The Houston County Sheriff's Office reports that the shooting happened at Warner Robins High School. The sheriff's office said that one student was injured in the gunfire and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. 

The suspect was taken into custody and the school was secure, deputies said. The circumstances of the shooting were unclear. No details were immediately confirmed. 

The incident shut down surrounding roads. Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton asked residents to avoid the area.

"Please avoid the area and use alternate routes to allow first responders to safely perform their duties," he wrote in a social media post.

Leadership at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which is located near the high school, wrote on Facebook that the church has gone into a "code red lockdown," meaning that no one could enter or leave its campus. 

Warner Robins is located in Central Georgia, about 100 miles south of Atlanta. 

This is a developing story; Refresh this page for updates. 

The president said she's leaving so she can spend more time with her family. Leavitt had a baby girl, her second child, in May, and recently returned to the White House. 

"Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!" Mr. Trump wrote. "Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections."

"Karoline has been a real leader in the White House, and has done a phenomenal job fighting for Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, since 2018, including our Historic Re-Election Campaign of 2024," he continued. "Karoline has been one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office. Thank you, Karoline, for a job well done!"

It's not yet clear who the next White House press secretary will be, or who will fill in during the interim. Leavitt's departure comes less than three months before the midterm elections. 

Leavitt has been the White House press secretary since the beginning of the president's second term, and she thanked Mr. Trump for the opportunity to serve in the high-profile role. 

"The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary — and that is why I have ultimately made the bittersweet decision to depart the White House and embark on a new chapter in my life," Leavitt wrote. "President Trump has asked me to continue serving as a top advisor to him on the outside, and I will always remain a vocal advocate for MAGA and the Republican Party."

Now 28, Leavitt was 27 when she started the job, making her the youngest White House press secretary in history. 

This $206 million effort is 1 of 2 major projects to repair and replace concrete slabs along the I-285 westside corridor. 

These closures continue the ongoing I-285 Westside Rebuild concrete slab reconstruction and rehabilitation project. The project Is currently along the westside of the I-285 corridor from State Route (SR) 14/South Fulton Parkway in College Park to Collier Road.

The closures will impact: 

I-285 northbound:

• All lanes closed between Cascade Road (exit 7) and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (exit 9)

I-285 southbound:

• All lanes closed between Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (exit 9) and Cascade Road (exit 7)

Construction related to the ongoing project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

On Wednesday, Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.

The grand jury, which had been meeting in secret, returned the indictment on July 20. The grand jury indictment is a major step toward trial and allows prosecutors to skip California's preliminary hearing process, where evidence is publicly aired.  

CBS LA has reached out to Nick Reiner's public defender, Kimberly Greene, and a representative for the family. 

Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14 by their daughter, Romy Reiner, according to multiple sources. The LA County Medical Examiner's Office said the couple died of "multiple sharp force injuries."

"This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. "The indictment unsealed today also adds a special circumstance allegation that the defendant committed the murders by means of lying in wait. We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice."  

The couple married in 1989 and had three children: sons Nick and Jake and daughter Romy.

Rob Reiner rose to fame for his role as Archie Bunker's son-in-law, Michael Stivic, better known as "Meathead" on CBS' "All in the Family." He won two Emmy Awards for the role.

He also made a name for himself in the film world, directing some of Hollywood's biggest movies such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally…," "A Few Good Men," "Stand by Me" and "This is Spinal Tap."

Michele Reiner was a successful photographer who took the photo of President Trump used on the cover of his book "The Art of the Deal," according to Variety.

The night before the killings, the Reiners attended a party at Conan O'Brien's, where Rob and Nick Reiner had a brief but loud argument, sources who were at the party told CBS News.

On the day the couple was found dead, they had plans with their longtime friends Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama, according to the former first lady. 

If convicted on the charges, Nick Reiner faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole, the DA's Office said. The decision on whether the prosecutors will seek the death penalty will be made at a later date. 

He remains in custody with no bail. His pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15. 

The Associated Press contributed to his report. 

ICE plans to spend between $10 million and $20 million to purchase "conductive distraction and de-escalation devices" for officers and agents by March, according to a notice published Monday by the Department of Homeland Security.

The devices are known as the G.L.O.V.E., which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, and are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky. They have been used in recent years by some jails and police departments.

The notice said the solicitation for a no-bid contract could be published as early as Friday.

A DHS spokesperson told CBS News in a statement: "ICE is constantly assessing the needs of our officers in the field to ensure they have the tools and equipment necessary to safely arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens from our country. Every decision is made with careful consideration and appropriately reviewed to ensure that any technology ICE utilizes is consistent with all applicable law enforcement policies and standards."

Compliant Technologies did not comment to CBS News.

Civil rights advocates — including from the American Civil Liberties Union — expressed alarm at the plan, saying ICE officers already face criticism for their use of force during President Trump's immigration crackdown.

Compliant Technologies says the devices function as a normal pair of patrol gloves until officers press a switch to activate their electrical mode. The gloves must be applied directly to someone's skin to deliver a pain stimulus that typically helps an officer gain compliance within seconds, according to the company.

"It's immediate and sharp, and it will distract you. I call it like a bee sting," John Peters, president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, who is studying how the device has been used, told The AP. "If the officer is getting any type of resistance from the person, this is certainly an effective tool."

Peters said he believed ICE's planned purchase would likely be the largest from the company to date. He said he could envision ICE officers using the gloves to help remove uncooperative subjects from cars and houses and in and out of detention facilities.

"For smaller officers or weaker officers or older officers, I think it has a great advantage" because it can produce faster takedowns and shorten confrontations, he said.

The manufacturer warns the device should not be used as punishment, against people merely exhibiting "verbal defiance or belligerence" or on high-risk populations such as children, pregnant women or elderly or disabled people.

Jenn Rolnick Borchetta, deputy project director on policing at the ACLU, told The AP the public should have no confidence that ICE officers will use the devices appropriately. She questioned why the devices would be necessary for civil immigration enforcement and noted those getting shocked might have no advance warning.

"ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force. Now they will be able to deploy electric shocks with the slight push of a button that maybe nobody else can see them do," she said. "Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public."

Supporters say the devices are generally used in specific jail and transport situations, rather than broadly to patrol on the streets. They have been used to subdue violent suspects who are refusing to get into squad cars and inmates who are harming themselves and threatening officers, according to Compliant Technologies.

