South
This state may decide whether Harris or Trump wins the 2024 presidential election
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Vice President Kamala Harris wakes up Thursday in this historic coastal city in Georgia, a crucial presidential election battleground that’s one of seven states that will likely determine the winner of her 2024 face off with former President Trump.
The vice president on Wednesday kicked off a two-day bus swing in southeastern Georgia, accompanied by her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, visiting with faculty and students at a high school before stopping by a barbecue joint.
On Thursday, Harris and Walz will sit for their first major interview before the vice president holds what’s expected to be a large rally in Savannah.
By choosing the Peach State for her first campaign trail swing following last week’s Democratic National Convention, Harris is making a statement – that Georgia is once again in play in November’s election.
NEW FOX NEWS POLL NUMBERS IN FOUR KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris talks as she visits SandFly Bar-B-Q in Savannah, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Georgia had long been a reliably red state in White House elections until President Biden narrowly edged then-President Trump in 2020 to become the first Democrat in nearly three decades to capture the state.
Fast-forward to this year’s election, and Trump saw his slight edge in the polls in Georgia over Biden jump to a solid single-digit lead after the president’s disastrous performance in their one debate, a late June showdown in Atlanta.
THIS POPULAR GOP GOVERNOR SAYS HIS STATE’S A MUST WIN FOR TRUMP
But in the 5½ weeks since the vice president replaced her boss atop the Democrats’ 2024 ticket, polls indicate that it’s once again a margin-of-error race in the Peach State.
A Fox News poll conducted August 23-26 in Georgia and released on Wednesday indicated Harris with a razor-thin 50%-48% edge over Trump among registered voters. The most recent Fox News survey in Georgia before Biden dropped out of the race indicated Trump topping the president by six points, 51%-45%.
Georgia’s popular two-term conservative governor agrees that his state’s very competitive.
“Certainly this is a battleground state,” Gov. Brian Kemp emphasized in a Fox News Digital interview on Tuesday.
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia is interviewed by Fox News Digital, on June 3, 2024 in Chalmette, Louisiana. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
“I’ve been saying for a long time that the road to the White House is going to run through Georgia. And there’s no path for former President Trump to win, or any Republican … to get to 270 without Georgia,” Kemp said.
But he added that Georgia “should be one that we win if we have all the mechanics that we need. And I’m working hard to help provide those in a lot of ways and turn the Republican vote out and make sure that we win this state in November.”
2024 COUNTDOWN: TRUMP CRISSCROSSING CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH 10 WEEKS UNTIL ELECTION DAY
So are the Democrats.
“The Georgia Democratic coordinated campaign is running the largest in-state operation of any Democratic presidential campaign cycle, with over 190 Democratic coordinated campaign staff in 24 coordinated offices across the state,” the Harris campaign touted hours ahead of the vice president’s arrival in Savannah.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, poses for a photo with students from Savannah State University, at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Ga., Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
This is Harris’ second stop in Georgia since taking over for Biden as the party’s standard-bearer. She previously hosted a large rally in downtown Atlanta.
But this time around, Harris is barnstorming through the southern part of the state, far from Atlanta and its growing suburbs, which make up nearly 60% of Georgia’s population. The traditional route for Democrats to win statewide in Georgia is to concentrate on metropolitan Atlanta.
But Quentin Fulks, who was principal deputy campaign manager under Biden and has remained in that role with Harris, is following the playbook from two years ago when he steered Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock’s narrow re-election victory over GOP challenger Hershel Walker. The strategy is to not only win big in Atlanta and its suburbs, but also to stay competitive in the rest of the state.
“We have to make sure that we are competing everywhere across the state,” Fulks said Tuesday in an interview on MSNBC. “We’re going to continue to run in rural counties. …. We have to be statewide in that state and even compete in counties that Democrats don’t traditionally go. That is how you win statewide in Georgia.”
