High-ranking legislators endorsing a candidate from their own party would not be unusual except for the fact that the Republican incumbent, State Superintendent Richard Woods, is also in the race.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division recently declared a drought. Agriculture officials have designated 146 counties in the state as natural disaster areas. Crews continue to fight two large and other small wildfires,

Some of the biggest blazes were near Georgia's coast, while others were popping up in northern Florida, a state facing one of its worst fire seasons in decades.

Early voting is underway across Georgia ahead of the May 19 primary, and voters casting partisan ballots are finding something unexpected alongside the candidates — a list of pointed, politically charged questions at the bottom of the page.

Georgia high school students must earn at least 23 credits in various subjects to graduate. Students are assessed in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies using the Georgia Milestones Assessment System.

State leaders gave an update Tuesday, outlining where things stand and what crews are up against as they continue working to contain multiple large fires burning across the region.