Peters said he expected the devices to be misused by a small number of employees, as with other policing technologies, but he said they are unlikely to cause injuries. He said it would be important for ICE to have robust policies and training in place.

To use the device, officers must complete a course and be recertified every two years, the manufacturer says.

The planned purchases come as ICE expands its crackdown on people accused of being in the U.S. illegally, amid pressure from the White House to arrest 2,000 people per day.

ICE has drawn scrutiny for its tactics during its arrest surge — including attempted vehicle stops in Maine and Texas last month that ended with ICE agents fatally shooting two immigrants. 

In both of last month's shootings, agents were not wearing body cameras. DHS has pledged to widely deploy body-worn cameras, and said last month that all ICE arrest teams will have at least one officer equipped with a camera going forward.

The home improvement retailer said it expected Decker to return within the next few months.

While Decker is on leave, Ann-Marie Campbell, the Home Depot's senior executive vice president, will handle the company's day-to-day operations. Executive Vice President and CFO Richard McPhail will oversee Home Depot's financial management as well as its Pro subsidiaries. 

Independent lead director Greg Brenneman will chair the board during the leave.

"The Home Depot has the best management team in retail. Both Ann-Marie and Richard are strong, seasoned executives who have worked together for more than 20 years," Brenneman said in a statement. "We are confident in Ann-Marie's and Richard's ability to lead the company during this time, and we look forward to Ted's return."

Decker has served as the president of the company since 2020 and has been the chair and CEO since 2022. He joined the company in 2000 as director of business valuation.

The company has not shared the medical issue that led Decker to take leave.

Jackson announced his Legacy Corridors Initiative on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta Wednesday. 

Jackson said he would create the designation through an executive order on his first day as governor. Each district would receive a designated person to help local businesses access state programs and other resources.

The plan would initially include Sweet Auburn, Augusta's Golden Blocks, West Broad Street in Savannah, Columbus' Liberty District, Albany's Harlem District and Cotton Avenue in Macon.

His proposal also calls for using historic rehabilitation tax credits and business development programs in the designated areas. Jackson said he would seek to freeze property taxes, limit sharp increases in property assessments and help longtime business owners secure financing to buy the buildings where they operate.

"We have the ability to not only keep Georgia the number one state for business, but also make Georgia the number one state for entrepreneurship," Jackson said.

Jackson said he wants small businesses to receive the same level of attention as large companies recruited to Georgia. He also said he would work with private investors, community lenders and banks to improve access to capital.

When a reporter asked about barriers Black entrepreneurs face in obtaining money, Jackson said he understood that access to capital was difficult. He then said, "It really isn't based on color. It's the fact that you don't know what you're doing," before arguing that entrepreneurs need guidance on business plans and securing financing.

Jackson also addressed how he would handle his private business interests if elected. He said he would have no role in the companies while serving as governor and pledged that they would not conduct business with the state.

"I don't want even the appearance that there's impropriety," Jackson said.

The Democratic Party of Georgia criticized the proposal by focusing on Jackson's support for President Donald Trump's tariff policies and his personal investments.

The party cited Jackson's earlier statement that he earned an 80% return in four weeks after buying options when the stock market fell following a tariff announcement.

"Rick Jackson is personally profiting off the very same tariff tax increases that are jacking up costs and making life so hard for small business owners across our state," Democratic Party of Georgia spokesperson Jake Strickland said.

A campaign person for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is running against Jackson in the November general election, took aim at the health care executive's businesses in their response to his announcement.

"Let's be clear: Slick Rick Jackson's a billionaire who made a fortune off taxpayer-funded no-bid contracts and is running to continue profiting from a rigged system that hurts everyday Georgians and small businesses," the spokesperson said. "Keisha has both the record of success and a plan to help small and minority-owned businesses thrive by increasing the Department of Economic Development's focus on small businesses, while expanding access to loans, grants, and other tools they need to grow."

Jackson said during his Auburn Avenue event that his businesses would not receive any personal benefit from his decisions as governor.

Since February, the district has been working on what it calls its "Student Assignment Project," an attempt to manage the uneven distribution of DeKalb County students.

According to the district, only 83% of elementary seats and 79% of middle school seats were filled during the 2024 to 2025 school year. At the same time, there were about 4,000 open seats in high schools.

On Tuesday, the school district announced that it would be focusing on overcrowding in six school clusters during the fall: Lakeside, Cross Keys, Chamblee, Tucker, Dunwoody, and Druid Hills. Officials say these areas will be impacted by the new or expanded schools opening beginning in 2027.

Next year, officials say they expect to focus on under-enrolled schools in the Towers, McNair, Cedar Grove, Miller Grove, Columbia, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clusters.

The move comes after parents and community members pushed back on the county's plan to shut down or convert dozens of schools. District leaders say that no recommendations have been made at this time and that the examination of the schools in the six clusters will continue until October.

"The Student Assignment Project has always been about one thing: shaping what's next for student opportunity," said Dr. Norman C. Sauce III, Interim Superintendent of DeKalb County School District. "We're continuing that work in new, more collaborative ways. This fall, we focus on communities experiencing overcrowding, and early next year, we will turn to communities experiencing under-enrollment. Our north star hasn't changed: strengthening opportunity for every DeKalb student."

The district is now asking for any community members who would like to serve on the Community Advisory Team to submit an interest form between Aug. 11 and Aug. 25. 

