Georgia Trend Daily – June 29, 2023
June 29, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Freeze damage to Georgia peaches prompts disaster declaration
Dave Williams reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 18 Georgia counties natural disaster areas due to damage to the state’s peach crop and other commodities caused by March freezes. The declaration will allow the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to Georgia farmers.
June 29, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ramping Up the Fight
Kenna Simmons reports that Timothy Ratliff had no idea he had lung cancer, and neither did the doctor who did his hernia surgery in 2017. A complication after surgery – a blood clot in his leg – led the retired Navy veteran to the emergency room, where the ER physician ordered an X-ray to make sure the clot hadn’t traveled to his lung, which could be life-threatening.
June 29, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Deadline looms: Teamsters demand UPS’s ‘final offer’ in contract talks
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union is ratcheting up pressure on Sandy Springs-based UPS in labor contract negotiations, with threats of a strike Aug. 1 if the two sides don’t reach agreement. The Teamsters said their negotiators walked away from the bargaining table Wednesday and are demanding a last, best and final offer from the shipping giant by this Friday.
June 29, 2023 Macon Telegraph
South Korean factory should bring 80 jobs to Macon. Here’s where, when it will open
Micah Johnston reports that a South Korean automotive supply company announced Wednesday it would open a facility in Macon, according to a press release from the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority. The company, Boogook Industries, will redevelop the old Brown and Williamson cigarette plant on Weaver Road near the Middle Georgia Regional Airport in the industrial area of south Bibb, the press release said.
June 29, 2023 Albany Herald
City of Colquitt among seven projects to receive infrastructure funding
Staff reports that Gov. Brian Kemp and the State Road and Tollway Authority (SRTA) Board of Directors announced the approval of $17.3 million in Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank loans and grants that will help fund seven transportation infrastructure projects across the state, including one in the city of Colquitt, some 40 miles south of Albany in southwest Georgia.
June 29, 2023 The Center Square
Georgia falls in ranking of states’ transportation electrification progress
T.A. DeFeo reports that Georgia ranked 32nd for its progress on transportation electrification. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2023 State Transportation Electrification Scorecard assesses states’ policies to promote electric vehicle adoption.
June 29, 2023 The Brunswick News
Pinova plant to close permanently
Staff reports that officials with Pinova in Brunswick announced this morning that the plant will permanently close in the wake of the massive fire that burned for hours there on April 15. More than 200 employees will be impacted.
June 29, 2023 Georgia Dept. of Ed.
GaDOE announces Cultivating Teachers Grant awardees
Georgia Department of Education is awarding $350,000 to provide financial support to 38 school districts with Teaching as a Profession Pathway courses, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced this week. At its June meeting, the State Board of Education approved Superintendent Woods’ recommendation to award the funds, which are designed to support professional learning for teachers of Teaching as a Profession Pathway courses and recruitment of high school students to participate in the Pathway.
June 29, 2023 The Current
After veto, Georgia finds funding to fuel free school meals program
Jabari Gibbs reports that Georgia Governor Brian Kemp raised eyebrows earlier this year when he vetoed a bipartisan measure that would have funded free and reduced-price meals to all undergraduate students in the state. Earlier this month, however, the state school board filled that void by approving $6.3 million in federal funds to revive the initiative.
June 29, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Georgia GOP congressman swims against environmental tide opposing right whale protection proposal
Stanley Dunlap reports that commercial and recreational boating and shipping interests are rallying behind a Georgia congressman’s campaign against a federal agency’s plans to clamp down on how fast thousands of sea vessels can travel along an Atlantic coast that is home to where critically endangered right whales are struggling to survive.
June 29, 2023 Marietta Daily Journal, The Brunswick News
Mining opponents question Twin Pines’ experience
Gordon Jackson reports that lawyer leading the opposition of a proposed mine near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is questioning the qualifications of Twin Pines Minerals to safely mine near the world-famous blackwater swamp and claims campaign contributions to the state’s top elected leadership is why the operation is even still an issue.
June 29, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trump tries to rewrite history on Kemp’s coronavirus record
Greg Bluestein reports that Donald Trump has decided to forget his sharp words and instead heap praise on his onetime political nemesis, Gov. Kemp. At a campaign event this week, Trump said Georgia “was closed a little bit, for a short time, they did a very good job.” That brought howls from the people who know Kemp best.
