The chairman of the Candler County Board of Commissioners declared a Local State of Emergency Thursday because of elevated wildfire risk in the area. What’s happening: No wildfires are currently burning in Candler County. The declaration is a precautionary step that gives local officials the legal authority to activate parts of the county’s emergency response […]
Posted inYour Vote
The latest on Georgia’s ballot woes
After Georgia lawmakers failed to act on their self-imposed deadline to overhaul the state’s election machinery, a panel of appointees to the board that regulates elections narrowly voted Wednesday to consider a rule that would require hand-marked paper ballots. Two years ago, the Legislature passed a law that makes the current voting system illegal starting […]
Posted inFire
How you can help the victims of the South Georgia wildfires
Two Nahunta businesses are now accepting donated goods for families displaced or affected by the Brantley County wildfire, the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office said. What’s happening: Brantley Gas at 114 Satilla Avenue and H & S Car Haulers at 125 Industrial Park are both open to receive donations. Items collected at both sites are being […]
Posted inFire
Highway 82 in Brantley County, but Highway 110 stays closed due to wildfire
Highway 82 in Brantley County is back open to traffic. A nearby road remains shut down because of an active fire. What’s Happening: Georgia DOT has reopened Highway 82 in Brantley County. Highway 110 is still closed in Brantley County and the northern part of Camden County because of fire and heavy smoke. The Detour: […]
Posted inFire
Wildfire smoke from southern Georgia drifts into Augusta area
Smoke from wildfires burning in southern Georgia is drifting into the Augusta area and surrounding communities, the National Weather Service said Thursday. What’s happening: Satellite imagery captured Thursday morning shows smoke from multiple wildfires spreading across the Southeast. The Pineland Road Fire, located in southern Georgia, is identified as one of the sources. The thin […]
Posted inLocal
Woodstock issues immediate burn ban in response to wildfires
Woodstock has banned all outdoor burning effective immediately, citing severe drought conditions and a shortage of available firefighting resources in the region due to wildfires in South Georgia. What’s happening: The Woodstock Fire Marshal has prohibited all outdoor burning in the City of Woodstock and unincorporated Cherokee County until further notice. The ban covers burning […]
Posted inSpecial Features
Best Renters Insurance in Georgia: Prices, Best Providers, and How to Save in 2026
One of the most important steps you can take as a tenant is securing a solid renters insurance policy to protect your personal belongings. In Georgia, the average cost of renters insurance is $335 per year. Our analysis of renters insurance companies in Georgia evaluated multiple providers to find the best options for renters across the […]
Posted inFire
FEMA approves wildfire funds for south Georgia counties
Two wildfires burning in south Georgia have triggered federal emergency firefighting grants after scorching more than 11,085 acres and threatening more than 1,000 homes. What’s Happening: The Pineland Road fire in Clinch and Echols Counties and the Highway 82 fire in Brantley County prompted Georgia to request federal Fire Management Assistance Grants on April 21. […]
Posted inHealth
Half a million Georgians dropped health insurance as costs soared
More than half a million Georgians have dropped health insurance coverage amid stiff premium price hikes for federally subsidized Affordable Care Act plans, according to data obtained by The Current GA and the Georgia Recorder. The 37% enrollment drop – from 1.5 million Georgians in January 2025 to 950,000 as of April 17, 2026 — dwarfs any previous […]
Posted inCrime
Man shot and killed by Woodstock officer after firing at police on I-575
A man is dead after a Woodstock police officer shot him Wednesday evening following a traffic stop that turned into a chase along I-575. What happened: Officers pulled over a vehicle near I-575 Exit 7 at Highway 92 around 6:38 p.m. The suspect fled after initial contact with officers. Police chased him to the area […]
Posted inFire
Wildfire smoke from South Georgia reaches metro Atlanta
Smoke from wildfires burning in South Georgia has drifted into metro Atlanta, triggering a wave of calls to fire rescue from residents reporting smoke in the area. What’s happening: According to the National Weather Service, weather patterns are pushing smoke and haze from the wildfires northward into the metro Atlanta area. South Fulton fire officials […]
Posted inFire
Wildfire smoke drops visibility to half a mile across the region
Smoke from the Pineland Road Wildfire is spreading across the region Wednesday evening, cutting visibility down to half a mile, the National Weather Service in Jacksonville says. What’s Happening: South winds are pushing smoke across the area, and the National Weather Service warns visibility could drop even further overnight as those winds continue. How This […]
Posted inFire
Georgia gets federal help as 2 wildfires burn through 11,000 acres
Two wildfires burning across three South Georgia counties have triggered federal emergency funding to help cover the cost of fighting them. What’s Happening: The Pineland Road fire is burning in Clinch and Echols Counties. The Highway 82 fire is burning in Brantley County. Together, the fires had burned more than 11,085 acres of private land […]
Posted inGeorgia People
Georgia Congressman David Scott dies at 80
U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Democrat who made history as the first African American to chair House Agriculture Committee, has died, his office announced Wednesday. Scott, 80, had represented the 13th congressional district for nearly a quarter century, representing much of the area south and east of Atlanta. “To the public, he was a devoted […]
Posted inFire
Brantley County orders mandatory evacuation as wildfire burns
Brantley County officials have ordered a mandatory evacuation for two areas as an active wildfire continues to burn Wednesday. What’s Happening: The Brantley County Sheriff’s Office issued the evacuation order, which has since been extended. As of 3:30 p.m., the fire is still burning. Evacuation Zones: Two areas are under the mandatory order: Evacuation Route: […]
Posted inYour Government
Kemp declares state of emergency for more than half of Georgia
An extended spell of dry weather has led to major wildfires in South Georgia, prompting Gov. Brian Kemp to declare a state of emergency covering more than half the state. Kemp’s order on Wednesday covers 91 of Georgia’s 159 counties. It will be in effect for 30 days and includes a ban on burning yard […]
Posted inFire
Georgia bans outdoor burning across 91 counties as wildfires ravage state
Georgia’s top forestry official has issued the first mandatory outdoor burning ban in state history, covering 91 counties across the lower half of the state as a deepening drought pushes wildfire risk to dangerous levels. What’s Happening: State Forester Johnny Sabo signed the order Wednesday, putting it into effect immediately. It covers counties below metro […]
Posted inFire
What is all the smoke in Columbia County today?
The smoke Columbia County residents are seeing and smelling Wednesday is not from a local fire. It is drifting north from active wildfires burning in Brantley County and Clinch County in South Georgia, Columbia County Fire Rescue said. What’s Happening: Wind and weather conditions are pushing smoke from those South Georgia fires into Columbia County. […]
