Georgia Trend Daily – May 17, 2023
May 17, 2023 Capitol Beat News
PSC approves Georgia Power fuel costs recovery rate increase
Dave Williams reports that the state Public Service Commission (PSC) Tuesday unanimously approved a fuel costs recovery plan submitted by Georgia Power that will increase the average residential customer’s bill by $15.90 per month. The rate hike, which takes effect next month, was the product of an agreement between the Atlanta-based utility and the PSC’s Public Interest Advocacy staff that will let Georgia Power recover 100% of $2.1 billion in higher fuel costs it has incurred during the last two years from its customers.
May 17, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Organizations: Judith Alexander Foundation
Candice Dyer reports, in 1978, she opened the Alexander Gallery, the first Atlanta gallery to display Southern folk art, which introduced the world to an array of vibrant, previously undiscovered artists. Her representation of these creatives famously went above and beyond the usual responsibilities.
May 17, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot hits a rough patch to start year; sales disappoint
Michael E. Kanell reports, after three years of sometimes spectacular growth, Home Depot’s business developed something of a leaky roof in the past three months, plagued by bad weather, erratic lumber prices and suddenly cautious consumers. The Vinings-based home improvement giant on Tuesday reported revenues of $37.3 billion for its first quarter, down 4.2% from the same three months a year ago, while net earnings were $3.9 billion, down about 7%.
May 17, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Georgia university system holds line on tuition as chancellor warns of economic headwinds
Ross Williams reports that Georgia college students will pay about the same tuition and fees this fall, but University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue warned that a state budget cut could put college presidents in a tough position. The Georgia Board of Regents voted Tuesday on a plan to keep tuition flat at all but one of the system’s 26 universities – Middle Georgia State University.
May 17, 2023 Rome News-Tribune
Two developments with 2,000 residences, industrial space together valued at $850 million target Adairsville
John Druckenmiller reports that two projects could bring more than 2,000 homes, additional industrial space and a combined impact of $850 million to the booming North Bartow/South Gordon area near I-75. The plan is valued at nearly $490 million and is projected to generate taxes of $6.62 million each year.
May 17, 2023 The Brunswick News
Port projects adding facilities to Mayor’s Point, Colonel’s Island
Michael Hall reports that the face of Mayor’s Point Terminal in downtown Brunswick is getting a lift, literally. A 50,000-square-foot warehouse is quickly going vertical at the Georgia Ports Authority terminal on Bay Street in downtown Brunswick as part of multiple projects the authority has underway at Brunswick’s port locations. Other larger projects at Colonel’s Island Terminal are also adding new warehousing space and improving infrastructure for roll-on, roll-off, or ro-ro, cargo.
May 17, 2023 The Center Square
Lost Georgia learning related to COVID shutdowns could lead to reduced earnings
T.A. DeFeo reports that Georgia students lost months of learning over the past few years, and the loss could manifest itself in billions of dollars in reduced wages. While the results vary per district, between 2019 and 2022, Georgia lost more than four months of math learning, the equivalent of nearly half a grade level.
May 17, 2023 Marietta Daily Journal
Georgia churches have right to vote on leaving Methodists, Cobb judge rules
Hunter Riggall reports that a Cobb County judge ruled Tuesday that the United Methodist Church must allow 185 Georgia churches to vote on leaving the denomination. “My ruling, to a limited extent, is that they do in fact have a right to call for a vote,” said Cobb Superior Court Senior Judge Stephen Schuster.
May 17, 2023 Rough Draft Atlanta
Dunwoody, Doraville police partner to fund behavioral health clinician
Cathy Cobbs reports that Dunwoody and Doraville’s police departments are partnering on a new co-responder program that provides officers with much-needed expertise and support when responding to calls involving a mental health crisis. In a joint statement, Dunwoody and Doraville announced that they have signed a contract with the DeKalb Community Service Board to share the services of a licensed behavioral health clinician.
May 17, 2023 WABE
Under new state law, GOP ousts Black Democrat from Ware County Election Board
Sam Gringlas reports that a Black woman appointed by Democrats to the Ware County Board of Elections in South Georgia has been removed from her seat under a new state law backed by Republicans. Her replacement is a conservative known locally for defending a Confederate memorial in downtown Waycross.
May 17, 2023 Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI News
GOP governors seek withdrawal of Title IX transgender sports proposal
Asia Ashley reports that Republican governors across the Deep South are among 25 governors who signed on to a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona to withdraw a proposed Title IX update while state lawsuits are pending. Ga. Gov. Brian Kemp, Ala. Gov. Kay Ivey, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Miss. Gov. Tate Reeves have signed laws restricting students from participating on sports teams that align with their gender identity, which the proposed Title IX update would challenge.
May 17, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Trump dominates Georgia presidential poll, Kemp trails far behind
Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell report, here’s some news former President Donald Trump will love. A new Georgia poll shows he is the favorite in Georgia’s GOP presidential primary, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis close behind.
