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Georgia election results: GOP gubernatorial primary heads to runoff

The winner of the runoff will face Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Politics

Georgia&#x27;s Republican gubernatorial primary is headed to a runoff next month after no candidate secured a majority of the vote.<ul><li>The winner of the runoff will face Keisha Lance Bottoms, who clinched the Democratic nomination with 57% of the vote. </li></ul>Why it matters: Incumbent Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is term-limited, so Georgia voters will elect a new governor this year.

Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor

Candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor and more must get voters back to the polls

Here&#x27;s what happened in Tuesday&#x27;s down-ballot races:🧑‍⚖️ Judicial races: Former Democratic state Sen. Jen Jordan&#x27;s and plaintiff attorney Miracle Rankin&#x27;s efforts to oust Republican-backed Georgia Supreme Court Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren failed.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump election interference case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" data-vars-content-id="c26131f2-8e29-4899-8496-07243b7d5fd9" data-vars-headline="Georgia primary results: Supreme Court, lieutenant governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/26/georgia-drops-trump-election-prosecution" target="_self">Trump election interference case</a> prosecutor Will Wooten also lost his bid to unseat Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Trenton Brown. Brown was part of the appellate panel that disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.</li></ul>

Falling Water Park could be Atlanta's next fishing hole

Plans call for trails, boardwalks and fishing access near Campbellton Road and Therrell High.

Things to Do

An effort to turn a hidden forest and pond on the outer edge of southwest Atlanta into a new park is gaining momentum.Why it matters: The proposed Falling Water Park connects the community to 26.3 acres of deep woods and water a short walk from Campbellton Road.

Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo

Memorial Day weekend will be packed with things to do around Atlanta.

It&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, and there&#x27;s something to do for every cosplayer, beer lover and jazz fan in your life.Here are some events to add to your plans: 🧝 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="MomoCon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.momocon.com/" data-vars-content-id="29901d5d-d8a8-4df2-9e1c-ff1bff962852" data-vars-headline="Weekend events: Atlanta Jazz Festival, MomoCon, Brew at the Zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.momocon.com/" target="_blank">MomoCon</a> is back for its 21st year at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Wildfires continue to burn across drought-ridden South Georgia

The Pineland Road fire in Clinch County is 10% contained and the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County is 15% contained.

Wildfires

More than 50,000 acres have been torched and over 100 structures have been destroyed as two massive wildfires rage in South Georgia. The latest: The Pineland Road fire in Clinch County, located in southeast Georgia, is only 10% contained and has burned over 32,000 acres, according to numbers released Sunday by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia Forestry Commission" data-vars-click-url="https://gatrees.org/current-wildfire-information-and-resources/" data-vars-content-id="6fa05452-1607-4661-8ae1-0db46148d7b5" data-vars-headline="Wildfires continue to burn across drought-ridden South Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gatrees.org/current-wildfire-information-and-resources/" target="_blank">Georgia Forestry Commission</a>.

Allergy season is getting longer in Atlanta

Atlanta's allergy season is now 37 days longer on average, according to a new Climate Central analysis.