Schools involved in the fall examination

Dunwoody Cluster: 

• Austin Elementary School 
• Chesnut Elementary School 
• Dunwoody Elementary School 
• Hightower Elementary School 
• Kingsley Elementary School 
• Vanderlyn Elementary School 
• Peachtree Middle School 
• Dunwoody High School 

Chamblee Cluster

• Ashford Park Elementary School
• Doraville United Elementary School
• Huntley Hills Elementary School
• Montgomery Elementary School
• Chamblee Middle School
• Chamblee HS

Cross Keys Cluster: 

• Cara Reynolds Elementary School
• Dresden Elementary School
• John Lewis Elementary School
• Montclair Elementary School
• Woodward Elementary School
• Sequoyah Middle School
• Cross Keys High School

Tucker Cluster 

• Brockett Elementary School
• Idlewood Elementary School
• Livsey Elementary School
• Midvale Elementary School
• Smoke Rise Elementary School
• Tucker Middle School
• Tucker High School

Lakeside Cluster: 

• Briarlake Elementary School
• Evansdale Elementary School
• Hawthorne Elementary School
• Henderson Mill Elementary School
• Oak Grove Elementary School
• Pleasantdale Elementary School
• Sagamore Hills Elementary School
• Henderson Middle School
• Lakeside High School

Druid Hills Cluster:

• Avondale Elementary School
• Briar Vista Elementary School
• Fernbank Elementary School
• Laurel Ridge Elementary School
• McLendon Elementary School
• Druid Hills Middle School
• Druid Hills High School

A federal law enacted to prevent diseased and dirty food from reaching Americans' plates requires the FDA to carry out nearly 20 times that many foreign inspections each year. But the FDA hasn't come close to meeting the congressional mandate — or even 10% of it — in the 10 years it has been in place, spanning administrations led by both political parties. 

FDA officials have described the requirement as unrealistic, but have never asked Congress to revise it. A lower foreign inspection target the agency deemed necessary to safeguard foreign imports is still nearly five times higher than the number of inspections conducted last year. 

Congress, meanwhile, has not increased the agency's food safety budget to outpace or keep up with inflation, and widespread layoffs during the first year of President Trump's second term squeezed resources further.  

The rate of inspections has gotten markedly worse amid those reductions, with foreign food safety inspections falling by 29% from 2024. Outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, last year's inspection count was the lowest since 2011. Early numbers for 2026 show that the agency is on track to inspect a similar number this year.

"FDA inspections really are the first line of defense for mitigating outbreaks. If FDA isn't routinely going out to food facilities, it's just completely blind," said Meridith Seife, the lead author on a Health and Human Services Inspector General report on FDA inspections of U.S. facilities. "It's unable to ensure that those facilities are complying with the laws, with regulations, and that the food that they handle is safe."

About a third of FDA inspections of foreign firms for foodborne hazards over the last decade found violations, inspection data show. Inspectors have previously found toilet paper and human feces in growing fields in Mexico and observed air conditioning units dripping onto crawfish in China. Around 2% of the time inspectors visited firms over the last 10 years, they found violations significant enough to prompt enforcement action.

Before the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the FDA last inspected its potential source, Taylor Farms de Mexico, seven years ago, records show. The FDA's last visit before that was six years prior — to respond to another cyclosporiasis outbreak in 2013. The 2019 inspection found no violations, while the 2013 post-outbreak review found the facility was recycling wash water for salad mix, but couldn't conclusively pinpoint the source of the outbreak. 

The FDA is "actively working to expand staffing at foreign posts," according to Emily Hilliard, senior press secretary for HHS. Public health experts say the inspection count is only one input in the whole system, and that food companies bear primary responsibility for day-to-day safety. But they also said the count still matters as an outside check regulators alone can provide.

"Suggesting that FDA's ability to protect the food supply can be measured by a single inspection statistic ignores the agency's comprehensive oversight system, which prioritizes resources based on risk and deploys personnel where they have the greatest public health impact," Hilliard wrote in a statement to CBS News. 

The FDA inspects producers of fruits and vegetables, dairy, processed foods and most seafood, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for inspections of meat and poultry producers. 

About 47,000 foreign manufacturers accounted for 90% of non-meat food shipments into the U.S. last year, a CBS News analysis of import data found. The FDA has inspected 4.5% of them since 2023. 

The FDA employs a risk-based model to determine where to send inspectors, based on how much and how often a company sends food into the U.S. and its prior inspection and import refusal record. In addition to inspections, the FDA also uses an algorithm to assign scores to imports for screening at ports of entry, and can block any imports without examining them if they deem a shipper problematic. Federal law also puts the burden on U.S. companies importing food to ensure their suppliers follow safety standards.

An "unrealistic" target

Since 2011, federal inspectors have visited an average of about 1,300 foreign factories and farms annually (in non-pandemic years) to check for hazards that could lead to foodborne illness, federal data shows. 

The FDA, state and local agencies conducted more than 10,000 inspections annually inside the U.S. in recent years, according to the HHS Inspector General.   

The Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, set a rising annual target for foreign inspections, capping it at 19,200 in 2016. The FDA told a federal watchdog as early as 2015 that the number was unworkable, so it directed the FDA to propose an adjusted target to Congress. The agency later conducted an internal analysis pegging the needed number of inspections at 4,700, about three to five times what the FDA has managed in recent years. But the agency never brought the number to Congress.

After the Government Accountability Office urged the FDA to revisit the target again last January, the agency created a workgroup to redo the analysis. 

"The GAO was right in its January report when it said that the agency is handicapped by underfunding and understaffing. It's even more so now," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat of Connecticut, who requested the more recent watchdog inquiry. "There's clearly a need for more resources, better management, more commitment. Some of it can be legislated, but it also has to come from the administration."

At an average of $38,700 per foreign inspection, according to the FDA's estimates, meeting the existing Congressional mandate would cost about $743 million a year — more than 10% of the FDA's entire budget.

In its budget request for the upcoming year, the FDA asked for an additional $9 million to increase foreign inspector capacity. The agency also proposed requiring foreign food firms to pay a fee to register to import to the U.S., which would add an estimated $71 million in funds.

Staffing challenges

The FDA had 432 inspectors in 2024, and its hiring rate has not outpaced losses, according to the GAO report. Congress directed the hiring of 5,000 inspectors under FSMA, but the agency says it has never had the budget to increase staffing that much. 

"Retaining inspectors has been a challenge at the FDA for more than a decade due to the difficulty of the job," wrote Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican of North Dakota, chair of the Senate appropriations subcommittee that drafts funding legislation for the FDA, in a written statement. 

Last year's mass government layoffs spared inspectors but slashed support staff, leaving front-line inspectors to book their own flights and translators. 

With just a fraction of its inspectors — 20 in 2024 — dedicated to foreign providers, the agency often pulls from domestic inspector ranks. It sends inspectors overseas for weeks to combine multiple stops in one trip. The FDA has also worked out agreements with Canada, New Zealand and Australia to accept their food systems and inspection results as equivalent to the U.S.

