Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 29, 2024
Jan. 29, 2024 The Brunswick News
Funding approved for vessel berths at Port
Gordon Jackson reports that funding for more improvements at the Port of Brunswick has been approved. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-1, said the $15 million federal grant will improve the port’s efficiency, safety and reliability.
Jan. 29, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Hancock County | Indomitable Spirit
Kathy Roberts reports Hancock County is rich in history, with hundreds of historic sites and structures, but many people, even lifelong Georgians, have passed right by without stopping to visit. But if Sparta Mayor Allen Haywood, Hancock County Commission Chair Helen “Sistie” Hudson, Sparta-Hancock Chamber of Commerce President LaTunya Goodwin and other like-minded citizens have their way, Hancock County is on its way to reinventing itself – and putting itself back on the map.
Jan. 29, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Norfolk Southern’s cleanup of Ohio train wreck, one year later
Kelly Yamanouchi reports, it has been nearly a year since the catastrophic derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio. The Feb. 3, 2023, wreck was followed by the burning of toxic vinyl chloride from five railcars that led to a soaring plume of smoke and extensive environmental impact on the small town and the surrounding area.
Jan. 29, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Port Wentworth OKs development agreement for Ghost Pirates $25 million training facility
Destini Ambus reports that Port Wentworth City Council unanimously approved a development agreement with the Savannah Ghost Pirates and Port Wentworth Development Authority for a new training facility. In April 2023, the Ghost Pirates announced plans to construct the $25 million, 90,000 square-foot facility in Port Wentworth’s planned 150-acre recreation complex, and signed a letter of intent the same month.
Jan. 29, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia DOT: I-14 project not a good investment
Dave Williams reports that Georgia motorists looking for a faster way to get across the state between Columbus and Augusta will have to wait a long time – if ever – for a solution. A newly released study of options for moving freight through Georgia by the state Department of Transportation (DOT) has concluded that a plan to build the Peach State’s first interstate highway since the 1960s would not be a good return on investment.
Jan. 29, 2024 GPB
Proposed monkey breeding facility in Georgia raises concerns over health, waste
Orlando Montoya reports, a plan to build a nearly $4 million monkey breeding facility has galvanized many residents in a Southwest Georgia community. Safer Human Medicine is behind the project in Bainbridge. The company wants to house as many as 30,000 monkeys at the site and then sell them for medical and other research purposes.
Jan. 29, 2024 Macon Telegraph
Are electric school buses impractical? Why Muscogee County turned down free buses
Kala Hunter reports, last month, Meriwether and Chattahoochee County received 12 electric school buses from the EPA Clean School Bus Grant Program. Despite the popularity and financial incentives of the program and health burdens from diesel and propane, the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) did not apply for the electric school buses and has not signaled interest in applying in the future.
Jan. 29, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Tax Break Moving for Doctors and Dentists Who Choose Rural Areas in Georgia
Diane Wagner reports that legislation offering a new tax break to physicians and dentists who opt to practice in rural areas is on track to move quickly through the Georgia General Assembly. House Bill 82, sponsored by Rep. Mack Jackson, D-Sandersville, passed that chamber with just one “no” vote last year but ran out of time to cross over.
Jan. 29, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Republican state lawmakers push for Georgia law to require proof of adulthood to view adult websites
Ross Williams reports that Georgians regularly get carded when buying things like alcohol, tobacco and R-rated movie tickets, but a group of lawmakers says they should prove their age when they log in to their favorite adult website as well. House Bill 910, sponsored by Jasper Republican Rep. Rick Jasperse, would require companies that publish “material harmful to minors” to verify the age of people trying to access that material.
Jan. 29, 2024 State Affairs
Georgia General Assembly week 3 roundup: Bills, amnesty and tax breaks
Tammy Joyner reports that lawmakers closed week three of their legislative session with a flurry of announcements and proposed legislation. House Speaker Jon Burns unveiled a package of four bills intended to provide major tax relief for Georgians.
Jan. 29, 2024 Capitol Beat News
State Senate eyeing second sports betting bill
Dave Williams reports, a second sports betting bill was introduced into the Georgia Senate this week with bipartisan backing from the chamber’s leadership. Senate Bill 386 would authorize sports betting in Georgia under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Corp.
Jan. 29, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PG A.M.: Georgia GOP House candidate targeted by Kemp allies
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report that Gov. Brian Kemp’s political machine is taking aim at C.J. Pearson, the 21-year-old Republican operative who is running in a special election for a vacant Augusta-based Georgia House seat. The broadsides by Kemp’s leadership committee come as no surprise, given that Pearson was the top aide to former gubernatorial candidate Vernon Jones.
