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  • Health advocates spotlight free nicotine-quitting program during MLK Day observances

    Health advocates spotlight free nicotine-quitting program during MLK Day observances

    Health advocates spotlight free nicotine-quitting program during MLK Day observances

    As communities across Georgia observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, health advocates used the moment to spotlight long-term support for people trying to quit nicotine, including the free, evidence-based EX Program.

    The program is operated by Truth Initiative, a nonprofit focused on ending tobacco and nicotine addiction, and has helped people quit since 2008. Developed in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, the EX Program offers teens and adults personalized quit plans, interactive text messages and online peer support. Research shows people who use the program can increase their chances of quitting by up to 40%.

    Kendric Dartis, vice president for outreach and engagement at Truth Initiative, said promoting access to quitting resources aligns closely with the purpose of the holiday.

    “Martin Luther King Jr. Day is really a call to action and not just a reflection. Truth Initiative is showing up during the King Holiday Observance Week to really frame quitting nicotine as an act of liberation and understanding — one that protects health and strengthens community.”

    Truth Initiative participated in Atlanta’s Beloved Community Global Summit as part of King Holiday Observance Week, which brings together leaders and advocates to advance Dr. King’s vision of collective care and equity. Public health experts say the work is especially urgent in Black communities, which have long been targeted by tobacco companies and continue to face uneven access to cessation resources.

    Dartis said the consequences of those disparities are profound.

    “We also know that 45,000 Black Americans die each and every year from smoking-related disease and illnesses, so we know that we must do something differently.”

    He said meeting people with accessible, trusted, and proven tools is key to closing those gaps and strengthening community health.

    The EX Program is available at no cost at EXprogram.com or by texting EXPROGRAM to 88709.

  • Kemp backs needs-based college aid, proposes major investment in DREAMS scholarships

    Kemp backs needs-based college aid, proposes major investment in DREAMS scholarships

    Kemp backs needs-based college aid, proposes major investment in DREAMS scholarships

    Gov. Brian Kemp announced his support for needs-based financial assistance for college students in Georgia at his final State of the State Address last week.

    “In this era of high prices and new challenges for those graduating from high school, we also recognize the advantage need-based financial assistance can give to those who would not otherwise be able to access higher education,” Kemp said.

    Georgia lawmakers were already exploring the possibility of a needs-based financial assistance program. The state Senate Committee on Higher Education Affordability released a report at the end of 2025 that called for a needs-based aid program similar to states like North Carolina and Florida to be funded by the unrestricted reserves of the Georgia Lottery.

    Georgia and New Hampshire are the only two states without some sort of needs-based funding for college students, according to a report by the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute published in 2021.

    “Like their peers who have the means to attend college, these students have great dreams for rewarding careers and impactful lives. But they do not always have hope that those dreams can become reality,” Kemp said in his address. “Dreams without the benefit of hope remain dreams deferred, perhaps for entire generations.”

    Kemp said his amended budget proposal invests $325 million in the University System of Georgia for the DREAMS Scholarship program. Kemp said the program will complement the work of the Georgia MATCH program, which helps connect students to higher education.

    “In future years this one-time endowment will create opportunities for generational economic advancement for thousands of students, and down the road it will allow them to complete college and begin meaningful careers without the burden of crippling debt,” Kemp said.

  • Trump administration delays student loan wage garnishment amid Georgia lawsuit

    Trump administration delays student loan wage garnishment amid Georgia lawsuit

    Trump administration delays student loan wage garnishment amid Georgia lawsuit

    After a threat at the end of 2025 to start garnishing wages, the Trump administration reversed course Friday announcing a delay in the procedure.

    President Donald Trump’s administration said in December that it was planning on garnishing wages of default borrowers near the start of 2026. However, the U.S. Department of Education released a statement Friday announcing a delay in the implementation of garnishing wages to give borrowers more time to repay their loans.

    A class-action lawsuit was filed in Georgia in late 2025 that alleges the Department of Education’s incompetence and “willful negligence” has led to the potential financial ruin of student loan borrowers.

    The complaint estimates that the department’s alleged misconduct could cost borrowers up to $2 trillion in damages by April.

    Devlin Cooper, the attorney litigating the case, said in a video statement that around 20 million individuals in America will be held improperly in default by the department by April.

