Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 1, 2026
Oct. 1, 2026 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp: Georgia Breaks Tourism Records Four Years Straight
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Wednesday joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the state broke tourism records for the fourth consecutive year and ranked No. 5 in the nation for domestic overnight visitation for the sixth year in a row.
Oct. 1, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
40 Under 40 Honorees
Staff reports, in 1996, Georgia Trend published its first list of 40 Under 40 honorees. That means for the past 30 years, you, our readers have nominated smart, industrious, civic-minded people under the age of 40 to be on our coveted annual list.
Oct. 1, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
From forests to flight, new commission to study Georgia’s biofuel potential
Kelly Yamanouchi and Zachary Hansen report, every flight to and from the world’s busiest airport offers views of Georgia’s lush forests and fertile fields. While timber and bountiful harvests may not seem to have anything to do with the planes dotting Atlanta’s skies, a new coalition sees potential in connecting the two.
Oct. 1, 2026 WABE
Controversial Atlanta jail sale could benefit mayor’s neighborhood reinvestment plan
Chamian Cruz reports that Atlanta city officials are recommending that the proceeds from the sale of the city’s detention center to Fulton County for $68 million be used for Mayor Andre Dickens’ neighborhood reinvestment initiative (NRI), according to a source familiar with the plan and an internal document obtained by WABE.
Oct. 1, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Parker’s Kitchen gives $100,000 to schools, food bank
Staff reports that Parker’s Kitchen donated $100,000 to support public schools and hunger-relief efforts across the Augusta region on Sept. 28. The funding will benefit three school districts and Golden Harvest Food Bank, according to a community announcement.
Oct. 1, 2026 Gainesville Times
These schools received donations from the Ivester Foundation for new learning commons
Danny McArthur reports, Hall County Schools received another $100,000 donation from the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation for additions to learning commons at four schools, according to a press release. The schools receiving the donation include Chestatee Academy, C.W. Davis Middle School, Friendship Elementary School, and Myers Elementary School.
Oct. 1, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Trump announced $500 checks, but Georgia won’t get them. Here’s why
Miguel Legoas and Samantha Neely report that President Donald Trump claimed $500 checks would soon be mailed to 1 million people in 30 states as a $500 million refund for alleged overcharges through the Affordable Care Act’s federal exchange for health insurance. The White House said the Biden Administration collected “user fees” from health insurance companies that consumers paid for through higher premiums, instead of using the money to benefit them.
Oct. 1, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Georgia drivers get relief as gas tax suspension begins
Joe Hotchkiss reports that Georgia’s governor on Monday announced a suspension of the state gasoline tax through Oct. 29 after declaring “a state of emergency due to global market volatility.” The suspension begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday to “provide retailers the appropriate time needed to factor in this adjustment,” according to a statement released by Gov. Brian Kemp’s office.
Oct. 1, 2026 The Current
Private interests overshadow stakeholders for new DNR dock rules
Mary Landers reports that a 12-member stakeholder group representing homeowners, builders, local officials, environmental organizations, and technical experts spent months meeting and crafting new rules for private recreational docks in Coastal Georgia. But the recommendations from this public-facing group are not what’s shaping the limits on dock size in draft regulations the public has until Wednesday to weigh in on.
Oct. 1, 2026 State Affairs
A ballot of power bills and data centers in Georgia’s midterms
Beau Evans reports, the future of energy in Georgia is on the ballot for the 2026 midterms with key races set to decide who will have the final say over electricity and gas costs, data centers and Georgia Power in the coming years. Seismic changes could be ahead for how the state regulates its power utilities after years of rising monthly charges for homes and businesses, prompting candidates for governor and the Public Service Commission to push for more kitchen-table cost protections.
Oct. 1, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Georgia voters see tough future for next generation ahead of midterm race, poll finds
Ross Williams reports that Georgia’s preschoolers won’t be able to cast a vote this November, but the state’s youngest residents could play a role in deciding the state’s next governor, according to a new poll. Nearly 70% of Georgians say they are pessimistic about children today having a better life than the previous generation, and among parents, that number is 78%, according to a new poll released by the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students asking more than 600 likely voters about policies for families with young children.
Oct. 1, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Bottoms proposes housing fund, free technical and community college
Ty Tagami reports that former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms pitched more proposals to help Georgians cover major expenses in her bid to be the state’s next governor. Last week, the Democrat and her Republican opponent, businessman Rick Jackson, touted their affordability plans for farmers.
Oct. 1, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lobbyists spend big on Georgia lawmakers’ summer travel
David Wickert reports that dozens of Georgia lawmakers had their trips to the beach and other locales paid for by lobbyists for some of the state’s most powerful interests. Those interests spent nearly $85,000 on lodging, meals and other travel expenses for elected officials in recent months, lobbyist reports show.
