Georgia Trend Daily – June 6, 2022
June 6, 2022 Savannah Morning News
Army Corps blocks mine near Okefenokee, cites failure to consult Muscogee Creek Nation
Marisa Mecke reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Friday it has reversed its decision to allow mining near the Okefenokee. The decision came after a request from Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff to restore federal protections of the wetlands in the country’s largest blackwater swamp due to its cultural and historical importance to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
June 6, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
HEART help for rural hospitals
Kenna Simmons reports that for rural communities in Georgia, a hospital is literally a lifeline. But in the last 10 years, eight rural hospitals have closed, meaning residents have to drive further to access healthcare or to have routine screenings
June 6, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rivian opponents contend Morgan County board erred in recent vote
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that plans for a $5 billion Rivian electric vehicle factory east of Atlanta are barreling forward after an incentive agreement cleared two key county votes, but an opposition group has raised concerns about the way one board approved it. A lawyer for Morgan County Land, Sky & Water Preservation has sent a series of letters to the county’s Board of Assessors attacking the legality of the Rivian deal and the board’s action.
June 6, 2022 Augusta Chronicle, Athens Banner-Herald
70 Methodist churches choose to disaffiliate from North Georgia Conference
D.J. Simmons reports that dozens of churches this week chose to disaffiliate themselves from the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. During an annual conference held this week in Athens, 70 churches’ wishes to abandon its affiliations with the North Georgia Conference were granted, noted the conference’s website.
June 6, 2022 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Appoints New Chair of State Elections Board
Staff reports, on Friday, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that William S. Duffey, Jr. has been appointed as the new Chair of the State Elections Board. “Judge Duffey has been involved in complex litigation for decades, both as a lawyer and a judge,” said Governor Kemp.
June 6, 2022 The Center Square
ACLU says Georgia’s new voting law is a burden for local governments, state officials disagree
T.A. DeFeo reports that the delayed certification of DeKalb County’s May 24 election is proof that Georgia’s new voting law is burdening local officials, the ACLU of Georgia says. However, state officials disagree with the organization, saying the state’s new election law has no bearing on local elections issues.
June 6, 2022 Georgia Recorder
Georgia’s high-dollar election campaigns now waged in your social media feeds
Ross Williams reports that over 7,000 groups ranging from political parties to environmentalists and anti-union coalitions spent money to beam Facebook ads to Georgians’ screens last month during the buildup to the May 24 primary election. Counting only the ads that cost at least $100, Facebook took in more than $3.8 million last month from candidates and political committees who want their message in front of Georgia eyeballs.
June 6, 2022 Clayton Crescent
GA legislators call for special session on gun reform
Robin Kemp reports that several Democratic members of the Georgia Assembly held a press conference at the Gold Dome Friday morning to call for a special session on reforming the state’s gun laws. Reps. Sandra Scott (D-76), Rebecca Mitchell (D-106), Debra Bazemore, House Democratic Caucus Chair Billy Mitchell (D-88), Karen Lupton (D-83) and Park Cannon (D-58), along with Sens. Gail Davenport (D-44) and Valencia Seay (D-34), urged their Republican colleagues to enter into serious discussions about the recent rash of mass shootings.
June 6, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Herschel Walker didn’t direct gas giveaway, Super PAC says
Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell report that over the weekend, we brought you the story about how a pro-Herschel Walker outside group’s $25 gas card giveaway sparked legal questions and fueled outrage among the Republican’s critics. A spokesman for 34N22 said that, despite what Stanton-King said, Walker did not direct or help plan the event.
