Georgia Trend Daily – March 15, 2024
March 15, 2024 WABE
Metro Atlanta moves up to sixth-largest in US, counties outside city see major increases
Kenny Murry reports that the metropolitan Atlanta area has reached a new milestone this week, with the U.S. Census Bureau naming it the sixth largest — and third fastest growing — region in the country. The city grew by approximately 68,585 new residents in 2023, roughly 1% of the area’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
March 15, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
A 200-Year Tradition
Kathleen Conway reports that Savannah is commemorating a unique bicentennial anniversary as the city hosts its 200th St. Patrick’s Day parade this year. The parade – one of the largest and oldest in the U.S. – falls on Saturday, March 16, the day before the official holiday.
March 15, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Decelerating growth continues at year’s start in metro Atlanta
Michael E. Kanell reports that the metro Atlanta jobless rate ticked up in January as the region started the year with the usual post-holiday cutbacks in retail, logistics and hospitality jobs, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Unemployment edged up to 3.0% in January, still historically low, but up slightly from a revised 2.9% in December.
March 15, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Aging Cobb Population Means Greater Transportation Needs, Atlanta Regional Commission Says
Jake Busch reports that an aging population in Cobb County spells a need for more transportation options, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Mike Alexander. “I don’t think we’re planning enough for this older future,” Alexander said, as senior citizens who can no longer drive will need expanded mobility options.
March 15, 2024 The Brunswick News
Funding secured for harbor improvements
Gordon Jackson reports that Federal funding has been secured for the construction phase of the Port of Brunswick harbor modification project. The $11.35 million for the Georgia Ports Authority construction phase of the harbor modification project is part of the FY 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
March 15, 2024 GPB
Once ranked last in the state for health care, Twiggs County is expanding access
Sofi Gratas reports that a yearslong local collaboration is behind the expansion of a federally qualified health center in Jeffersonville. The Jeffersonville clinic of Community Health Care Systems opened in 2008. Community Health Care Systems has 13 other outlets in surrounding counties, including Bibb, Jones and Wilkinson.
March 15, 2024 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta Regional Airport and SRNL announce new partnership, new air taxis coming in 2026
Alexandra Koch reports, during a press conference Thursday at the Georgia Cyber Center, the Augusta Regional Airport and the Savannah River National Lab announced a new partnership centered around emerging aerospace technologies. Once implemented, the two organizations will participate jointly in various research and resource initiatives, including funding opportunities for projects and joint utilization of facilities and airspace.
March 15, 2024 11 Alive
Georgia lawmakers demand answers after 149,000 children dropped from Medicaid; governor’s office pushes back on claims
Akilah Winter reports, two members of Congress from Georgia are demanding more answers from the governor after federal data — released back in December — showed thousands of children in the state were dropped from Medicaid. “This is a failure,” Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff told 11Alive in an interview on Thursday. “I would urge the state to do everything in its power to make this right.”
March 15, 2024 Fox 5 Atlanta
Georgia state senator banned from House floor after comments about late speaker
Brittney Edney reports that a Georgia state senator was banned from ever stepping foot on the Georgia House floor on Thursday. In an almost unprecedented move, state Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, was forbidden from entering the House chambers after making disparaging comments about late House Speaker David Ralston.
March 15, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Georgia House bill banning gender-affirming care for trans children passes in Senate committee
Maya Homan reports that a bill aimed at ensuring overdose medications are available in municipal buildings this week saw tacked onto it a provision banning a form of gender-affirming healthcare for minors, alarming legislators and activists alike. House Bill 1170 was heard in the state Senate Health and Human Services committee Monday afternoon, after being introduced by Sen. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), who chairs the committee.
March 15, 2024 State Affairs
Private school voucher bill narrowly passes House amid outcry from Democrats
Jill Jordan Sieder reports that the House on Thursday passed a new version of a bill that would provide taxpayer dollars to some Georgia families to use for private schools. Senate Bill 233, which faced bipartisan opposition last year, passed 91-82. Senate Bill 233 would provide $6,500 per student per year to children who attend public schools in the bottom 25% lowest performing districts in the state to use for either private school tuition or for home schooling supplies and tutors.
March 15, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Tax credit for gun safety devices nears vote by full Georgia Senate
Amira Daniel reports that as the 2024 Legislative session nears its end, House Bill 971, which would provide a tax credit of up to $300 for gun safety devices like safes and trigger locks, has just passed through the Senate Finance Committee, where its sponsor, Augusta Republican Rep. Mark Newton hopes it will move forward through the full Senate, on its path to become a law.
March 15, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia Senate passes CON reform measure
Dave Williams reports that the state Senate passed legislation Thursday making significant reforms to Georgia’s Certificate of Need (CON) law governing hospital construction and medical services, over the objections of some Democrats who called for Medicaid expansion. Senate supporters said the bill, which passed 43-11, represents middle ground between doing nothing to improve access to quality health care – especially in rural Georgia – and repealing the CON law entirely.
March 15, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PG A.M.: Former Georgia official touted as possible No Labels candidate
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report that the centrist No Labels movement this week took a step toward fielding a third-party presidential candidate, forming a 12-person committee tasked with recommending a nominee. Some supporters have pushed for former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan for that ticket.
