Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 20, 2019

Nov. 20, 2019 LaGrange News

The Ray receives prestigious award

Alicia B. Hill reports that on Thursday night, The Ray was announced as the winner of the energy award at the fourth annual Shorty Social Good Awards. The Ray is the 18-mile stretch of road that extends from LaGrange to the Alabama state line, where technologies and innovations are being installed with a goal of creating zero-carbon, zero waste and zero death stretch of highway.

Nov. 20, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Trendsetters: Personify 3D-Mini mi maker

Mary Ann DeMuth reports, imagine being able to create exact three-dimensional replicas of cultural artifacts so they can be preserved in pristine condition for future generations to view in person or online. Self-proclaimed “jack of all trades” engineer Jeremy Barker of Macon found a way to do just that through 3D scanning and printing, and it’s since become both his hobby and passion.

Nov. 20, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Metro Atlanta mom’s small business fights trademark battle with Target

Matt Kempner reports that Target’s multibillion-dollar hopes for a new food brand have run into a metro Atlanta mom of twin toddlers and her own somewhat similarly named grocery and meals business. The mom is suing.

Nov. 20, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle

$66B merger for BB&T, SunTrust earns approval from Federal Reserve

Lauren Ohnesorge reports that the Federal Reserve put its stamp of approval on the $66 billion merger between Winston-Salem based BB&T and Atlanta-based SunTrust Bank on Tuesday, clearing the way for the two banks to form the nation’s sixth-largest bank. The new bank will be headquartered in Charlotte and plans to use the name Truist for the combined operation.

Nov. 20, 2019 Brunswick News

Jekyll board approves Moorings development

Wes Wolfe reports that the development of a marina condominium project on Jekyll Island has the green light despite the continued objection of some of the island’s residents to the effort. Tuesday, the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors consented to the assumption of a lease agreement between the Jekyll Marina and The Moorings, acknowledged an easement agreement, approved a new ground lease and acknowledged the declaration of condominium at the site.

Nov. 20, 2019 Albany Herald

Justice grants will help combat human trafficking in Georgia

Staff reports that First Lady Marty Kemp joined GRACE Commission members, U.S. Department of Justice officials, Attorney General Chris Carr, and U.S. Attorneys BJay Pak and Charles Peeler recently to announce awards of nearly $153 million to fight human trafficking in Georgia. Approximately $4.3 million will assist law enforcement officials and victim service providers in prosecuting human traffickers and aiding survivors.

Nov. 20, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Georgia Ports: Business as usual

Mary Ann DeMuth reports, last month, the Georgia Ports Authority moved 428,400 twenty-foot equivalent container units (TEUs), which is a 3.5% increase, or an additional 14,600 TEUs, marking the Savannah ports’ best October ever. New infrastructure at the Savannah ports helped fuel the increase, with all nine Garden City Terminals now accommodating larger cranes and vessels. In addition, the fleet of ship-to-shore cranes is expanding and the Mason Mega Rail Terminal, the nation’s largest on-port rail facility, is more than 50% complete.

Nov. 20, 2019 Valdosta Daily Times

Lawmakers weigh legalizing gambling

Chris Herbert reports that Caesar’s could add a palace in Valdosta soon. Venturing down from Atlanta, state lawmakers from the House Special Committee on Economic Growth held a public meeting on gambling Tuesday at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.

Nov. 20, 2019 New York Times – Opinion

The Democrats Are in Georgia. The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher.

Joseph Crespino writes, tonight’s presidential primary debate, Georgia Democrats are breathing a sigh of relief. Finally, they are saying, the national party is recognizing that demographics really are destiny, that Georgia can and should be a central part of any plan to win back the White House and the Senate.

Nov. 20, 2019 Georgia Recorder

16 Ga. Superfund sites threatened by climate change — watchdog agency

Robin Bravender reports thats ixteen of the most contaminated sites in Georgia are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, according to a new report from a government watchdog agency. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent agency that works for the U.S. Congress, assessed how impacts of climate change — including flooding, storm surge, wildfires and sea level rise — might increase the risk of some of the most dangerous hazardous waste sites around the country.

Nov. 20, 2019 The Center Square

Prefiled Georgia bill would halt pay for suspended public officials under federal probe

Nyamekye Daniel reports that a Georgia lawmaker has filed two bills that could stop public officials from being paid while they are suspended from office. House Minority Leader Robert “Bob” Trammell pre-filed House Bill 742 and House Bill 874 ahead of the 2020 legislative session that would change current law.

Nov. 20, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Collins ‘strongly’ considers a Senate bid if Kemp doesn’t tap him

Greg Bluestein reports that U.S. Rep. Doug Collins said Wednesday he is “strongly” considering a run for the U.S. Senate if he isn’t appointed to the job by Gov. Brian Kemp, raising the possibility of a bitter Republican clash over next year’s nationally-watched race for the job. The Gainesville Republican was considered a top contender to fill U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat, and he quickly submitted his resume to Kemp after he opened a call for online applications.