Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 15, 2023
Sept. 15, 2023 The Center Square
Nearly four in 10 Georgians out of the workforce
T.A. DeFeo reports, while state officials continue to tout the state’s low unemployment, numbers show nearly 39% percent of Georgia’s working-age population isn’t participating in the workforce. On Thursday, state officials said Georgia’s August unemployment rate was 3.3%, a slight increase from July’s revised 3.2% rate.
Sept. 15, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ups, Downs and In-Betweens
Susan Percy reports that Chris Hosey, a 35-year veteran of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and most recently its assistant director, is the new director, appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp. He began his new job on Aug. 1. Hosey’s predecessor, Mike Register, left his position to return to a former job as Cobb County’s public safety director, after serving less than a year at the GBI.
Sept. 15, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ found in drinking water across Georgia
Meris Lutz and Stephanie Lamm report that a new round of testing has revealed toxic chemicals linked to cancer and impaired immunity, including in children, in the drinking water of nearly a dozen systems across Georgia, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Sept. 15, 2023 Georgia.gov
Department of Public Safety Announces New Leadership
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced that Colonel Chris Wright, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), is retiring following many years of distinguished service in state law enforcement and that the Board of Public Safety unanimously voted to approve Lt. Colonel William “Billy” Hitchens to serve as the next DPS Commissioner and Colonel of the Georgia State Patrol, effective October 1.
Sept. 15, 2023 Saporta Report
City Council member may seek to put training center on the ballot, break referendum stalemate
John Ruch reports that Atlanta City Council member may introduce a resolution to put the public safety training center on the ballot, pending City attorneys’ advice — a move that could cut through a legal stalemate over the “Vote to Stop Cop City” effort.
Sept. 15, 2023 WABE
Workers at Georgia gaming accessories manufacturer looking to join Teamsters union
Marion Hyde reports that the Teamsters Union says it is creating a new unit to bring in workers from a growing Atlanta sector… gaming. A collage of Corsair employees and Teamsters union members gathered outside of the gaming manufacturing facility in Duluth on Wednesday holding signs that said “Union Strong” and “Vote Teamsters Yes.”
Sept. 15, 2023 Rome News-Tribune
Berry College professor selected for State Department’s English language project
Staff reports that the U.S. Department of State has selected Berry College’s Peter Friedrich for a project focusing on English language instructors in Russia. The virtual three-month project provides instructors with techniques and tools for how to teach English to students through music, drama, films and literature, and introduces balanced perspectives on the United States and current events.
Sept. 15, 2023 Clayton News-Daily
Ossoff calls for civil rights investigation into Clayton County Jail
Staff reports that U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, is urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to open a civil rights investigation into the Clayton County Jail, pointing to extensive local reporting alleging serious human rights violations and dangerous conditions inside the facility.
Sept. 15, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Balance of power at stake as judge sets pre-Thanksgiving timeline for Georgia redistricting ruling
Jill Nolin reports that the question of whether Georgia’s GOP-drawn political maps illegally dilute Black voting strength is in the hands of federal Judge Steve Jones, who told both sides they could expect a ruling by Thanksgiving. If Jones sides with the groups and Black voters who have brought the legal challenges, the case could affect the balance of power on the national level and it could shrink the already tightening margins under the Gold Dome.
Sept. 15, 2023 The Brunswick News
State pushes back against need for paper ballots
Gordon Jackson reports that the Glynn County Board of Elections has been asked to use paper ballots in next year’s elections because of concerns about the accuracy of QR codes on Dominion voting machines. Former state Rep. Jeff Jones told board members at their meeting Tuesday that the county’s continued use of the Dominion voting system is “in violation of Georgia law.”
Sept. 15, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Georgia public safety officials paint dire picture of trooper workforce
Dave Williams reports that raises of $11,000 for state law enforcement officers during the last two years still haven’t solved recruitment and retention challenges for a Georgia State Patrol forced into a bidding war. “Agencies are competing over an ever-decreasing pool of candidates,” Lt. Col. William “Billy” Hitchens III, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, told a state House “working group” Thursday.
Sept. 15, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Democrats unite for challenge against McCormick for U.S. House seat
Adam Van Brimmer, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell report that Democrat Jerica Richardson kicked off her U.S. House campaign Thursday amid a swirl of uncertainty, as a pending court case could transform the 6th District into a swing seat — or keep it as the GOP stronghold that Republican lawmakers intended when they redrew Georgia’s legislative maps in 2021.
