Atlanta News First at 7: Georgia lawmakers weighing bill to limit early voting locations statewide
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia lawmakers are weighing a bill that could cut down on early voting locations statewide.
One major point in the bill, if passed and signed into law, would make it to that there is only one early voting precinct in each county — no matter the population of the county.
The bill would also require a person taking a voter registration application to ask if that applicant is a U.S. citizen. If they say no, the person has to then tell them it is a felony to apply to vote when not a citizen.
Another point in the bill would require poll officers to hand-count ballots on election night, with the goal being to make sure the number of ballots matches what electronic records tabulate.
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Federal, local agencies investigating labor trafficking allegations at Bartow County manufacturer
Homeland Security and several other law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation into possible labor trafficking at a Bartow County flooring manufacturer, according to officials.
Federal search warrants are being executed at the Wellmade Industries facility and at a number of homes in Bartow County.
4 Georgia-based soldiers who went missing while training in Lithuania have died, NATO leader says
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Wednesday that four U.S. soldiers based in Georgia who went missing while training in Lithuania have died, but that he did not yet know the details.
A U.S. official would say only that the four soldiers were involved in a training accident. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, would not comment on the status of the soldiers.
The U.S. Army said in a press release that the soldiers were part of the 1st Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division, which is based in Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia.
Lithuania’s military said later on X that the deaths were not yet confirmed and that a rescue operation was “intensively ongoing.”
Construction worker who fell to death in downtown Atlanta wasn’t wearing harness, report says
A newly released police report is shedding more light on what happened the day a construction worker fell to his death in downtown Atlanta last week.
At around 10:36 a.m. on Thursday, police were called to 327 Mitchell Street SW, an apartment building development that sits over The Gulch and is part of a project from Centennial Yards.
Railroad crossing closed as crews clean up train derailment in Fayette County, officials say
Crews are still working to remove six massive rail cars after a CSX train derailed in Tyrone Tuesday afternoon, according to the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The derailment happened on Senoia and Tyrone Road, which caused the rail line on Tyrone Road to close.
Bill that would ban THC drinks heats up at Georgia Capitol
Currently in Georgia, residents can legally buy CBD, Delta 8 and Delta 9 products as long as they contain less than 0.3% of THC.
The bill could be voted on in the state Senate as early as Thursday.
>> CLICK HERE AND HERE TO SEE THE BILLS RELATED TO THE POTENTIAL BAN
Atlanta Jazz Festival coming back to Piedmont Park
City leaders unveiled the lineup for the Memorial Day weekend event.
There are several headliners for the three-day event, including trumpeter Russell Gunn. Other performers include Aneesa Strings, Marsha Ambrosius, Derrick Hodge, Joe Gransden and His Big Band, among several others.
The festival will be May 24-26.
>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FESTIVAL
Thursday is Opening Day for the 2025 Braves season
The Braves will be taking on the San Diego Padres. First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. eastern.
>> HERE’S WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS SEASON
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