    Wayne Johnson, the financier of the case and former head of the Student Loan Program in President Donald Trump’s first term, said in the video that the department failed to prepare itself to restart payments for borrowers and that borrowers have been unable to contact the department to fix the issues, resulting in default.

    “We’re hard-pressed to understand how if a borrower is trying to get themselves into repayment status and their creditor is failing to meet the responsibility of operationally enabling that, how the reporting of any delinquency associated thereto could be considered to be fair.,” Johnson said. “Very frankly, the Department of Education knows full well that it is failing miserably on its servicing obligations. Each of the servicers who the department keeps referring potential borrowers to are failing and have failed miserably.”

    Georgia has a total of 1.7 million borrowers, with the country having 43 million borrowers, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After the end of the COVID-era pause on student loan payments, many borrowers struggled to start making payments.

    “This legal action…is all about bringing the federal government and the credit bureaus held to be accountable for their unfair and, again, what the attorneys will determine, illegal activities,” Johnson said.

  • Former DeKalb County schools superintendent arrested amid assault, child cruelty case

    Former DeKalb County schools superintendent arrested amid assault, child cruelty case

    Former DeKalb County schools superintendent arrested amid assault, child cruelty case

    A former DeKalb County Schools superintendent facing federal charges was arrested Saturday in a domestic violence case in DeKalb County.

    According to the DeKalb County Police Department, officers responded to a domestic call in the 1800 block of Chedworth Lane. Investigators said a verbal argument between Devon Horton and his wife became physical.

    Police said Horton was charged with aggravated assault and cruelty to children in the third degree. Children were present during the alleged incident, according to the report.

    The arrest comes months after Horton resigned as superintendent following a federal indictment in Illinois.

    In October 2025, a federal grand jury charged Horton with 17 counts, including wire fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion. Prosecutors allege he directed more than $280,000 in contracts to three longtime friends while serving as superintendent of the Evanston-Skokie School District from 2020 to 2023 and received more than $80,000 in kickbacks.

    Horton pleaded not guilty to the federal charges. Prosecutors also allege Horton used district funds for personal expenses and failed to report the income on his tax returns. If convicted, he could face more than 10 years in prison.

    Horton was suspended without pay by the DeKalb County School Board the day the indictment was announced. He resigned effective Nov. 15, 2025, and the board appointed Dr. Norman C. Sauce III as acting superintendent.

    The domestic violence charges are separate from the federal case. Horton is expected to appear in court Monday. Authorities have released no additional details.

  • Georgia film industry faces ongoing slowdown, studios turn to live entertainment

    Georgia film industry faces ongoing slowdown, studios turn to live entertainment

    Georgia film industry faces ongoing slowdown, studios turn to live entertainment

    Georgia’s film industry continues to navigate a slowdown following the 2023 writers’ strike, which halted production for nearly five months and reduced overall activity across the state.

    For more than a decade, major films and television shows have been produced at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville. With fewer projects moving forward, the complex has expanded into live entertainment and other programming to maintain steady use of its facilities.

    That expansion includes Trilith Live, a venue hosting concerts, comedy shows, theatrical performances, family programming and community events. The space also features a nine-screen luxury cinema, with theaters ranging from small-format rooms to large screens seating up to 300 people.

    According to the Georgia Film Office, production spending in Georgia fell from more than $4 billion in 2022 to about $2.6 billion in 2024. Film permits issued in Atlanta over the past year dropped by roughly half, prompting studios to rethink how their spaces are used during slower periods.

    Trilith Live Executive Director Matt McClain said the goal is to broaden the type of entertainment offered while keeping the venue tied to the local economy. “We want this space to support the community and generate activity, even when film production slows,” McClain said.

    Industry leaders say the changes reflect a period of adjustment rather than decline.

    “We’re in a transition,” said executive producer Tiffany Fitzhenry. “What we’re moving toward is something more sustainable.”

    Trilith plans to host a live performance, screen films and begin a new production shoot on Feb. 1 — a combination organizers hope signals renewed momentum.

  • Metro Atlanta students honor MLK’s legacy through speeches and classroom lessons

    Metro Atlanta students honor MLK’s legacy through speeches and classroom lessons

    Metro Atlanta students honor MLK’s legacy through speeches and classroom lessons

    As schools across metro Atlanta marked the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., students stepped forward to share his message in their own voices — from elementary classrooms in Gwinnett County to the pulpit of a historic Atlanta church.

