Pentagon seeks record $1.5 trillion budget amid Iran blockade
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, as they defended a historic $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal year 2027. The proposal, representing a 50% increase in current defense spending, comes as the U.S. military remains locked in a prolonged naval blockade of Iran. While the Pentagon insists the funding is necessary to modernize the force and ensure "quality of life" for troops, lawmakers expressed deep concern over the mission’s ballooning costs and lack of a clear exit strategy. The global energy landscape is facing a massive realignment as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it will officially withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on Friday, May 1. The departure of one of the world's top oil producers marks a significant fracture in the "special relationship" between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and comes at a moment of extreme volatility for global oil supplies.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, as they defended a historic $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal year 2027. The proposal, representing a 50% increase in current defense spending, comes as the U.S. military remains locked in a prolonged naval blockade of Iran. While the Pentagon insists the funding is necessary to modernize the force and ensure "quality of life" for troops, lawmakers expressed deep concern over the mission’s ballooning costs and lack of a clear exit strategy. The global energy landscape is facing a massive realignment as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it will officially withdraw from OPEC and OPEC+ on Friday, May 1. The departure of one of the world's top oil producers marks a significant fracture in the "special relationship" between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia and comes at a moment of extreme volatility for global oil supplies.
Atlanta City Hall hosts summit to tackle rising youth violence
City leaders and community advocates are gathering at Atlanta City Hall, on Wednesday, for a critical summit focused on curbing violence among the city's youth. The event, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction (MOVR) in partnership with HWPL Georgia, aims to move beyond conversation and into actionable prevention strategies. The discussion comes as the city continues to grapple with high-profile incidents involving teens and young adults in popular areas like the Beltline and Downtown.
City leaders and community advocates are gathering at Atlanta City Hall, on Wednesday, for a critical summit focused on curbing violence among the city's youth. The event, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction (MOVR) in partnership with HWPL Georgia, aims to move beyond conversation and into actionable prevention strategies. The discussion comes as the city continues to grapple with high-profile incidents involving teens and young adults in popular areas like the Beltline and Downtown.
Broadway's Julie Benko on reworking New Orlean's classics
When opportunity knocked on Broadway, Julie Benko stepped into Funny Girl and captivating audiences more than 180 times. Now, she’s bringing that remarkable journey to Atlanta, joined by her husband, pianist Jason Yeager, for an intimate evening of music that blends Broadway brilliance with jazz sensibility. The duo takes the stage May 7 at Studio Theatre at City Springs.
When opportunity knocked on Broadway, Julie Benko stepped into Funny Girl and captivating audiences more than 180 times. Now, she’s bringing that remarkable journey to Atlanta, joined by her husband, pianist Jason Yeager, for an intimate evening of music that blends Broadway brilliance with jazz sensibility. The duo takes the stage May 7 at Studio Theatre at City Springs.
Guns, illegal drugs found after foot chase in NW Atlanta
Multiple people were arrested after a police investigation involving drugs, firearms and a foot chase in northwest Atlanta, according to Atlanta Police Department.
Multiple people were arrested after a police investigation involving drugs, firearms and a foot chase in northwest Atlanta, according to Atlanta Police Department.
Police searching for man after Atlanta armed robbery
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a thief accused of an armed robbery at a convenience store in Atlanta.
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a thief accused of an armed robbery at a convenience store in Atlanta.
Electrical fire forces Buckhead business evacuation
Crews battled an electrical fire at a business in Buckhead late Tuesday night, forcing an evacuation and temporarily shutting down a busy roadway.
Crews battled an electrical fire at a business in Buckhead late Tuesday night, forcing an evacuation and temporarily shutting down a busy roadway.
Photo shows Cole Allen in hotel room before attack as DOJ moves to keep him jailed: investigators
Investigators say the man accused of trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempting to kill President Donald Trump took a photo of himself in his hotel room just minutes before the attack.
Investigators say the man accused of trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner and attempting to kill President Donald Trump took a photo of himself in his hotel room just minutes before the attack.
Ex-FBI Director Comey indicted again in probe over online post officials call a Trump threat
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted again Tuesday, this time over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials say amounted to a threat against President Donald Trump.
Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted again Tuesday, this time over a social media photo of seashells arranged on a beach that officials say amounted to a threat against President Donald Trump.
How the Iran oil crisis is crushing American shrimpers
American shrimpers are facing a perfect storm of record-high diesel prices and a Supreme Court ruling that is sending $450 million in tariff refunds back to foreign competitors. We explore how the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is felt on the Gulf Coast and how consumers can help save the domestic industry by choosing local catch.
American shrimpers are facing a perfect storm of record-high diesel prices and a Supreme Court ruling that is sending $450 million in tariff refunds back to foreign competitors. We explore how the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is felt on the Gulf Coast and how consumers can help save the domestic industry by choosing local catch.
BP profit doubles as US gas prices hit highest levels since Iran war began
Petroleum giant BP has earned more than double its profit since the conflict with Iran began two months ago, far exceeding last year’s total.
Petroleum giant BP has earned more than double its profit since the conflict with Iran began two months ago, far exceeding last year’s total.
2 seriously injured in Cobb drifting crash during car meet
A crash during an organized car meet in Cobb County left multiple people injured, including two with serious injuries, police said.
A crash during an organized car meet in Cobb County left multiple people injured, including two with serious injuries, police said.
Man wanted by police after being stabbed at Nissan plant
Conyers police are searching for Derius Dawkins after surveillance video allegedly showed him provoking a stabbing at the local Nissan plant.
Conyers police are searching for Derius Dawkins after surveillance video allegedly showed him provoking a stabbing at the local Nissan plant.
DeKalb Superintendent Sauce meets with public over school restructuring
DeKalb County Schools may close or convert about 22 schools due to low enrollment.
DeKalb County Schools may close or convert about 22 schools due to low enrollment.
Teams pull Delta plane at ATL airport for cancer fundraiser
Teams gathered Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a unique fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Teams gathered Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a unique fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Teams pull plane at ATL airport for cancer fundraiser
Teams gathered Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a unique fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Teams gathered Wednesday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport for a unique fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Twitch streamer 'Minister Zay' hit by car during faith walk from Philadelphia to California
A cross-country journey of faith and philanthropy hit a terrifying roadblock when a Twitch streamer walking from Philadelphia to California was struck by a car during a live broadcast.
A cross-country journey of faith and philanthropy hit a terrifying roadblock when a Twitch streamer walking from Philadelphia to California was struck by a car during a live broadcast.
Crews gaining ground on massive South Georgia wildfires
Rain and humid conditions are helping firefighters make some progress Wednesday morning as crews continue battling two massive wildfires in South Georgia.
Rain and humid conditions are helping firefighters make some progress Wednesday morning as crews continue battling two massive wildfires in South Georgia.
Rain helps ground crews in South Georgia
Rain and humid conditions are helping firefighters make some progress Wednesday morning as crews continue battling two massive wildfires in South Georgia, though officials warn the threat is far from over.
Rain and humid conditions are helping firefighters make some progress Wednesday morning as crews continue battling two massive wildfires in South Georgia, though officials warn the threat is far from over.
Early voting turnout strong in Georgia primary
Early voting is continuing across Georgia as turnout remains strong in the state’s primary elections.
Early voting is continuing across Georgia as turnout remains strong in the state’s primary elections.
Sandy Springs officer back on duty after crash recovery
A Sandy Springs police officer is back on duty months after being seriously injured in a crash involving a speeding motorcycle, according to the police department.
A Sandy Springs police officer is back on duty months after being seriously injured in a crash involving a speeding motorcycle, according to the police department.