WASH, RINSE, REPEAT: WHY JD VANCE IS CONCENTRATING ON THESE 3 STATES
The Harris campaign noted that “campaigning in Southeast Georgia is critical as it represents a diverse coalition of voters, including rural, suburban and urban Georgians — with a large proportion of Black voters and working-class families.”
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to marching band members at Liberty County High School in Hinesville, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The first stop for Harris and Walz was Liberty County High School in Hinesville, where they met with the school’s administrators, faculty, students and stopped in on the school’s marching band rehearsal.
“We wanted to come by just to let you know that our country is counting on you. All of you,” Harris told the students. “We’re so proud of you. Your generation, all that you guys stand for … is what is going to propel our country into the next era of what we can do and what we can be.”
The vice president told the students that she was in band when she was in high school, according to a pool report.
The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee took aim at Harris as her bus tour got underway.
“The Trump campaign is fighting and winning in Georgia by building a broad coalition of support from those fed up with her four years of failure in the White House,” senior adviser Brian Hughes told Fox News.
And RNC spokesperson Morgan Ackley argued that “while our highly engaged and energetic operation in Georgia is focused on turning out votes across the entire state, Democrats in Georgia are finally learning an important lesson…there is more to Georgia than just Atlanta.”
Ackley emphasized that “Republicans from Catoosa to Camden County and everywhere in between are fired up and ready to re-elect President Donald J. Trump because his message of putting America first again resonates with Americans of all backgrounds.”
But the Harris campaign appears to enjoy a large organizational advantage over Trump’s team in Georgia. And Republican strategists agreed that to recapture Georgia, Trump will need assistance from Kemp’s well-oiled and funded political machine to turn out GOP voters.
Former President Trump, right, is joined by his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, during at a campaign rally at Georgia State University in Atlanta Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
For two years after his 2020 election defeat to Biden, which included a razor-thin loss in Georgia, Trump attacked Kemp for failing to overturn the election results in his state.
Trump toned down the criticism in 2022 after Kemp crushed Trump-backed former Sen. David Perdue in the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary.
Then, earlier this month, Trump went on a 10-minute tirade against Kemp at a rally in Atlanta just blocks from the Georgia State Capitol. Trump blamed the governor not only for failing to overturn the 2020 vote count but also for not stopping a county prosecutor from indicting the former president for his attempts to reverse the results.
But last week, in a major change of tune, Trump aimed to patch up his differences with Kemp by praising the governor in a social media post.
Kemp told Fox News Digital that “I’ve been consistent for really the last couple of years that I was going to support the ticket, whoever our nominee was, in Georgia. That’s exactly what I’m doing, what I have been doing.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Kemp on Thursday will join his wife, Georgia first lady Marty Kemp, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served in the Trump administration, to headline a fundraiser in Atlanta for the former president.
“It’s my belief that we cannot afford four more years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris or Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, which I think would probably be worse than even Biden and Harris were,” the governor argued.
“I believe Republicans need to stay focused on litigating Kamala Harris and Joe Biden’s record. … We need to be telling people why they should vote for us, what we’re going to do to make things better than they are right now.”
Another sign of how important Georgia is in deciding the White House race – the massive amount of money being spent by both the Harris and Trump campaigns to run ads in the state.
The Trump campaign is dishing out nearly $33 million to reserve ad time on Georgia airwaves for the final stretch, with the Harris campaign spending over $42 million, according to figures from the national ad tracking firm AdImpact.
Spotlighting the stakes, veteran Georgia-based Republican consultant Stephen Lawson noted that “from the Trump-Kemp détente to Harris campaigning in rural Georgia to the massive spending, just continues to underscore that the road to the White House runs through Georgia.”
“That was true in 2020. It’s why Joe Biden is in office right now,” Lawson highlighted.
And looking ahead to this autumn’s presidential election, he added that “I think it will be very, very, difficult for either Harris or Trump to win the White House without winning Georgia.”
