Georgia Trend Daily – April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb eyes authorization of second FIFA grant to cover overtime costs
Isabelle Manders reports, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to accept a $1.74 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to help cover operational overtime costs tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a March 30 award letter, Atlanta World Cup Host Committee CEO Dan Corso said the funding reflects confidence in Cobb’s ability to support security and preparedness efforts.
April 14, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Savannah | Chatham County: Entering a Global Era
Jennifer Hafer reports, Savannah is well known for its colonial charm and cinematic appeal, but major manufacturing and tourism industries, along with an increasing population, are fueling explosive growth that is propelling America’s first planned city into one that businesses worldwide are noticing. “We are rockin’ and rollin’ here,” says Mayor Van Johnson. “Change is hard, but we have to resign ourselves that we’re not Mayberry anymore.”
April 14, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Data centers in space? This Georgia startup says it’s not science fiction.
Zachary Hansen reports, Atomic-6, a metro Atlanta aerospace and defense startup, launched an online storefront Monday called “ODC.space” where it advertises orbital data centers. The Marietta-based company is offering to build, license and launch computer storage facilities into space for a hefty price, with packages starting at $585,000 a month.
April 14, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Savannah oks $4.5 million to housing tax credits
Evan Lasseter reports, one of the primary tools used in Georgia to create affordable housing is the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. The credits are used to subsidize construction costs and enable developers to lower the cost of housing.
April 14, 2026 Gainesville Times
Two North Hall teens built a water quality sensor for $300. It’s already been tested in Peru
Adriana Cascio reports, when Hurricane Helene tore through the southeast, the destruction went beyond flooded homes and damaged roads. Violent floodwaters churned up sediment, contaminating local water supplies and leaving residents uncertain about what was safe to drink.
April 14, 2026 Albany Herald
Georgia Grown is planting seeds for future crops of entrepreneurs in downtown Albany
Alan Mauldin reports that Albany is at the hub of agricultural life in southwest Georgia, and that position is being recognized with its selection as the site of a Georgia Grown Resource Center slated to open in the fall. The location on North Front Street will be the second Georgia Grown site in the state, coming six years after the opening of the Georgia Grown Innovation Center in Metter.
April 14, 2026 Macon Melody
Community Foundation of Central Georgia awards more than $345,000 to regional organizations
Casey Choung reports, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia funded more than 20 nonprofits, community health organizations and local businesses in its latest round of grants, covering a range of needs and programs. The philanthropic organization announced the recipients of more than $345,000 in grants at the Fire Station off Napier Avenue Thursday afternoon. Grantees received anywhere from $7,500 to $23,000.
April 14, 2026 GPB
Vice President JD Vance will visit Georgia on Tuesday
Sarah Kallis reports, Vice President JD Vance will visit Georgia on Tuesday for a Turning Point USA rally in Athens with Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk. The event, held by the organization that advocates for conservative voices, will be one of Vance’s first public appearances since his trip to Pakistan, where war negotiations between the U.S. and Iran broke down.
April 14, 2026 Georgia Recorder
GOP lawmaker says it was a ‘mistake’ to dress in blackface after 2010 photo surfaces
Ross Williams reports, Dalton Republican state Rep. Kasey Carpenter is facing criticism after a photo of him dressed in blackface has been circulating on social media. The grainy photo shows Carpenter posing alongside his wife at a party with his white skin painted brown.
April 14, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Democrat pushes abortion issue as he trails leader in polls
Ty Tagami reports, a Georgia Democrat aiming to win the primary race for governor fired a broadside against a competitor Monday because of his previous support for a ban on abortion, one of the most contentions topics of the era and a galvanizing issue for many female voters. Jason Esteves, who resigned from his state Senate seat in Atlanta last year to run for governor, said in an online event with reporters that if elected governor he would work to repeal Georgia’s 2019 law banning abortion once fetal cardiac activity is detected, typically six weeks into a pregnancy.
April 14, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State Election Board meets as Georgia faces an election crisis
Caleb Groves reports, Georgia’s State Election Board meets in Dawsonville Wednesday amid a looming deadline set by the Republican-controlled General Assembly that could soon make counting votes with the state’s current system illegal. Lawmakers adjourned for the regular legislative session earlier this month without addressing the deadline set in 2024 to remove QR codes to count ballots by July 1. Gov. Brian Kemp is weighing whether to call lawmakers back to Atlanta to address the matter.
