Georgia Trend Daily – April 30, 2025
April 30, 2025 WSB Radio
UPS to cut 20,000 jobs, close some facilities as it reduces amount of Amazon shipments it handles
Michelle Chapman reports that UPS is looking to slash about 20,000 jobs and close more than 70 facilities as it drastically reduces the amount of Amazon shipments it handles. The package delivery company said Tuesday that it anticipates making the job cuts this year.
April 30, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Catching up with… Jamie Shepherd
Rachel Wallenstein reports, the Shepherd Center provides medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord and brain injuries and neuromuscular conditions. Prior to taking the reins in 2024, Jamie Shepherd was president and COO of the award-winning hospital cofounded by his late father, late grandfather and grandmother, Alana Shepherd.
April 30, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Okefenokee’s World Heritage bid gets Sonny Perdue’s backing
Drew Kann reports that Georgia’s Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was chosen by President Joe Biden’s administration to be nominated for a spot on the United Nations’ World Heritage List, a honor reserved for the planet’s most iconic natural and cultural treasures. Now, as President Donald Trump shakes up the federal government, his former agriculture secretary is urging the new administration to support the Okefenokee’s bid.
April 30, 2025 GlobalAtlanta.com
City’s International Affairs Office Hosted Delegations Representing 98 Countries in 2024
Trevor Williams reports, the City of Atlanta hosted delegations from nearly 100 countries in 2024, including the royal couple from the Netherlands and the president of Kenya, among many other dignitaries and diplomats. The Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs officially welcome 89 groups representing 98 nations, a testament to the city’s role as a crossroads for commerce and culture, according to the office’s annual report.
April 30, 2025 The Brunswick News
Food services considered at St. Simons Airport
Gordon Jackson reports that Glynn County Commission members will consider an amendment to the St. Simons Airport planned development district at Thursday’s meeting. The amendment would allow for a commercial kitchen and restaurant at the airport, and also remove the prohibition on banquet facilities. Food trucks would be allowed at the airport.
April 30, 2025 Savannah Morning News
With new affordable housing overlay, Savannah tries to tackle affordability crunch
Evan Lasseter reports that Briana Paxton set out in June 2023 to build a home for her and her daughter, where she envisioned a duplex on a 30-foot-wide lot on 32nd Street in the Live Oak neighborhood. She planned to rent out the second unit and use the additional income to help pay her mortgage, aiding homeownership.
April 30, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Senate confirms David Perdue as ambassador to China
Dave Williams reports that the U.S. Senate confirmed former Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., Tuesday as United States ambassador to China, multiple news outlets reported. Perdue received some bipartisan support in the 67-29 confirmation vote, with 15 Senate Democrats joining 51 Republicans and one independent in supporting his nomination.
April 30, 2025 The Current
CDC funding cuts impact Georgia vaccine access, other public health programs
Rebecca Grapevine reports that groups that work to provide access to vaccines, especially for Black Georgians and others in underserved communities, are among those affected as the state Department of Public Health absorbs a $334.2 million loss from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The abrupt cancellation of funds announced March 25 sent DPH leaders scrambling to understand the impact and inform contractors, including many community organizations, to stop work immediately, according to emails Healthbeat obtained under open records laws.
April 30, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Georgia pre-k program takes steps to improve after slip in national rankings
Ty Tagami reports that Georgia’s lottery-funded pre-kindergarten program used to be the envy of the nation, offering high-quality schooling for free. But the program peaked in 2019 as enrollment started to fall, a trend that accelerated during the pandemic.
April 30, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Erick Allen Wins Cobb District 2 Seat, Restores Democratic Majority on Commission
Annie Mayne reports that Democrat Erick Allen has won the vacant District 2 seat on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. With 100% of precincts reporting, Allen captured 5,403 votes, or 58.6%, to Republican Alicia Adams’ 3,820, or 41.4%.
April 30, 2025 WABE
How Trump’s first 100 days left a mark on Georgia
Sam Gringlas reports, sweeping tariffs that have kept the stock market swinging. Thousands of workers hastily terminated to slash the footprint of the federal government. A swift crackdown on immigration. A barrage of executive orders to transform aspects of education, health and foreign policy.
April 30, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Gov. Brian Kemp signs three bills supporting workforce development in Georgia
Dave Williams reports that Gov. Brian Kemp signed three workforce development bills Monday during a leadership summit sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia. “As the No.-1 state for business, Georgia has seen record-breaking jobs and investment come to communities in every part of the state,” Kemp said.
April 30, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb County stays blue as Democrats maintain county commission majority
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, Cobb County isn’t a bellwether, but its shifts from suburban GOP bastion to Democratic stronghold over the past decade have helped reshape Georgia’s political landscape. And Tuesday’s special election gave Democrats plenty of reason to cheer. It’s tricky to read too deeply into low-turnout elections like the vote for two county commission seats last night.