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Tim Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points and shot 40.7% on 3-pointers last year in his first season with the Denver Nuggets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new wingman in Miami.
ESPN, NBA on Prime and The Athletic reported Tuesday that Tim Hardaway Jr. will sign with the Miami Heat. ESPN reported that the deal is for one year and $6.5 million for Hardaway Jr., one of the league’s most dangerous long-range shooters.
Hardaway agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Heat, sources said. Miami officials finalized the deal with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tonight. https://t.co/c47Tx4D1KX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 40.7% on 3-pointers last year in his first season with the Denver Nuggets. He led all reserves with 205 3-pointers made last year and was awarded a third-place finish in the league’s 6th Man of the Year Award.
The 34-year-old swingman, son of Hall of Fame point guard Tim Hardaway, has played for five teams in his 13-year career. Hardaway Jr. is a career 36.5% shooter on 3-pointers, and he’s averaged 2.3 3s made per game in 893 career games.
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – General admission tickets to FIFA Fan Festival Atlanta are sold out as temperatures hover in the 90s, with organizers urging attendees to prepare for the heat ahead of a packed Wednesday schedule.
Three matches are scheduled for Wednesday, including a U.S. Men’s National Team match in the evening, as the World Cup continues in the knockout stage. The festival at Centennial Olympic Park has welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors since the start of the tournament.
What fans should know before they go
Organizers are advising fans to wear light, loose clothing and bring hats. Neck fans are permitted, as are plastic water bottles without labels. The park opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. Wednesday.
“We are aware of the heat index and we want to make sure people are comfortable and safe within the park,” said Chincie Mouton, Director of Sports Engagement & Community Impact for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.
Shaded areas, a splash pad at the Fountain of Rings, and water filling stations are available throughout the park. Some of those water stations are supplied by Third Rock Sanitation Solutions, a family-owned company based in Alpharetta.
“We believe we are absolutely life support here, because water is essential for all of us,” said Mark Slade with Third Rock Sanitation Solutions, based in Alpharetta.
The stations provide chilled, filtered water across the park.
“Without the water, let’s face it, there would be people dehydrated, falling out, there would be several problems. So, being part of that, it’s a really good feeling, heartfelt feeling,” Slade said.
Paramedics on standby
Paramedics and safety crews will be on hand should anyone become overwhelmed by the heat, organizers said.
Jason Walker and his son traveled from England to see England play Congo in Atlanta. The match will be held indoors at Atlanta Stadium. Walker said the outdoor heat was already noticeable upon arrival.
“I’m obviously suffering from it at the moment, it’s extremely hot at the moment,” Walker said.
All five remaining days of the Fan Festival are sold out for free tickets. Some paid tickets remain available. Organizers will stop admitting fans once capacity is reached — a threshold that has been hit during U.S. games being played at the park. Early arrival is encouraged.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta Commission members met Tuesday, hearing from the public and looking at a variety of issues.
West Augusta community center
A member of the public asked commissioners for confirmation about whether the proposed west Augusta community center is an approved SPLOST 9 project and sought clarification on its designation, prioritization, site location, scope, and projected timeline for implementation.
She asked whether the promised $10 million is protected for that project.
She said west Augusta is one of the city’s fastest-growing areas but still lacks a community center, arguing it is essential infrastructure that would improve health, provide safe recreation, and offer programs for youth and seniors.
Parks and Recreation Director Tameka Williams confirmed the project is included in SPLOST 9 under a broader $21.7 million category for new facilities and facility revitalization, with $10 million intended for the new center.
The speaker expressed concern that because the referendum grouped several parks projects together, the money could eventually be redirected elsewhere.
Commissioner Don Clark assured her the funding is designated for a new community center
Interim City Attorney Plunkett explained that while the referendum language is broad, the materials presented to voters specifically identified $10 million for a West Augusta Community Center, making the commission accountable to that commitment.
Williams noted the project is approved, but key details — including a site, land acquisition, construction timeline, and where it falls in SPLOST priorities—have not yet been determined.
