Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 27, 2023
Dec. 27, 2023 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
What are students learning about climate change in Georgia? And why? It’s complicated
Kala Hunter reports, in 2020, the National Center for Science Education and the Texas Freedom Network Fund vetted all 50 states’ standards to determine whether middle school and high school state science standards address climate change concerning these four key points: it’s real, it’s us, it’s bad, & there’s hope/solutions. Georgia was one of six states that earned an F from the review scorecard.
Dec. 27, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Catching up with…Hope Wollensack
Karen Kirkpatrict reports, the GRO Fund emerged from the Old Fourth Ward Economic Security Task Force and now works across Georgia to develop solutions to address poverty and narrow the racial wealth gap. These are edited highlights from an interview with Executive Director Hope Wollensack.
Dec. 27, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hartsfield-Jackson is hectic post-holiday with lengthy security lines
Cassidy Alexander and Zachary Hansen report, as a former travel nurse who lives a few miles from Hartfield-Jackson International, Cheryl Christopherson thought she had mastered the world’s busiest airport. So, Tuesday morning took her by surprise when she arrived at the Atlanta airport to drop off her 80-year-old mother-in-law for a post-Christmas flight home to New Mexico.
Dec. 27, 2023 Savannah Morning News
These improvements top wish lists for Bryan County officials in 2024
Latrice Williams reports that Rep. Jesse Petrea has a lot on his wish list ahead of the upcoming session. Petrea, who represents a portion of Bryan and Chatham counties, said infrastructure needs are top of mind. According to datausa.io, Bryan County’s population grew by 12% in 2021 and Census estimates show the population nearing 50,000.
Dec. 27, 2023 Macon Telegraph, Center for Collaborative Journalism
These 20 things will make Macon a better place in 2024. Will any of them affect you?
Liz Fabian and Laura Corley report, as the new year approaches, the Macon Newsroom compiled 20 things to look forward to in 2024 in a four-part series that begins today. They include many exciting multiple construction projects to Macon-Bibb County, possible safety improvements on Gray Highway, school closing decisions, a tribute to Sgt. Rodney Davis and expectations of increased tourism with a new national park.
Dec. 27, 2023 The Brunswick News
Hotel revenue strong despite staffing issues, fall occupancy dip
Taylor Cooper reports, local hotels continued to operate at decreased capacity due to staffing shortages in the fall, and that’s not likely to change through the winter, according to the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Hoteliers are continuing to operate at limited capacity, intentionally setting aside unsold rooms to mitigate staffing shortages while maintaining a high level of service for their guests,” CVB President and CEO Scott McQuade said.
Dec. 27, 2023 The Current
On the record: Which entities pay — and don’t pay — Chatham County property taxes
Maggie Lee reports, from a Savannah movie backlot and old downtown mansions to private jet manufacturing facilities and 1,300-plus acres of land for mega-warehouses, there are hundreds of parcels of privately-controlled land in Chatham County whose owners pay reduced property taxes — or none at all. Under state law, real estate owned by cities and counties, public schools, charities and nonprofits are generally exempt from property taxes.
Dec. 27, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Scoutreach
Candice Dyer reports, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) offers opportunities for personal growth, civic activism and leadership development, but it requires expenses that may seem out of reach for children from underserved, low-income communities. Scoutreach, a division of the BSA, works to address those needs and level the playing field.
Dec. 27, 2023 State Affairs
Aging out of foster care: ‘Everybody ain’t ready’
Tammy Joyner reports, at first glance, the pair of red brick, two-story apartment buildings that bookend a small cottage in this quiet, neatly-manicured Decatur neighborhood are unassuming. Unremarkable, even. But they are a pivotal part in helping a group of young people between the ages of 18 and 21 leave Georgia’s foster care system.
Dec. 27, 2023 Rome News Tribune
New Congressional Map Solidifies Northwest Georgia as White Republican Stronghold
Diane Wagner reports that Gordon County is shifted out of Northwest Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, which includes Walker and Catoosa counties, under the new voting map adopted by the state and pending review by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ordered the 2021 map redrawn to add a majority Black district after finding it violated the Voting Rights Act.
Dec. 27, 2023 Georgia Recorder
Georgia lawmakers asked to pour money into criminal justice system to help clear court case backlog
Stanley Dunlap reports, Georgia legislators are eyeing changing an outdated law that hinders local prosecutors and pouring additional resources into a judicial system that attorneys and judges say needs increased investment to clear a backlog of court cases across the state. Georgia prosecutors and judges are urging lawmakers to provide more competitive pay in the judicial system in order to better retain experienced attorneys and judges who can move cases along.
Dec. 27, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia election board chairman to be replaced by a new Republican
Mark Niesse reports that the acting chairman of the State Election Board, Matt Mashburn, who voted this month against investigating Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s handling of the 2020 presidential election, will soon be replaced. The Republican-led state Senate intends to appoint a different person to serve as its representative on the board, which handles allegations of fraud and complaints about voting problems, according to two people with knowledge of the plan who wouldn’t discuss it publicly.
