Education & Community Welcome: GSCS kicks off the 2026-27 school year Aug. 3 with its Day One initiative, plus safety upgrades like Open Gate metal detectors and clear backpack rules. Local Governance & School Policy: Marion County goes further than state law with a district-wide cell phone ban across all grades, using secure pouches and strict classroom hand-in procedures. Back-to-School Support: Middle Georgia families get a district-by-district start-date cheat sheet, while communities push supply drives to ease rising school costs. Culture & Belonging: Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest pauses for 2026, promising a reimagined return in 2027 after 16 years of celebrating Black music and culture. Civic Learning: Coweta County student Ella H. wins a spot to represent Georgia at the National Civics Bee, with top state finalists earning education savings plans. Arts & Entertainment: A week-ahead entertainment guide highlights what to watch, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day and other streaming picks. Health Awareness: A Georgia-based heart health educator shares how subtle symptoms can signal a heart attack—especially nausea and vomiting. Regional Spotlight: Augusta lands No. 1 on LinkedIn’s “city on the rise” list, driven by cybersecurity, defense, data centers, and healthcare growth.