Georgia voters and communities are navigating a wave of policy changes and local fallout across the state. Voting advocates are raising concerns about a new U.S. Postal Service postmark policy that could affect absentee ballots in Georgia, where ballots must arrive by Election Day to count. In northwest Georgia, the town of Dalton is still reeling after ICE raids at the end of 2025 led to dozens of arrests, sparking fear among immigrant families and sharply divided reactions from political candidates.

At the same time, many early retirees are facing sticker shock as enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expire, with some seeing health insurance premiums double overnight. Under the Gold Dome, lawmakers have sent their first bill of the 2026 session to Gov. Brian Kemp, banning cities from requiring guns left in vehicles to be locked. In middle Georgia, Dublin City Schools is grappling with a deep financial crisis now under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. And at the Capitol, a major restoration of the Georgia House chamber is complete, revealing historic craftsmanship while adding modern upgrades and accessibility.

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