Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 7, 2023
Aug. 7, 2023 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces New Georgia Public Broadcasting CEO
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Friday announced that the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission voted unanimously this morning to appoint Bert Wesley Huffman as Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), effective August 7. Bert Wesley Huffman has worked at GPB since 2014 when he became the organization’s first Vice President for Development and Marketing.
Significant Impact: EJane Carraway, director of Life Sciences, Georgia Department of Economic Development: photo Kevin Garrett.
Aug. 7, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Life-Changing Success
Kathy Roberts reports that Georgia’s life sciences industry is growing at an unprecedented rate – outpacing an already rapidly growing industry nationally – delivering a $50.2 billion total economic impact to the state in 2021 with a total value-added impact of $26.7 billion to Georgia’s Gross State Product, representing 3.9% of the state’s total GSP.
Aug. 7, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Making the rounds: New startup brings sustainable delivery to Atlanta
Evan Lasseter reports that there is a new start-up sprawling across Atlanta known for “making the rounds.” The Rounds is a subscription-based delivery service bringing home essentials and non-perishable foods right to residents’ doorsteps, all while cutting typical package waste with reusable containers.
Aug. 7, 2023 The Current
Savannah requests $23M grant in response to rising car crash deaths, injuries
Jake Shore reports that fatal and serious injury car crashes in Savannah slightly rose last year after hitting a record high in 2021, new traffic data shows. Savannah city officials hope to combat these crash statistics and eventually eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2027 with its Vision Zero initiative.
Aug. 7, 2023 Athens Banner-Herald
‘We want to go where people want us’: Georgia Hi-Lo Trail would link Athens to Savannah
Wayne Ford reports that the emerging Firefly Trail from Athens to Union Point covers 39 miles, but a remarkable effort is underway to establish a 211-mile trail that could one day link with the Firefly. At least that is the hope and vision of Mary Charles Howard, a former resident of Athens who today has moved back to her hometown of Sandersville.
Aug. 7, 2023 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Feds reject Alabama’s plan to dispose of toxic waste from coal-fired power plants
Kala Hunter reports that on Thursday, the EPA proposed denying a coal ash waste management permit submitted by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). This is the first time the EPA has rejected a plan from ADEM, specifically, a move that could have implications for to state agencies that manage coal ash in Georgia.
Aug. 7, 2023 Gwinnett Daily Post
Ossoff: Chattahoochee River will benefit from Army Corps of Engineers involvement in projects throughout Georgia
Curt Yeomans reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is gaining new authority to work on projects along the entire length of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath and Sen. Jon Ossoff highlighted the rollout of the Chattahoochee River Act this week.
Aug. 7, 2023 The Center Square
Policy group calls for ‘restructuring of Georgia’s broken systems’
T.A. DeFeo reports that the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute wants “a restructuring of Georgia’s broken systems,” which will “stabilize and strengthen our state and communities.” GBPI officials said Georgia’s revenue estimates for the last three years were below what the state collected. In Georgia, the governor sets a revenue estimate, capping how much the General Assembly can appropriate, Danny Kanso, GBPI’s director of legislative strategy and senior fiscal analyst, said during a virtual town hall.
Aug. 7, 2023 CNHI News
Georgia prepares to repeal or reform certificate of need laws for health care
Asia Ashley reports, as meetings to assess certificate of needs for health care facilities in Georgia come to an end, committees are preparing to make recommendations to lawmakers ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Hospitals and health care facilities in rural areas appear to be the central talking point among officials discussing the impact of CON laws, which were originally signed into federal law in the mid-1970s as a way to assess the availability and duplication of health care services within a certain radius.
Aug. 7, 2023 GPB
Taxpayer dollars at work: What your U.S. senators from Georgia are doing the week ending Aug. 4
Ambria Burton reports, Sen. Raphael Warnock has worked on getting legislation passed in Congress focused on a few topics, including protecting democracy with voting rights, creating an affordable insulin cap, and strengthening the aviation industry in Georgia.
Aug. 7, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Timing of possible Trump indictment by Fulton DA still uncertain
Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell report that security is tightening at the Fulton County Courthouse. Many staffers are working from home, and District Attorney Fani Willis said she’s “ready” to move forward with her decision regarding election interference charges against former President Donald Trump and his allies.
