Copy of Sunrise Report 1-28

The Future of Local News in Georgia

Good morning, Georgia. While you were sleeping, the FBI was busy sorting through its raid of Fulton County election offices, insurance companies were busy not lowering your rates, and meteorologists were busy hedging their bets about weekend snow. Let’s get into it.

The FBI came to Fulton County Wednesday, executing a court-authorized search of the county’s main elections office in Union City. The timing is interesting—more than five years after the 2020 election that Trump still insists was stolen, despite his own attorney general and judges across the country finding no evidence of widespread fraud.

The Carter Center isn’t having it, calling the federal action “unprecedented” and suggesting it’s “yet another attempt to sow doubt in election integrity.” The organization, which has monitored more than 100 elections in 39 countries, noted that Georgians counted and recounted their 2020 ballots, litigated the results extensively, and are “ready to move on.”

The Justice Department wouldn’t comment, but the search comes as FBI Director Kash Patel—appointed by Trump—pursues what appears to be political grievances tied to the president. Here’s what we know so far.

Speaking of things that need investigating: your insurance rates. Most Georgians couldn’t name their Insurance Commissioner if their premium depended on it, but that person has enormous influence over what you pay for car, home, and health coverage. With rates spiking across the board and an election coming in November, this deep dive explains what could actually be done to lower your premiums—if anyone had the political will to do it.

Snow is coming this weekend. Maybe. Probably. It depends on where you live and how far west the storm tracks. Eastern Georgia has a 70% to greater than 95% chance of winter weather impacts Saturday afternoon. Atlanta sits in an area of uncertainty with roughly a 1 in 3 chance of problems. The good news: it’s only snow, no freezing rain or sleet. Get the full forecast here.

Home Depot is cutting 800 corporate jobs and ordering everyone back to the office five days a week starting April 6. Home Depot reported a $1.1 billion increase in profits in the third quarter of 2024. But sure, those 800 workers had to go. The full story is here.

That’s it for today. Stay warm, pay your premiums, and maybe take your neighbor who works for Home Depot out to lunch.

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