Progress Georgia

Juneteenth is a celebration of Black freedom, resilience, and joy. It is also a reminder that freedom is never guaranteed. It is won through organizing, community, and the ongoing fight for justice.

As we honor the generations of Black leaders, activists, and everyday people who pushed this country closer to its ideals, we recommit ourselves to building a future where every person has the freedom to thrive, the power to be heard, and the opportunity to shape their community.

Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we continue the work.

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚

The results are in! These are your 2026 primary runoff winners.

🗳️ General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Early voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, and ends Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.

Visit TheGeorgiaVoterGuide.com to learn more about the candidates, find your polling location, and access important voter resources.

It’s Election Day for the Georgia Runoffs, and Miss Piggy needs to have a word with you.

If you’re waiting for a sign to vote, this is it.

Runoff elections are often decided by a small number of voters, which means your ballot matters even more today. Major races for Governor, U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, and more are on the ballot.

Polls are open until 7 p.m., so don’t wait until the last minute.
🗳️ Find your polling place and sample ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov.
📚 Learn more about the candidates at TheGeorgiaVoterGuide.com.

Respectfully, Miss Piggy would like you to stop scrolling and go vote.

Social Circle is taking on the federal government over plans for a massive ICE detention center.

The town has filed a lawsuit challenging a proposed facility that could become one of the largest immigration detention centers in the country. Town leaders argue the project could strain local water systems, emergency services, and infrastructure.

Legal experts say the case is notable because it goes beyond environmental concerns and uses additional legal arguments that could influence similar fights in communities across the country.

Officials in Social Circle say they hope the lawsuit not only protects their town but also helps other communities facing similar proposals.

“We’re all in the same boat… and we need to be learning from each other. If we’re successful, I hope it helps other communities down the line.” - Eric Taylor, city manager for Social Circle

What do you think?

Source: The Guardian

Happy Pride Month!

This month, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people across Georgia and the nation. Pride is a reminder that progress is possible when people come together to fight for dignity, equality, and justice.

As we honor those who paved the way, we remain committed to protecting LGBTQ+ rights, expanding opportunity, and building communities where everyone can live openly, safely, and authentically.

We stand with the LGBTQ+ community this month and every month. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

Georgia is making a major investment in early literacy, and some schools are already seeing results.

Marietta City Schools says third-grade reading scores have increased by 17 points since the district began placing literacy coaches in every elementary school in 2021. The district also reports an 11% increase in students reading at or above grade level.

Now, a new state law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp will require every Georgia elementary school to have a literacy coach by the 2027-2028 school year.
Educators say the coaches help teachers strengthen instruction while giving struggling students more individualized support.

“We could lead the nation in literacy,” said Hickory Hills Elementary Principal Kristen Beaudin of Marietta.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Source: ANF

Georgia is now at the center of a growing national fight over voting rights and college sports.

The NAACP this week launched its “Out of Bounds” campaign, calling on Black athletes and fans to boycott athletic programs at public universities in states it says are restricting Black voting power, including Georgia.

That puts major programs like the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech directly in the spotlight as civil rights groups challenge new congressional maps and redistricting efforts across the South.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson said Black athletes help generate “hundreds of millions of dollars” for powerhouse programs and should not be expected to support institutions in states accused of weakening Black political representation.

The campaign adds new pressure in Georgia, where voting rights battles have already made the state a national political flashpoint heading into 2026.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought national attention to Morgan County, Georgia last week after questioning EPA officials about claims that nearby data center construction may be impacting residents’ drinking water.

At a congressional hearing, Ocasio-Cortez held up jars of discolored water and called the issue “a basic public health issue,” citing concerns from families living near the Stanton Springs industrial area where Meta has expanded a major data center campus.

Residents say their tap water turned brown or sediment-filled as construction intensified. Meta denies the claims and says independent groundwater studies found no impact on local water supplies.

The clash comes as Georgia faces rapid growth in data center development and increasing debate over water usage, environmental oversight, and the impact of Big Tech’s expansion on local communities.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Source: CBS