Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 3, 2024
Jan. 3, 2024 Rome News-Tribune, Albany Herald
Georgia falls 10 spots in yearly growth index ranking
Staff reports that Georgia is the No. 18 growth state in the U.S., backsliding 10 spots from its previous ranking, according to the U-Haul Growth Index analyzing one-way customer moves during 2023. One-way U-Haul customers arriving in Georgia fell 5% from 2022, while departures fell 4% as overall moving traffic slowed.
Jan. 3, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2024 100 Most Influential Georgians
Staff reports, this year’s Georgian of the Year, Ed Bastian, is the classic example of leadership, strength and resilience. Such attributes no doubt helped him rise to the position where he is today. So it’s probably no surprise these same qualities can also be seen in so many other leaders who serve in local and state government or run businesses, hospitals, universities and nonprofits throughout Georgia’s 159 counties.
Jan. 3, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rivian hit its 2023 production goal. But Wall Street wanted more sales
Zachary Hansen reports that electric vehicle maker Rivian exceeded its annual production goals, but the number of vehicles the startup delivered to customers in the final quarter of 2023 didn’t meet analysts’ expectations. The California-based automaker produced 57,232 EVs in 2023, including 17,541 units from October through December.
Jan. 3, 2024 Macon Telegraph, Center for Collaborative Journalism
Once people see this unique guitar-shaped airport, how could they not pick Macon?
Laura Corley and Liz Fabian report, looking ahead to 2024, Bibb County residents can expect airport construction, state decisions on the futures of the Academy for Classical Education and Cirrus Academy, loan money to come available for developers to build housing in several neighborhoods, a governmental focus on growing retail, and a transportation safety director to take the helm of the county’s efforts to end pedestrian deaths.
Jan. 3, 2024 Saporta Report
Emory nursing school receives $3.5 million to study online tool for caregivers of persons with dementia
Staff reports, when family members and friends begin caregiving for a loved one with dementia, their attention is immediately drawn to how best to manage their person’s day-to-day health and well-being. What is less apparent is how many health care, legal, financial, social service, and family systems they will need to navigate along the way — and how daunting it can be for those without previous experience.
Jan. 3, 2024 Cherokee Tribune
Scholarships Available for Georgia Agriculture Students
Staff reports that the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is offering $65,000 in scholarships to Georgia students pursuing a degree in agriculture, veterinary medicine, family and consumer sciences or a related field. The GFA will award scholarships in four categories related to agriculture.
Jan. 3, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Mayor Expects Growth and Engagement in Mableton’s First Full Year
Jake Busch reports that Mayor Michael Owens offered this reminder the day after Christmas: While 2023 was coming to a close, the city of Mableton is not yet a year old. The question of cityhood was put before voters in a Nov. 2022 referendum, where 13,156 people—or 53%—voted in favor of the city’s formation, and 11,674—or 47%—voted against it.
Jan. 3, 2024 WABE
Judge rules True the Vote’s mass voter challenges in Georgia are not illegal voter intimidation
Sam Gringlas reports, a federal judge has found that the conservative group True the Vote did not illegally intimidate voters when they helped challenge the eligibility of tens of thousands of Georgia voters. The federal Voting Rights Act prohibits efforts to intimidate, threaten or coerce anyone against voting.
Jan. 3, 2024 GPB
Legislation could provide help for first responders with PTSD
Peter Biello reports, if you’re a first responder in Georgia diagnosed with PTSD, you can get worker’s compensation, but only if you also have a corresponding physical injury. For example, if you’re a police officer shot in the line of duty and you develop PTSD, you’re covered.
Jan. 3, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Drawn into friendly political fire, new Georgia redistricting maps prompt lawmaker reshuffling
Ross Williams reports, when a federal judge gave the final OK to newly-drawn electoral maps last month, it spelled curtains for the political careers of at least four state reps who had been drawn into the same district as a member of their own party. Two Democratic state representatives have agreed not to run against their colleagues, while a pair of Democrats and a pair of Republicans say they’ll let the voters decide in this spring’s primaries.
Jan. 3, 2024 Capitol Beat News
State Senate Republicans tweaking new prosecutors oversight board
Dave Williams reports, two Georgia Senate Republican leaders pre-filed legislation Tuesday to bypass a court ruling late last year that blocked implementation of a new oversight board for local prosecutors lawmakers created last year. The bill would allow the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission to set its own rules and regulations.
Jan. 3, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Backers hold out hope for bill to boost Georgia renter rights
Willoughby Mariano reports, as Georgians continue to struggle under some of the nation’s weakest renter protections, a broad coalition backing a bill to require landlords to provide habitable housing is holding out hope for passage in the upcoming legislative session. House Bill 404 passed the state House unanimously in 2023 to a standing ovation but failed to come up for a Senate vote in the session’s final hours, despite backing from House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington.
