Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 6, 2026
Aug. 6, 2026 GPB
U.S. State Department announces new system to spread life-saving food made from Georgia peanuts
Grant Blankenship reports, the Georgia manufacturer of an emergency food meant to help severely malnourished kids may soon see an infusion of new orders under new spending by the U.S. State Department. The State Department announced in mid-July the commitment of $100 million to over two years for ready to use therapeutic food, or RUTF, a peanut-based product manufactured in two U.S. factories: Mana Nutrition in Fitzgerald, Ga., and Edesia in Rhode Island.
Aug. 6, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Biking Across Georgia
Ben Young writes, Georgia has seen an explosion of bike trails in recent years. It’s growing an extensive network of corridors for people seeking exercise and an alternative to driving.
Aug. 6, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What’s taking place at Rivian’s Georgia factory site? A lot.
Zachary Hansen reports that Rivian CEO and founder RJ Scaringe told investors last week that the Georgia construction project is “progressing well” and will provide a needed manufacturing boost at a critical time for the startup. Multiple executives went into more detail Tuesday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution at Rivian’s new East Coast headquarters off the Beltline.
Aug. 6, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
In Georgia, Ghana Ex-Im Bank Eyes Partners in Agriculture, Apparel and Beyond
Trevor Williams reports that the Ghana Export-Import Bank is eyeing new partnerships in Georgia, aiming to tap into the state’s advanced knowledge in sectors where the West African nation is placing its bets. The bank, which funds and guarantees loans helping get Ghanaian products to global markets, is seeking to “de-risk” projects that will advance Ghana’s economic resilience and raise its living standards, Sylvester Adinam Mensah, its CEO, told Global Atlanta in an interview.
Aug. 6, 2026 Savannah Morning News
FEMA awards $1.9 million to help Pooler develop stormwater plan
Latrice Williams reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the city of Pooler a $1.9 million grant to develop a stormwater master plan. The funds were provided through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Aug. 6, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta poised to become home of Georgia’s largest veterans cemetery
Joe Hotchkiss reports that Georgia’s largest state veterans cemetery is expected to break ground in Augusta as early as November. About 200 military veterans, public officials and other stakeholders applauded new announcements about the cemetery in a gathering Wednesday at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
Aug. 6, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Columbus water targeted for cyberattack. GEMA won’t say if other cities in state involved
Kala Hunter reports that last Thursday, the Georgia Association of Water Professionals warned authorities of wastewater and waters systems being targeted for cyberattacks across the state as part of ongoing “disruptive threats” from operatives affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. But a week later, the FBI and GEMA have little information to share — and their messaging is mixed.
Aug. 6, 2026 The Current
Sapelo zoning heads to final vote
Mary Landers reports that the McIntosh County Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to recommend a proposed zoning ordinance to limit house size on Sapelo Island to 1,550 square feet under roof with an additional 400-square-foot porch. At the public hearing preceding the vote, no one spoke in favor of the ordinance.
Aug. 6, 2026 WABE
Federal rule change could reduce chances of Georgia asylum seekers getting relief
Emily Wu Pearson reports that the Trump Administration plans to send some asylum cases directly to immigration courts instead of processing them through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews. In Georgia, attorneys warn fewer people will get asylum.
Aug. 6, 2026 State Affairs
Committee examines Georgia school accountability metrics
Jack Rutherford reports, a new committee is looking at a state school rating index that has caused some districts considerable headache since it was initiated. Georgia’s performance tracking system for schools, the College and Career Ready Performance Index, was instituted in early 2012 as a replacement for a reporting system that did not meet the requirements of federal education initiatives.
Aug. 6, 2026 Athens Banner-Herald
Jackson, Bottoms clash on Medicaid, data centers in Athens
Wayne Ford reports, candidates for this November’s governor’s election were under the same roof Wednesday in Athens as Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms both addressed hundreds who gathered for a Georgia Chamber of Commerce event. The two candidates spoke separately at the “Congressional Luncheon,” but each met briefly with the press, where Jackson was accompanied by Gov. Brian Kemp, who is throwing his support behind the billionaire healthcare executive.
Aug. 6, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Bottoms, Jackson offer competing visions on data centers, Medicaid expansion at business luncheon
Ross Williams reports that data centers and Medicaid expansion were on the menu as Georgia’s candidates for governor made their pitches to the state’s business leaders Wednesday at an annual luncheon hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson took the stage at an Athens event center to pitch their policies to a crowd of over 1,000 members of the state’s business community.
Aug. 6, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Georgia gubernatorial candidates pitch competing plans at business forum
Ty Tagami reports Georgia’s two candidates for governor showcased their competing plans for healthcare, jobs and other top issues at a business-focused gathering Wednesday. Gov. Brian Kemp also gave his full-throated support to fellow Republican Rick Jackson, saying Jackson was the most likely candidate to continue his business-friendly policies.
Aug. 6, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Where federal disaster funding stands as Georgia’s hurricane season ramps up
Sophia Eppley reports that Georgia counties are busy gearing up for hurricane season as the state nears the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. But many hard-hit communities are still recovering from that 2024 storm, which cut a swath across South and Middle Georgia.
