Georgia Trend Daily – May 22, 2019
May 22, 2019 Georgia.gov
Governor Kemp Names 15 Appointments
Staff reports that yesterday, Governor Brian P. Kemp named fifteen (15) appointments to five (5) boards and commissions, including the Georgia Department of Economic Development Board of Directors, Board of Community Affairs, State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of Commissioners, and Georgia Composite Medical Board.
May 22, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Finster Fest
Mary Ann Demuth reports, for those looking to cool off – and find something cool to do – Summerville is the place to be this weekend. The northwest Georgia town is home to folk artist Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, which will host its annual Finster Fest art and music extravaganza Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26.
May 22, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
‘Save Chick-fil-A’ bill advances in Texas Legislature
Nancy Clanton reports, it’s been banned at a New Jersey university and scrapped at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, but Texas lawmakers want to make the move to protect Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A from facing that fate in their state. The Texas Senate passed the measure, SB 1978, last week. SB 1978 is a softened version of House Bill 3172, which was killed earlier this month.
May 22, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Coca-Cola joins with Netflix and ‘Stranger Things’ for New Coke resurrection
Eric Mandel reports that Coca-Cola is hoping a trip to the The Upside Down can flip the script on one of its most infamous decisions. A new clip teasing the third season of the Atlanta-filmed thriller “Stranger Things,” which has been a massive success for Netflix, was released Monday on Twitter with the caption that “Summer is coming.”
May 22, 2019 Brunswick News
Wildfire burns in Okefenokee
Gordon Jackson reports that a wildfire burning in the northeast corner of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has consumed more than 185 acres since it was sparked by a lightning strike around noon on Sunday. Crews from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Georgia Forestry Commission arrived on the scene with Type VI engines, tractor plow units and a helicopter after the fire was reported, working until well after dark on Sunday to establish a plow line to contain the fire.
May 22, 2019 Gainesville Times
What Northeast Georgia Health System hopes to get with $15M investment in Habersham hospital
Megan Reed reports that the Northeast Georgia Health System will be investing $15 million in Habersham Medical Center with hopes of buying the hospital after five years.
May 22, 2019 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta on its way to becoming a ‘destination hot spot’
Erika Wells reports that President and CEO of the Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau Bennish Brown hopes tourism tells the story of Augusta while attracting new visitors and making the city a “destination hot spot.” “That story is more and more about experiences,” Brown said at a Women in Business luncheon Tuesday.
May 22, 2019 Time Magazine
The First TV Show Is Leaving Georgia Over the New Abortion Law. The Local Film Industry Fears What Comes Next
Andrew R. Chow reports that this week, the director Reed Morano was supposed to fly to Georgia to scout locations for a new show for Amazon Studios called The Power. At least two scouts hired by the show had been working in the Savannah area for several months, prepping for her arrival.
May 22, 2019 Macon Telegraph
Macon-Bibb passes new marijuana ordinance: No jail time for small amounts of pot
Laura Corley reports that an ordinance that eliminates jail time for misdemeanor marijuana possession and sets the fine at $75 was adopted by Macon-Bibb County Commissioners late Tuesday. The ordinance, which applies to amounts less than one ounce, passed with a 5-4 vote after weeks of public opinion and discussion.
May 22, 2019 Valdosta Daily Times
Lawmaker pushing for mandatory recess
Jill Nolin reports that a state lawmaker who has championed mandatory playtime for Georgia’s elementary schools says he will keep pushing for the cause after Gov. Brian Kemp struck down the measure. This year marked Rep. Demetrius Douglas’ third attempt to convince his colleagues that requiring recess for the state’s youngest students is a key strategy for curbing childhood obesity.
May 22, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kemp tries to calm nervous Georgia film industry with studio visit
Greg Bluestein reports that on the day he initially planned a trip to Hollywood to court film executives, Gov. Brian Kemp will instead privately tour Georgia studios and try to calm nervous industry officials wary of a growing backlash over the anti-abortion “heartbeat” law he signed.
