call GA home. When does season begin?
Love Island’s Olandria Carthen shares her workplace hot takes
“Love Island USA” star, Olandria Carthen played a fun game of Yay or nay with USA TODAY.
USA TODAY Entertainment
From dazzling smiles and lustful dates to shocking eliminations and lifelong friendships, Love Island USA is back.
A dozen singles are about to begin their journey on the hit dating show, and this summer is guaranteed to bring more viral moments.
The new season premieres on Tuesday, June 2, and Georgia viewers may recognize two of the new cast members.
Aniya Harvey, 23, and Kenzie Annis, 24, are leaving the Peach State behind for the beaches of Fiji for a chance at love in the villa.
Daughter of NBA player makes television debut
Aniya Harvey, daughter of Shellman-born former NBA player Donnell Harvey, is joining the cast from her home in Tyrone, Georgia.
Harvey graduated from Sandy Creek High School in 2020 and went on to play volleyball at Florida Atlantic University, where she studied marketing. According to her LinkedIn profile, Harvey has worked with the Reconstructing Youth Foundation, an organization started by her father to help at-risk youth in Georgia.
She posts carefully curated images on her social media pages, but very little personal information, instead choosing model-esque photos from various trips and activities.
Harvey says she has been single for six months and she’s “excited about finding … prince charming,” according to a video shared ahead of the premiere.
Recent KSU grad looks for love
Kenzie Annis is a recent graduate of the Kennesaw State University nursing school, finishing her degree just days before being whisked away to Fiji.
“I GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL! Thank you KSU for some of the hardest, but best years of my life!” Annis said in an Instagram post on May 17. “I am happy to announce, I am now adding BSN to my name!”
Annis has already faced some online backlash after an old photo of her with a “Make America Great Again” cap resurfaced and was shared on social media.
In a now deleted post, Annis’ management team released a statement on TikTok that said older images no longer reflect her current beliefs, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
“Before viewers have even had the opportunity to get to know Kenzie, narratives are already being created based on outdated and selective information. We encourage everyone to approach these conversations with fairness, maturity, and an understanding that people grow and evolve over time … We hope people allow her the space to enter this new chapter without immediate judgment or unnecessary hostility,” the statement read.
In a video posted by Love Island, Annis said she’s been single for a year and a half and strives to find a relationship like her parents, who are still happily married.
Previous online bullying prompts statement
Concern over Annis’ previous affiliations are just the tip of the iceberg of how carefully dissected Love Island contestants become. Online bullying of the cast in previous seasons has warranted comment from Love Island USA, and even prompted a precautionary warning this season.
“The Villa runs on good vibes, and so does this community. We love seeing your reactions, opinions, and debates, but everyone deserves to feel safe and respected,” Love Island USA said in May 27 statement on Instagram. “This is a space for fun, not negativity – and remember: this is LOVE island!”
Another member of the season 8 cast, Vasana Montgomery, has already been removed from the season before it airs, USA TODAY reported. Montgomery, a 25-year-old business owner from Oregon, was accused of using racial slurs in recently resurfaced videos. Two previous contestant on season 7 of the show, Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega, were pulled from the cast mid-season over similar accusations.
Where and when can I watch Love Island USA season 8?
All episodes of season 8 of Love Island USA will be streamed on Peacock. New episodes will drop each night at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Peacock subscriptions can range from $7.99 to $16.99 depending on the package.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
Baseball
June 1, 2026
Oklahoma WALKS OFF No. 2 overall seed Georgia Tech to win regional | Full 10th inning
June 1, 2026
Oklahoma baseball knocked out No. 2 overall national seed Georgia Tech to clinch a spot in super regionals, thanks to a towering walk-off home run to dead center in the bottom of the 10th inning from Dayton Tockey. Watch the full extra-inning finish here.
A Griffin, Georgia man is now under arrest, charged in connection with a cold case homicide investigation in New Jersey, prosecutors say.
It’s been nearly 37 years since 42-year-old Mauricio Cuadra was shot during an apparent home invasion; now, authorities say 62-year-old Joseph Quiros-Soto is charged with his murder.
Officials say on Aug. 9, 1989, the officers with the Bayonne Police Department responded to reports of a home invasion and shooting at an apartment on the 400 block of Avenue C. Inside the home, they found Cuadra suffering from a gunshot wound. Cuadra died shortly after.
The case remained a mystery until 2024, when Quiros-Soto confessed to the murder to police in Locust Grove, Georgia, saying that he had become a born-again Christian, NJ.com reports.
Police told the outlet that he gave the detectives details of the crime and allowed visiting Hudson County authorities to take a DNA sample, which matched a stain on the victim.
Authorities were eventually able to obtain a warrant for the Georgia man’s arrest. On May 27, 2026, deputies with the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office arrested Quiros-Soto at his home in Griffin, charging him with murder and murder during the commission of a burglary.
Quiros-Soto is being detained in Georgia, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball has made the super regionals in the NCAA Tournament and will face a team its already played four times.
The No. 14 national seed Bulldogs (43-17) are matched up with No. 3 Georgia (49-12). The best-of-three series will take place in Athens, Georgia, because Georgia is the higher seed.
The super regionals run from June 5-8, and the winner will make the College World Series.
MSU is 0-4 against Georgia this season, getting swept at Dudy Noble Field and then losing a fourth time in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Georgia won the SEC regular season and tournament championships.
Both teams made it through their regionals without a loss. Mississippi State blew out Louisiana 19-5 on May 31, while Georgia defeated Liberty.
MSU has played Georgia only once in postseason history, losing in the 1990 College World Series.
Mississippi State baseball history in super regionals
Mississippi State has played in 10 super regionals and won five of them. It has won three straight super regionals. MSU is 2-4 as the visiting team in super regionals.
New Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor is 7-2 in super regionals.
NCAA baseball tournament schedule
- Super regionals: June 5-8
- College World Series: June 12-22
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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