Helene cost update
Commissioners approved a change order to extend some Hurricane Helene work to Dec. 31. Tetra Tech reported the city has submitted an estimated $83.6 million in eligible storm costs.
Of that, $75.9 million has now been approved by FEMA, a 36% increase — roughly $20 million more than when the company last updated commissioners in February.
The company said the remaining work involves navigating FEMA’s extensive documentation, auditing, and compliance requirements as Augusta continues drawing down the approved funds.
During questions, Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle asked whether FEMA could help cover the millions of dollars in storm damage to trees and canal embankments along the canal.
Tetra Tech said it is working with Augusta Utilities, FEMA, and state officials to determine what portions of that project qualify for reimbursement, but no final determination has been made because of the project’s complexity.
Parking approval
Commissioners approved a motion to approve for city staff to initiate procurement of a parking management firm for the downtown area and for the law department to draft related updates to the Code of Ordinances regarding parking.
Leaders approved moving forward with the next steps toward a downtown parking management system, including starting the procurement process for a private parking management company and drafting updates to Augusta’s parking ordinances.
Commissioner Jordan Johnson questioned whether the city had fully weighed the costs and benefits of outsourcing parking management versus running it in-house.
Engineering Director Dr. Malik said he now recommends hiring a private contractor to handle the entire operation—from equipment to enforcement—with the city receiving a guaranteed revenue amount under the contract. He said that approach would require little to no upfront cost for Augusta because the contractor would absorb implementation expenses.
Malik said the amount of revenue the city receives will depend largely on the hourly parking rate. He previously recommended $1.50 an hour but now believes a minimum of $2.50 would better reflect rising costs. He pointed to cities like Atlanta and Savannah, where parking programs generate millions of dollars annually.
Johnson also asked about the timeline. Malik said staff is currently drafting the request for proposals, with a draft expected before a July stakeholder meeting. The procurement process is still in its early stages, so no implementation schedule has been established, including whether paid parking would coincide with the ongoing Broad Street improvement project.
Johnson requested a list of businesses and organizations participating in stakeholder meetings, saying he wants to ensure the group represents the full downtown community. Malik said participants include the Downtown Development Authority, Augusta Tomorrow, Destination Augusta, economic development officials, restaurants, and downtown business owners.
Commissioners also discussed the ordinance changes that would be needed if paid parking moves forward. The law department said revisions would likely cover parking fees, time limits, violations, and enforcement procedures, using ordinances from cities like Athens, Atlanta, and Savannah as models while updating a draft ordinance
Johnson also asked about potential enforcement costs, including impacts on the courts or sheriff’s office, and said the city should understand those expenses before committing to a system.
He also questioned whether enough public feedback has been gathered, noting Augusta’s previous attempts at paid parking — including parking meters and a downtown parking deck — were unsuccessful
Malik said initial feedback has come primarily through the Downtown Development Authority and conversations with Broad Street businesses, but broader public input will continue as the process moves forward.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
-
Miami, FL2 minutes agoReports: Heat add potent bench scorer in Tim Hardaway Jr.
-
Boston, MA5 minutes agoBoston Pops gearing up for major July 4th celebration: ‘You only turn 250 once’ – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO10 minutes agoColorado wildfires destroy more than 100 structures, force more evacuations
-
Seattle, WA17 minutes agoWill Katie Wilson’s endorsements help or hurt Seattle’s position in Olympia?
-
San Diego, CA20 minutes agoMarine missing after training activity off San Diego is declared dead
-
Milwaukee, WI25 minutes agoCareer minor-leaguer Garrett Stallings gets his shot with the Brewers
-
Atlanta, GA32 minutes agoFIFA Fan Festival Atlanta bracing for huge crowds, high heat
-
Minneapolis, MN35 minutes agoNorth Minneapolis Heritage Park tenants swelter as $500K grant sits locked for furnaces
