Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 24, 2025

Oct. 24, 2025 Georgia Ports Authority

Port of Savannah September volumes up 8 percent

Staff reports that the Port of Savannah handled 486,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units in September, an increase of 35,280 TEUs or 8 percent compared to the same month last year. For the fiscal year to date (July 1-Sept. 30), Savannah’s container trade is up 4.7 percent or 66,845 TEUs to nearly 1.5 million TEUs.

Oct. 24, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Small Town, Big Vision: Inside Canton’s Sustainable Transformation

Julia Roberts reports that Canton, Georgia, proudly calls itself the “Coolest Small Town in America”—a place where historic charm meets modern innovation. Nestled along the scenic Etowah River, Canton offers outdoor beauty, a vibrant downtown, and a growing population drawn to its unique blend of culture and progress.

Oct. 24, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rivian layoffs to hit hundreds, but Georgia impacts expected to be small

J. Scott Trubey reports that electric vehicle maker Rivian, which plans a corporate hub and a $5 billion EV factory in Georgia, reportedly plans to lay off hundreds of workers as it looks to trim costs. The company is looking to reduce expenses as it prepares to start production of a lower priced crossover, known as the R2, and faces stiff headwinds caused by economic uncertainty and reduced government support for the consumer transition to EVs.

Oct. 24, 2025 Saporta Report

Pinnacle accelerator program names startups for $500K investment

Adrianne Murchison reports that Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator has selected five unique businesses for its first 12-week cohort. Each business is receiving $100,000 and access to investors and industry experts — resources valued at a combined $1 million.

Oct. 24, 2025 WABE

Senior property tax relief program expands citywide in Atlanta after 2024 pilot

DorMiya Vance reports that Atlanta’s senior residents will get help staying in their homes through a now-citywide program that’ll cover their property taxes through the Anti-Displacement Tax Relief Fund. Funds for the program come from $10 million from the Centennial Yards Housing Trust Fund and a $750,000 donation from film executive Tyler Perry.

Oct. 24, 2025 Georgia Recorder

Fans of Okefenokee Swamp call on Kemp to support permanent land protections after mining scare

Alander Rocha reports, a coalition of environmental organizations delivered more than 24,000 petition signatures and nearly 300 pieces of artwork from children to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office Thursday, urging him to permanently protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The groups, which included Environment Georgia, Garden Club of Georgia, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light and others, called on the governor to support pending legislation to ban future surface mining on the refuge’s Trail Ridge, a geological feature that contains valuable minerals but also serves as a barrier protecting the Okefenokee. 

Oct. 24, 2025 Gainesville Times

Letter to attorney general alleges up to seven possible open meeting violations in Hall County

Danny McArthur reports that as many as seven open meeting violations involving Hall County planning commissioners may have occurred, according to a letter the county sent to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. The county has hired an independent investigator to review the allegations.

Oct. 24, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

Q&A with Mayor Tumlin on life and leadership in Marietta

Isabelle Manders reports, seeking his fifth term as mayor, Steve “Thunder” Tumlin recently sat down with the MDJ to discuss his record and vision for the Gem City. An attorney and grandfather of six, Tumlin, 78, faces challenger Sam Foster — a 24-year-old systems engineer — in the Nov. 4 municipal election.

Oct. 24, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

U.S. Rep. Bishop lambastes Republicans for ‘refusing to negotiate’ amid shutdown

Brittany McGee reports, as the federal government shutdown drags into a fourth week, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (GA-02), visited Columbus, along with other Georgia cities, to voice the Democrats’ case about protecting healthcare. The shutdown began Oct. 1, affecting federal government workers’ paychecks, public services and putting assistance programs, including recipients of SNAP benefits, at risk.

Oct. 24, 2025 Albany Herald

Georgia Public Service Commission election gains voter attention as frustration increases over high utility bills

Lucille Lannigan reports that complaints about high utility bills in Georgia stretch across the board from lower, to middle to upper class customers. So, energy justice groups want Georgian voters to pay attention to a normally low-profile state board, the Public Service Commission (PSC), which has two commissioner seats up for election in the Nov. 4 race.

Oct. 24, 2025 Macon Telegraph

Republican candidate defends all-GOP Public Service Commission at Middle GA campaign stop

Margaret Walker reports, incumbent Republican Public Service Commissioner Fitz Johnson rallied voters at a handful of campaign events Wednesday across Georgia, ending the day with a gathering at a Warner Robins Steak n Shake. Johnson’s District 3 seat on the Public Service Commission is up for grabs in the General Election next month.

Oct. 24, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Georgia Supreme Court hears cases that could shape the future of roads, car sales and child custody

Ty Tagami reports that the Georgia Supreme Court this week heard several cases, including two that could affect how cities design roadways and who gets to sell cars and another involving child custody with an unmarried couple. The roadway safety case stems from the death of a 21-year-old who crashed a car into a concrete planter while home from college in 2016.

Oct. 24, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Why the PSC election next month is an early test for Democratic momentum

Greg Bluestein reports that a few days after “No Kings” protests brought thousands of demonstrators to streets across Georgia, several Democratic leaders gathered for a far quieter event inside Atlanta City Hall. Standing in the building’s marbled halls, Mayor Andre Dickens joined gubernatorial contender Jason Esteves to urge voters to translate their outrage at President Donald Trump’s administration into action at the ballot box that could set the tempo for the 2026 midterm.