| ISSUE# 063 | MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 | HENRY COUNTY GA |
Happy Monday, Henry County. This is the view from the perch. ☕
Hope you made it out this weekend. The Geranium Festival and Carrie Mae Day on Saturday brought neighbors together in the way only Henry County can.
We told readers Friday morning that the gas tax was expiring May 19 with no word on an extension. By 6:13 PM Friday, Governor Kemp made his move. The Eagle Eye was watching, and so was your wallet!
If your lights flickered last night, storms moved through parts of Locust Grove and McDonough, knocking out power to more than 300 homes.
Tomorrow is Georgia Primary Election Day. Polls across Henry County will be open Tuesday from 7 AM to 7 PM. Henry County has local races on the ballot, including a vote on the school system's SPLOST that could shape classrooms for years.
Don't let the day get away from you.
Let's get into it. 🦅👁️
Henry County Goes to the Polls
Today is the May 19 General Primary, and polls close at 7 PM. Henry County voters will decide local races AND whether to renew the school system's 1-cent SPLOST tax, a program seeking $425 million for school renovations, buses, and future school land. Check your sample ballot before the polls close tonight
Kemp Extended the Gas Tax. Here's How It Played Out
GEORGIA - Friday morning, we told you the suspension was expiring May 19 with no extension in sight. At 6:13 PM that same evening, Governor Kemp signed the order extending it through June 3.
Georgia drivers are currently paying around $4.01 per gallon, fourth lowest in the nation. The extension means 33 cents saved per gallon on regular gas, 37 cents on diesel, straight through Memorial Day weekend. This is the fourth time Kemp has suspended the gas tax since 2022, with fuel costs climbing since the conflict with Iran began in late February. Here's exactly how long your savings at the pump will last →
Henry County's $55M Water Park Is Almost Here
MCDONOUGH - The county just posted entry fees and hours of operation for the Henry County Aquatic Center and Water Park, and lifeguard recruiting is underway. When a $55 million facility starts posting staff listings, opening day is real.
Henry County residents get in for $25, non-residents pay $35. Water park hours run Wednesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM, with Sunday hours from 1 to 6 PM. Early June is still the target. No official date yet, but we are watching closely. Your summer just got a whole lot more interesting
I-75 Is Getting a Major Overhaul. Henry County Is Right in the Middle of It.
HENRY COUNTY - GDOT is proposing 41 miles of dedicated commercial vehicle lanes running from Monroe County to the SR 20 area in Henry County. The lanes would be barrier-separated from regular traffic and designed to pull freight trucks entirely out of your daily commute.
The Henry County public hearing has passed, but the comment window is still open through May 28. You can submit feedback online, by phone, or by email directly to GDOT. Want a say in what I-75 looks like for the next 30 years? Here's how →
EyeQ 👁️ | Tip #7 Stop Typing. Just Talk
Voice Mode makes AI easier than ever. Just talk to it like you would a friend.
Every week, more of you are trying AI for the first time, and the first question is almost always the same: "Do I have to type all that?"
Nope. You don't.
Both ChatGPT and Claude ( the most popular AI tools) have a feature called Voice Mode. You tap one button and just start talking. The AI listens, thinks, and responds out loud. No keyboard. No confusing menus. Just your voice.
This is the feature that makes AI finally click for a lot of people.
It’s great for busy moms with their hands full, retirees who are curious but don't love screens, and say grandparents who take their time typing. Voice Mode quietly removes every barrier that was in the way.
It talks back in a real voice. You'll have an actual back and forth conversation. It might feel a little surreal at first, but don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
Here's why this matters: In 2025, ChatGPT grew from 400 million to 900 million weekly users. Voice Mode is credited as one of the biggest reasons why. People who couldn't connect with typing found their way in through talking.
How To Turn It On
Check out these videos that show how simple it is to turn on Voice Mode. Watch as many times as you need to.
As we mentioned before, ChatGPT and Claude can be downloaded for free.
One rule: never share passwords, Social Security numbers, or banking info with any AI tool.
Like we've been saying from the start, the more you weave this technology into your daily life, the further ahead you'll be. AI isn't going anywhere, and its becoming more woven into our lives than we realize. The more you learn now, the better equipped you'll be later.
Was this tip helpful? Email us and let us know. [email protected]
Learn AI in 5 minutes a day
You don't have to scroll every AI thread, track every new tool, or watch every demo.
The Rundown AI breaks it all down for you — the latest AI news, tools, and tutorials in one free 5-minute email every morning.
Trusted by 2M+ professionals at Apple, Google, and NASA.
MONDAY, MAY 18
Scribble Characters – Drop-In Craft · McDonough Public Library · All week, May 18–22 · FREE · Kids and tweens drop in anytime during the week to turn random scribbles into characters using stickers, crayons, and paper — no signup needed.
Let's Make Bath Bombs! · McDonough Public Library, Meeting Room · 1PM–2PM · FREE · A hands-on DIY bath bomb session for adults — all materials provided.
Beginner Crochet · Fairview Public Library, Meeting Room · 2PM–3PM · FREE · Adults with little to no crochet experience can learn the basics in this beginner-friendly session at the Fairview branch.
ASL Workshop for Beginners · Cochran Public Library, Dr. Marilyn L. Flynn Ed.D Community Meeting Room · 6PM–7PM · FREE · No experience needed — open to any adult ready to start learning sign language and connect with the Deaf community.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
Fortson's Cookbook Club – Game Day Eats · Fortson Public Library, Meeting Room · 2:30PM–3:30PM · FREE · The playoffs are heating up and cookout season is here — this month's Cookbook Club focuses on crowd-pleasing food for gatherings, perfect timing for both.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Basic Computer Class for Seniors · Cochran Public Library, Dr. Marilyn L. Flynn Ed.D Community Meeting Room · 3PM–4PM · FREE · Typing, internet navigation, and basic computer skills in a no-pressure environment built specifically for seniors.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
Georgia History Through BBQ · McDonough Public Library · 6PM · FREE · Associate Professor James Welborn from Georgia College & State University presents Georgia's history through the lens of BBQ culture — free and open to all.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Last Day of School – Henry County Schools · All HCS Campuses · All Day · Nearly 44,000 Henry County students officially close out the 2025–2026 school year — summer starts today.
Highway 54 Band · Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 8PM–11PM · $8–$72 · 21+ after 8PM · A live band closes out the last school night of the year at Southern Roots — doors open at 6PM.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
FUN DAY – Arts and Spades in the Park · Rufus L. Stewart Park, McDonough · 10AM · FREE · A free outdoor community day featuring arts and Spades — open to kids and adults.
Stephanie Mills, After 7 & Karyn White · VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge, 4650 N Henry Blvd, Stockbridge · Gates 6PM | Show 8PM · Three R&B icons on one stage — Stephanie Mills, After 7, and Karyn White bring an evening of classic hits right here in Henry County.
The Venus Kings – Blues, Soul & Funk · Southern Roots Tavern, 15 Griffin St, McDonough · 9PM–11PM · $10–$85 · 21+ after 8PM · Blues, soul, and funk close out the week at Southern Roots — doors open at 6PM.
Bad Dad Joke of the Day 🤣
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity.
It's impossible to put down. 🤣
That's your Monday Eagle Eye.
Polls open Tuesday at 7 AM and close at 7 PM for the Georgia Primary Election Day.
And if you've been waiting on that water park opening date, so are we. You'll hear it here first!
See you tomorrow.
Stay sharp, stay local. The Eagle Eye Digest 🦅👁️