The required 19,200 inspections "was an impossible number for them to meet," said Stephen Ostroff, former FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. "They have worked very hard to try to come up with alternatives to doing those foreign inspections." 

Beyond inspections

With inspections happening infrequently, "the day-to-day operations and management of food safety is really on the company rather than on the regulatory agency," said Dr. Don Schaffner, chair of Rutgers University's Department of Food Science. 

Economic incentives reinforce that self-monitoring: sales of prepackaged lettuce dropped nearly 20% in July amid the cyclosporiasis outbreak, Reuters reported. Taylor Farms says it invests $200 million annually in food safety protocols and independent audits, including regular monitoring of water quality and worker hygiene.  

"The food industry is very good in terms of food safety overall if you think of how much food we eat," said Dr. Kali Kniel, chair of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware.

Still, inspections remain "a critical food safety and consumer protection activity," said Sandra Eskin, CEO of the nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness. 

"We're not in the field. We're not in the processing plant. So, we can't see what goes on," she said. "We bring a food item into our house, we can't tell if it's contaminated."

About the data

CBS News analyzed inspections and import data from FDA's Data Dashboard. The analysis was limited to inspections of firms outside of the U.S. that were inspected under the "Foodborne Biological Hazards" program. To determine how many foreign manufacturers imported 90% of food into the U.S. last year, CBS News counted foreign-based manufacturers who delivered the most shipments of human food into the U.S., grouping together deliveries of multiple products on the same day by the same company as a single shipment. Meat and poultry were excluded, as they are under the purview of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not the FDA.

Rep. Nikema Williams, who is up for reelection in November, announced that she is supporting the No TSA Data for ICE Act, which was introduced by Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib.

If passed, the bill would prevent the TSA from sharing data that includes passenger names and birth dates with ICE. Democratic lawmakers say the communication has led to a surge of arrests at airports across the country, with ICE agents targeting immigrants who are waiting for visa extensions or have employment authorization documentation.

In July, CBS News reported that TSA has been sharing more information about noncitizen travelers with ICE, giving them "tips" or "leads" that could end in arrest, detainment, and deportation. Sources say that the information sharing included details about immigrants who are just suspected of civil immigration violations, such as overstaying their visa.

The bill would also prevent the Department of Homeland Security from retaliating against critics of the Trump administration or ICE by revoking their status in programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. 

Twenty-four other members of Congress are co-sponsoring the bill, including Georgia Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson.

"Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest and most efficient airport, is the gateway to the world. That's only possible when every traveler has confidence in our aviation system," Williams said in a statement. "The TSA should play no part in Trump's and ICE's terror campaign. It's exploitative, dangerous, and a violation of people's privacy."

So far, the hottest temperature of 2026 was on July 2, when the city reached 98 degrees. We may make another run at some of the hottest weather of the season again by the end of the week and into the weekend. 

Starting on Friday, highs will be at least in the mid and upper 90s and that will last all the way through early next week. In combination with high humidity levels, temperatures may feel as hot as 105 to 110 degrees, which could become dangerous.

Here are some good ways to stay cool during this next round of dangerous heat, according to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System:

• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays.
• Make sure to hydrate with water throughout the day, and avoid sugary beverages or drinks with caffeine which can affect your body's ability to cool off.
• Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals.
• Stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Never leave people or pets in a vehicle.
• Protect face and head by wearing sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.

Understanding the symptoms of heat stroke

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes heat stroke as the most serious heat-related illness in which the body can't cool down. Body temperature can rise to 106 degrees or higher in just 10 to 15 minutes.

If not treated, heat stroke can cause permanent disability or death.

The Atlanta-based agency said symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, and seizures. People suffering from heat stroke can also have hot, dry skin or profuse sweating and very high body temperatures.

What to do if someone has a heat stroke

If you are with someone who is suffering from heat stroke, the CDC says you should call 911 immediately.

After calling, stay with the person and move them to a shaded-cool area and remove their outer clothing. Try lowering their temperature with cool and wet clothes and help with the nearby air to circulate.

If the person is suffering from heat exhaustion, try to give them sips of cool water.

CARE, whose U.S. headquarters are in downtown Atlanta, has established an emergency fund and says it's mobilizing emergency relief in the country. This comes as the organization continues relief efforts following deadly earthquakes in Venezuela.

The organization's U.S. headquarters are located at 151 Ellis Street NE in Atlanta. 

CARE's relief efforts include assistance with emergency shelter, clean water, hygiene kits and medical care. The organization is also providing feminine hygiene products as well.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia Monday morning, causing widespread destruction across several communities. As of Tuesday evening, at least 181 people had died and 1,595 were injured, according to Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella. 

Cali, Pereira, Manizales and communities across Chocó are among the hardest-hit areas. Aftershocks and damage to roads, hospitals and other infrastructure have complicated relief operations.

Another 195 people were officially reported missing, while civilian databases indicated the number could be substantially higher. 

More than 1,100 homes were destroyed and at least 8,300 were damaged as rescue workers and volunteers continued searching for survivors, CBS News reported.

In a statement to CBS News Atlanta, CARE said it "has a longstanding presence in the country, is currently responding to support individuals and families in need."

CARE says it has teams on the ground in some of the most affected areas, assessing needs and coordinating their response. 

CARE says its teams will provide "clean water, support for families to buy food, essential health services, safe spaces, psychosocial support, hygiene items, and other emergency supplies."

For those who wish to support this work, more information and donation options can be found here.

How Atlantans can help Colombia earthquake victims

Several well-established humanitarian organizations say they have started relief operations in Colombia.

World Central Kitchen: WCK says teams are already on the ground in Colombia and working with local partners to provide meals in areas affected by the earthquake. The organization reported teams distributing meals in Manizales as it expanded its response across the region. 

Direct Relief: The medical aid organization says it has committed emergency funding to Colombian responders and is preparing requested medicines and supplies. Direct Relief says donations made through its designated Colombia earthquake fund will support relief efforts. 

• Colombian Red Cross
• Association of Food Banks of Colombia
• UNICEF Colombia
• Plan International Colombia

People interested in donating should visit the organizations' official websites directly rather than relying on donation links circulating through unfamiliar social media accounts or messages. 

