Georgia Trend Daily – May 15, 2020
May 15, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Hundreds meet online about mining near Okefenokee
Mary Landers reports that several hundred people attended a virtual public meeting held on Wednesday, May 13, by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to inform the public about a proposed plan to mine for heavy metals near the Okefenokee Swamp. At issue was Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals’ plan to mine 898 acres of land for titanium and zircon less than three miles from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
May 15, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economy: Will We Recover?
Jeffrey Humphreys writes, COVID-19 unexpectedly ended the nation’s record-long economic expansion, triggering sharp declines in economic activity and employment. Full recovery from the COVID-19 recession will not come quickly, but we will get through this.
May 15, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s car economy, stalled by coronavirus, tries to shift gears
Tamar Hallerman reports that before the coronavirus, Atlanta daily life — and much of the city’s economy — revolved around cars. Residents shelled out $8,167 a year on their vehicles, according to the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
May 15, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Economists eye May jobless numbers after state business restrictions ease
Ross Williams reports that Thursdays since mid-March brought grim tidings of job losses, as the state Department of Labor announced more than 1.3 million Georgians lost jobs and income as businesses shut down to contain the spread of COVID-19. Last Thursday, the department reported nearly 227,000 filed initial unemployment claims the last week of April.
May 15, 2020 Cartersville Daily Tribune News
Trinity Industries to lay off 138 workers
James Swift reports that the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced midweek that Dallas, Texas-based Trinity Industries, Inc. will lay off 138 employees at the company’s railcar manufacturing facility in Cartersville. The announcement comes one week after another major Bartow manufacturer, Vista Metals Corp., announced the layoffs of 120 employees at its facilitites in Adairsville.
May 15, 2020 Georgia.org
SK innovation Donates $400,000 to Augusta University’s Free COVID-19 Screening Application
Staff reports, in recent addresses to Georgians regarding COVID-19, Governor Brian P. Kemp has applauded the launch of Augusta University’s COVID-19 telemedicine app and highlighted the value of public-private partnerships. On Thursday, Augusta University received a $400,000 donation from SK innovation to support Augusta University and Augusta University Health’s response and associated expenses pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 15, 2020 Georgia Health News
How Supreme Court ‘risk’ ruling will benefit insurers in Georgia
Andy Miller reports that Humana went full-throttle when the health insurance exchange debuted in Georgia six years ago. The federal Affordable Care Act created exchanges in the states to help people without job-related or government coverage buy reasonably priced insurance. And Humana’s lower prices for policies attracted many Georgia exchange customers.
May 15, 2020 Albany Herald
Kemp gives Atlanta Motor Speedway clearance for NASCAR races in June
Staff reports, as part of NASCAR’s revised 2020 schedule, the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 — originally scheduled for March 15 but delayed by COVID-19 — will take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, June 7. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the 3 p.m. race will take place without spectators in attendance as part of NASCAR’s effort to bring live competition back to a worldwide broadcast audience on FOX and PRN.
May 15, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Transformational changes ahead for LaGrange
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that collaboration with local businesses and other partners has helped LaGrange develop a community revitalization strategy that aims to improve housing and workforce training. The city’s comprehensive plan identifies weaknesses in the community, including poverty and lack of jobs, and provides much-needed remedies.
May 15, 2020 Brunswick News
Sea turtle nesting begins on Jekyll, St. Simons islands
Lauren McDonald reports that visitors have begun to return to the Golden Isles, but among the most anticipated returning visitors are the loggerhead sea turtles. Jekyll and St. Simons islands recently reported their first loggerhead nests of the season, which commences annually in May. As of Thursday, Jekyll reports 10 nests and St. Simons one nest.
May 15, 2020 WABE 90.1
Georgia Groups Create ‘Voter Empowerment Task Force’ In Lead-Up To June Primaries
Emil Moffat reports that voting-rights groups in Georgia are setting up what they’re calling the voter empowerment task force in response to the absentee ballot fraud task force established by the state last month. The empowerment task force is setting up a text hotline for voters to report any instances of what it deems “intimidation.”
May 15, 2020 GPB
Judge Denies Request To Postpone Georgia’s June 9 Primary
Stephen Fowler reports that a federal judge has denied a request to postpone Georgia’s June 9 primary election, dismissing the case hours after a Thursday hearing. State officials have already delayed the election date twice because of the coronavirus.
May 15, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia House Democrats to push for Medicaid expansion in wake of COVID-19
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Democratic lawmakers in Georgia plan to push for Medicaid expansion when the General Assembly reconvenes next month. Given the health implications of the COVID-19 outbreak, members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus said affordable health care coverage is high on their priority list.
May 15, 2020 Capitol Beat News
Furloughs, layoffs not yet clear for Georgia schools amid budget cuts
Beau Evans reports that Georgia education officials got their first look Thursday at budget cuts ahead for public schools and programs amid coronavirus but did not dive into specifics on whether staff furloughs or layoffs may be needed.
May 15, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Loeffler supplies documents to DOJ, SEC, Ethics regarding stock sales
Tia Mitchell reports that Georgia U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has supplied records about stock trading on her behalf to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Senate Ethics Committee, her office announced.
