Gov. Brian Kemp doesn't plan to impose new restrictions or require the use of masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia, he said Friday as he tried to balance an increase in cases of the disease with his decision to rollback limits.The Republican said mandating masks is a “bridge too far for me right now” and said the state continues to “hold our own” in the quest to contain the disease, citing increased troves of life-saving personal protection equipment and testimony from hospital executives encouraged by new treatments.“I’m certainly not imposing new restrictions right...…Gov. Brian Kemp doesn't plan to impose new restrictions or require the use of masks to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia, he said Friday as he tried to balance an increase in cases of the disease with his decision to rollback limits.The Republican said mandating masks is a “bridge too far for me right now” and said the state continues to “hold our own” in the quest to contain the disease, citing increased troves of life-saving personal protection equipment and testimony from hospital executives encouraged by new treatments.“I’m certainly not imposing new restrictions right...WW…

Jon Ossoff captured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, emerging from a crowded field that included two well-financed rivals to win an outright victory in the race to challenge U.S. Sen. David Perdue.Ossoff, 33, notched a clear win that eluded him three years ago when he waged a special election campaign for a suburban Atlanta congressional district that earned national attention. He narrowly missed avoiding a runoff in that contest, only to lose to Republican Karen Handel two months later.In that race, Ossoff was a virtually unknown candidate who stunned the party...…Jon Ossoff captured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, emerging from a crowded field that included two well-financed rivals to win an outright victory in the race to challenge U.S. Sen. David Perdue.Ossoff, 33, notched a clear win that eluded him three years ago when he waged a special election campaign for a suburban Atlanta congressional district that earned national attention. He narrowly missed avoiding a runoff in that contest, only to lose to Republican Karen Handel two months later.In that race, Ossoff was a virtually unknown candidate who stunned the party...WW…

Democrats set a new turnout record for primary voting in last week’s Georgia vote, soaring past 1 million voters to outpace Republicans during an election plagued by significant obstacles at polling sites.The latest results, still being tallied as absentee ballots are counted, show Democratic turnout in Georgia surpassed 1,060,851 – the  set during the 2008 presidential primary when then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama trounced Hillary Clinton.Republicans lagged behind, with more than 950,000 votes in last week’s contest. But there was no competitive statewide contest on the ballot, since...…Democrats set a new turnout record for primary voting in last week’s Georgia vote, soaring past 1 million voters to outpace Republicans during an election plagued by significant obstacles at polling sites.The latest results, still being tallied as absentee ballots are counted, show Democratic turnout in Georgia surpassed 1,060,851 – the  set during the 2008 presidential primary when then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama trounced Hillary Clinton.Republicans lagged behind, with more than 950,000 votes in last week’s contest. But there was no competitive statewide contest on the ballot, since...WW…

Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan unveiled his proposal Wednesday to restore a hate-crimes law in Georgia for the first time in 16 years, setting up a legislative showdown over a measure that’s gained momentum amid protests demanding racial justice.Duncan, a Republican, worked late Tuesday with his aides to finalize a version of the bill that is substantially different from the measure that’s been stalled in the Senate for more than a year after narrowly passing the House.The proposal, which he detailed at a 10 a.m. press conference, would make a hate crime a stand-alone charge instead of an add-on...…Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan unveiled his proposal Wednesday to restore a hate-crimes law in Georgia for the first time in 16 years, setting up a legislative showdown over a measure that’s gained momentum amid protests demanding racial justice.Duncan, a Republican, worked late Tuesday with his aides to finalize a version of the bill that is substantially different from the measure that’s been stalled in the Senate for more than a year after narrowly passing the House.The proposal, which he detailed at a 10 a.m. press conference, would make a hate crime a stand-alone charge instead of an add-on...WW…

Gov. Brian Kemp said he’s optimistic that college and pro sports can resume this year, and added he’s talked with University of Georgia president Jere Morehead and coach Kirby Smart about a possible return of football between the hedges in the fall.The governor, , told  on Wednesday that it's too early to tell whether Georgia's season opening game against Virginia on Labor Day will open before a "packed house or a sparse crowd or no crowd at all."“I know everybody wants to have a crowd there,” Kemp said of the game. “I would urge people to continue to follow the guidance so we can...…Gov. Brian Kemp said he’s optimistic that college and pro sports can resume this year, and added he’s talked with University of Georgia president Jere Morehead and coach Kirby Smart about a possible return of football between the hedges in the fall.The governor, , told  on Wednesday that it's too early to tell whether Georgia's season opening game against Virginia on Labor Day will open before a "packed house or a sparse crowd or no crowd at all."“I know everybody wants to have a crowd there,” Kemp said of the game. “I would urge people to continue to follow the guidance so we can...WW…