    At Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, seventh grader Siera White prepared for an enormous honor. Selected from a group of 20 students, White was chosen to deliver a speech during the live, televised Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King once preached.

    “I feel empowered,” she said, honoring Coretta Scott King’s legacy as well as King’s husband’s. “Mrs. Coretta Scott King was so strong and an activist and leader for so many.”

    The announcement was recognized during a ceremonial pinning at the academy, a long-standing tradition that represents leadership and the passing of responsibility from one student to the next. 

    Last year’s student speaker presented White with the pin, a gesture school leaders said reflects a tradition rooted in courage, service and continuity — values taught through the lives of both King and his wife, Coretta Scott King. School administrators said the milestone reflected years of deliberate instruction and mentorship.

    That same sense of reflection was evident Thursday at Anderson-Livsey Elementary in Gwinnett County, where students marked King’s birthday with a lesson designed to help them connect history to their own experiences.

    Fourth graders were asked to interpret King’s speeches and explain what his vision meant to them today. In their own words, students spoke about kindness, fairness and the importance of learning to live together across differences.

    “[Martin Luther King Jr.] had a dream that children can have kindness and equality for one another. Today, we can honor history by treating everyone we meet with respect,” the student continued.

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be observed Monday, Jan. 19. More information about events honoring King’s life and legacy is available through The King Center.

  • Ossoff reports $25M on hand as 2026 Georgia Senate race approaches

    Ossoff reports $25M on hand as 2026 Georgia Senate race approaches

    Ossoff reports $25M on hand as 2026 Georgia Senate race approaches

    U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is entering the 2026 election cycle with more than $25 million in cash on hand, according to his campaign.

    The campaign said Ossoff raised $9.9 million in the final three months of 2025, largely from small-dollar donors. It reported that 99% of fourth-quarter contributions came from donors who had given less than $200 in total, with an average donation of $37 across more than 303,000 contributions.

    Campaign officials said the fundraising reflects preparations for a competitive race in Georgia. Ossoff is the only Democratic senator seeking re-election in a state won by Donald Trump. Republicans are expected to spend heavily in the contest.

    Federal Election Commission data shows Ossoff currently leads all U.S. Senate candidates in fundraising. Among Republican contenders, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins reported raising $2.46 million between January and September 2025, while former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley raised $1.88 million between July and September.

    Ossoff’s campaign also reported that Ossoff helped raise more than $778,000 for the Democratic Party of Georgia in 2025. Donors came from 157 of Georgia’s 159 counties, according to the campaign.

    The campaign office said his re-election effort has focused on health care and economic policy. It noted that Republican challengers have not supported extending Affordable Care Act tax credits, which are used by about 1.4 million Georgians. The campaign also cited warnings from the University of Georgia about economic risks tied to federal policy.

  • Kemp proposes $2B in tax cuts, rebates in final State of the State

    Kemp proposes $2B in tax cuts, rebates in final State of the State

    Kemp proposes $2B in tax cuts, rebates in final State of the State

    Gov. Brian Kemp announced plans Thursday to put more than $2 billion back in the pockets of Georgians through tax cuts and rebates.

    At his final State of the State address, Kemp proposed a plan to rebate $1.2 billion in income taxes this year, meaning single filers would receive up to $250 and married couples filing jointly would get up to $500.

    “The reality is that too many of our citizens are still struggling to make ends meet, and everyday costs are still too high. Groceries, rent, insurance, clothes for the kids—it all adds up to more than it used to,” Kemp said to lawmakers. “With this rebate, my administration and this General Assembly will have returned over 7.5 billion dollars in surplus revenue to the taxpayers of our state over the last four years.”

    Kemp said that Georgia’s state reserves will have more than $10 billion by the time he leaves office with the current fund holding $14.6 billion.

    “There is no question the state of our state is stronger, more prosperous, and safer today than it was in January of 2019. But I want to be clear. This success, this “good news,” isn’t guaranteed. It doesn’t happen by default or accident. There’s more work to be done and more wood to chop to make sure Georgia continues to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come,” he said.

    Here are other items Kemp called for during his speech.

