Elena Rivera and Virginia Prescott report that the Georgia coast is a central calving spot for North Atlantic right whales; however, last year, no new calves were spotted there, and that caused great concern about the species. Only about 400 right whales are left in the entire world.
Mary Ann DeMuth reports, at this time of year, many of us have Valentine’s Day gifts and celebrations on our minds. However, along with a time for flowers and candy, February is American Heart Month. The month-long national recognition was established in 1963 to raise awareness and spread information about heart disease.
Christopher Quinn reports that Samsara, a high-tech company that uses cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to track and direct delivery of products and to train drivers in real time, has opened an office in Midtown. SanjitBiswas, one of the co-founders, said the office is opening with about 25 workers.
Mark Meltzer reports that a couple of key Atlanta executives are sitting in the middle of one of General Electric’s biggest problem areas. GE’s power business, its oldest business and one of its largest, has a $92 billion backlog of unfilled orders for products and services that is “marred by lousy projects,” The Wall Street Journal reports.
Charles Bauder reports, creating a pipeline of local leaders is difficult when young adults choose to leave home for opportunities elsewhere. This has been a challenge in Oglethorpe County for many years. With help from the University of Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, county leaders began to tackle the problem last year.
Staff reports that the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation has pledged $65 million to Emory University toward construction of a third Rollins School of Public Health building on the Emory campus. To be named the R. Randall Rollins Building, the new facility will be adjacent to the existing School of Public Health facilities, and groundbreaking is tentatively set for 2020.
Tony Adams reports that a prestigious beauty pageant that has called Columbus home for all of its 74 years is now apparently exploring better options elsewhere heading into this summer’s event, although a flurry of meetings aimed at keeping it here are now under way. The Miss Georgia Pageant, first held in Columbus as World War II raged overseas in 1944, hasn’t said if it will or if it won’t have its contestants crossing a local stage in 2019.
Staff reports that yesterday, the Patients First Act (SB 106) was introduced in the Georgia State Senate by Governor Kemp’s Floor Leader, Senator Blake Tillery (R – Vidalia). “The Patients First Act is a step toward lowering insurance premiums, enhancing access to quality care, and improving health outcomes in every part of our state,” said Governor Kemp. “By working with Lt. Governor Duncan, Speaker Ralston, and the legislature, we will craft a Georgia-centric healthcare system that ensures a bright and healthy future for all Georgians – no matter their zip code.”
Trevor Williams reports that a pair of resolutions passed in recent weeks in both houses of Georgia’s legislature shows bipartisan alignment on at least one issue: that a “special relationship” with the United Kingdom holds multifaceted benefits for the state.
Wayne Crenshaw reports that supporters of making Ocmulgee National Monument a national park scored a major new victory when the U.S. Senate for the first time approved the designation. Bills that would create the park have twice passed the House only to fall in the Senate, but this time a bill went through the Senate first and passed by a 92-8 vote on Tuesday.
Andy Miller reports, when BrannenWhirledge was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 4, he was put on medications that failed to help him. He suffered continual vomiting and severe stomach cramps. Then they found a medication that worked. Brannen’s symptoms went away. But after six months, says his mother, Melissa Whirledge, the family’s insurer told them that it would no longer cover the effective medication until “he failed on other drugs that he had already failed on.’’
Jon Gargis reports that on Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign legislation that will once again require drivers to stop for school buses when a turn lane is present between their vehicle and the bus. Senate Bill 25 passed in the House Wednesday after being approved 55-0 in the Senate last week.
Ross Williams reports that mammograms could change in Georgia if the Senate passes a new bill sponsored by state Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-east Cobb. House Bill 62, also known as Margie’s Law, would mandate that mammogram providers inform women of their breast tissue density. The bill passed the House 166-1 on Monday, with the sole nay vote coming from Rep. Matt Gurtler, R-Tiger.
Greg Bluestein reports that Gov. Brian Kemp took office one month ago after an intensely partisan race that ended with a record number of votes – and the slimmest margin of victory for any Georgia governor in decades. He took office on Jan. 14 with a pledge to put aside polarizing acrimony and work to unite Georgia, and has largely steered clear of the base-pleasing social issues he used to fuel his primary win.
Meredith Leapley, a 2007 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, is celebrating 26 years as founder and CEO of Leapley Construction Group. A Maryland native, Leapley founded her company in 1999 to be a premier commercial interior general contractor. Meredith…
John Ahmann, a 2001 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, currently serves as CEO of Westside Future Fund. At the time of his 40 Under 40 honor, he was Senior Vice President for Community Development at the Georgia Chamber of…