Vice President Mike Pence is headed for Atlanta on Friday to meet with Gov. Brian Kemp and gather with restaurant executives to discuss the state's aggressive approach to reopening the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.The Republican plans to have lunch with Kemp before a roundtable discussion with restaurant executives at Waffle House's headquarters in Norcross. He'll then return to Dobbins Air Reserve Base for his flight back to Washington.It will be Kemp's first in-person meeting with Pence since a public spat with the White House erupted when President Donald Trump  Kemp for...…Vice President Mike Pence is headed for Atlanta on Friday to meet with Gov. Brian Kemp and gather with restaurant executives to discuss the state's aggressive approach to reopening the economy during the coronavirus pandemic.The Republican plans to have lunch with Kemp before a roundtable discussion with restaurant executives at Waffle House's headquarters in Norcross. He'll then return to Dobbins Air Reserve Base for his flight back to Washington.It will be Kemp's first in-person meeting with Pence since a public spat with the White House erupted when President Donald Trump  Kemp for...WW…

U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler will reserve about $4 million worth of airtime for a trio of new ads pushing back on criticism about her stock transactions during the coronavirus pandemic.The ads label the scrutiny from opponents, including Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, as “liberal lies” and claim she’s “unfairly targeted all because she’s a strong conservative woman.” One of the spots geared for conservative outlets directly ties her to President Donald Trump.Replete with American flags and dubbed with uplifting music, each ad highlights Loeffler’s response to the pandemic, noting that...…U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler will reserve about $4 million worth of airtime for a trio of new ads pushing back on criticism about her stock transactions during the coronavirus pandemic.The ads label the scrutiny from opponents, including Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, as “liberal lies” and claim she’s “unfairly targeted all because she’s a strong conservative woman.” One of the spots geared for conservative outlets directly ties her to President Donald Trump.Replete with American flags and dubbed with uplifting music, each ad highlights Loeffler’s response to the pandemic, noting that...WW…

Albany – The rapid spread of coronavirus infections turned the area around Albany into one of the nation’s most startling epicenters of the disease. Gov. Brian Kemp visited Tuesday to celebrate efforts to contain the virus in southwest Georgia – and warn of another outbreak across the state.The governor toured a temporary medical pod that’s been stationed at Phoebe Putney Hospital since April 15, and said the response in Albany has fast become a template for how the state handles the disease elsewhere.“I want to thank the community and the community leaders for, as the chairman said,...…Albany – The rapid spread of coronavirus infections turned the area around Albany into one of the nation’s most startling epicenters of the disease. Gov. Brian Kemp visited Tuesday to celebrate efforts to contain the virus in southwest Georgia – and warn of another outbreak across the state.The governor toured a temporary medical pod that’s been stationed at Phoebe Putney Hospital since April 15, and said the response in Albany has fast become a template for how the state handles the disease elsewhere.“I want to thank the community and the community leaders for, as the chairman said,...WW…

Gov. Brian Kemp urged Georgians on Thursday to “do the right thing” and fill out the 2020 census, which helps determine political boundaries and shapes how roughly $1.5 trillion in federal funding is doled out to the states.Georgia is among the worst in the nation for its percentage of households tallied in the once-a-decade headcount, and organizers are struggling this year to persuade hard-to-reach populations to participate during the pandemic.“It is not too late to fill out the census. And Georgians' response will directly affect representation and funding over the next decade,” said...…Gov. Brian Kemp urged Georgians on Thursday to “do the right thing” and fill out the 2020 census, which helps determine political boundaries and shapes how roughly $1.5 trillion in federal funding is doled out to the states.Georgia is among the worst in the nation for its percentage of households tallied in the once-a-decade headcount, and organizers are struggling this year to persuade hard-to-reach populations to participate during the pandemic.“It is not too late to fill out the census. And Georgians' response will directly affect representation and funding over the next decade,” said...WW…

Primary election day in Georgia arrived Tuesday as voters braced for  and social distancing at the polls.It will be a unique election held amid the coronavirus pandemic.Here are minute-by-minute updates on Tuesday’s election from AJC reporters and photographers on the scene:10:15 p.m. update: After a tumultuous and contentious day, metro Atlanta polling places are officially closed.Human error or mechanical problems plagued many polling places. At some, hundreds of voters waited to cast their ballot – some for hours. State and local officials traded blame for what some deemed a...…Primary election day in Georgia arrived Tuesday as voters braced for  and social distancing at the polls.It will be a unique election held amid the coronavirus pandemic.Here are minute-by-minute updates on Tuesday’s election from AJC reporters and photographers on the scene:10:15 p.m. update: After a tumultuous and contentious day, metro Atlanta polling places are officially closed.Human error or mechanical problems plagued many polling places. At some, hundreds of voters waited to cast their ballot – some for hours. State and local officials traded blame for what some deemed a...WW…