Here's what's trending in politics in Georgia and around the nation on Wednesday.
1. Report: DHS issued warning in advance of Charlottesville protest
The Department of Homeland Security issued a confidential warning to law enforcement authorities days before the deadly Aug. 12 Charlottesville protest rally, according to a story from Politico. The warning, issued three days before the protest, said a series of clashes between white supremacists and counter protesters prior to the march could put the Charlottesville event "among the most violent to date."
2. Mattis puts transgender ban on hold
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis announced Tuesday that transgender troops will be allowed to continue in their jobs in the military while a panel studies the effect of President Donald Trump's order to ban them from serving. "Once the panel reports its recommendations and following my consultation with the secretary of Homeland Security, I will provide my advice to the president concerning the implementation of his policy direction," Mattis said in the statement.
3. Trump heads to Missouri to talk taxes
The president will travel to Missouri on Wednesday to drum up support for tax reform, the Washington Post is reporting. The White House was short on details of what the president might say Wednesday. The House will take up the issue when members return from the August recess.
4. Norwood leads in polling
Mary Norwood is leading the pack in the Atlanta mayoral race according to a WSB/Landmark Communications poll. Norwood had 25 percent of the vote with Keisha Lance-Bottoms at 12.4 percent and Peter Aman at 12.1 percent.
5. Twitter exchange over monuments gets heated
A Twitter exchange between State Rep. Jason Spencer and former state Rep. LaDawn Jones grew heated as the two exchanged tweets over the removal of Confederate monuments. Spencer told Jones that, that "People in South Georgia are people of action, not drama" and suggested someone who ignored that "will go missing in the Okefenokee." Jones told Spencer to "put your hoods and tiki torches away…'we will win. …The internet and life will take your children and show them the backwoods 'we are better than them' lies you told them as bedtime stories are not true."
6. Alabama Senate primary race tightens
The race to fill the Alabama Senate seat has tightened, according to polling. While former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore is still in the lead in the Republican primary runoff contest, that lead has been cut to two points. Polls conducted over the past few weeks have shown Moore with a double-digit lead over incumbent Sen. Luther Strange.
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