Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 15, 2025

Dec. 15, 2025 Capitol Beat News

National economic headwinds blow through Georgia, though job outlook steady for now

Ty Tagami reports that national economic headwinds driven in part by politics will continue suppressing Georgia’s economy while raising the risk of recession, says a new economic forecast from a business think tank at the University of Georgia. The 43rd annual prediction by the Selig Center for Economic Growth rates the risk of a recession in Georgia at pretty much a coin toss.

Dec. 15, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

2025 Top Hospitals: Healthcare High Performers in Georgia

Mark Thompson reports, similar to past rankings, these Georgia hospitals were organized by corresponding size and mission to include Teaching Hospitals, whose primary mission is teaching regardless of size and are certified by the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems; Large Hospitals (250+ patient beds); Medium Hospitals (100 to 249 beds); and Small Hospitals (less than 100 beds). While hospital rankings can provide some useful benchmarking information, it is important to understand the various factors that impact such rankings.

Dec. 15, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Carvana sold its first used car in Atlanta. Now it’s selling new cars.

Zachary Hansen reports that more than 12 years after startup Carvana sold its first used vehicle at the High Museum of Art, the company is dabbling in selling new vehicles to Atlanta area residents. Arizona-based Carvana recently purchased a Stellantis dealership in Union City, expanding the company’s sellable inventory beyond the tens of thousands of used cars on its digital platform.

Dec. 15, 2025 Savannah Morning News

Savannah Cotton Exchange on market for first time. What is in its future?

Evan Lasseter reports, attendees of a recent open house at one of Savannah’s most recognizable but mysterious buildings looked upwards toward the stained-glass windows fixed atop the back wall. Ornately blended into the design is one word: cotton.

Dec. 15, 2025 Athens Banner-Herald

Find out about new plans for a hotel at the former UGA President’s House

Wayne Ford reports that the University of Georgia’s President’s House, as it’s been known since the university acquired it in 1949, will become the site of a new hotel proposed by the company that acquired the house and its 5 acres on Prince Avenue, a commercial corridor in Athens. Recently, Capstone Property Group announced that its original plans for the property have changed in order to keep the historic house built in 1856 as a centerpiece of the development.

Dec. 15, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

‘History Rocks!’: Sonny Perdue celebrates America’s 250th at Allatoona High

Jack Lindner report, with the 250th anniversary of the United States around the corner, Allatoona High School kickstarted the celebrations this week. The U.S. Department of Education brought its national “History Rocks! Trail to Independence” tour to the Acworth school where former Gov. Sonny Perdue took the stage to encourage students to cheer on the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Dec. 15, 2025 Macon Melody

Bibb County designates Macon Reporter as legal organ

Joshua Wilson reports that Bibb County’s constitutional officers have selected the Macon Reporter as the county’s new official legal organ, denying an application submitted by The Macon Melody, The Houston Home Journal and their parent organization, the Georgia Trust for Local News. The published notice designates the Macon Reporter as Bibb County’s new legal organ.

Dec. 15, 2025 Macon Telegraph

Chicken brand debuts its 2nd drive-thru-only restaurant in the nation in Gray

Becky Purser reports, known for its buttermilk marinated, hand breaded chicken tenders, wings and 14 house sauces, Slim Chickens now has drive-thru-only locations. It’s latest in Gray opened in mid-November.

Dec. 15, 2025 Savannah Morning News, The Imprint

Georgia lawsuits challenge practice sending children to foster care

Sara Tiano reports, when CPS is alerted to concerns about a child’s safety, it’s supposed to go like this: First, a social worker investigates the allegations. If abuse or neglect is apparent, the worker files a petition with the juvenile or family court to remove the child from the unsafe home.

Dec. 15, 2025 The Brunswick News

Tourism officials call on state committee to increase statewide tourism marketing

Michael Hall reports, if Georgia is to become the No. 1 state for tourism, the state must spend more money to market the brand. That was the message from speakers who addressed the state House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, which met at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Friday.

Dec. 15, 2025 Georgia Recorder

Fight over Georgia’s Medicaid contracts nears the end, as foster parents plead for reversal

Ross Williams reports that the battle over who should oversee Georgia’s Medicaid program could be coming to an end, and the decision could have a major impact on Georgia families in need. The fighting started last year after the state awarded contracts to four companies: CareSource, which previously held a contract with the state, and newcomers Molina Health Care, UnitedHealthcare and Humana.

Dec. 15, 2025 Rough Draft Atlanta

Former CDC contractor Fuller announces House seat candidacy

Bob Pepalis reports that Sandy Springs resident Beth Fuller announced on Dec. 11 her candidacy as a Democrat for the Georgia House of Representatives District 53 seat. Fuller served as a contractor for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta for a decade before the Trump administration laid off thousands of jobs in Georgia, including her contract, according to a news release.

Dec. 15, 2025 Rome News-Tribune

Candidates lining up to seek Greene’s open seat

Diane Wagner reports that the jostling for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Northwest Georgia seat is spiking, with 16 candidates registered with the Federal Election Commission as of Sunday. The Rome Republican had drawn a scant handful of challengers for a re-election bid in 2026 but announced earlier this month she instead would resign from Congress effective Jan. 5.

Dec. 15, 2025 Albany Herald

Jason Esteves makes case in campaign stop at Albany barber shop

Alan Mauldin reports, on Thursday, gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves made a stop at the Helen’s Barber Shop. The candidate, who gave up his state Senate seat to join a pack of six other Democrats seeking the nomination, met with a politically active group of about 25 to lay out his vision for the state.

Dec. 15, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Brian Kemp’s lame-duck dilemma: Swing big or play it safe?

Greg Bluestein reports, Brian Kemp never lacked for ambition. In seven years, he’s rewritten Georgia’s abortion law, expanded gun rights, cut taxes, engineered a Medicaid alternative and pushed through a bruising civil litigation overhaul.