Climate

If you feel like your seasonal allergy symptoms start earlier each year, it&#x27;s not your imagination.<ul><li>Allergy season is getting longer in many U.S. cities amid climate change, according to a new Climate Central analysis.</li></ul>Why it matters: A drawn-out allergy season means prolonged sneezing, sniffling, wheezing and coughing, which can greatly affect a person&#x27;s quality of life.The latest: The freeze-free growing season for plants lengthened from 1970 to 2025 in nearly 90% of the 198 cities analyzed in the climate research group&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" data-vars-content-id="dc63a4c0-ae05-4d7a-9386-fb5a9bd8efcb" data-vars-headline="Allergy season is getting longer in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" target="_blank">latest report</a>.<ul><li>Among cities with an increase, the freeze-free period grew by an average of 21 days.</li><li>That&#x27;s the time between the last and first freeze, used here to represent allergy season.</li></ul>Zoom in: Allergy season has lengthened the most in the Northwest, where the freeze-free period is now 31 days longer on average.<ul><li>In Atlanta, the season is, on average, 37 days longer.</li></ul>Zoom out: Some cities have it worse. Eugene, Oregon, El Paso, Texas, Raleigh, N.C., and Concord, N.H., all saw their seasons increase by at least 40 days. Stunning stat: The allergy season in Reno, Nevada, has grown by an eye-watering 100 days. For Las Cruces, N.M., the season is 65 days longer.The intrigue: Tulsa, Oklahoma, is one of the few cities that experienced a shorter season, with its period decreasing by 15 days.What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;A longer allergy season is nothing to sneeze at — it&#x27;s a clear signal of a warming world, driven by carbon pollution,&quot; said Climate Central vice president for science Kristy Dahl.<ul><li>&quot;As temperatures rise, freeze-free seasons are stretching in every region of the country, giving plants weeks of extra time to grow and release pollen.</li><li>&quot;For millions of Americans, that means earlier, longer, and often more intense allergy seasons that can take a real toll on health and daily life.&quot;</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: NOAA&#x27;s Climate Prediction Center is calling for high chances of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="above-normal temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/off15_temp.gif" data-vars-content-id="dc63a4c0-ae05-4d7a-9386-fb5a9bd8efcb" data-vars-headline="Allergy season is getting longer in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/off15_temp.gif" target="_blank">above-normal temperatures</a> across the Southeast for March, and an elevated chance of above-normal temperatures in the Southwest for the early spring months.

Cold snap will linger in Atlanta through the weekend

The National Weather Service said lows for Saturday, Sunday and Monday will range from 15 to 20 degrees.

Temperatures could fall 20 degrees below normal or more in parts of the Eastern U.S. this week as a blast of Arctic air settles in like an unwanted house guest that doesn&#x27;t get the hint.The latest: As of Tuesday, 173 million people were under extreme cold warnings, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NBC News reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/winter-weather/winter-storm-updates-extreme-cold-warnings-snow-arctic-air-energy-rcna256081" data-vars-content-id="7ebcea99-3dec-40b8-b2b6-7c083aa9a45e" data-vars-headline="Cold snap will linger in Atlanta through the weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/winter-weather/winter-storm-updates-extreme-cold-warnings-snow-arctic-air-energy-rcna256081" target="_blank">NBC News reports</a>.Driving the news: The National Weather Service says low temperatures will remain below freezing in metro Atlanta and north Georgia through the weekend, according to its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="briefing" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&amp;issuedby=FFC&amp;product=AFD&amp;format=CI&amp;version=1&amp;glossary=1" data-vars-content-id="7ebcea99-3dec-40b8-b2b6-7c083aa9a45e" data-vars-headline="Cold snap will linger in Atlanta through the weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&amp;issuedby=FFC&amp;product=AFD&amp;format=CI&amp;version=1&amp;glossary=1" target="_blank">briefing</a> released Tuesday.

Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads

Any moisture left on roadways overnight will turn into black ice, state officials said.

