Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 9, 2025
Dec. 9, 2025 Georgia.gov
November Tax Revenues Up 0.9%
Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections during the month of November totaled almost $2.4 billion, for an increase of $22.4 million, or 0.9%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections approached $2.38 billion for the month. Year to date, net tax revenue collections totaled nearly $13.28 billion, for an increase of $262.7 million, or 2.0%, compared to November 2024, when net tax collections approached $13.02 billion.
Dec. 9, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ups, Downs and In-betweens
Christy Simo reports that for the first time since 2006, there will be a Democrat on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Make that two. Alicia Johnson ousted Republican incumbent Tim Echols for the District 2 seat, and Peter Hubbard beat Fitz Johnson to represent District 3.
Dec. 9, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Paramount makes hostile bid for Warner Bros., including CNN, Turner networks
Savanna Sicurella reports, days after Netflix announced its plans to acquire the storied Hollywood institution’s studio and streaming businesses, Paramount has launched an all-cash offer for the entirety of the company. But unlike Netflix, Paramount wants more than the Warner Bros. studio, HBO and HBO Max. Paramount also wants traditional networks like the Atlanta-based CNN, TNT and TBS.
Dec. 9, 2025 Tifton Gazette
USDA announces assistance for farmers
Staff reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will make $12 billion available in one-time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs, according to a statement from the USDA on Monday. President Donald J. Trump joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Arkansas, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota, Rep. Austin Scott , R-Georgia, and farmers from Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas to make the announcement.
Dec. 9, 2025 Gainesville Times
How Hall County commission is preparing for vote on data center
Jeff Gill reports, before they vote this week on a proposed data center, Hall County commissioners will visit an Atlanta center to “to gain more information on appearance and operations,” the county said a public notice released Monday, Dec. 8. The Hall County Board of Commissioners issued the notice because three or more members of the five-member board could attend a meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Equinix AT4 Data Center at 450 Interstate N Parkway.
Dec. 9, 2025 Newnan Times-Herald
Coweta extends data center freeze amid competing resident demands
Jeffrey Cullen-Dean reports that the Coweta County Board of Commissioners extended the county’s moratorium on rezoning reapplications for data centers to Dec. 17. On Tuesday night, the board voted to continue the moratorium ahead of the public hearing for the data center ordinance on Dec. 16.
Dec. 9, 2025 WSB Radio
Georgia drops from American Tort Reform Associations ‘Judicial Hellholes’ list
Staff reports, each year, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) releases a list of judicial hellholes. According to the website, the association defines a “judicial hellhole” as “place where judges systematically apply laws and court procedures in an unfair and unbalanced manner, generally against defendants in civil lawsuits.”
Dec. 9, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Ethics commission orders Cobb School Board Republicans to return PAC money
Megan Jackson reports that the state ethics commission ordered three Republicans on the Cobb County Board of Education to return campaign contributions they received from political action committees, though the board members were not found to have violated campaign finance law. The ruling, which will require board members John Cristadoro, Randy Scamihorn and Brad Wheeler to return funds to the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, was approved by the commission Thursday.
Dec. 9, 2025 Rough Draft Atlanta
Runoff recount ordered in Fulton races after poll worker allegedly scans same ballot multiple times
Bob Pepalis reports, a Fulton County poll worker who was caught allegedly scanning multiple ballots for family members in Dec. 2’s runoff elections prompted a recount in those races. Fulton County Board of Registration Chair Sherri Allen said on Dec. 8, during the runoff election, the poll manager saw that a poll worker scanning two ballots and reported it to the director of elections.
Dec. 9, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Georgia officials appeal ruling that blocked ban on gender-affirming care in state prisons
Ross Williams reports that a federal judge has struck down Georgia’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender inmates in state custody, but the state is appealing the decision. Judge Victoria M. Calvert’s decision, which was issued last week, means that the approximately 340 people with gender dysphoria diagnoses in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections can receive treatments like hormone therapy if their doctors deem it necessary.
Dec. 9, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Member of state House indicted in federal unemployment benefits case
Ty Tagami reports that a metro Atlanta lawmaker accused of theft of government funds in connection with COVID-19 relief pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday. Rep. Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, walked into the courtroom in downtown Atlanta wearing ankle cuffs, after she was arrested at her home in the morning.
Dec. 9, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Raffensperger sues to scrap fundraising laws he says favor Jones in governor’s race
David Wickert and Greg Bluestein report that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is challenging Georgia election laws he says give his Republican rival an advantage as they campaign for governor. A 2021 law allows a “leadership committee” chaired by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to raise unlimited campaign cash on his behalf.
