Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 29, 2023
Dec. 29, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Judge upholds new Georgia congressional, legislative maps
Dave Williams reports that Federal judges do not have the authority in voting rights cases to “reallocate political power between the two major political parties,” U.S. District Judge Steve Jones declared Thursday. That was the crux of Jones’ ruling upholding the new legislative and congressional maps Georgia lawmakers drew during their recent special session.
Major Commitment: Rick McCaskill, head of the Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County at the Bainbridge Downrange Industrial Park, in front of future site of Anovion; photo David Parks.
Dec. 29, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Southwest Georgia: A Region on the Radar
Betty Rasmussen reports that agriculture has defined and dominated Southwest Georgia’s economic landscape for generations. Whether owning or working on farms or some other ag-adjacent industry, nearly everyone in the region has a financial connection to the land.
Dec. 29, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Truist closing eight Georgia branches
Michael E. Kanell reports, Truist Bank is closing scores of branches, including eight in Georgia, officials said this week. The Charlotte-based financial giant, which had announced earlier this year that it planned to make substantial cost-cutting changes, said this week that the branches — six of them in metro Atlanta, one in Macon, one in Dalton — will close in March.
Dec. 29, 2023 Rome News-Tribune
Even With a Record Number of Jobs in November, Region Sees Rise in People Out of Work
John Druckenmiller reports, Rome posted a 2.8% jobless rate in November, down from the previous month and matching the numbers from a year ago. That report comes as Rome posted a record 45,400 jobs in November; the region also was at an all-time high for the month.
Dec. 29, 2023 Savannah Morning News
Savannah Morning News transitioning to postal delivery
Staff reports that starting Jan. 29, the U.S. Postal Service will be delivering the Savannah Morning News as part of an effort to improve delivery consistency and optimize resources amidst ongoing labor challenges, fluctuating fuel prices, competition for workers from door-to-door delivery services and increasing digital demand.
Dec. 29, 2023 GPB
In the hills of West Georgia, decades of care and fire sculpt a new home for endangered woodpeckers
Grant Blankenship reports, the Flint River was hidden and dark in the predawn hours below the entrance to Sprewell Bluff Park in Upson County, where people with birding scopes and sturdy shoes had gathered, some from hours away. Then, as he had done dozens of other times with other teams, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Senior Biologist Nathan Klaus asked the group to focus on their shared goal for the morning.
Dec. 29, 2023 The Brunswick News
DNR rule change hearing scheduled for Jan. 4
Taylor Cooper reports that a public hearing is scheduled next week for a rule change proposed by the state Coastal Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources that would lessen the agency’s regulatory oversight over construction of coastal amenities. The rule relates to Coastal Marshlands Protection Act permits for marinas, community and commercial dock projects, amenities and recreational areas located within the state’s 25-foot marsh setback
Dec. 29, 2023 Valdosta Daily Times
WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. launches monthly webinar series
Kasmira Smith reports that WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS) is launching a new monthly webinar series calling attention to issues that prevent their vision of having a healthy watershed with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable water. The first webinar will be held in January.
Dec. 29, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Augusta’s First Black Brewer’s Passion Becomes a Vision
Sucheta Rawal reports, if you are a novice homebrewer or ever dreamed of having a profession in beer, be inspired by Robert Young, III. Young is an Atlanta native, who started drinking beer in college (as many do) and discovered his true love for the drink as he traveled through Germany and Czechia during his Navy service.
Dec. 29, 2023 Marietta Daily Journal
Kennesaw Council Newcomer Ready to Take on Wildman’s Civil War Surplus
Jake Busch reports, Madelyn Orochena was born and raised in Kennesaw, so Wildman’s Civil War Surplus, the Confederate-themed store in the city’s downtown, is nothing new to her. About to begin her first term on the Kennesaw City Council, Orochena, 33, hopes to make the shop a relic, like the items it sells.
Dec. 29, 2023 11 Alive
New Georgia bill would give rent control authority to cities, counties
Staff reports that a state lawmaker from Jonesboro has introduced a bill that would allow Georgia cities and counties to enact rent control. “Obviously, we’re in a housing market crisis,” said state Rep. Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro).
Dec. 29, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
McBath says she will run in Georgia’s new 6th Congressional District
Tia Mitchell reports that U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath will shift districts for a third election cycle in a row, announcing shortly after a federal judge signed off on Georgia’s new congressional map that she will seek her next term in the 6th District in west metro Atlanta. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones on Thursday approved maps that the Republican-led General Assembly drew during a special session earlier this month.
