Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 31, 2024
Jan. 31, 2024 Athens Banner-Herald, USA Today
UPS to layoff nearly 12,000 employees across the globe to ‘align resources for 2024’
Natalie Neysa Alund reports that UPS plans to layoff nearly 12,000 employees following a massive year-over-year decline in revenue, company officials told USA TODAY Tuesday morning. The workforce reduction is part of an effort to align resources in 2024 and will save the company nearly $1 billion, the Atlanta-based company’s CEO Carole Tomé said on a company earnings call.
Jan. 31, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Last chance for nominations to Georgia 500 is today
Nominations are open through January 31, 2024, for the next edition of the Georgia 500: The State’s Most Influential Leaders, which will publish in November 2024. Please nominate your choice of candidates who best reflect the innovation, vitality and success that is Georgia business.
Jan. 31, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot cuts unspecified number of jobs in undisclosed locations
Michael E. Kanell reports that Home Depot, the largest company by both revenue and employees based in Georgia, has acknowledged making some job cuts, but won’t say how many or where they were. The Vinings-based home improvement giant continues to be upbeat about demand this year for its products and services, but has “reorganized some teams to better support our long-term priorities,” an action that included “a very small number” of jobs, according to Beth Marlowe, a spokeswoman for the company.
Jan. 31, 2024 Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia Ports achieves record year for autos
Staff reports that the Port of Brunswick handled a record 775,565 units of autos and machinery in calendar year 2023, an increase of 15.6 percent over the previous year. “Thanks to our auto and heavy machinery customers, processors and ILA Partners – GPA is firing on all cylinders,” said Kent Fountain, Chairman of the GPA Board.
Jan. 31, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
A conversation with the CEO of computer chip maker coming to Columbus. Why here?
Brittany McGee reports, as the country focuses on increasing the manufacturing and packaging of microchips domestically for national security, local support convinced a semiconductor manufacturing company to choose Columbus as its headquarters. Micromize, a semiconductor manufacturer that specializes in energy-efficient electronics for wearables and mobile devices, recently announced it will bring its operation to Georgia with Columbus as its home base and utilizing Georgia Tech for its research and development.
Jan. 31, 2024 WRDW
$2.2M donation to help AU’s efforts to boost rural health care
Staff reports that a $2.2 million donation will help Augusta University expand its efforts to bring health and dental care to rural and underserved areas of the state. The bulk of the money is going toward expanding the Medical College of Georgia’s Primary Care Pathway Program.
Jan. 31, 2024 The Brunswick News
McIntosh County Shouters receive $15K grant from NEA
Terry Dickson reports that the McIntosh County Shouters have received a $15,000 grant to perform their Gullah Geechee programs in coastal Georgia schools. “The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to The McIntosh County Shouters, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being of the arts sector and local community,” National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, a Ph.D., said in a press release.
Jan. 31, 2024 Griffin Daily News, Albany Herald
Georgia senators announce federal Clean Energy Investment funds for farmers
Staff reports that U.S. Senators the Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., announced a slate of new federal clean energy investments that will help farmers, ranchers, and business owners in rural Georgia lower their energy costs. Federal investments announced by Georgia’s two senators will fund nine projects in eight rural Georgia counties, including Gilmer, Habersham, Morgan, Stephens, Union, Crawford, Dodge and Franklin.
Jan. 31, 2024 GPB
‘Lawmakers’: Georgia legislators remember Richard Smith and soldiers killed in Jordan on Day 12
Sarah Kallis reports that lawmakers started Day 12 with sad and shocking news. House Rules Chairman Richard Smith passed away overnight Monday after battling the flu. Next, another of the three Georgian soldiers who were killed during a drone attack in Jordan over the weekend was also honored by Sen. Derek Mallow.
Jan. 31, 2024 State Affairs
Should your hairdresser or barber need a license? Maybe.
Jill Jordan Sieder reports that three bills aimed at making it easier for beauticians and barbers to bypass licensing requirements and get to work are moving through the Legislature. They face pushback from some lawmakers and industry professionals concerned about safety.
Jan. 31, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Gov. Kemp Signs New Cobb School Board Map into Law
Staff reports that on Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law state Sen. Ed Setzler’s map that redraws the boundaries of the seven posts of the Cobb County Board of Education. “It is law. Signed by the governor. And will supersede any previous plan,” Setzler, an Acworth Republican, told the MDJ Tuesday.
Jan. 31, 2024 WSB Radio
Georgia lawmakers move to ban deep fake videos from state politics
Staff reports that a bipartisan group of Georgia senators are pushing to ban deep fakes from the state’s elections. Senate Bill 392, filed on Jan. 25, would make it a criminal offense for deep fakes to be used, created or requested, describing it legally as a criminal election interference charge.
Jan. 31, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Will Georgia Republicans embrace full Medicaid expansion by another name?
Jill Nolin reports, Republican state Rep. Donny Lambeth backed expanding Medicaid in North Carolina for nearly a decade before it passed in that state last year. But when he would talk about it, the former hospital executive said there was one phrase he avoided: Medicaid expansion.
Jan. 31, 2024 Capitol Beat News
State Senate committee approves sports betting bill
Dave Williams reports that a state Senate committee overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday legalizing sports betting in Georgia. Under Senate Bill 386, which the Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committee passed 8-2, the Georgia Lottery Corp. would award 16 licenses to sports betting operators.
Jan. 31, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bill to streamline private claims on coastal marshland moves forward
Meris Lutz reports that a bill that seeks to streamline private claims on Georgia coastal marshland cleared its first hurdle Tuesday when it squeaked out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 6-5. Georgia boasts one of the least-developed coastlines in the country with about 368,000 acres of protected salt marsh that provides a buffer against flooding and erosion as well as habitat for countless species of plants and animals.
