Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 23, 2021
Dec. 23, 2021 Saporta Report
Plant Vogtle remains a controversy as Biden, Congress fund nuclear expansion
David Pendered reports, as Congress and the Biden administration support the nuclear power industry with $8.5 billion, the Plant Vogtle construction project remains over budget, behind schedule and the subject of watchdog criticism. On the positive side for Vogtle, the newly funded federal policy to use nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions is an endorsement of nuclear as a component of the national energy portfolio.
Spotlight on red stage curtain
Dec. 23, 2021 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Nominations for Georgia’s 500 Most Influential Leaders
Staff reports that nominations are open now through January 31, 2022 for the premiere edition of Georgia Trend’s Georgia 500. It will publish next Fall and will be an engaging look at Georgia’s most powerful people across major industries and organizations.
Dec. 23, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia tries to become leader in an industry that’s no sure thing
Andy Peters reports that Georgia officials want the state to be a leader in manufacturing electric vehicles, which could very well be the next big thing. When it comes to seeing EVs on the state’s highways and backroads, though, Georgia’s got a long way to go.
Dec. 23, 2021 Augusta Chronicle
Business complex planned outside Fort Gordon’s Gate Six
Joe Hotchkiss reports that the first major building project outside Fort Gordon’s new Gate Six is in the planning stages. The office/commercial complex tentatively dubbed Gate 6 Center covers more than 41 acres, the equivalent of about 31 football fields.
Dec. 23, 2021 Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State earns grant for program that helps close pandemic-related learning gaps
Dave Shelles reports that two ongoing Kennesaw State University programs that focus on children joined forces and received a grant from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) via an initiative from the Georgia Department of Education. The $332,449 grant for 2021-2022 is eligible for renewal for two additional years.
Dec. 23, 2021 All On Georgia
Georgia Food Shrimp Season Closes December 31
Staff reports that Georgia’s 2021 commercial and recreational food shrimp season will close as prescribed by state law at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The closure affects Georgia’s territorial waters. Federally managed waters from three to 200 nautical miles offshore will remain open for shrimping.
Dec. 23, 2021 The Center Square
Report: Medicaid, health grants accounted for most of Georgia’s federal funding
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Medicaid remained the leading driver of federal grant funding for Georgia in fiscal year 2020 despite the COVID-19 relief the state received, a new report shows. The Pew Charitable Trusts report released this week found Medicaid and other health grants increased while other federal grants declined, even with the injection of COVID-19 aid.
Dec. 23, 2021 State Affairs
Georgia’s Aging Bridge Problem
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon reports that nearly half of Georgia’s state and locally managed bridges are near or past their estimated lifespan. And taxes aren’t going up to pay for it.
Dec. 23, 2021 Capitol Beat News
Judge dismisses indictment of Trey Kelley in fatal hit-and-run crash
Dave Williams reports that a judge has dismissed an indictment charging Georgia Rep. Trey Kelley, R-Cedartown, in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in 2019. Kelley was charged with reckless conduct, a misdemeanor, for failing to call law enforcement immediately after Ryan Dover, the driver charged in the accident, contacted Kelley to inform him of the crash.
Dec. 23, 2021 Augusta Chronicle
What does Manchin’s decision on Build Back Better Act mean for Georgia residents?
Abraham Kenmore reports, with the Democrats’ signature social and environmental policy bill, Build Back Better Act, on pause, a number of social and environmental projects in Georgia hang in the balance. The passage or failure of the bill will impact Medicaid expansion, funding for coastal rehabilitation, the child tax credit, solar manufacturing incentives, housing and more.
Dec. 23, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two Georgia Republican Senate hopefuls won’t disclose vaccination status
Greg Bluestein reports that the Republican front-runner in the race for the U.S. Senate in Georgia and one of his GOP rivals declined to say whether they had received the coronavirus vaccine, as the spread of the omicron variant sharpened scrutiny of the nation’s ongoing struggles to contain COVID-19. Former football star Herschel Walker wouldn’t say whether he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus, though he credited the vaccines for helping “turn a corner in this pandemic.”
