1. President declares state of emergency in Georgia. As Hurricane Matthew edged closer to the Florida coast early Friday, President Obama declared a state of emergency in Georgia. [But when will it hit Georgia?]

2. FEMA unofficially uses 'Waffle House Index' to gauge disasters. One lesser-known indicator emergency management officials use is whether or not Waffle Houses are open. [What are the three stages of Waffle House Index.]

3. Hawks open preseason with win behind Tavares' double-double. The Hawks won their exhibition opener with a 104-83 victory at the Grizzlies Thursday night. [Read more.]

4. Cobb County Schools Superintendent: Kneeling athletes would be benched. If student athletes took a knee during the national anthem, Cobb County Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said "their asses would be benched." [Read more.]

5. Exclusive: Tex McIver says he shot wife by accident. Atlanta attorney Claud "Tex" McIver told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today that he accidentally shot and killed his wife as they rode in their SUV near Piedmont Park last week. ["There's nothing I want to do but join her," he said.]

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Members of the conversion crew take a break as the main scoreboard is lowered to the floor to be worked on as the arena gets ready for the next concert at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 2, 2025, in Atlanta. The crew was working on creating a stage for the Friday, Oct. 3 Maxwell concert. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com