La Abuela collecting supplies at metro Atlanta restaurants

La Abuela, a Colombian restaurant group, announced that three of its metro Atlanta locations are serving as collection points for relief supplies. The restaurant is requesting:

• Bottled water
• Nonperishable food
• Rice, pasta and canned or packaged foods
• Personal hygiene products
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Soap and shampoo
• Menstrual products
• Diapers and baby supplies
• Toilet paper and wet wipes
• New or gently used blankets
• Flashlights and batteries

Donations can be taken to La Abuela locations in Duluth, Doraville and Alpharetta:

• Doraville: 5600 Buford Highway NE, Suite E
• Duluth: 1630 Pleasant Hill Road, Suite 270
• Alpharetta: 4055 Old Milton Parkway

Donors should contact the location or check La Abuela's official social media accounts before visiting.

Enid Coffee announces earthquake relief fundraiser

Enid Coffee, an Atlanta-based mobile coffee business with Colombian roots, also announced plans to raise money for earthquake relief. The business said 15% of its sales Saturday and Sunday will be donated to support relief efforts in Colombia.
Beginning Tuesday, Enid Coffee will also offer 50 bags donated by Flow Coffee on a "pay what you want" basis. The bags normally cost $25, and proceeds will go toward relief efforts, according to the business. The coffee will be available while supplies last. Customers should check Enid Coffee's website or official social media account for the fundraiser's location and hours.

Colombian families in Atlanta can contact the consulate

Metro Atlanta and Georgia host a moderate Colombian community. Figures from the Atlanta Regional Commission, estimate the total number of Colombians living in the Peach State around 35,000.

Metro Atlanta residents trying to reach or assist relatives in Colombia may also be able to seek guidance from the Consulate General of Colombia in Atlanta.

The consulate lists an emergency assistance line at 678-485-2321 and says requests for emergency assistance can also be sent to catlanta@cancilleria.gov.co. 

The consulate's office is located at 1117 Perimeter Center West in Atlanta. 

Be careful of disaster donation scams

Major disasters can also lead to fraudulent fundraising efforts.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends donating to organizations people already know and trust and researching unfamiliar charities before sending money. The agency also cautions against organizations demanding payment through methods such as gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. 

Donors can further protect themselves by navigating directly to an organization's official website instead of clicking unexpected donation links in texts, emails or social media posts. 

The zoo announced that Bam, one of Zoo Atlanta's Schmidt's guenons, gave birth to an infant on Aug. 6.

Schmidt's guenons, also known as red-tailed monkeys, are found in the forests, woodlands, and swamplands of middle Africa. They're known for their heart-shaped noses, large cheek pouches used during foraging, and long, chestnut-colored tails. While the species' population is stable, they do face habitat loss from deforestation and have been illegally hunted.

"We're excited to welcome Bam's infant to the Schmidt's guenon family and are looking forward to our Members and guests being able to experience the joy of watching this little one grow," said Gina Ferrie, PhD, the zoo's vice president of Collections and Conservation. "While this species is fortunate not to be classified as threatened in the wild, Schmidt's guenons face many of the same threats faced by other African rainforest animals, and this infant will help us tell that story."

This isn't Bam's first baby, but the newborn is the first offspring for Bam and Nafis, who was brought to the zoo last year. Bam and Nafis were recommended to pair by a program from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Visitors should look out for Bam and her new baby in the habitat, which they share with her other children, Jack and Flynn, as well as Nafis and the zoo's Angolan colobus monkeys. 

According to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. Firefighters were called to the 700 block of Camp Perrin Road NE around 5:14 a.m. on Aug. 5. Crews arrived eight minutes later and found heavy flames throughout the house.

Part of the home collapsed while firefighters worked to control the fire and search for anyone inside. Investigators said everyone escaped before crews arrived. No injuries were reported.

The home sustained extensive damage, and the American Red Cross assisted the six displaced adults.

Investigators said the fire was intentionally set, but the case remains under investigation. No arrests were announced and authorities have not released any details on a suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gwinnett Fire Investigation Section at 678-518-4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.

Georgia Arson Control is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The Atlanta Police Department says the deadly crash happened shortly before 4:41 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the busy interstate close to Howell Mill Road.

At the scene, the officers found an unresponsive man lying on the road. Medics pronounced the man dead at the scene. Authorities have not released his identity.

Investigators believe the man ran into the interstate and was hit by multiple vehicles.

The interstate was shut down while police were on the scene. I-75 has since reopened.

An investigation into the crash continues. Authorities have not said whether anyone will face charges in connection with the crash.

Cosby missed the entire 2025-26 season while the Owls won the Conference USA championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

The Alabama native had transferred from Wake Forest and was expected to play a major role for Kennesaw State before the crash.

"I don't remember what happened," Cosby told CBS News Atlanta. "I only remember the aftermath, which is when the car was on top of my arm."

Cosby completed an extended rehabilitation program at Atlanta's Shepherd Center. He said the staff pushed him after he told them he wanted to play basketball again.

"Every day might have been hard, but I just got through it," Cosby said.

Head coach Antoine Pettway said Cosby had been projected as one of the Owls' top players and a starter before the crash. After the accident, Pettway said his focus shifted from basketball to making sure Cosby was surrounded by support.

On the first anniversary of the crash, Cosby returned to practice with his teammates. Injuries to his hand are still healing, however, and he may miss another season.

Cosby is also working toward his college degree. He is a senior academically but has two years of athletic eligibility remaining.

"My mom always wanted me to get a degree, so make sure I get that for her," Cosby said. "And after that, just focus on basketball."

It's the eighth biggest Powerball prize in history and the largest lottery jackpot of 2026.

Monday's winning numbers were 6, 37, 54, 55, 64 with a Powerball of 10.

The estimated cash value would come into play if the holder of a winning ticket chooses a lump-sum payout rather than 30 annuity payments spanning 29 years, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association. Both options are before taxes.

Wednesday's drawing will be the 44th since a Powerball jackpot was won on May 2, when tickets purchased in Florida and Texas split a $20 million prize.

This is just the 15th time that a $1 billion prize level has been reached in U.S. lottery history, and the eighth for Powerball.

The largest Powerball jackpot — and largest lottery jackpot ever — was won with a single $2.04 billion ticket sold in California in November 2022.   

