Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 18, 2023
Aug. 18, 2023 The Center Square
Georgia unemployment remains below national average as initial claims rise
T.A. DeFeo reports that Georgia’s July unemployment rate was 3.2%, unchanged from June’s revised rate, even as more Georgians filed initial unemployment claims. The state’s unemployment rate is also lower than the national unemployment rate of 3.5%.
Aug. 18, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Chief, Senator Ossoff and others Honored at Georgia River Network Gala
Susana Hills reports, the Okefenokee Swamp is an unlikely crown jewel of Georgia. Its 440,000 acre expanse remains completely undeveloped since its formation, fostering a flourishing habitat of native and even some endangered species.
Aug. 18, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia economy taps the brakes, but still rolling forward
Michael E. Kanell reports that the pace of hiring eased in July, but Georgia’s economy continued to grow with job openings abundant, unemployment low and the share of the population drawing paychecks increasing. The state added about 2,600 jobs in July. That’s the weakest growth since October, a sign that rising interest rates are a headwind.
Aug. 18, 2023 GPB
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter celebrates 96th birthday with public screening of ‘Unconditional’
Ellen Eldridge reports that August 18 marks the 96th birthday of former first lady Rosalynn Carter. In honor of the birthday celebration, the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, founded 35 years ago, will host a film screening in the Carters’ hometown of Plains, Ga. Friday evening.
Aug. 18, 2023 GlobalAtlanta.com
Montreal Hosts 120 Atlanta Civic Leaders for Networking Trip Focused on Transit, Climate and Other Issues
Trevor Williams reports that some 120 metro Atlanta leaders, including City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, are spending this week in Montreal on a trip designed to learn best practices from a city in the midst of a major transit expansion.
Aug. 18, 2023 Gainesville Times
Gov. Kemp, others celebrate the start of work on Kubota’s latest Hall County plant
Jeff Gill reports that Gov. Brian Kemp joined a slew of dignitaries, company officials and community leaders Thursday, Aug. 17, to celebrate starting construction of Kubota Manufacturing of America Corp.’s latest Hall County plant.
Aug. 18, 2023 Rough Draft – Atlanta
Sandy Springs gets $750,000 grant for PATH 400 Trail extension
Bob Pepalis reports that Sandy Springs asked for $12.3 million in federal funds for the PATH 400 Trail Extension project, but Congress approved $750,000 in Community Project Funding. The Sandy Springs City Council approved an agreement with U.S. Housing and Urban Development for the grant funding during its Aug. 15 meeting.
Aug. 18, 2023 Rome News-Tribune
State again says Gordon tax digest too low, county to appeal audit findings
Blake Silvers reports, for the second straight year, a state audit on the most recent Gordon County tax digest claims local taxpayers weren’t charged enough. Just like last year, however, county officials plan to challenge the state’s opinion on the matter in favor of local property owners.
Aug. 18, 2023 State Affairs
Georgia sees surge in school superintendent exodus through retirement and other departures
Tammy Joyner reports that an unprecedented 51 school superintendents have left their jobs during the last 20 months, according to the Georgia School Superintendents Association. “That’s the most we’ve seen regardless of reason over the last 10 years,” Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) Executive Director John Zauner told State Affairs.
Aug. 18, 2023 Marietta Daily Journal
‘Time for a refresh’: Marietta’s tourism director looks to increase visitors
Hunter Riggall reports that in Cobb County, travel and tourism has a $2.2 billion economic impact, bringing in $135.9 million in state and local taxes and supporting 23,830 jobs, a local tourism official said Thursday. Brittney Gray, executive director of Visit Marietta, outlined what she’s been working on to increase visitors to the city since taking over a year ago in a talk to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
Aug. 18, 2023 Georgia Recorder
September statewide bus tour set to draw attention to resources that support Georgians struggling with addiction
Aaleah McConnell reports that at a press conference this week, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities announced they are partnering with the Georgia Council for Recovery and the Clinton Foundation for a 48-stop bus tour aiming to raise awareness for the over 800,000 Georgians living in long-term recovery.
Aug. 18, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Trump’s surrender at Fulton jail could upstage GOP debate
Adam Van Brimmer, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell report, imagine the possible scene on Wednesday in Milwaukee, as Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential race rivals prepare for the first GOP debate, and the former president distracts attention from it all by choosing that moment to turn himself in at the Fulton County Jail. Trump’s allies in Georgia say there’s a distinct possibility he could pull off the jailhouse counterprogramming come Aug. 23.
