Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 13, 2024
Sept. 13, 2024 WABE
Georgia regulators consider pricey power plant to bolster forestry jobs
Emily Jones reports, state regulators are considering a plan that would allow Georgia Power to generate more electricity by burning organic material, such as wood pellets. There appears to be little disagreement over whether energy from biomass is a cheaper option than other energy sources: it’s not.
Sept. 13, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Still Soaring: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Arthur Brice reports, on any given day at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, just south of the state’s bustling capital city, you’ll find some 286,000 people heading to or coming home from destinations all over the world, from Amsterdam and Antigua to Vancouver and Zurich and everyplace in between. The airport stays humming from morning to late at night, with some 2,100 flights arriving and departing daily.
Sept. 13, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A big change is happening in the top ranks of Regions Bank in Atlanta
Michael E. Kanell reports, after a 46-year career in banking that included engagement with numerous civic groups and a position as one of the top Regions Bank executives in metro Atlanta, Bill Linginfelter will retire at the end of this year. Mary Beth Coke, who joined Regions last year, has been named as his successor.
Sept. 13, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Savannah will need 42 million gallons more water per day to meet growth, city says
John Deem reports that to keep pace with projected residential and industrial growth, Savannah expects to increase its drinking-water capacity by more than 72% over the next two decades. The ultimate projected cost of expanding Savannah’s Industrial and Domestic Water Treatment Plant to meet that increase is $500 million, City Manager Jay Melder said Thursday.
Sept. 13, 2024 Capitol Beat News
University system sets record for degrees awarded
Dave Williams reports, the University System of Georgia (USG) awarded a record 76,571 degrees during the last fiscal year, up 1.8% over fiscal 2023. The number of degrees the system’s 26 institutions have awarded has risen by 39.6% since 2011, when the USG joined Complete College America, a program that prioritizes degree completion.
Sept. 13, 2024 Newnan Times-Herald
County continues to revise proposed solar ordinance
Jeffrey Cullen-Dean reports, the adoptions of a new ordinance that would regulate solar energy systems in the county was delayed again. A public hearing was held at the Coweta County Board of Commissioners’ Thursday night meeting regarding the ordinance.
Sept 13, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation Awards $1.3 Million in Grants
Staff reports that Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation is awarding more than $1.3 million in grants, which will be used to support 33 community agencies. The foundation currently has assets valued at more than $200 million.
Sept. 13, 2024 Macon Telegraph
‘It gave me motivation’ Macon student wins national award for awe-inspiring community work
Myracle Lewis reports, at the age of just 16, a Central High School student received the 2024 Youth Leadership Award from the Coalition for Community Schools for his commitment to serving on the Safe at Home Project, which included reducing the risk of seniors’ properties in Pleasant Hill from becoming targets of property crime.
Sept. 13, 2024 Fox 5 Atlanta
Georgia lacks maternity care outside Atlanta, March of Dimes study shows
Erik Mock reports that a new report by the March of Dimes shows more than 40% of Georgia’s counties are maternal care deserts, which means there’s not a single birth center in that county. Dr. Padmashree “Champa” Woodham is a maternal fetal medicine specialist in Augusta.
Sept. 13, 2024 State Affairs
Mega Millions has generated over $17M in HOPE, pre-K funding since June
Tammy Joyner reports, by now you’re acutely aware you’re not holding the winning ticket to this week’s $810 million Mega Millions Jackpot. That honor goes to a Texan who matched all six numbers.
Sept. 13, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Fulton judge overturns Georgia secretary of state decision in favor of third-party ballot presence
Ross Williams reports that Georgians could have fewer choices for president when they go to vote this November after two Fulton County Superior Court judges reversed Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s decision and ruled independent candidate Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz with the Party for Socialism and Liberation are not eligible to run for president in the state.
Sept. 13, 2024 GPB
As Georgia’s uninsured rate remains higher than national average, stakeholders discuss policy
Sofi Gratas reports, according to the latest census, 1.2 million people under 65 years old in Georgia do not have health insurance. That includes about about 171,000 children.
Sept. 13, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kemp says it’s still too soon to weigh in on Georgia’s gun policy debate
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns framed the GOP debate over gun safety measures this week by releasing a list of policies he has either endorsed or wants to study following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. What’s less clear is whether Gov. Brian Kemp will also seek a middle ground on gun-related measures that have long stalled in the Legislature.
