Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 3, 2026

Nov. 3,  2026 Georgia.gov

Gov. Kemp, DOR Announce Distribution of Homeowner Tax Relief Grants

Staff reports that Gov. Kemp, on Monday, announced that the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin distributing funds to local governments as part of the 2026 Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program this week, delivering property tax relief approved by the Governor and the Georgia General Assembly in the AFY2026 Budget. The one-time program provides eligible Georgia homeowners with an $18,000 reduction in the assessed value of their homesteads for the 2026 tax year.

Abby Jackson with her cookbook. Photo credit: Sucheta Rawal

Nov. 3,  2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

A Fresh Start, With Georgia Flavors

Sucheta Rawal reports, a few months ago, instead of grabbing the usual bag of chips, nuts and chocolates, I turned to the 2026 Healthy Brand Showcase held at Chamblee’s Distillery of Modern Art. The event showcased around a dozen brands across food, beauty and wellness, and these five businesses inspired me to refresh my pantry and keep Georgia entrepreneurs on my shopping list.

Nov. 3,  2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

How an Atlanta chicken salad chain went from niche to mainstream

Amy Wenk reports, an Atlanta-based chicken salad chain is taking its niche concept nationwide. Chicken Salad Chick, which serves up more than a dozen varieties of the lunchtime staple, recently surpassed 350 restaurants in 27 states.

Nov. 3, 2026 GPB

Hundreds retain housing through Atlanta homelessness prevention program

Amanda Andrews reports, Atlanta is four months into a homelessness prevention program. Over 200 households have received assistance through the Right at Home program since July. The pilot is part of Atlanta Rising, a citywide initiative to end unsheltered homelessness.

Nov. 3,  2026 Gainesville Times

A state panel has been tapped to hear dispute involving proposed development off Ga. 365

Jeff Gill reports, a state panel has been appointed to give its input on a proposed annexation for a 66-acre mixed-use development off Ga. 365 in south Habersham County. The five-member arbitration panel, comprising two city elected officials, two county elected officials and one academic, is convening because Habersham County has objected to an annexation request into Baldwin to enable the development.

Nov. 3,  2026 Macon Telegraph

Power of the press: Two foundations built on media legacies have reshaped Macon

Colleen McMillar reports, look around Macon today, as The Telegraph marks its 200th anniversary, and the imprints of two foundations established by former owners of the newspaper are visible everywhere. Together, the Peyton Anderson Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have invested tens of millions of dollars into reshaping the city — and keeping it informed.

Nov. 3,  2026 Savannah Morning News

Georgia ranks top 10 for grocery cost burden, study finds

Vanessa Johns reports that Georgia households spend an estimated 10.93% of their income on groceries, placing the state seventh nationally for grocery cost burden, according to a new ConsumerAffairs analysis. The report compared estimated household grocery spending with median household income across all 50 states to determine how much of residents’ incomes goes toward food purchased for home consumption.

Nov. 3, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald

Newnan water system built for security, growth

Laura Camper reports, in the wake of cyberattacks on public utilities, including one on Coweta County Water and Sewerage Authority in July, and the continuing growth in the city, Newnan residents may wonder how stable their water is. But officials at Newnan Utilities have been planning for growth and security for decades, they said.

Nov. 3, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta

Fox Gives awards $500,000 to historic Georgia theaters and landmarks

Staff reports that Fox Gives, the philanthropic arm of the Fox Theatre, has announced 12 single-year grants totaling $500,000 for historic theaters and partner organizations in Georgia. The funding enables a range of projects to support important cultural assets and strengthen their operations, according to a press release.

Nov. 3,  2026 Albany Herald

Gerald Greene re-election campaign brings high-profile supporters to Albany

Alan Mauldin reports, a few of state Rep. Gerald Greene’s friends, including a former governor and the Georgia Speaker of the House, made a trip to Albany this week to help out in the final push in Greene’s re-election bid. The dean of the House by dint of being the longest-serving member in the body, Greene, R-Cuthbert, is being challenged by Albany Democrat Harry James, a long-time contractor and former Dougherty County Commission member.

Nov. 3,  2026 WABE

Tensions over book bans, calls for transparency as voters could shift control of Cobb County school board

Melissa Feito reports, the  last Cobb County Board of Education meeting before Election Day was packed with some attendees using their phone cameras to film. That’s because under the board’s policy, public comment isn’t recorded or streamed like the rest of the meeting.

Nov. 3,  2026 State Affairs

Tuesday midterms to test election integrity in Georgia

Beau Evans reports, news of federal monitors being stationed at polling places at least five large counties on Election Day has put election-security advocates on high alert, heightening tensions after the U.S. Department of Justice raided Fulton County’s election headquarters earlier this year. Amid record-breaking early turnout, officials from both parties have hustled ahead of the midterms to calm competing concerns over potential voter intimidation on one hand, and longtime distrust in Georgia’s voting machines on the other.

Nov. 3,  2026 Georgia Recorder

Here are five things to watch as Georgia voters head to the polls on Election Day

Maya Homan and Ross Williams report, this year’s ballot is packed with a nationally watched U.S. Senate race and competitive statewide contests as both parties battle for control of four open seats, including the governor’s office. Here’s what some of Georgia’s political experts are watching, and what they say Tuesday’s election results could reveal about the state of Georgia politics.

Nov. 3, 2026 Capitol Beat News

Race for Georgia governor draws more than $150 million in final three months

Ty Tagami reports, the price of everything has been rising, including the cost of becoming governor in Georgia. Since Aug. 1, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and businessman Rick Jackson raised more than $150 million in their quests to lead the state.

Nov. 3,  2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A titanic matchup for Georgia governor goes down to the wire

Greg Bluestein reports, it is one of the most expensive, unpredictable and consequential races in Georgia history. And with with one day left before Election Day, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson are locked in a razor-tight showdown that could shift the balance of power in Georgia.