Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 2, 2026

Feb. 2, 2026 Gainesville Times

This local pharma company is expanding. Here’s how many jobs it could create

Jeff Gill reports that a Gainesville pharmaceutical company has started a 28,000-square-foot expansion that could produce 30-50 jobs over the next three to five years. Bend Bioscience at 1300 Gould Drive, off McEver Road near the Free Chapel North Campus, marked the project with a recent groundbreaking ceremony, according to a Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce press release.

Feb. 2, 2026 Georgia Trend Exclusive!

2026 Georgia Trustees

Kenna Simmons reports that it was nearly three centuries ago, in 1732, when King George II of England appointed the first Georgia Trustees to establish the new colony of Georgia upon the principal “not for self but for others.” Centuries later, in 2008, the Georgia Historical Society and the governor’s office reestablished the tradition by honoring two people each year as Trustees, chosen because both their character and work ethic reflect that motto.

Feb. 2, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chemical and materials giant cutting jobs at Georgia mining facilities

Drew Kann reports that chemical and materials giant Chemours recently announced it will lay off more than a third of its Georgia-based workforce, with job cuts planned at three mining facilities in the state. The layoffs will affect 54 of Chemours’ 142 workers in Georgia, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification it submitted to the state in early January.

Feb. 2, 2026 Saporta Report

$10 million Lilly Endowment Grant to transform lay ministerial education

Staff reports that Emory University has received a grant of $10 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help transform the education of lay ministers. Based at Emory’s Candler School of Theology, the grant will further develop the school’s La Mesa Academy for Theological Studies and build a strong, sustainable network of institutions dedicated to the theological education of lay ministers.

Feb. 2, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Columbus has big news for local filmmakers. Here’s how your movie can get made

Sundi Rose reports that filmmakers in the Chattahoochee Valley aiming to bring local stories to life now have more time and resources to help get their projects funded. The Columbus Film Office has announced an expanded round of the Local Filmmaker Grant Program for 2026.

Feb. 2, 2026 The Brunswick News

Environmental groups, island resident seek High Court review of wetland case against Sea Island

Michael Hall reports that the plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging Sea Island illegally filled in wetlands more than a decade ago is hoping to take their fight to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Glynn Environmental Coalition, the Center for a Sustainable Coast and island resident Jane Fraser sued Sea Island Acquisitions in 2019 in the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Georgia claiming it violated the federal Clean Water Act when it sodded over and landscaped roughly half an acre of wetlands in 2013 rather than build an office building and parking lot there as its permit allowed.

Feb. 2, 2026 The Current

Proposed nickel refinery makes legal threat to Bryan County official

Maggie Lee and Mary Landers report, the company that wants to build a nickel refinery in Bryan County has threatened legal action against the county commission chairman for allegedly spreading negative views of the project, as it seeks public support and faces skeptical environmentalists. Westwin Elements accused Carter Infinger of defamation due to his discussions with residents about the Oklahoma company’s legal, financial and safety record.

Feb. 2, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal

Cobb PD issues drone law reminder before first pitch of baseball season

Staff reports, with Opening Day for Major League Baseball just around the corner, the Cobb Police Department is reminding the public about the do’s and don’ts of drone usage, especially around professional sporting events. In 2025, the State of Georgia enacted new legislation making it an arrestable misdemeanor to operate a drone within 400 feet of, or above, a ticketed entertainment venue.

Feb. 2, 2026 Rome News-Tribune

Republican drops out of crowded GA-14 congressional race

Diane Wagner reports that one of the 22 candidates running in Northwest Georgia’s U.S. House special election has withdrawn from the race to launch a bid for a state House seat. Republican Christian Hurd said in a Sunday release that he recognizes his “path is closed” in the 14th Congressional District race.

Feb. 2, 2026 Savannah Morning News

8 states cut income tax rates on Jan. 1. Here’s what to know in Georgia

Vanessa Countryman reports, as the new year begins, eight U.S. states have cut income tax rates, putting more money back in residents’ pockets. Georgia did not lower its rates, but understanding how the state’s tax system compares can help residents plan for 2026.

Feb. 2, 2026 WABE

Georgia environmental groups lay out priorities for 2026 legislative session

Marisa Mecke reports that Environmental Justice Day at the Georgia Capitol had groups lobbying not only against pollution and environmental injustice, but also kitchen-table voting issues. This year, environmental lobbying at the Georgia dome is looking a bit different as groups pivoted from one of the main priorities of the last few years — protecting the Okefenokee Swamp — instead looking at a broader swath of policies, often protecting the environment via the pocketbook.

Feb. 2, 2026 GPB

‘Lawmakers’ Day 9: FBI search of 2020 ballots reactions; special license plates for autism

Sarah Kallis and Tristan Smith reports, on Thursday, at the Capitol, lawmakers reacted to news out of Fulton County that the FBI had conducted a search warrant and seized hundreds of boxes of ballots from an elections warehouse. In an early morning press conference, Republican Sen. Brian Strickland, from McDonough, spoke about a new bill, Senate Bill 433, also called Rio’s Law, that would create a special license plate to help law enforcement identify vehicles that have passengers on the autistic spectrum.

Feb. 2, 2026 State Affairs

The Gold Leaf: Week three of the 2026 legislative session

Beau Evans reports, lawmakers capped a busy third week of the 2026 legislative session with a major plan to abolish property taxes for around 2 million homeowners. It’s the biggest bill yet to drop at the Capitol this session — and it’s set for a dogfight.

Feb. 2, 2026 Georgia Recorder

Two Georgia state House races take shape 

Jill Nolin reports, ballots are now set for two special legislative races in Georgia and the candidates are still lining up for a third contest set for March 10. Since the 2026 legislative session is already underway, the winners may not be seated in time to cast any votes under the Gold Dome this year unless they win their race outright.

Feb. 2, 2026 Capitol Beat News

Smokers have left the building, yet the influence of tobacco lingers

Ty Tagami reports that some lawmakers have been working under Georgia’s Gold Dome long enough to remember when the place reeked of cigarettes. Although no one openly smokes there today, lawmakers seem to have an abiding aversion to legislation to curb tobacco use, specifically a tax increase.

Feb. 2, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

What’s next after the FBI seized Fulton County’s 2020 election records?

Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, two of the biggest questions surrounding the FBI raid of a Fulton County election center were why Tulsi Gabbard was on the scene — and what comes next. A Wall Street Journal report offers potential answers to both, and hints at a possible road map for the Trump administration’s next moves.