Mike Collins

Your daily jolt of news and analysis from the AJC politics team.

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, Republican Senate nominee, wears a "Make America Great Again" during a 2024 campaign event for then-former President Donald Trump in Fort Dodge, Iowa. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Today’s newsletter highlights:

Hemp producers could get another month to fight a looming ban.

The U.S. Senate could vote on the Protect College Sports Act this week.

Georgia earns a top election policy rating in a new review by the R Street Institute.

Iran war hits the Georgia airwaves

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins speaks during a 2024 rally at the Georgia State University's convocation center for then-former President Donald Trump and Vice-Presidential candidate JD Vance. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is getting a $4.8 million assist from an outside group targeting Republican nominee U.S. Rep. Mike Collins over his support for President Donald Trump’s war in Iran.

Defend the Vote Action Fund, a voting-rights advocacy organization aligned with Democrats, is launching an ad campaign this morning accusing Collins of rubber-stamping Trump’s foreign policy as the conflict drives up federal spending and gas prices.

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Things to know

Demonstrators protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in front of the Atlanta ICE Field Office in January. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Former Republican U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake has endorsed Ossoff’s reelection campaign, Greg Bluestein reports.

The State Ethics Commission overruled an administrative law judge who had ruled the Georgia Republican Assembly did not violate campaign finance laws, David Wickert reports.

A coalition of Georgia nonprofits is suing the Trump administration for access to records about the growing footprint of immigration detention in the state, Lautaro Grinspan reports.

Hemp reprieve?

A warning label is shown on a refrigerator with THC-infused drinks at the Georgia Hemp Company in 2025. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Making the grade

People use voting machines at the River Green Heritage Club, a polling place in Canton, back in January. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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College sports

Both Georgia and Georgia Tech — pictured facing off in November — have benefited from the addition of the transfer portal and NIL deals with players, but the rules governing those systems may be overhauled with the pending Protect College Sports Act. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2025)

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Listen up

WSB radio host Erick Erickson, seen here in 2023. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Avoiding shutdown

The sun sets behind the U.S. Capitol last month in Washington, D.C. (Allison Robbert/AP)

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Today in Washington

Jay Clayton testifies during a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing last monthto be the next Director of National Intelligence. (Mariam Zuhaib/AP)

Trump will meet at the White House with the Penn State wrestling team that won the 2026 NCAA championship. He will also swear in Jay Clayton as director of National Intelligence and then travel to Los Angeles for a Republican National Committee fundraiser.

The Senate is in session but votes are pending.

The House is out until Aug. 31.

The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.

Shoutouts

State Rep. Noelle Kahaian, seen here at the Georgia Capitol in 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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State Rep. Noelle Kahaian, R-Locust Grove. (was Monday.)

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Before you go

Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos is seen during a November 2025 news conference at Truist Park. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

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