(GA. NEWS NETWORK)
*A company owned by Georgia Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones is suing Republican governor candidate Rick Jackson for libel. Jones Petroleum is seeking at least $100 million, alleging Jackson’s campaign falsely portrayed it as an illegal casino that benefits from criminal activity. The company says the materials are damaging its reputation and could jeopardize franchise agreements. Jackson’s attorney called the claims retaliatory and said the lawsuit should be thrown out.
*Early voting for the Georgia runoff election begins today for people in some but not all counties, with several races still undecided from last month’s primaries. That’s due to the requirement of candidates to secure 50% of the vote. Early voting continues through June 12, ending just four days before the June 16 election date when individual precincts will be open.
*Police are searching for a suspect after a shooting on a MARTA train at Atlanta’s Midtown Station. Officers responded Friday evening and found a man suffering from gunshot wounds to his arm and leg. The victim was taken to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. MARTA police say the shooting appears to have been a targeted incident and the suspect remains at large. This comes as MARTA faces increased scrutiny over safety following two recent stabbings on the transit system, one of them fatal.
*A young driver is accused of causing a construction worker’s death in Walton County. The Georgia State Patrol says the 16-year-old was driving an SUV on State Route 81 and struck and killed a man near Ozora Church Road Thursday. Atlanta News First says the construction worker was taking measurements in the roadway when the teen approached. There’s no word on charges yet. It was the second such death in the state in recent days.