Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 9, 2024
Aug. 9, 2024 New York Times
Dam Breach in Rural Georgia Floods Communities Downstream
Christine Hauser reports, at least four dams in Georgia were breached, releasing water as Tropical Storm Debby soaked the state this week. But only one of the dams posed any danger to people and property, according to information released on Thursday by the Department of Natural Resources. Water began flowing over the top of the Oglesby Pond Dam in Bulloch County, about 70 miles northwest of Savannah, on Wednesday.
Aug. 9, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economic Development Around the State
Christy Simo reports, Global food and agriculture company Cargill is establishing an office hub in Atlanta. The project, with Cargill’s Digital, Technology and Data organization as its first occupant, will create more than 400 new jobs when it opens in fall 2024.
Aug. 9, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
$1.45B federal loan helps power up new-age solar plant north of Atlanta
Drew Kann reports that the hulking Qcells solar panel manufacturing plant nearing completion 50 miles northwest of Atlanta is set to get new financial backing from a $1.45 billion federal loan, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced Thursday. The loan guarantee will help finance the construction of the facility, which has been hyped as a game-changer by the company and President Joe Biden’s administration because it will boast the country’s first fully-integrated solar supply chain under one roof.
Aug. 9, 2024 The Brunswick News
King and Prince Resort sold, new owners plan renovations
Michael Hall reports that Chris Randolph and his team South Street Partners didn’t pursue purchasing The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort because they wanted a new vacation spot, but Randolph said he plans to spend plenty of time at the company’s newest property. “I’m excited to start spending more time there with my family,” said Randolph, a partner at South Street, the company that closed last week on the purchase of the historic St. Simons Island resort in a joint venture with TPG. “We’re excited to get down there and become active members of the community.”
Aug. 9, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Calhoun Settles PFAS Water Pollution Case With CRBI
Blake Silvers reports, a consent decree filed in a federal district court Thursday settled a recent water pollution case between the City of Calhoun and a pair of environmental groups. Represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, regional watchdog Coosa River Basin Initiative agreed to resolve a federal lawsuit that alleged the city allowed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — better known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” — in its drinking water supply.
Aug. 9, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Georgia should tighten timeline for replacing wells to serve Hyundai site, critics contend
John Deem reports, more than 36 billion gallons. That’s how much water four proposed Bulloch County wells, if pumped at permitted capacity, would withdraw from the Floridan Aquifer and send to Hyundai Motor Company’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing site over a 15-year period.
Aug. 9, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
Business as Usual: County Still Operating Under Home Rule Map
Annie Mayne reports that Cobb County is continuing to conduct its business under the county-drawn home rule map, despite it being declared unconstitutional by Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill last month. Hill’s ruling canceled the November elections for the District 2 and District 4 seats on the commission and ordered special elections for the seats be held under the map passed by the Georgia Legislature in 2022 “as soon as reasonably practical” after the November general elections and any potential December runoffs.
Aug. 9, 2024 Capitol Beat News
DCH board member calls for fair prescription reimbursements to independent pharmacies
Dave Williams reports, a member of the Georgia Board of Community Health called on the agency Thursday to reimburse independent pharmacies for prescriptions at the same rate they pay pharmacy chains. Mark Shane Mobley’s comments came as the board was approving a 6% increase on average of health insurance premiums state employees, public school teachers, and retirees pay to the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP).
Aug. 9, 2024 WSB Radio, WSB TV
Ossoff making ground after introducing bill to stop members of Congress from trading stocks
Staff reports, Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is pushing a bill through Congress and has worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move a stock trading ban for members of Congress through a major Senate committee. It’s the kind of restriction already in place for the executive branch.
Aug. 9, 2024 WABE
Georgia business leaders outline their priorities for upcoming legislative session
Marlon Hyde reports, Georgia business leaders say strengthening the state’s rural economy, extending expiring business tax breaks and investing in defense should be major priorities for its economic success in the future. About 1,500 of Georgia’s top business leaders and lawmakers filled the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia, steps away from the University of Georgia for the 2024 Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon on Wednesday.
Aug. 9, 2024 Washington Post
Trump’s focus on Georgia election board raises fears for November vote
Amy Gardner reports, when the Georgia State Board of Elections convened this week to consider new rules for the November vote, some in the crowd stood and cheered. They were talking about Janice Johnston, a retired obstetrician who has repeatedly claimed without evidence that falsified data in the state’s largest county tainted President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the state.
Aug. 9, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Third party candidates still battling for spot on Georgia ballot as alternative to Trump, Harris
Ross Williams reports that Georgians casting ballots this November will have the option to choose from among at least three presidential candidates. Others say they have earned the right for a shot at the White House, but the Democratic Party of Georgia is trying to keep them out of the running.
Aug. 9, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia, two other battleground states rated ‘Toss Ups’ in presidential race
Dave Williams reports, the Cook Political Report has moved the presidential race in Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada from “Leans Republican” to “Toss Up,” reflecting a surge in support for Vice President Kamala Harris in battleground states. With those moves, the independent non-partisan newsletter now rates 235 electoral votes of leaning, likely, or solid Republican and 226 electoral voted leaning, likely, or solid Democrat.
Aug. 9, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Could RFK Jr’s. chances of being on Georgia ballots hinge on NY trial?
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Van Brimmer report, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opponents already hope a range of legal issues will keep him off the presidential ballot in Georgia. A New York legal challenge could add to the independent candidate’s mounting concerns. A judge will soon decide whether Kennedy illegally listed a New York address as his residence in a case that his critics say could bolster challenges in other states.
