Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 7, 2026
Aug. 7, 2026 Georgia Chamber
Blue Bird Vision Electric School Bus Wins 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Georgia Competition
Staff reports that on Aug. 5, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the Blue Bird Vision Electric School Bus as the winner of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Georgia competition. The announcement was made during the Georgia Chamber’s 2026 Congressional Luncheon.
Aug. 7, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Jana Lawrence reports a statement from Katherine Moore, president of Georgia Conservancy:
The Okefenokee marks Georgia’s first World Heritage Site and establishes it as a place and ecosystem worthy of global recognition. Our hearty congratulations go to our partners at the Okefenokee Swamp Park (OSP), who were instrumental in bringing over four decades of advocacy and support for this designation to a successful conclusion.
Aug. 7, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Microsoft works to unwind tax breaks for its metro Atlanta data centers
Zachary Hansen reports that Microsoft has been granted property tax breaks worth tens of millions of dollars for its data center projects across metro Atlanta. The Big Tech giant is now working to void those agreements.
Aug. 7, 2026 WABE
Rivian leans into Robotaxi production as it grows footprint in Georgia
Marlon Hyde reports that Rivian held the grand opening for its new East Coast Headquarters in Atlanta this week, not far from a multi-billion-dollar manufacturing facility under construction. The California-based automaker is expanding its footprint in the Southeast with a 500-person office space inside Portman Holdings’ Junction Krog District building near the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline.
Aug. 7, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Coweta bucks national slowdown, economist says
Laura Camper reports that tariff uncertainty has slowed hiring and investment around the country, but Coweta County remains one of Georgia’s fastest growing counties for jobs and population, Metro Atlanta Chamber Chief Economist Jerry Parrish told Newnan Rotary Members Wednesday. The U.S. typically adds about 2 million jobs a year.
Aug. 7, 2026 Albany Herald
City of Albany makes workforce housing a priority
Alan Mauldin reports, it’s no secret that people have been abandoning the city of Albany and Dougherty County for surrounding locales and beyond. Whether due to the loss of jobs from closing industries or the desire to pick up stakes for other pastures, that population loss has been felt.
Aug. 7, 2026 The Current
McIntosh adopts zoning for Sapelo’s Gullah Geechee neighborhood
Mary Landers reports, after almost three years of contentious debate, including litigation that cost county taxpayers over $500,000, the Gullah Geechee enclave of Hogg Hummock again has zoning aimed at keeping houses on the island at a traditional, modest size. The McIntosh County Commission on Thursday voted 3-1, with Chris Jarriel opposing, to approve an ordinance limiting house size on Sapelo Island to 1,550 square feet “under roof” with an additional 400-square-foot porch and a 32-foot height limit.
Aug. 7, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Math scores continue to rise in Georgia, but many students left behind
Ty Tagami reports that statewide scores on the Georgia Milestones tests continued to rise in math as teachers adapted to standards that were updated several years ago. The 2025-26 results for every subject but English were released Thursday.
Aug. 7, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Bibb County Schools face financial pressures amid new accountability law
Myracle Lewis reports that a new Georgia law is putting greater fiscal accountability on local school boards as the Bibb County School District faces ongoing financial challenges. While the district works to address an operating deficit—including considering borrowing up to $35 million through a tax anticipation note to help manage cash flow—the board is also navigating new state oversight under House Bill 1164.
Aug. 7, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Trump administration plan to roll back Head Start regulations could impact over 350 Georgia centers
Maya Homan reports, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to roll back regulations on a key early education program for low-income families, the agency announced Thursday. The program, known as Head Start, provides early childhood education, nutritious meals, health screenings and other services to more than 23,000 children and their families across Georgia, according to the Georgia Head Start Association.
Aug. 7, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Jon Ossoff, Mike Collins to debate on TV across Georgia. How to watch
Miguel Legoas reports, a month before the next Election Day, voters in Georgia will have a chance to watch their senate contenders face off. On Wednesday, Atlanta News First announced an exclusive debate between the two candidates Thursday, Oct. 8 at Assembly Atlanta (a Gray Media facility) in Doraville.
Aug. 7, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia lawmakers map out state’s next voting system with eye on 2028
Caleb Groves reports, while most observers are focused on the 2026 midterms, a Republican-dominated panel is already looking past them to map out 2028.The committee, created by the Georgia Legislature during this summer’s special session, is charged with recommending a new system based on hand-marked ballots printed on demand, which could reshape how the swing state conducts elections in 2028.