Tens of thousands of people are still without power, and officials urge residents to stay off the roads on Monday as icy conditions remain a threat to drivers in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.The latest: As of Sunday evening, Georgia Power <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/?_gl=1*1q7x2az*_gcl_au*MTc2OTcyMTQyLjE3NjkwMDgxMjc." data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/?_gl=1*1q7x2az*_gcl_au*MTc2OTcyMTQyLjE3NjkwMDgxMjc." target="_blank">reported</a> a little more than 17,000 of its 2.8 million customers were without electricity.<ul><li>Another 22,000 outages were reported by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Georgia EMC" data-vars-click-url="https://georgiaemc.com/news/718787/Georgias-EMCs-Report-22000-Outages-Following-Winter-Storm-Fern.htm" data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://georgiaemc.com/news/718787/Georgias-EMCs-Report-22000-Outages-Following-Winter-Storm-Fern.htm" target="_blank">Georgia EMC</a>, the trade association that represents the state&#x27;s 41 electric membership corporations.</li><li>Trees have been toppled in nearly every county affected by icy conditions, and state crews are working to remove debris in affected areas, said Josh Lamb, director of Georgia Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security.</li><li>State government offices in the northern half of the state will be closed Monday, and several Georgia State Park sites will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="open as warming centers" data-vars-click-url="https://gastateparks.org/Alerts" data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gastateparks.org/Alerts" target="_blank">open as warming centers</a> for anyone who loses power.</li></ul>Driving the news: State officials briefed members of the press Sunday afternoon about Winter Storm Fern, which left nearly 1 million people without power, killed at least three people, dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas and canceled over 11,000 flights across the country, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ABC News reports" data-vars-click-url="https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/winter-storm-live-updates-tracking-dangerous-ice-snow/?id=129469173" data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/winter-storm-live-updates-tracking-dangerous-ice-snow/?id=129469173" target="_blank">ABC News reports</a>.<ul><li>Lamb encouraged Georgians in affected areas to stay off the roads, as any moisture left on roadways overnight will turn into black ice Monday morning. </li><li>&quot;Hopefully we warm up enough [on Monday] to melt and dry everything before temperatures really plummet again on Tuesday morning,&quot; said state meteorologist Will Lanxton.</li><li>Coupled with ice, high winds also make trees and power lines vulnerable to falling, Lamb said.</li></ul>Catch up quick: Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declared" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/01/22/georgia-winter-storm-state-of-emergency" data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/01/22/georgia-winter-storm-state-of-emergency" target="_self">declared</a> a state of emergency for all counties ahead of the storm, which allowed him to mobilize up to 500 National Guard troops to assist in the winter weather response.<ul><li>Maj. Gen. Richard D. Wilson said troops will be primarily focused on clearing roadways, helping with power restoration efforts and moving supplies on the ground or via the air.</li><li>&quot;Our soldiers and airmen are proud to be part of the team, and so we&#x27;re going to be in this thing with you until we&#x27;re finished,&quot; Wilson said Sunday.</li><li>A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal emergency declaration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260125/president-donald-j-trump-approves-emergency-declaration-georgia" data-vars-content-id="d51e885a-1158-4561-93d8-8e9bd2af1756" data-vars-headline="Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260125/president-donald-j-trump-approves-emergency-declaration-georgia" target="_blank">federal emergency declaration</a> was also issued for 112 Georgia counties, which Lamb said will allow FEMA to help the state in its response to the storm.</li></ul>By the numbers: Russell McMurry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, said the agency treated 18,000 miles of roads before the storm.<ul><li>Crews used 1.5 million gallons of brine and about 2,500 tons of the salt aggregate mix they apply after removing sleet and freezing rain from the road.</li><li>At least two dozen state routes have some form of closures, most of which are in north Georgia and parts of metro Atlanta.</li><li>About 70 staff members and 42 pieces of equipment were moved to treat state roadways in east metro Atlanta and north and northeast Georgia.</li></ul>The fine print: School districts across metro Atlanta and north Georgia are closed Monday, as are colleges and universities.The bottom line: &quot;[Monday] morning and overnight [Sunday] are going to be very difficult, and so just stay home until we can provide more information that we know that these roads and the temperatures are favorable for travel,&quot; McMurry said.Editor&#x27;s note: This story has been updated.

Metro Atlanta under winter storm watch as state of emergency declared

The National Weather Service forecast said "significant icing" is possible, with as much as four-tenths of an inch in metro Atlanta.

The National Weather Service has added metro Atlanta and parts of central Georgia into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter storm watch" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=GAZ033&amp;warncounty=GAC121&amp;firewxzone=GAZ033&amp;local_place1=2%20Miles%20ESE%20Atlanta%20GA&amp;product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&amp;lat=33.7485&amp;lon=-84.3915" data-vars-content-id="73a2fd14-9029-421d-8ff6-2ddaac80eed2" data-vars-headline="Metro Atlanta under winter storm watch as state of emergency declared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=GAZ033&amp;warncounty=GAC121&amp;firewxzone=GAZ033&amp;local_place1=2%20Miles%20ESE%20Atlanta%20GA&amp;product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&amp;lat=33.7485&amp;lon=-84.3915" target="_blank">winter storm watch</a>, with &quot;significant icing&quot; expected this weekend.Why it matters: Winter storm Fern <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is expected" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" data-vars-content-id="73a2fd14-9029-421d-8ff6-2ddaac80eed2" data-vars-headline="Metro Atlanta under winter storm watch as state of emergency declared" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" target="_self">is expected</a> to produce snow, freezing rain and/or sleet from parts of New Mexico and Texas all the way east to Georgia and north to New England.

