Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 22, 2024
Jan. 22, 2024 Macon Telegraph
An Italian electric car manufacturer plans to open in Middle GA. What we know about Imola
Micah Johnston reports that an Italian electric car company has plans to open an EV manufacturing plant in Fort Valley within the next two years, company officials have announced. Imola Automotive USA is already leasing land long-term next to Fort Valley State University, company CEO Rodney Henry said in an interview with The Telegraph.
Jan. 22, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Georgia’s Growing Film Industry
Betty Darby reports, the actor’s union (SAG-AFTRA) strike took a 118-day bite out of Georgia’s busy 2023 filming schedule, slowing production to a handful of indie projects and the work from smaller studios not affected by the strike. But that didn’t slow the pace of infrastructure development across the state, where private investment in studios, backlots and other production assets continued steadily.
Jan. 22, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hartsfield-Jackson tests expedited TSA line for some airport parkers
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is testing a “virtual queue” system to allow some travelers to get into an expedited line for security screening — but only if they park at certain airport-run park-ride lots. The 90-day pilot program is another attempt at offering travelers a way to sidestep long lines at security checkpoints, which have have caused frustrations during peak periods at the world’s busiest airport.
Jan. 22, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Regional economy expected to outpace state and nation despite anticipated slowed growth
Evan Lasseter reports that the Savannah metro economy is expected to outperform the state and nation in 2024, being bolstered by continued growth in logistics driven by the Georgia Ports and manufacturing growth brought by the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County, according to Georgia Southern economics professor Michael Toma. “Those are the two major overlays that will drive economic activity in our regional economy in 2024,” Toma said.
Jan. 22, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
As Floyd County Looks Toward Potential Development Boom Land Is Hard To Find
Adam Carey reports, as Floyd County looks to take part in a potential development boom fueled by nearby electric vehicle and green investments, they’re seeing a problem. Much of the developable land is tied up in conservation easements.
Jan. 22, 2024 Athens Banner-Herald
College and Career Readiness: Here is what Georgia schools scored in 2023
Miguel Legoas reports, the Georgia Department of Education’s College and Career Ready Performance Index measures content mastery, college/career readiness, and other important factors in Georgia schools each year. Scores are awarded for each school and school district.
Jan. 22, 2024 The Brunswick News
St. Simons Land Trust hosts annual oyster roast fundraiser
Mary Starr reports, the mission of the St. Simons Land Trust is “to preserve the island’s natural and scenic character and to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations.” Today, the island has more green spaces, trails, pocket parks and visas, but the land trust’s work extends to protecting rare ecosystems, waterways and large tracts of undeveloped land.
Jan. 22, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Q&A: Jerica Richardson on Running for Congress, Home Rule and the Big Issues
Jake Busch reports, Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson sat down with the MDJ this week to discuss her campaign for the 6th Congressional District, the home rule lawsuit threatening her commission seat and her positions on some of the big issues animating American politics. Richardson, 34, who represents Vinings, Smyrna and east Cobb, was drawn out of her commission district in a map passed by the Republican-controlled Georgia General Assembly and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2022.
Jan. 22, 2024 State Affairs
House Clerk Bill Reilly: The man with the silver tongue
Jill Jordan Sieder reports, a criminal defense lawyer and juvenile court judge in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, part of the 9th Judicial District, prior to working at the Statehouse, Bill Reilly, a longtime resident of the north Georgia mountain country near Blue Ridge, is perhaps best known these days for his deep, velvety voice and calm demeanor as he introduces bills at a rapid clip at the podium next to the desk of Speaker of the House Jon Burns.
Jan. 22, 2024 WABE, ProPublica
When families need housing, Georgia will pay for foster care rather than provide assistance
Stephannie Stokes reports, when Georgia removes children for housing — either as the sole reason or in conjunction with other issues — it becomes something that parents must fix in order to regain custody of their children. Child welfare advocates and attorneys say that’s a uniquely difficult barrier to overcome.
Jan. 22, 2024 Dalton Daily Citizen
Proposed legislation addresses attorney compensation
James Swift reports that proposed legislation would change the compensation of private attorneys appointed to substitute for absent or disqualified district attorneys in Georgia. House Bill 928, which made it to a House hopper on Jan. 12, is sponsored by five Republican lawmakers, including District 6 state Rep. Jason Ridley, R-Chatsworth.
Jan. 22, 2024 Dalton Daily Citizen
Ridley bill tackles police mugshots
James Swift reports, Republican lawmakers, including District 6 state Rep. Jason Ridley, R-Chatsworth, have sponsored a bill that would prohibit law enforcement agencies from posting mugshot booking photographs of arrested individuals — but with a major caveat. House Bill 930 made it to a House hopper on Jan. 12.
Jan. 22, 2024 Georgia Recorder
State spending to prosecute – and defend – gang members on the docket for Georgia General Assembly
Stanley Dunlap reports that several state agencies are seeking millions more in state funds to handle the growing caseload resulting from the state’s recent crackdown on street gangs. Republican Attorney General Chris Carr and the directors of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Georgia Public Defender Council presented budget requests to state lawmakers on Thursday that include creating a new street gang task force, hiring new street gang data analysts, and hiring more attorneys who specialize in felony organized crime cases.
Jan. 22, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Coastal marshlands ownership bill moving through Georgia House
Dave Williams reports that coastal Georgia lawmakers are backing legislation that would make it easier for owners of marshland property under grants that date back to the 1700s to permanently establish that ownership. But opponents argue the bill would make the process so easy it would encourage false claimants to step forward and take advantage of state tax credits at the expense of the rightful owners of the environmentally fragile salt marshes — the public.
Jan. 22, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia GOP leaders weigh moves as presidential field narrows
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report, when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Atlanta in March 2023, he seemed the Republican candidate to beat in the race for the White House. Even former president Donald Trump loyalists flocked to see him at the Capitol and a gun store stop, sending a surprising signal they were open to an alternative. At the time, the reaction seemed to illustrate how willing many Georgia Republicans were to encourage rivals to Trump’s comeback bid.
