Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 26, 2023
Jan. 26, 2023 WABE
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s 2023 State of the State address, annotated
Staff reports, in his first State of the State address as a second-term governor, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp told lawmakers and other public officials gathered in the Georgia House chamber that the state is beginning a “new era” and the upcoming legislative session will be “one of consequence.”
Lonnie Johnson is an engineer and inventor who holds more than 100 patents. At JTEC and parent company Johnson R&D, in Atlanta, he leads the development of advances in clean energy and batteries.
Photo: EricSunPhotography
Jan. 26, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Catching Up With …Lonnie Johnson
Karen Kirkpatrick reports on Lonnie Johnson, an engineer and inventor who holds more than 100 patents. At JTEC and parent company Johnson R&D, in Atlanta, he leads the development of advances in clean energy and batteries.
Jan. 26, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Qcells partners with Microsoft to advance its clean energy goals
Drew Kann reports that Georgia solar panel manufacturer Qcells announced Wednesday that it is joining forces with Microsoft to help the technology and software giant achieve its renewable energy goals. Microsoft has committed to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewables by 2025 and aims to be carbon negative by 2030.
Jan. 26, 2023 Macon Telegraph
This change to Middle Georgia Regional Airport could bring bigger flights, new jobs to Macon
Micah Johnston reports that Middle Georgia Regional Airport will begin expanding its runway this week, providing more space for larger planes and incentivizing commercial flights in Macon. The expansion began Tuesday and is scheduled to last until late 2024 or early 2025.
Jan. 26, 2023 GlobalAtlanta.com
Brazil, a Protein Powerhouse, Helps Agribusiness Firms Look at Georgia, U.S.
Trevor Williams reports that Brazil’s top organizations for the export of meat and machinery flocked to Georgia this week for the annual “poultry show,” making a case for deeper collaboration with its largest competitor in the production of proteins: the U.S. Brazilian firms are deeply embedded in American meat production, largely through acquisitions that have given some of the largest players strong positions in the market.
Jan. 26, 2023 Newnan Times-Herald
Warnock announces $4.6 million for Chalk Level repair
Laura Camper reports that U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock has announced a $4.6 million award for the city of Newnan to help repair the devastation wrought in the Chalk Level community by a tornado on March 26, 2021. Warnock and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff visited Newnan on April 17, 2021, after the tornado to inspect the damage and talk to the residents about what they needed to rebuild.
Jan. 26, 2023 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb commissioner calls board “unconstitutional and illegal” but avoids a second showdown
Chart Riggall reports that the Cobb Board of Commissioners averted another procedural standoff Tuesday night as Republicans JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill agreed to vote on county business. The decision avoided a repeat of the board’s meeting two weeks prior, when Chairwoman Lisa Cupid asked police to escort them from the dais after they attempted to abstain from voting on county business.
Jan. 26, 2023 The Current
Coastal Georgia Republicans, Democrats struggle for souls of their parties
Craig Nelson reports, whether you’re a Republican or Democrat, tensions between insurgents and the old guard are roiling the political establishment in Coastal Georgia. The ferment is swelling as both political parties gear up for county assemblies next month, during which delegates will be chosen to attend state conventions or state committee meetings this summer.
Jan. 26, 2023 11 Alive
Medical marijuana gets approval to distribute to residents in Georgia
Bobeth Yates reports that the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission voted to approve regulations for two companies that received licenses to manufacture and distribute low THC oil on Wednesday. Despite that, there’s still no timeline on when that could begin.
Jan. 26, 2023 Savannah Morning News
Okefenokee Protection Bill seeks second try at preventing mine at swamp
Marisa Mecke reports, back for a second shot, a south Georgia lawmaker this week proposed a new version of the Okefenokee Protection Bill to the state Legislature to preserve the state’s blackwater swamp. State Rep. Darlene Taylor, R-Thomasville presented the bill on Wednesday, a similar bill to one she backed last year aimed at blocking surface mining at the swamp which failed to gain traction.
Jan. 26, 2023 GPB
Unmet needs: Critics cite failures in health care for vulnerable foster children
Andy Miller and Rebecca Grapevine report that one night last month, a 9-year-old boy who had autism and talked about killing himself was among about 70 foster care children and youth under state supervision sleeping in hotels across Georgia. Georgia’s designated health insurer for foster care, Amerigroup Community Care, had denied the boy placement in a psychiatric residential treatment facility, said Audrey Brannen, coordinator of complex care for Georgia’s child welfare agency.
Jan. 26, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Kemp pushes to get tough on crime, add more worker housing in 2023 State of the State speech
Ross Williams and Stanley Dunlap report that the next couple months will see lawmakers hash out raises for state workers, stiffer penalties for some crimes and a new partnership for worker housing if Gov. Brian Kemp gets his way. Kemp laid out his vision for this year’s legislative session and beyond Wednesday in his annual address to Georgians.
Jan. 26, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Casino supporters are upping the ante in Georgia
Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell report, with attention in the General Assembly back on the push to legalize sports betting, advocates for casino gambling are taking new steps to press their case to lawmakers. Pro-casino forces released a poll conducted in November by Glenn Bolger that showed two-thirds of Georgians support legalizing casino gambling, including 60% of Republicans and nearly three-quarters of Democrats.