    • An expedited income tax rate cut
    • New spending for law enforcement retirement savings
    • Funding for a needs-based scholarship program
    • A proposal to distribute a one-time $2,000 bonus to state employees

    Kemp also released his budget proposals Thursday, which included $46.4 million to cover the reduction of federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

  • Mike Collins defends aide amid ethics probe, misconduct allegations

    Mike Collins defends aide amid ethics probe, misconduct allegations

    Mike Collins defends aide amid ethics probe, misconduct allegations

    U.S. Rep. Mike Collins stands by a long-time aide who has stirred up controversy in Georgia.

    Brandon Phillips, now the senior policy advisor of Collins, faces allegations of misusing taxpayer funds and a history of violent behavior.

    Collins is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he has no plans to leave Phillips in the dust.

    “He’s a great guy, and I have full confidence in him,” Collins said.

    The House Ethics Committee announced a probe in November, and the Office of Congressional Conduct released a report Jan. 5 that it found “substantial reason to believe that Rep. Collins used congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes.” 

    The committee alleges that Phillips, who was Collins’ chief of staff at the time, paid his girlfriend about $5,000 in 2023 and 2024, but she did not actually perform any work.

    The report also found that Phillips worked full time on campaigns in the Summer of 2024 while receiving his full congressional salary. An AJC investigation found that Phillips received roughly $180,000 in reimbursements for office-related expenses.

    Witnesses told investigators that they were worried about retaliation from Phillips due to his history of violent behavior, according to the AJC.

    Here are instances that have come to light.

    • Phillips pleaded guilty to criminal trespassing charges in 2015.
    • Court documents from 2008 show he destroyed a laptop and slashed another person’s tires.
    • He was charged with simple assault and battery in a quarrel with a neighbor.
    • In 2022, he allegedly kicked GOP activist Tifani Eledge’s dog.
    • During a fight at a Trump campaign event in 2024, he allegedly spat in someone’s face.
    • In the Summer of 2025, he was involved in a brawl at a Washington bar, which was caught on video.

    Republican strategist Brian Robinson told Fox 5 Atlanta that the allegations against Collins and his top aide could influence the results of the campaign.

    “It’s never good to be in the final months of a campaign and be under (an) ethics investigation from the House of Representatives,” he said. “Every moment you go by with silence, it gives the appearance that you have done something improper, and it gives fuel to your opponents. It gives them ammunition to come after you.”

  • Georgia Democrats push bills to limit ICE, Guard operations in the state

    Georgia Democrats push bills to limit ICE, Guard operations in the state

    Georgia Democrats push bills to limit ICE, Guard operations in the state

    Georgia Democrats started the second day of session with a stream of proposed legislation to attempt to rein in federal immigration enforcement in the state.

    “As this regime has sought to build a wall against progress, the progress of achieving America’s values and ideals, we must build a wall against (President Donald Trump),” said Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones. “The legislation presented here today is a step towards protecting all of Georgia’s citizens and making sure that we continue to pursue America’s ideals and goals.”

    The goal of the legislation is to limit the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the National Guard in Georgia. The legislation follows the deadly ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota.

    Senate Bill 389 calls for ICE agents to display badges and prohibits wearing face coverings while on duty, except for health or safety reasons.

    State Sen. Kim Jackson, D-Stone Mountain, is one of the sponsors of the bill and spoke on The Ron Show about the legislation. She said the legislation simply requires ICE agents to follow the same procedures as other law enforcement in the state. She pointed to the Georgia State Patrol troopers in the Capitol to show that they wear a badge, and their faces are visible.

    “We need to know that if it’s actually truly an ICE agent who is knocking on the door, we need to be able to see a badge and a face that we can identify to know for sure that it’s actually not just a vigilante who decided to take justice in their own hands, and is going to go about yet another lynching,” she said.

    Here are other bills that were introduced:

    • SB 391 requires a judicial warrant for any government agency to conduct immigration operations at a public place of worship, hospital, school, college campus, public library or family violence shelter.
    • SB 397 allows Georgians to bring civil suits against federal officials who violate constitutional rights.
    • SB 390 states that National Guard troops cannot be stationed in Georgia without permission from the governor with some exceptions.

    Listen to the full conversation with Jackson on The Ron Show. You can hear The Ron Show weekday afternoons from 4-6 on GA Now, or check out the daily podcast wherever you get your podcasts.