Atlanta prepares for massive winter storm that could bring ice and snow

The wintry precipitation could start as early as Saturday.

Metro Atlanta, north Georgia and much of the southeast are bracing for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" data-vars-content-id="664b0aff-bd73-4169-bea1-8e4cda90bc88" data-vars-headline="Atlanta prepares for massive winter storm that could bring ice and snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/winter-storm-snow-ice-forecast-east-coast-south" target="_self">massive winter storm</a> that will move into the region as early as Saturday. Why it matters: Be prepared to hunker down at home for a few days.

Heat streaks are becoming more common in Georgia

Macon and Augusta experienced, on average, two additional heat streaks per year while Atlanta and Albany recorded three more.

Cities across Georgia and the U.S. have more heat streaks on average each year compared to 1970, according to a new analysis. Why it matters: Prolonged heat — as much of the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has experienced this summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" data-vars-content-id="bec3b514-0e94-4c80-95bc-8343c349dd04" data-vars-headline="Heat streaks are becoming more common in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" target="_self">has experienced this summer</a> — is particularly hazardous to human health.

Flash flood warnings trending up in Georgia

National Weather Service officials have issued 27 flash flood warnings, Iowa State University researchers said

Flash floods are becoming increasingly common in Georgia — a phenomenon consistent with climate change.The big picture: Nationally, flash flood warnings have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set a new record" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/flash-flood-warnings-record-nws" data-vars-content-id="1acb1527-1152-480f-a061-82c3d3264479" data-vars-headline="Flash flood warnings trending up in Georgia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/flash-flood-warnings-record-nws" target="_self">set a new record</a> this year, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick reports.

Georgia runoff to decide Democratic PSC candidate

Voters choose the Public Service Commission Democratic nominee today.

Georgia voters will decide Tuesday which Democrat will get a shot at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influencing energy policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/05/28/psc-elections-will-guide-electricity-rates-and-clean-energy-future" data-vars-content-id="d47281d0-3a07-4107-9fdb-9e440c6be3d6" data-vars-headline="Georgia runoff to decide Democratic PSC candidate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/05/28/psc-elections-will-guide-electricity-rates-and-clean-energy-future" target="_self">influencing energy policy</a> and energy bills. Why it matters: The Georgia Public Service Commission has authority to set electricity rates and promote clean energy. <ul><li>Nearly every debate involving solar power, high energy bills and kilowatt-chugging data centers will involve the regulatory agency&#x27;s five commissioners.</li></ul>

How to keep your dog cool during Atlanta's long, hot summer

Since dogs are people-pleasers, they can exert themselves beyond what's healthy just to keep their humans happy.

Last week&#x27;s heat wave won&#x27;t be the only one we&#x27;ll experience this year, so now is the time to brush up on how to keep your pups safe during the summer.Why it matters: Like us, our four-legged loved ones can overheat. Since dogs are people-pleasers, they can exert themselves beyond what&#x27;s healthy just to keep their humans happy.

Pic du jour: Stormwater season is back, Atlanta 

Atlanta storms flood I-75/85

Axios What's Next

A symbol map of U.S. cities showing the change in average allergy season length from 1970 to 2025. For most cities, the season has gotten longer, by an average of 23 days. Reno, Nevada, shows an increase of 100 days, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a decrease of 15 days.

Change in the average length of allergy season from 1970 to 2025

Data: Climate Central; Note: Map shows data for two largest cities in each state, where available; Map: Axios Visuals

A map of the United States showing lowest forecast temperature from Jan. 27-30, 2026.

2026-01-26-temp-deviations

Data: Global Forecast System; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

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Climate 🌿

Atlanta storms flood I-75/85

Wildfires continue to burn across drought-ridden South Georgia

Allergy season is getting longer in Atlanta

Cold snap will linger in Atlanta through the weekend

Nearly 40,000 without power as Georgia officials warn of icy roads