Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 29, 2020
Sept. 29, 2020 Athens Banner-Herald
UGA economist says state jobs recovery surprisingly strong
Lee Shearer reports that Georgia’s job numbers are still significantly down from a year ago, but the state has recovered about half the jobs that vanished with the COVID-19 shutdown this spring, according to University of Georgia economic forecaster Jeff Humphreys. “I’m impressed. I did not expect the recovery to be that strong,” said Humphreys, the director of the Simon S. Selig Jr. Center for Economic Growth in UGA’s Terry College of Business.
Sept. 29, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Atlanta airport among top 10 for traveler satisfaction
Mary Ann DeMuth reports, while the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to significantly reduced airport revenues, it apparently has been a boon for customer satisfaction according to the J.D. Power 2020 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Low passenger volumes and relatively empty airports have contributed to shorter queues at security checkpoints, faster baggage retrieval and less crowded food and retail services.
Sept. 29, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia carpet giant and former executives fined by federal regulators
Matt Kempner reports that federal regulators slapped the Atlanta-based carpet giant Interface with a $5 million civil penalty, saying the company reported inflated financial results that misled shareholders. Two former senior executives also were hit with penalties, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday.
Sept. 29, 2020 Augusta Chronicle
Georgia city named best place to live in America by Money
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Evans, a suburban neighborhood near Augusta, was named the best place in America to live recently by Money, mainly for its low cost of living, good schools and employment rate. Longtime resident Suzanne Lilly Honeymichael said the best thing about the city, however, is its social fabric.
Sept. 29, 2020 Capitol Beat News
Georgia Power switching some of its vehicle fleet to electric
Dave Williams reports that Georgia Power Co. is converting portions of its vehicle fleet to run on electricity, the Atlanta-based utility announced Monday. Switching to electric-powered minivans, SUVs, forklifts and all-terrain vehicles is in keeping with a plan by Georgia Power parent Southern Co. to switch 50% of its fleet to electric vehicles by 2030.
Sept. 29, 2020 WABE 90.1
After Visit, Congressional Delegation Calls For Irwin ICE Facility To Be Shut Down
Jim Burress and Lily Oppenheimer report that former Irwin County Detention Center nurse Dawn Wooten blew the whistle this month when she outlined how immigrant women in ICE custody underwent surgeries, including hysterectomies, that they did not fully consent to or understand. Based on those allegations, a caravan of congressional representatives, including Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, went to the Southwest Georgia facility Saturday.
Sept. 29, 2020 Savannah Morning News
What is the Georgia constitutional amendment on sovereign immunity about? What to know before you vote
Susan McCord reports that a Georgia constitutional amendment could make it easier for a citizen to sue the government. House Resolution 1023, sponsored by Andrew Welch, R-McDonough, waives “sovereign immunity” – the idea a government can’t be sued without its permission – but not for monetary claims.
Sept. 29, 2020 Law.com|Daily Report
Federal Judge Grants Narrow Injunction Challenging State’s Electronic Voting System
Robin McDonald reports that U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg on Tuesday directed the state to make sure every precinct in its 159 counties had paper backups for often glitchy electronic poll books used by poll workers to verify voters’ registrations. While the plaintiffs have long sought to compel the state to return to paper ballots, the judge ruled on a separate stand-alone motion for an injunction requiring the state to provide paper backups for electronic poll books used to validate voter registrations.
Sept. 29, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nathan Deal backs Doug Collins bid for Senate in Georgia
Greg Bluestein reports that former Gov. Nathan Deal endorsed Doug Collins’ bid for U.S. Senate, making him the most prominent state Republican to support the four-term congressman’s challenge to U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a nasty fight that has divided the Georgia GOP. The former governor endorsed Collins on Monday at a private fundraiser in Gainesville, the same north Georgia city where both Republicans launched their political careers.
