Georgia wildlife officials are asking residents to be on the lookout for a large invasive lizard that poses a threat to native wildlife.
Methodist churches in North Georgia and South Georgia have taken a major step toward forming one statewide conference.
The North Georgia Annual Conference approved a proposal this week to merge with the South Georgia Annual Conference, voting 96 percent to 4 percent in favor of the plan during its annual meeting in Athens. Earlier this month, the South Georgia Annual Conference also approved the same Unification Plan, with 96.6 percent voting in favor.
The proposal would create the Georgia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, bringing both conferences together under one statewide structure.
Church leaders say the vote marks an important step, but the merger is not yet final. The Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference must still decide whether to hold a special virtual session in August 2026 to consider the proposal.
If approved, Bishop Robin Dease would call a joint special session of both annual conferences in September to help prepare for the transition. Under the current proposal, the new Georgia Annual Conference would officially begin on January 1, 2027.
A worship and celebration service is planned for January 2027, with the first session of the newly unified Georgia Annual Conference scheduled for June 2027 in Athens.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 20, 2026:
Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has opened an investigation into the Georgia State Patrol’s so-called “PIT for Pay” scandal involving former troopers who allegedly profited from insurance claims tied to crashes they caused during vehicle pursuits.
The investigation follows the firing of four Georgia State Patrol troopers who were found to have pursued personal injury settlements after performing PIT maneuvers, a law enforcement tactic used to stop fleeing vehicles by intentionally causing them to spin out.
According to records released during the investigation, three former troopers received nearly $100,000 in combined insurance settlements. A fourth trooper was fired for failing to report the practice and attempting to participate himself.
One case involved former Trooper Hunter Waters, who reportedly received a $25,000 insurance settlement following a pursuit-related crash involving a vehicle owned by Latesha Banks. Banks was not driving the vehicle and was not present when the crash occurred.
Banks says she later learned of the insurance claim and has since faced higher insurance premiums despite not being responsible for the incident. She is seeking to have the settlement money returned and her insurance costs reduced.
Internal investigations found that multiple former troopers referred pursuit-related crashes to an attorney and obtained settlements through insurance claims.
The four troopers involved were terminated for violating department policy and ethical standards. No criminal charges have been filed.
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance continues to investigate the matter, while some insurance companies involved are reportedly reviewing their legal options.
Drivers in Chattooga County continue to face car insurance rates that closely mirror Georgia’s already high statewide averages.
A major contraband investigation has led to the seizure of nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine and multiple cell phones from a Georgia prison inmate’s cell, according to authorities.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, June 13, 2026:
Floyd County officials say the next stage for the Historic Floyd County Courthouse will be debris removal, following completion of the initial stabilization work on the 134-year-old structure.
Before debris removal begins, insurance representatives, engineers, contractors, and county officials are expected to conduct an on-site inspection. Floyd County Attorney Chris Jackson said the meeting is scheduled for June 26 and will help determine what can be preserved and what future work may be possible.
Jackson said officials want all parties involved to inspect the site together for safety and continuity.
The historic courthouse was heavily damaged by fire on March 23. Officials say insurance funds are currently being used for storage and related costs as the county works to move the recovery process forward.
Georgia motorists saved an estimated $188 million during a temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax that ended June 2, according to newly released state revenue figures.
The tax relief measure, approved earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp and state lawmakers, temporarily reduced the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel for consumers across Georgia. The suspension was intended to help offset higher fuel costs and provide financial relief to families and businesses.
State officials reported that fuel tax collections dropped significantly during the period the tax break was in effect, contributing to lower overall revenue from motor fuel taxes. Despite the decline in fuel tax collections, Georgia’s broader revenue picture remained stable due to strong collections from other tax sources.
The savings translated into lower prices at the pump for drivers statewide, with the average motorist paying several cents less per gallon during the suspension. State leaders have frequently used temporary fuel tax suspensions in recent years as a way to provide relief during periods of elevated fuel prices or economic uncertainty.
With the tax break now expired, Georgia’s full motor fuel tax rate has returned, meaning drivers are once again paying the standard state tax on gasoline and diesel purchases.
Supporters of the measure say it delivered meaningful savings to Georgia households, while critics note the temporary suspension also reduced transportation-related revenues that help fund road and infrastructure projects.
A Northwest Georgia man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl while armed with a firearm.
Sincere M. Billingslea, a three-time convicted felon, received the sentence after being convicted on federal drug and firearm charges stemming from fentanyl distribution activities in northwest Georgia.
According to federal prosecutors, Billingslea sold fentanyl while in possession of a firearm despite being legally prohibited from possessing weapons because of his prior felony convictions. Authorities say the case highlights the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl trafficking, which continues to contribute to overdose deaths and public safety concerns across Georgia and the nation.
Federal officials emphasized that fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, with even small amounts capable of causing fatal overdoses.
Following his prison sentence, Billingslea will also be subject to a period of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
Federal authorities said the sentence reflects their continued commitment to targeting armed drug traffickers and removing dangerous narcotics from communities throughout northwest Georgia.