Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 19, 2026
Feb. 19, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
PSC denies bid to reconsider Georgia Power’s 10-gigawatt expansion
Margaret Walker reports, the state’s Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to deny a motion to reconsider Georgia Power’s 10-gigawatt expansion plan, allowing the company to proceed with a build-out largely driven by new natural gas generation. The motion, filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center and other intervenors, asked regulators to revisit a December order certifying new power plant capacity based on projected need between 2029 and 2031.
Feb. 19, 2026 Georgia Trend Exclusive!
Peach Plate: Ghee Indian Kitchen
Sucheta Rawal reports, it is not every day that an elevated Indian dining experience debuts in Metro Atlanta, so the arrival of Ghee Indian Kitchen on the city’s Westside feels noteworthy. Tucked just off Howell Mill Road, the restaurant brings a sophisticated interpretation of Indian cuisine to a neighborhood already known for its inventive food scene.
Feb. 19, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ready to see the next chapter for the former CNN Center? You soon can.
Zachary Hansen reports, for nearly two years, splashy renderings have shown off the ambitious plans to turn downtown Atlanta’s iconic CNN Center into something fresh and vibrant. It’s nearly time to see those renderings come to life.
Feb. 19, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta biotech company gets $15M to boost Tamiflu production, fight flu
Joe Hotchkiss reports, an Augusta biotech company is getting $15 million to help more Americans fight the flu. Manus, with production facilities in east Augusta’s industrial district on Lovers Lane, is expected to use the federal funding to expand production to make shikimic acid, a key compound to create the antiviral medication oseltamivir, more commonly known by the brand name Tamiflu.
Feb. 19, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
A new hair ordinance could change the rules in Mableton
Megan Jackson reports that Mableton City Council is considering a new ordinance aimed a preventing discrimination based on protective and cultural textures and hairstyles throughout the city. The Mableton Crown Act, presented at last week’s City Council meeting, prohibits businesses, hiring personnel, landlords and anyone offering public accommodations from discriminating against people based on cultural and protective hair styles.
Feb. 19, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Jack secures $4.75M federal investment for Coweta water infrastructure
Clay Neeley reports, U.S. Rep Brian Jack has secured a $4.75 million federal investment for Coweta County to support major water and infrastructure improvements. The funding was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which was signed into law Feb. 3 b Donald Trump.
Feb. 19, 2026 Albany Herald
Study gives recommendations for Albany conference center
Alan Mauldin reports, the results are in from a study on the feasibility of an Albany conference center geared toward bringing more events and visitors to southwest Georgia, with a consultant envisioning a 100,000-square-foot structure with a price tag of $70 million to $100 million. The study by Chicago-based firm Johnson Consulting recommends a facility that includes at least 50,000 square feet and up to 75,000 square feet of contiguous event space, with another 15,000 square feet for meeting rooms and 10,000 square feet of prefunction space.
Feb. 19, 2026 WABE
Four Georgia Republican US House members leave their seats open for newcomers
Meimei Xu reports that President Donald Trump is set to make an appearance on Thursday in Rome, Georgia, where he will deliver remarks on the economy. It’s one of four U.S. congressional districts in Georgia where a Republican incumbent is leaving their seat.
Feb. 19, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Republican Steven McNeel wins Middle Georgia runoff for state Senate
Mark Niesse reports that Republican Steven McNeel won a runoff for a Macon-area Georgia Senate seat Tuesday, holding off Democrat LeMario Brown, who had sought to flip the district. Democrats had hoped to gain ground in the Republican-dominated Senate after victories in statewide Public Service Commission elections last November and in a special election for an Athens-area state House seat in December.
Feb. 19, 2026 WSB TV
Former aide to Georgia secretary of state running to take over the job
Staff reports that Gabriel Sterling, a former aide to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, announced on Wednesday that he is running to take over the job. Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne sat down with Sterling, who gave him his first on-camera confirmation of his candidacy.
Feb. 19, 2026 Gainesville Times
Six takeaways from gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan’s visit to Gainesville
Danny McArthur reports that Indivisible Hall hosted Democratic governor candidate Geoff Duncan Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the Gainesville Civic Center. His decision to run for governor as a Democrat comes after clashing with President Donald Trump and being expelled from the Georgia Republican Party for endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president.
Feb. 19, 2026 Savannah Morning News
What is SB 452 in Georgia? How it could impact law enforcement 401(k)
Vanessa Countryman reports, a measure aimed at boosting retirement benefits for certain Georgia law enforcement officers has passed the state Senate. Senate Bill 452 would increase the maximum employer contribution to a 401(k) plan for eligible state law enforcement officers.
Feb. 19, 2026 Georgia Press
House bill aims to protect ratepayers from data center costs
Zoe Seiler reports, several data center bills have been introduced in the Georgia General Assembly. The Georgia House approved a bill to prohibit utility costs associated with data center operations from being passed on to ratepayers.
Feb. 19, 2026 GPB
Lawmakers consider bill to define recovery community organizations, certified peer specialists
Ellen Eldridge reports, the Georgia House has passed a bill that spells out qualifications for recovery community organizations (RCOs) addressing substance use disorder. Georgia House Bill 657 establishes statutory definitions and qualifications for recovery community organizations focused on substance use disorders and formalizes peer specialist certification under the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Feb. 19, 2026 State Affairs
House moves to rein in soaring insurance costs in Georgia
Beau Evans reports, add insurance reform to the list of big-tickets items Georgia lawmakers are trying to tackle in the 2026 legislative session. House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, rolled out four bills Wednesday aimed at driving down insurance costs that have spiked in recent years, particularly for automobile coverage that has seen a more than 20% increase in premiums since 2022.
Feb. 19, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Big Georgia income tax cuts would come with costs to residents
Mark Niesse reports that Republican senators are pitching giant income tax cuts to make Georgia more affordable, a plan that Democrats warn could lead to fewer government services or sales tax hikes. The income tax relief proposal, which passed the state Senate last week, would exempt the first $50,000 of annual earnings by an individual and $100,000 for a married couple while lowering the income tax rate.
Feb. 19, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Why Rick Jackson says he’ll be Trump’s ‘favorite governor’
Greg Bluestein reports, the newest candidate in Georgia’s race for governor sat in his fifth-floor office overlooking the sprawling Alpharetta health care campus he built, recounting for the first time at length why he upended the GOP contest with a surprise bid that stunned the most seasoned political stalwarts. About a year ago, billionaire Rick Jackson pledged to back Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ bid for the state’s top office.
