Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 26, 2026
Jan. 26, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
International Tourism Stays Strong in Georgia — For Now
Trevor Williams reports that international visitation to Georgia continued to grow in calendar year 2024, outpacing the nation, though the numbers carried potential portents of a future downturn. In proportion to its 174.2 million domestic visitors, Georgia’s 1.3 million international tourists was minuscule.
Jan. 26, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2026 100 Most Influential Georgians
Staff reports, this year’s Georgian of the Year, Grady Health System President and CEO John Haupert, got to where he is today not only because of his years of experience and hard work, but also because of his can-do mindset. That attribute can be found in most of the people who run businesses, schools and nonprofits or serve in regional and state government in the state’s 159 counties.
Jan. 26, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stay off the roads: Icy conditions will linger Monday in metro Atlanta, NE Georgia
Caroline Silva, David Aaro and Alexis Stevens report, the menacing winter storm isn’t over in North Georgia, especially in areas northeast and east of Atlanta that are preparing for even more ice by Monday morning. That threat, which could include additional widespread power outages and downed trees, will continue to make driving hazardous, according to state leaders.
Jan. 26, 2026 The Brunswick News
Award puts $1 million toward restoring Georgia wetlands
Gordon Jackson reports that nearly $1 million in funding has been awarded to restore coastal wetlands in Georgia. The award by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will support the design of nature-based solutions, including living shorelines and marsh restoration in flood-prone areas in Camden County near Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, St. Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Jan. 26, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Mexico Tapped as Destination for Two Georgia Trade Missions in May
Trevor Williams reports that Georgia companies will have two chances to go to Mexico this May to explore market opportunities alongside trusted local organizations. The trips come at a critical time in the bilateral relationship ahead of a six-year review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, a pact seen by businesses as vital to North American supply chains but with skepticism from the Trump administration.
Jan. 26, 2026 Healthbeat Atlanta
Flu rates remain high in Georgia but show signs of easing after holidays
Rebecca Grapevine reports that flu rates are still high in Georgia this month but appear to be dropping slightly as people resume regular schedules after the winter holidays. That’s in line with national trends that show a drop in flu positivity rates from prior weeks, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jan. 26, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Macon judge dismisses Trump administration’s suit against Raffensperger
Alba Rosa reports that a federal judge ruled Friday that the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over voting records cannot proceed in Macon federal court, according to court records. Raffensperger was sued by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who heads the DOJ’s civil rights division, on Dec. 19, 2025, after he refused to provide detailed voter information.
Jan. 26, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Federal judge tosses out DOJ lawsuit seeking sensitive voter data in Georgia
Maya Homan reports that a federal judge has dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Friday, placing another roadblock in the path of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to obtain sensitive voter information from states across the U.S. Georgia is now one of at least three states in which federal judges have dismissed lawsuits seeking sensitive voter information.
Jan. 26, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Lawmakers push transparency in school board public comments
Isabelle Manders reports that several Cobb County lawmakers have introduced legislation in the Georgia General Assembly that would require public school districts to broadcast or record public comments at school board meetings if those meetings are aired to the public. House Bill 989 would amend state law governing local boards of education to require that any public comment period be recorded or broadcast “in the same manner and to the same extent” as the rest of the public portions of their meetings.
Jan. 26, 2026 Savannah Morning News
New GA House bill wants to designate this the state chicken wing flavor
Vanessa Countryman reports, with the 2026 legislative session underway, Georgia lawmakers are tackling familiar topics like education, taxes, and the state budget, and one unexpected issue that’s turning heads. House Bill 1013 has been introduced to designate lemon pepper as Georgia’s official chicken wing flavor, a nod to the state’s deep-rooted wing culture and Atlanta’s influence on food trends.
Jan. 26, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Northwest Georgia voters to head to polls March 10 for federal and, now, state election
Ty Tagami reports that voters in northwest Georgia will be going to the polls on March 10 to fill a newly vacated state Senate seat on the same day that they will decide whether the former occupant of that seat should rise to Congress. The Georgia secretary of state’s office on Friday announced the special election date to replace former state Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, scheduling the election for the same day as the special election for the vacant U.S. House District 14 that was held by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome.