Powerball tickets cost $2. They were sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands until last month, when tickets also went on sale in the U.K. However, tickets bought there only count toward the Powerball jackpot, and lower-tier prizes are structured differently.

The odds of winning the Powerball grand prize are 1 in 292,201,338.

Powerball drawings are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET.

Coznavian Stubbs, Joseph Callaway and Toni Lewis were arrested and booked into the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center on Aug. 10, according to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said the three cases were separate. Each involved someone with whom the deputy had a personal relationship at the time.

Callaway was charged with violating his oath of office, improperly requesting or sharing criminal history information, unlawfully retaining license plate data and three counts of stalking.

Stubbs was charged with violating his oath of office, unlawfully retaining license plate data and one count of stalking. Lewis faces the same charges.

Stubbs and Lewis resigned as patrol deputies during the investigation. Callaway resigned as a K-9 deputy shortly after his arrest.

Sheriff David Davis said the agency began its internal audit after Flock Safety alerted officials to possible irregularities involving the system.

"The public entrusts law enforcement with access to powerful technology and sensitive information, and with that trust comes an absolute responsibility to use those resources only for legitimate law enforcement purposes," Davis said.

The cases remain under investigation. The sheriff's office asked anyone with information to contact the agency.

Atlanta police audit officers' use of license plate readers

The Atlanta Police Department is also reviewing how its officers use license plate reader technology, according to a department news release.

APD described the review as a proactive audit and said it is still underway. The department did not release further details but said it would provide more information when appropriate after the audit is complete.

Beverley Sylvester's play, "Benediction," follows a group of women during a night out in Paris. Sylvester describes it as an absurdist play exploring friendship, religion, free will and personal agency.

Sylvester said being selected for the festival was especially meaningful after she repeatedly submitted her work for different opportunities.

"I think part of the gig is you just get a lot of rejections, and that's fine and normal," Sylvester said. "But then anytime there's a 'Hey, we have good news' email, it's like, 'Oh my God.' … Absolutely thrilling."

The production also marks a milestone for Sylvester, who grew up in the Atlanta area, attended Emory University and now works at Georgia Tech. She has seen "Benediction" presented in staged readings, but the SheATL show will be the play's first full production outside of her college work.

Dominique Wilson is among the actors bringing the story to life. She plays Josephine. Before pursuing acting, Wilson played professional basketball overseas.

Wilson said people repeatedly encouraged her to try acting when she returned home from playing basketball. She eventually decided to take a class.

"I caught the bug, and I was like, 'Well, huh, I guess I'm going down this journey,'" Wilson said. "And I've realized that I love acting more than basketball."

Wilson said her transition from basketball to acting connects with one of the questions at the center of "Benediction": Do people allow fate to control their lives, or do they take an active role in deciding what they want?

For Sylvester, seeing the play reach the stage in her hometown is also an opportunity to showcase Atlanta's theater community.

"I think Atlanta is full of incredible, talented, interesting, intelligent people that are doing really, really exciting work," Sylvester said.

More than 600 students are expected to move into campus residence halls. Some incoming freshmen, including honors students, moved in earlier this week.

McKenzy Wilson, an incoming freshman from Atlanta, recently made the Spelman Jaguarettes dance team. She said she is excited to begin college.

"I chose Spelman for so many reasons: the sisterhood, the networking opportunities and just the environment as a whole," Wilson said. "I remember the first time I stepped on this campus. I knew it was meant for me, and there was nowhere else I wanted to go."

The school year also marks the first semester for Dr. Ayanna Howard, Spelman's 12th president.

"I'm actually interested and excited about the students coming and being a freshman with them," Howard said. "There's nothing like having a class where they're learning Spelman, and I'm learning Spelman with them."

Howard said more than 13,000 students applied to join this year's freshman class, but only about 600 were accepted.

Classes begin Wednesday, Aug. 19.

When making the appointment, Zordani said, he'd been told the clinic was in his insurer's network. Upon arrival, Zordani was summoned to the clinic's financial office and told he had to make a $5,000 preservice deposit, because Mayo had since determined it did not accept his insurance. He was automatically designated "self-pay," even though his plan had out-of-network benefits.

Not having that kind of cash on hand — and angry on principle — he refused. His appointment was canceled.

"I was so livid," Zordani said, recalling that day in early April 2024. He later learned that Mayo had sent a message to him in his insurance carrier's patient portal shortly before his visit with an estimate of the cost: $565, not the larger amount it later demanded.

Traditionally, patients usually receive bills for their share only after getting treatment. But what Zordani faced is becoming increasingly common — hospitals or other medical providers seeking prepayments.

"We regret that this individual's experience did not meet the high standard of communication we strive to provide when helping our patients understand their insurance coverage and financial responsibility," Andrea Kalmanovitz, Mayo's communications director, said in an emailed statement. "When prospective patients don't have clarity that Mayo Clinic is not in-network with their health plan, unexpected pre-service deposit requests may result."

Mayo's website says it requires prepayments in a variety of cases, including for "noncontracted" — also known as out-of-network — insurance plans.

The trend of hospitals asking for money up front represents a double whammy for patients.

Medical providers are collecting larger shares of what patients might owe at a time when rising deductibles mean patients are owing more for care. The preservice charge could be all or part of a remaining deductible, for example, or a sizable percentage of what the visit or treatment might cost. Those deductibles go up when hospital prices, drug costs, and labor expenses increase, as insurers try to slow premium growth by shifting more costs to patients.

People are "basically being asked to self-insure," said Richard Gundling, a senior vice president at the Healthcare Financial Management Association, an organization for finance professionals.

As that happens, hospitals figure more patients will have trouble meeting those deductibles, so they want to get as much up front as possible.

"Things like preservice deposits and those kinds of moves are probably going to become more and more likely," said Chip Kahn, a visiting senior fellow at KFF and the American Enterprise Institute and former president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals. "That will make it harder on the provider, the clinician, and harder on the patients."

The deposits can't be viewed in isolation, Gundling said: It's a bigger issue than just hospitals asking for money up front. The challenge, he said, is: "How do we maintain access to care when more patients can't absorb the level of out-of-pocket costs?"

