(GA. NEWS NETWORK)
*State Rep. Carolyn Hugley is on track to become the first Black speaker of the Georgia House after her Democratic colleagues nominated her for the post on Thursday, according to the AJC. Hugley, who has been in the House for 34 years and was elected minority leader two years ago, will become speaker following a formal House vote when the General Assembly convenes in January.
*Georgia is running a record number of audits for this year’s midterm elections. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told Channel Two this week that the election was clean and secure, but he’s making sure the public can trust the process. The Republican won’t be back for another term since he ran for governor and lost in the primary.
*The state’s net tax collections during October totaled roughly $2.71 billion, for an increase of $6.7 million, or 0.2%, compared to last October, when net tax collections approached $2.71 billion for the month. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections totaled $11.13 billion, for an increase of $247 million, or 2.3%, over last year, when net tax collections totaled $10.88 billion after four months of FY 2026.
* A proposal to bring more than 500 acres of Burke County into the city of Hephzibah has hit a major roadblock. Burke County commissioners have unanimously voted against Hephzibah’s annexation proposal following strong opposition from residents. WFXG reports supporters argued annexation could improve access to services such as municipal water, while opponents raised concerns about future development and preserving the area’s rural character. City leaders in Hephzibah can still appeal the decision, meaning the debate over the proposed annexation could continue in the months ahead.