Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 20, 2024
Nov. 20, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Planned central Georgia national park gains momentum with few days left before Congress adjourns
Jill Nolin reports, a proposal to turn a prehistoric American Indian site in central Georgia into the state’s first national park advanced out a U.S. Senate committee Tuesday. But the bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers who are behind the measure creating Ocmulgee Mounds Park and Preserve are running short on time to get it across the finish line in Congress’ lame-duck session.
Nov. 20, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Dalton | Whitfield County: Talent Hub
Amritha Alladi Joseph reports that Dalton-Whitfield County leaders say a magnetic job market, booming sports tourism, affordable higher education and a vibrant arts scene make Dalton an underappreciated gem. For years, Dalton, with its population of roughly 34,000, has drawn an additional 30,000 daily commuters for work, with Shaw Industries and Mohawk Industries among the largest employers to draw out-of-towners into the greater Dalton area.
Nov. 20, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta plans sharper focus on premium travelers, selling extra services
Kelly Yamanouchi reports, Delta Air Lines is doubling down on its focus on premium travelers and courting customers who are willing to pay for extra services. The growing wealth of high-income travelers is driving demand for more premium services, according to Delta.
Nov. 20, 2024 GPB
Georgia food producers discuss climate change, sustainability in the industry
Amanda Andrews reports, farmers, chefs, and restaurant owners met in Atlanta Monday to discuss the future of the food industry and the threats posed by climate change. The discussion is part of a series of events on climate solutions for restaurant survival hosted by the James Beard Foundation.
Nov. 20, 2024 WABE
City of Atlanta awarded over $525K to upgrade city’s least energy efficient buildings
Kendall Murry reports, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week that Atlanta has been awarded nearly $530,000 as part of a national grant program worth more than $17.7million. It’s the latest round of awards from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which is funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Nov. 20, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Bryan County must create a plan to address water needs, EPD says
Latrice Williams reports, just like farmers need a steady stream of water to produce crops, Bryan County will need a reliable flow to support incoming industries, as well as residential and commercial growth. According to the U.S. Census, Bryan County was the fastest growing region in the state in 2021, with a population of 44,738 in 2020 and is estimated to be 49,000 as of July 2024.
Nov. 20, 2024 Augusta Chronicle
$25 million in federal funding available for Georgia landowners hit by Helene
Erica Van Buren reports that the Georgia Forestry Commission is offering $25 million in emergency funding for landowners impacted by Hurricane Helene to assist in debris cleanup and firebreak installation. The two programs, the Fuels Mitigation Program and the Forest Access Road and Firebreak Restoration Project, were recently approved by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Nov. 20, 2024 Macon Telegraph
What progress has been made on electrifying Macon buses? Big grants fund effort.
Margaret Walker reports, Macon’s streets are slowly getting quieter and cleaner through electric bus efforts funded by federal grants. Both the Bibb County School District and Macon Transit Authority are electrifying their bus fleets with millions of dollars from federal agencies.
Nov. 20, 2024 State Affairs
Newly minted Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II: ‘I’m not the typical back-slapping politician’
Tammy Joyner reports, nearly 10 years into legislative life, Sen. Harold Jones II wouldn’t change anything about the experience. “I love every minute of it. Even when I hate it, I love it,” the 55-year-old Augusta Democrat told State Affairs.
Nov. 20, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Infrastructure and Transportation Top List Of Floyd County Legislative Priorities
John Bailey reports, what should Rome and Floyd County’s priorities be, heading into the state’s next legislative session? Groups from the city and county gathered at Georgia Northwestern Technical College this week to brainstorm and define those priorities in a Rome Floyd Chamber workshop.
Nov. 20, 2024 Georgia Recorder
State House study panel hears renewed arguments between community solar advocates and Georgia Power
Stanley Dunlap reports, Georgia Power and solar industry representatives renewed their long-running debate before lawmakers Tuesday over whether setting up a new solar program would provide the same benefits to ratepayers as the existing renewable energy options. The House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Ad Hoc Committee on Community Solar meeting was another chance for legislators to hear from clean energy and utility experts about their opinions on the value of community solar.
Nov. 20, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Christian Coomer loses law license for two years
Dave Williams reports that the Georgia Supreme Court Tuesday suspended former state Court of Appeals Judge Christian Coomer’s law license for two years. The suspension will expire in August of next year, two years after the state Supreme Court removed Coomer from the Court of Appeals based on the recommendation of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC).
Nov. 20, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Democratic infighting could spell trouble ahead for Georgia U.S. senator
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report that newly elected state House Democratic Leader Carolyn Hugley didn’t waste any time this week making herself heard on the issue roiling the Democratic Party of Georgia, namely the increasingly divisive leadership of party chair, U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams of Atlanta.