Already, consumers are increasingly worried about paying for healthcare. A recent KFF health tracking poll found that lower out-of-pocket costs ranked as the top change insured adults would like to see from their coverage plans. KFF is a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

The average deductible in family coverage offered by employers is $3,762 per person, according to KFF, while the average deductible in Affordable Care Act plans jumped 37% this year to a similar amount, $3,786.

A consumer concern

Community Health Advocates, a health insurance consumer assistance program in New York state, hears from people who are concerned about prepayments, said Diane Spicer, a supervising attorney.

"We see this mostly with insured folks who are seeking out-of-network care but who have out-of-network coverage," Spicer said, "and also sometimes for care that is not covered."

Just how many hospitals collect what are often called point-of-service payments is not known, according to Kodiak Solutions, a technology company that provides services to health systems to help manage their revenue.

"But it is becoming more and more the center of many of our conversations with health systems," said Matt Szaflarski, a vice president leading Kodiak's revenue cycle intelligence team.

In addition to Mayo, Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine's website says that "it is our policy to collect all amounts owed before services are rendered" for non-emergency care. University of Texas-affiliated MD Anderson in Houston, one of the nation's premier cancer treatment centers, says patients who pay for their own care "will be asked to pay an initial deposit determined by the care center, based on the type of cancer."

On average, hospitals collect about a quarter of what they expect the patient will owe, Szaflarski said, based on what they estimate the insurer will pay — a percentage that has grown in recent years.

For example, if a person is coming in for imaging and the insurer will reimburse $1,000 for that scan, the hospital will seek $250 from the patient up front, he said. "That used to be closer to $150."

It also varies by hospital, and sometimes by state.

"The state of Indiana has some of the lowest cash collections in the country. They are Midwest nice," Szaflarski said. He added that California and Texas are among those that collect more.

Even as hospitals increasingly collect more upfront payments, however, their uncollected debt is also rising, according to data Kodiak collected from more than 2,300 hospitals nationwide.

A Kodiak report in June said that's because of a "fundamental shift" in coverage as plans "increasingly feature higher deductibles, greater coinsurance, and more complex cost-sharing structures: all elements that increase the nominal patient responsibility without improving—and often reducing—the probability of collection."

While many hospitals are doing fine, some, especially in rural areas, have thin margins — and things could soon tighten further as cuts to ACA and Medicaid funding lead to more people being uninsured.

As a result, hospitals "have to be concerned" about every cost-sharing dollar, Kahn said.

After Zordani returned to Denver, he said, it took a while to find another specialist. He eventually had a procedure in late June 2024, at a Denver hospital not affiliated with Mayo, to fix a spinal fluid leak.

The following fall, he filed a complaint against Mayo in Arizona civil court. He was awarded $47,500 in economic damages and attorney fees after an arbitrator in September 2025 determined Mayo violated a state consumer fraud law because it failed to reach him to say that his plan was not in-network before he traveled. Mayo's statement to KFF Health News did not include any reference to the settlement.

"Had they notified me in timely fashion as required, I would not have flown there," Zordani said. He's still angry that the clinic didn't ask his permission before designating his care as self-pay, which meant he wasn't going to use his insurance, and he's still unclear on how they calculated the $5,000 preservice amount.

When do consumers have to make preservice payments? 

There is one clear rule: In emergency situations, hospitals that accept federal Medicare financing cannot, by law, demand upfront payment before stabilizing a patient who arrives at an ER, said Matthew Fiedler, a senior fellow and health policy researcher at the Brookings Institution.

Other consumer protections are less clear.

Patients who get in-network care may have some recourse in their contracts with their insurers, so they should check the fine print, experts told KFF Health News.

"In out-of-network settings, I'm not aware of any barriers that would prevent a provider from doing this," Fiedler said of preservice deposits.

How those amounts are calculated also appears widely up to the provider and can be opaque.

"They could just say $1,500 and you'd be like, 'Oh, is that 10%, or is that how much is left on my deductible?'" said Patricia Kelmar, senior director of healthcare campaigns at PIRG, a national federation of independent consumer advocacy groups.

Yet, she added, the patient might be scheduling three months in advance, so the provider wouldn't know how much was left on the deductible. She recommends consumers ask for an itemized bill and call their insurer to find out whether it has rules regarding the charges.

Also unclear are how and when patients get their money back if they overpay.

Overpayments can happen if patients don't require the services originally estimated or when insurers pay other bills first, such as the anesthesiology cost or a surgeon's fees. If those payments are counted toward a patient's deductible, yet the patient had already made a prepayment to the hospital for the expected deductible, they've now paid too much to the hospital.

How soon they get their money back can vary and can depend on state laws, though a small number of states directly address the issue. As of this year, Florida requires medical providers to reimburse patients within 30 days of a determination of an overpayment. Some states, including Maryland, prohibit certain hospitals from requiring prepayment simply to avoid offering financial assistance.

After alleging that some patients had to wait more than a year to get reimbursed, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes recently brought a suit under state consumer protection laws against SimonMed Imaging, which has 170 locations in 10 states.

In a settlement, SimonMed agreed to issue refunds within an average of 60 days.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Safe Haven Boys Ranch was started in 2022 as part of the Community Share Ministry, which Jason and Ginger Slaughter launched in 2011. Described as a Christian environment, the ranch has already helped more than 100 homeless children.

The ranch property features animals, greenhouses, gardens, and an eight-bedroom home for children who have faced challenges early in life. Slaughter said the organization plans to build 11 more homes, eventually accommodating up to 72 boys at a time.

Slaughter emphasized the importance of each boy having his own room to foster individuality, a sense of ownership, and to learn responsibility through daily tasks.

"We're seeing a large need in our community for kids with nowhere to go," said Safe Haven Ranch Founder and Director Jason Slaughter. "We have a growing number of 12, 13, and 14-year-olds — some even younger — who don't have a home. We're building three more homes in this cul-de-sac, for a total of four homes, each housing six boys, each with his own bedroom."

Children arrive at Safe Haven Ranch from a variety of circumstances, including the death of parents, incarceration of guardians, failed adoptions, families or grandparents unable to care for them, and unstable home environments, among other situations.

Lesley Kelley, Senior Policy Analyst with Voices for Georgia's Children, noted that homelessness can be defined in several ways and emphasized the severity of the issue in Georgia.

"Homelessness can also mean families staying with relatives or friends due to financial loss or housing instability," Kelley said. "There are about 40,000 to 50,000 kids experiencing homelessness in Georgia."

