SUMMARY: The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, starting June 1, is expected to be above average, with forecasts predicting 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes. This is due to an ENSO-neutral pattern, meaning neither El Niño nor La Niña is present, allowing storms to form more easily with warm Atlantic waters. The National Hurricane Center has improved forecasting with longer lead times (72 hours), smarter models, a smaller cone of uncertainty, extended wind forecasts, and better communication tools. Though inland, the CSRA should prepare for heavy rain, flooding, and wind impacts. Residents are advised to review emergency plans and stay alert.
Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark has announced her candidacy for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District, challenging longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. David Scott, who is seeking reelection amid health concerns. Clark, a microbiologist, nursing professor, and mom, has served in the Georgia House since 2019 after winning a traditionally Republican Gwinnett County seat. She champions science, reproductive rights, and opposes Trump and MAGA policies that threaten Medicare and medical research. Other challengers include Everton Blair Jr., Emanuel Jones, Jonathan Bonner, Joe Lester, and Simeon Nunnally. The primary election is scheduled for May. Scott won the 2024 primary with 58% of the vote.
Democratic state Rep. Jasmine Clark has entered the race for Georgia’s 13th Congressional District to challenge U.S. Rep. David Scott, the longtime Democratic incumbent who has said he is seeking reelection.
Clark’s announcement Monday comes at a time when Scott, who received treatment for back problems in November, faces questions about his health. Scott, who has represented the metro Atlanta district since 2003, will celebrate his 80th birthday at the end of the month.
Clark originally decided to run for a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives during the first Trump administration, setting her sights on a Gwinnett County seat that had been in Republican hands for over two decades. Clark ousted an incumbent to win the seat and went on to defend it in 2020, 2022 and 2024 – fending off a Republican challenger last year who was backed by Gov. Brian Kemp.
“I ran to be a voice for science and truth in the face of Republican disinformation and ever since I’ve been taking on the toughest fights for Georgia families,” Clark said in her campaign video.
Outside of her legislative duties, Clark is a microbiologist, mom, nursing school professor at Emory University and a podcast co-host.
Since she took office in 2019, Clark has introduced legislation that she said was intended to create a “safer, healthier, more prosperous” state of Georgia. Clark is also a vocal defender of reproductive rights.
As a metro Atlanta native and longtime Lilburn resident, Clark says she has always nurtured a passion for science and health care. She grew up with parents who both worked in the medical fields, watching her father work as a doctor and mother as a nurse.
“I’ll stand up to Trump and MAGA when they try to cut Medicare, destroy Georgia jobs and gut medical research into cancer and Alzheimer’s,” Clark said in her video. “And get to work building a stronger future for all of us, not just a powerful few.”
Clark isn’t the only candidate hoping to steal Scott’s seat. Former Gwinnett County Board of Education Chairman Everton Blair Jr. and state Sen. Emanuel Jones of Decatur have announced campaigns. Jonathan Bonner, Joe Lester and Simeon Nunnally are all also planning to run.
The primary election is set for next May.
Scott faced six Democratic challengers in 2024 but ultimately won the primary outright with nearly 58% of the vote.
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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Left
This content highlights Democratic state Representative Jasmine Clark, emphasizing her progressive stances on science, reproductive rights, and opposition to Trump and MAGA policies. The language positively frames her candidacy and legislative efforts, indicating a supportive tone toward Democratic and left-leaning perspectives without extreme partisanship. It reflects a Center-Left bias by endorsing moderate progressive ideas and emphasizing opposition to conservative politics, particularly those of the Republican Party.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Kim Jarrett | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-06-02 15:05:00
Georgians who qualify for special tax refunds approved by the General Assembly will begin receiving payments this week, announced Gov. Brian Kemp. The \$1 billion tax cut refunds are capped at \$250 for singles, \$375 for heads of household, and \$500 for married couples filing jointly. Eligible taxpayers filed in 2023 or 2024 and have no outstanding tax balance. Kemp emphasized wise state resource management allows returning money to citizens alongside the state’s largest income tax rate rollback, now from 5.39% to 5.19%. The Georgia Department of Revenue has launched a tool to check refund eligibility and is prepared to distribute funds efficiently.
(The Center Square) – The wait will soon be over for Georgians who qualify for the special tax refunds approved by the General Assembly this year.
Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday the Department of Revenue will begin issuing the refunds this week from the $1 billion tax cut.
The tax refunds are capped at $250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately, $375 for head of household filers, and $500 for married individuals filing jointly.
Taxpayers who filed in 2023 and 2024 are eligible if they do not have an outstanding balance with the Department of Revenue, according to information from Kemp’s office.
“Because we’ve managed our state’s resources wisely, we’re again able to return money to hardworking Georgians who know how best to use it,” Kemp said. “Along with our acceleration of the largest income tax rate cut in state history, this latest refund is just one more way we’re working to support the people of our state, their families, and their businesses, because that’s not the government’s money, it’s theirs!”
State lawmakers also approved a rollback of the state’s flat income tax rates from 5.39% to 5.19%, the second rollback since 2022, according to Kemp.
The revenue department has set up a Surplus Tax Eligibility Tool for Georgians who want to know more about their refund.
“Our department is ready to get this third round of refunds out the door efficiently and securely,” Georgia Revenue Commissioner Frank O’Connell said.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Center-Right
This article primarily reports on the tax refunds and tax rate rollbacks approved by Georgia’s government, providing statements from Governor Brian Kemp and the Revenue Commissioner. The content presents factual information about the policy measures and their implementation without overt editorializing or criticism. However, the inclusion of positive quotes from Gov. Kemp emphasizing fiscal responsibility, returning money to taxpayers, and supporting families and businesses reflects a pro-tax-cut, conservative framing common in center-right political communication. While the article does not explicitly critique or champion opposing viewpoints, the framing aligns with center-right ideological principles favoring tax reductions and limited government spending, suggesting a mild center-right bias in tone and selection of quotes rather than a neutral, purely factual stance.
www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-06-02 11:20:55
SUMMARY: The No Tax on Tips Act, approved by the Senate and supported by the House, aims to exempt tips from federal income tax, letting tipped workers keep all their gratuities. Many workers, like Charlie Rhodes, welcome this change as it means more of their earned money stays with them. However, experts warn the bill could reduce eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which helps low-income workers, potentially lowering overall benefits for some families. Additionally, only about 2.5% of workers earn tips, and employers may pay less if workers’ tips are untaxed. The bill’s impact is complex and may require careful tax planning.
The No Tax on Tips Act has the stamp of approval from the Senate and the House seems ready to approve it as well. The FOX 5 I-Team’s Dana Fowle takes a look at what you need to know if you rely on tips for income.
