CHARLOTTE KRAMON/Report for America, Author at The Rapid City Post

Derek Dooley, a Republican candidate for Senate in Georgia, listens to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, not pictured, speak during an Atlanta Young Republicans campaign event Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alyssa Pointer)

Derek Dooley didn’t vote for years. Now he wants Georgia voters to send him to Washington

February 15, 2026

Former football coach Derek Dooley says Georgia voters should send him to the Senate because he’s a political outsider. It’s unclear whether the strategy will work in an era where President Donald Trump’s antiestablishment movement dominates Washington. Dooley believes his work on the sidelines will help him connect with voters from all backgrounds and represent them better than the two congressmen he’s running against in the May primary. But critics note that Dooley went 20 years without voting until the 2024 presidential election. He’s backed by Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp. Republicans are trying to oust Democrat Jon Ossoff.

FLE - Rep. Dexter Sharper, D-Valdosta, is photographed at the capitol Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Sharper is the latest Georgia Democrat accused of lying to collect pandemic unemployment

January 30, 2026

Federal prosecutors have charged Georgia state Rep. Dexter Sharper with making false statements to collect $13,825 in unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This marks the third Georgia lawmaker accused of such actions. Prosecutors allege Sharper claimed he was unemployed while earning money from multiple jobs, including as a state representative and musician. U.S. Attorney Theodore Hertzberg emphasized the breach of trust involved. Sharper declined to comment due to ongoing litigation. This follows similar charges against Democratic Reps. Sharon Henderson and Karen Bennett, who are under investigation for allegedly collecting unemployment benefits illegally.

FILE - Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger participates in an election forum, Sept. 19, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Judge rejects Brad Raffensperger’s bid to loosen spending limits in Georgia governor’s race

January 29, 2026

A federal judge has rejected Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s request to raise unlimited campaign funds. His independent committee, Safe Affordable Georgia, filed a lawsuit seeking permission to bypass fundraising limits. Raffensperger argues the current law violates his First Amendment rights, as his opponent, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, can raise unlimited funds under a 2021 law. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross ruled against Raffensperger, though she acknowledged the law might be unconstitutional. Raffensperger has appealed. The law allows leadership committees to raise money year-round, potentially giving certain candidates an edge.

Angela Halili, 29, right, cohost of the Christian podcast, "Girls Gone Bible," prays over a follower during their live show held at the Atlanta Symphony Hall, Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

These influencers are teaching Christianity online — and young people are listening

December 21, 2025

Christian influencers are reaching hundreds of thousands of young people online. They share podcasts and videos with biblical advice on tough questions that aren’t always answered in Sunday sermons. Followers relate to millennial and Generation Z influencers more than the buttoned-up pastors of their parents’ generation. And these influencers open up about past and present mistakes. Some have theological training and some don’t. Some experts worry that they aren’t equipped to teach such large audiences and threaten to replace church with podcasts, but many faithful are hopeful that this new group of Christian influencers will galvanize young people who are looking for meaning.

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell preaches at 2819 Church on Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Young adults are waiting in line to worship at this fast-growing Atlanta church

December 6, 2025

An Atlanta church with a viral pastor has grown from less than 200 weekly churchgoers in 2023 to about 6,000 today. Before service, Christian rap blasts and volunteers chant into megaphones as lines snake outside. Many of those who line up as early as 5:30 a.m. are young people hungry for 2819 Church’s riveting worship and Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell’s intensity. He doesn’t sugarcoat the Bible, and urges people to revere God and lean on Jesus to escape sin’s consequences. 2819’s growth has attracted people of many races and ages, but it’s predominantly young Black adults.

FILE - Vernon Jones participates in Georgia's 10th Congressional District republican primary election runoff debates on June 6, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, file)

Trump ally Vernon Jones announces run for Georgia secretary of state

October 13, 2025

Vernon Jones, a former Democratic state representative who switched parties to support President Donald Trump, has announced his candidacy for Georgia’s secretary of state. Jones, who calls himself the “Black Donald Trump,” ran for Congress in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement. He plans to push for paper ballots, limit mail-in voting, and toughen voter ID laws. Jones aims to appeal to Trump supporters who question election security. Current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is running for governor in 2026. Other Republican candidates for the secretary position include Gabriel Sterling, Tim Fleming and Kelvin King. Little-known candidate Adrian Consonery Jr. and former Fulton County State Court Judge Penny Brown Reynolds are running as Democrats.

FILE - Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., speaks during a news conference on the Voting Rights Advancement Act, on Capitol Hill Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

Federal watchdog report on Georgia’s Medicaid program raises concerns about administrative costs

September 18, 2025

A government watchdog has raised concerns about high administrative costs in Georgia’s Medicaid program. The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report Thursday highlighting that more money is spent on administration than health care. This disparity is due to costs associated with updating enrollment systems and legal battles. Georgia’s program requires most able-bodied adults to work, take classes, or do community service. Critics warn that millions could lose coverage under these requirements. Georgia is the only state with such requirements and has faced criticism for low enrollment and technical issues. The program’s administrative costs have been dropping recently.

Law enforcement officers remember police officer killed in CDC shooting in Atlanta

August 22, 2025

Weeks after David Rose was killed while responding to a shooting this month at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, officers are remembering the DeKalb County police officer as a courageous leader who prioritized family. Hundreds attended a memorial service Friday. They included law enforcement agents and CDC employees. Rose was a former Marine. He graduated from the police academy in March. Attendees shared memories of his devotion to serving and love for his family, basketball and his motorcycle. Rose’s young daughter leaned on his wife’s shoulder with blue bows in her hair and a shirt that said, “My daddy is my hero.”

Allen Hall, 71, poses for a photo in his room at a hotel in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with a bracelet and chain given to him by Cornelius Taylor, who died after he was crushed by a bulldozer at a homeless encampment in January. (AP Photo/Charlotte Kramon)

Emotional journey for Atlanta’s homeless as city races to house 400 people before the World Cup

July 30, 2025

Atlanta promised to house all residents of an encampment where a homeless man was fatally injured earlier this year, but advocates say the city fell short. The resulting tension between advocates and the city illuminates the complexities of getting people off the streets in a city that has been crushed by the nation’s affordable housing crisis and where homelessness continues to surge. The city originally offered housing to 14 people living in the encampment but agreed to house more after residents and advocates said there were at least 30. But eight were living in a hotel paid for by advocates.

Family of a man crushed at an Atlanta homeless encampment sues the city

July 19, 2025

The family of Cornelius Taylor, a homeless man killed when a bulldozer crushed his tent during an encampment sweep, has sued Atlanta. The lawsuit, filed Friday, accuses city employees of failing to check tents for occupants before clearing the area. Taylor, 46, died from severe injuries, including a broken pelvis and internal bleeding. The sweep was conducted ahead of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Advocates have criticized the city’s approach to homelessness, calling it inhumane. The family seeks damages and accountability, urging leaders to treat homeless people with dignity. Atlanta officials have not commented on the lawsuit.

FILE - Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis arrives during a hearing on the Georgia election interference case in Atlanta, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz, Pool, File)

Long-running Young Thug gang trial to end without any murder convictions

June 4, 2025

The long-running gang case involving Atlanta rapper Young Thug will end without a single murder conviction. The rapper, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, and 27 others were indicted more than three years ago on gang and racketeering charges. A trial in the case lasted about a year and was plagued by problems. The last remaining murder charge was dropped Monday. Prosecutors said they were locking up a violent street gang. But critics slammed their use of song lyrics and social media posts. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was also criticized for overcomplicating the case by using the state’s anti-racketeering law.

CHARLOTTE KRAMON/Report for America.