Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 15, 2023
Dec. 15, 2023 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces USDOT Grant Award for Railroad Crossing Improvements in Millen, GA
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has been awarded a $12 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to help address railroad crossing blockages in Millen, Georgia. GDOT will provide an additional $3 million in matching funds for this effort.
Dec. 15, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Prison Should Include Rehabilitation
Tharon Johnson writes, the challenging state of Georgia’s correctional facilities is no secret; there are a number of cases of inmates escaping with relative ease, while countless others suffer from serious health conditions and violence. Prison isn’t supposed to just be a punishment; it’s supposed to be an opportunity to rehabilitate individuals so they can have a second chance after their sentence is served.
Dec. 15, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hartsfield-Jackson’s Concourse D widening shifts to next phase
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that the complicated construction project to widen the narrowest concourse at the world’s busiest airport reached a new high point — literally — as crews on Thursday hoisted a new beam to “top out” one portion of the multi-year expansion. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is enlarging Concourse D using an unusual pre-fab construction approach that allows construction while the airport continues 24/7 operations.
Dec. 15, 2023 Fox 5 Atlanta
USPS shows off high-tech upgrades, revolutionizing holiday deliveries
Tyler Fingert reports, to keep up with the changing times, the USPS is in the midst of upgrading facilities across the country with high-tech equipment. The facility in Athens was the first of its kind in the country.
Dec. 15, 2023 Saporta Report
The Gathering Spot reverts to original owners, operators
Maria Saporta reports that the founders are back in charge. Ryan Wilson and TK Peterson – co-founders of “The Gathering Spot” – announced Thursday the company is once again independent because they have reacquired majority ownership.
Dec. 15, 2023 Cherokee Tribune
LaunchPad Bootcamp Series for Cherokee County Entrepreneurs Coming in January
Staff reports that the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, in collaboration with Hatchbridge Incubator, is set to roll out the LaunchPad Bootcamp Series, beginning in January 2024. This series is designed to help Cherokee County startups “realize their entrepreneurial New Year’s resolutions,” according to COED.
Dec. 15, 2023 The Brunswick News
Housing authority makes headway on Section 8 vouchers for Hand in Hand
Taylor Cooper reports that the Brunswick Housing Authority Commission says it should be able to award the 60 Section 8 housing vouchers requested by Hand in Hand of Glynn County for a tiny home village for the homeless, but it’s not as cut and dry as simply handing them over. Natasha Douglas, Section 8 manager, said she’s still waiting on a response from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department as to how many vouchers the authority can award to Hand-in-Hand.
Dec. 15, 2023 CNHI News
DEA warns against Georgia pharmacies selling medical cannabis
Asia Ashley reports that access to medical cannabis in Georgia is hitting roadblocks as plans for pharmacies to dispense the medication appear to be halted. A Nov. 27 letter from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to Georgia pharmacies indicated that their selling of medical cannabis products violates federal law.
Dec. 15, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Deadline day arrives for Georgians to secure health insurance through Affordable Care Act that starts in January
Jill Nolin reports, Friday is the last day to sign up for health insurance through the federal marketplace to kick off the new year with coverage. To sign up for coverage starting Feb. 1, the deadline to enroll is Jan. 16. And for now, the federal website healthcare.gov is still the place for Georgians to go to enroll in a plan.
Dec. 15, 2023 Newnan Times-Herald
Ferguson not seeking re-election in 2024
Clay Neely reports that Third District Congressman Drew Ferguson said he will not seek reelection in 2024. In a statement released Thursday, Ferguson said he will be retiring from the House of Representatives upon the conclusion of the 118th Congress.
Dec. 15, 2023 State Affairs
Georgia’s burdensome licensing proves daunting for professionals seeking to practice. Here’s what senators want to do about it.
Jill Jordan Sieder reports, Farangais Saidi is an obstetrician and gynecologist whose medical career has been derailed twice. First, by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Then by Georgia law.
Dec. 15, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Ossoff: Child welfare agencies need tools to protect foster kids
Dave Williams reports that U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., vowed Thursday to help two federal agencies responsible for child welfare to develop the tools needed to protect foster children from abuse and neglect. The Senate’s Human Rights Subcommittee, which Ossoff chairs, launched an investigation last February to assess the safety of children in foster care.
Dec. 15, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lawmakers have until January to draw new Cobb school board map, judge says
Cassidy Alexander reports that a federal judge ordered Thursday that the upcoming Cobb school board election take place under a new map, as part of an ongoing lawsuit over the redrawn boundaries in the state’s second-largest school system. It’s a win for the voting rights groups, led by the Southern Poverty Law Center, that sued the Cobb County Board of Elections in 2022 over new maps for the seven Cobb school board voting districts.
