Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 21, 2020
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgia.org
Mannington Mills to Expand, Create 268 Jobs in Gordon Co.
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Thursday a $22 million expansion by flooring manufacturer Mannington Mills, Inc. in Gordon County due to increased customer demand for domestically produced luxury vinyl flooring. Mannington Mills purchased a 10.5-acre site in Calhoun that will expand upon the company’s manufacturing presence in the state and create 268 jobs.
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Coastal tourism in the spotlight
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that Georgia has recently been on the minds of the deal experts at Travelzoo, an internet company that publishes discount offers from more than 2,000 travel, entertainment and hospitality businesses. In partnership with Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Travelzoo emailed a blog about some of Georgia’s highlights to millions of its members worldwide.
Feb. 21, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Aaron’s agrees to $175 million federal settlement tied to consumers
Matt Kempner reports that Aaron’s, the rent-to-own chain based in Cobb County, announced a $175 million proposed settlement with the Federal Trade Commission related to the company’s disclosure practices with consumers.
Feb. 21, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Coke says coronavirus will hit sales, profits
Mark Meltzer reports that the Coca-Cola Co. is worried about coronavirus. Coke (NYSE: KO) will tell investment analysts in New York today that it expects an approximate 2- to 3-point impact to unit case volume, 1- to 2-point impact to organic revenue and 1- to 2-penny impact to earnings per share for the first quarter from the virus, which has killed more than 2,000 worldwide so far.
Feb. 21, 2020 WABE 90.1
Bill To Lighten Training Load For Experienced Foster Parents Passes Georgia Senate
Emil Moffat reports that legislation designed to reduce mandatory training hours for experienced foster families has passed the Georgia Senate. Currently, every family is required to undergo 15 hours of training per year if they want to foster a child.
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgia.gov
Former State Trooper, Tift Sheriff Gary Vowell Named Interim Public Safety Commissioner
Staff reports that on Thursday, the Board of Public Safety voted unanimously to approve former Tift County Sheriff Gary Vowell to serve as the interim commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Governor Kemp applauded the board’s decision, citing Vowell’s lifelong career in law enforcement and dedication to integrity and public service.
Feb. 21, 2020 University of Georgia
University of Georgia is marshaling its resources to battle farmer stress
Merritt Melancon reports, much like their counterparts across the nation, farmers in Georgia have experienced increased rates of suicide and stress over the last decade. To help curb these statistics, an interdisciplinary team of researchers and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension faculty have teamed up to help understand the causes of rural stress and to build systems that can help rural communities support community members in crisis.
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Organizations: Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
Candice Dyer reports that the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (FBNG) started modestly, with a few cans of soup in an Athens garage in 1992. Since then, it has amassed inventory that includes flash-frozen fruits and vegetables along with canned food, bread, dairy products, produce and frozen meat. Currently the organization distributes nearly 1 million pounds of food a month through several channels.
Feb. 21, 2020 Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI
Bill would cap car title interest
Riley Bunch reports that Alice Harris was watching television with her two grandkids when a commercial came on for an auto title loan company. At that time in May 2017, she was in the thick of a custody battle and out of money to pay her lawyer.
Feb. 21, 2020 Brunswick News
Coal ash notice, landfill expansion bills receive OK
Wes Wolfe reports that it’s take-two for House Bill 93, which received the unanimous vote of the state House Natural Resources Committee for the second consecutive year Thursday. The legislation, which requires advance notice to a local municipality before dewatering a coal ash pond, was a project of state Rep. Jeff Jones, R-St. Simons Island.
Feb. 21, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Campus access bill stirs debate over rights of controversial speakers
Maggie Lee reports that a Brunswick GOP lawmaker is pushing legislation intended to ensure all campus common areas are open to speakers, even if that speech is unpopular or controversial. Sen. William Ligon said Georgia needs to ensure First Amendment free speech rights are honored on public college campuses.
Feb. 21, 2020 The Center Square
Multiple tax changes could be on the way in Georgia
Nyamekye Daniel reports that members of the Georgia House Ways & Means Committee voted Thursday in favor of five tax changes. The committee pushed forward bills to the House Rules Committee that adjust occupational tax, change how certain tax revenue is distributed, add more sales tax for marketplace facilitators and reduce interest rates for refunds.
Feb. 21, 2020 GPB
Former Federal Prosecutor Ed Tarver Enters US Senate Special Election Race
Stephen Fowler reports that Ed Tarver, the first African American U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia and former state lawmaker, has officially launched his campaign for U.S. Senate for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler. In a campaign video, Tarver touted his work “for all Georgians without regard to racial, religious, or cultural differences” while also targeting disparities and inequalities in the criminal justice system.
Feb. 21, 2020 Capitol Beat News
Georgia House backs measure limiting governments’ protection from citizen lawsuits
Dave Williams reports that the state House of Representatives took another crack Thursday at legislation giving Georgians the legal ability to sue the state and local governments. The House unanimously passed a constitutional amendment targeting the doctrine of sovereign immunity, a centuries-old legal concept that holds the “sovereign” – or government – cannot be sued without its consent.
Feb. 21, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trump considers Collins for intel post, possibly sparing Georgia GOP of Senate fight
Greg Bluestein reports that President Donald Trump said late Thursday he could make U.S. Rep. Doug Collins his permanent director of national intelligence, a move that could spare Republicans of a nasty intraparty fight against U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler. The president told reporters on Air Force One that he is considering appointing the Gainesville Republican, one of his most visible defenders in Congress, for the coveted position.