Slaughter explained that Safe Haven operates independently of the state, offering an alternative to state custody or the foster care system.

"We take power of attorney for the child," Slaughter explained. "That allows families to bring their child here while retaining custody. We can make decisions for medical care and schooling, but families can still visit and be involved if it's healthy. For some, it's a better solution than having a child move from foster home to foster home. It's another way of caring for children."

Slaughter added that the ranch has social workers on staff, and each child attends a local Christian school.

Twelve-year-old Jace Kelley has lived at the ranch for several years. He hopes to become a chef or a comedian one day—dreams he believes are possible because of the support he receives at Safe Haven. Kelley reflected on his life before coming to the ranch.

"When I first remember, things were good," Kelley said. "We had a house. My parents were together. Then, one thing after another, everything started falling apart. Dad left. We got evicted. We kept moving. But knowing there's still someone out there who loves and cares about you — and learning the basics of life — has helped. I learned to take care of animals, clean a house, have siblings, and do things I've never done before."

Slaughter said SHR helps place kids who age out at 18 into additional services through their mid-20s if needed. He added that the ranch gives kids a chance to stay local, become empowered, heal, and grow, all in a place fully funded by donations.

The organization also operates a men's home, a women's home, and offers other services.

Click here for more information. 

The announcement is the latest in a series of policies from the administration aimed at transgender people that began the day Mr. Trump returned to office last year.

The policy is to take effect Oct. 13.

It is not clear how much taxpayer funding is going to cover gender-affirming treatments for transgender youth now. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services did not respond to questions about the policy on Tuesday.

At least 27 states have already banned gender-affirming care for those under 18. Even in states that haven't, many major hospitals have stopped providing some of the treatments. And gender-affirming surgeries for minors are rare. Puberty blockers and hormone treatments are more common.

The policy calls for Medicaid and CHIP to continue to pay for mental health treatment for transgender minors but phase out coverage of hormone treatments that are used both to block puberty and to produce sex-related physical changes for those already receiving them as of April 2027.

Mr. Trump said in a social media post Tuesday that he directed Dr. Mehmet Oz, the CMS administrator, to make the change.

"We are not going to pay for our innocent children to undergo these barbaric surgeries and practices, which result in unthinkable and irreversible harm to their young bodies," Mr. Trump said in his post.

Advocates for LGBTQ+ young people look at it differently.

GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders legal director Josh Rovenger said the rule "is putting up barriers between parents and their ability to make the best medical decisions for their children" and would face a legal challenge.

"The Trump administration is terrorizing trans youth and their families with these kinds of actions, and it has to stop," Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said in a statement.

HRC is already suing the administration for efforts to bar gender-affirming care coverage under federal employee benefit plans.

The American Medical Association and most other major medical organizations support access to gender-affirming care, though the American Society of Plastic Surgeons said earlier this year that it found "insufficient evidence" that the benefits of chest, genital and facial surgeries on minors experiencing gender dysphoria — or the unease a person may have because their assigned gender and gender identity don't match — outweigh the risks.

The administration has already announced it would cut off Medicaid and Medicare funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care for minors, along with barring transgender athletes from sports competitions for girls and women and blocking people from being able to choose male, female or X to designate their sex on passports.

It also released a report last year urging therapy only for transgender youth and not broader gender-affirming healthcare.

Most of the changes have faced legal challenges. The U.S. Supreme Court let the administration's passport policy stand and allowed states to enforce the sports bans. A lower court ruled against the administration's declaration that called the treatments unsafe and ineffective. A challenge over the policy targeting hospitals is still pending.

More than three-quarters of likely voters surveyed in a statewide study commissioned by Georgia Health Initiative and administered by the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research Center said a gubernatorial candidate's stance on healthcare matters when deciding whom to support.

The poll also found broad agreement on several areas voters want Georgia's next governor to address, including access to insurance, maternal healthcare and behavioral health services. 

The findings come as Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican nominee Rick Jackson sharpen competing visions for the state's healthcare system ahead of the Nov. 3 election. 

Bottoms secured the Democratic nomination in May, while Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive, won the Republican nomination after defeating Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a June runoff. 

More than 1,000 likely Georgia voters responded, according to the organization, which describes itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit private foundation focused on improving health in the state. 

The results provide a snapshot of an electorate that may disagree on politics but shares some of the same anxieties about getting and paying for medical care.

In the survey, 62% of voters said healthcare costs too much, while 37% said they had skipped or delayed care because of cost within the past year, including people with insurance.

The poll also found roughly eight in 10 voters believe the quality of care someone receives can depend on their insurance or where they live.

A presentation accompanying the findings identified high costs, shortages of specialty and behavioral health providers and gaps in rural health services among the barriers Georgians said they encounter when trying to obtain care. It also found more than one in five surveyed voters said they had difficulty accessing needed care during the past year. 

Bottoms and Jackson offer different paths on Medicaid

Bottoms has said she would seek to end Georgia Pathways to Coverage, the Medicaid program established under Kemp, and instead pursue full Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

Jackson has rejected traditional expansion but recently described his approach as an "intelligent Medicaid expansion," emphasizing work requirements, changes to federal funding and an effort to move more Georgians into commercial insurance. 

The candidates outlined those differences last week while addressing more than 1,000 business leaders at a Georgia Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Athens. 

Georgia has not adopted full Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Instead, Pathways provides Medicaid coverage to certain adults ages 19 to 64 earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level who meet qualifying activity requirements. In 2026, that income limit is $15,960 for one person. Participants are generally required to complete at least 80 hours of qualifying activities each month. 

Bottoms and Jackson's disagreement could become increasingly consequential. The federal government approved an extension of Pathways through Dec. 31, 2026. The timing means decisions about what comes next will be waiting almost immediately for the administration that takes office following November's election. 

But the new polling suggests voters' expectations for the next governor extend beyond the Medicaid debate.

"Georgia voters across the political spectrum say our next governor should prioritize healthcare," said Cindy Zeldin, vice president of health policy and government affairs for Georgia Health Initiative. 

Eighty-six percent identified increasing access to behavioral healthcare as a priority, while 81% said the same about maternal health services. Another 81% said ensuring everyone has access to health insurance should be a priority for the next governor.