Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 30, 2025
Jan. 30, 2025 The Brunswick News
Cargo through Port of Brunswick up 7.5%
Staff reports that the Port of Brunswick has handled 443,763 units of roll-on/roll-off cargo — cars, trucks, boats, heavy machinery and other vehicles — since July 1, an increase of 7.5% over the prior fiscal year. In units, that’s 31,125 more vehicles passing through the Port of Brunswick during the same five-month span last year, the Georgia Ports Authority said Tuesday.
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Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton. Photo credit: Kevin Garrett
Jan. 30, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Support Initiative
Rachel Wallenstein reports, when COVID-19 was in full swing, Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton realized that many of his residents needed assistance, including children who had been relying on school lunches, veterans and immunocompromised seniors. Out of those dark times came an initiative called Support Smyrna.
Jan. 30, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Office parks were a strength of Atlanta’s suburbs. Now, some are tearing them down
Zachary Hansen reports, what happens to office space in a post-pandemic world has often centered on what to do about high-rise workplaces in the downtowns of major cities, such as Atlanta. But there is an awful lot of office space in the suburbs, much of it built in the 1980s and 1990s as developers planted office parks far from central business districts but closer to growing bedroom communities.
Jan. 30, 2025 WABE
US Soccer Federation announces four-year deal with Atlanta-based Home Depot
Kendall Murry reports that the U.S. Soccer Federation on Tuesday announced a four-year partnership with Atlanta-based retail chain Home Depot, the second major sponsorship of its kind between the organization and major Georgia corporations. Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer, joins Coca-Cola as a major sponsor for the federation and a supporting level partner of the upcoming Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center.
Jan. 30, 2025 Rome News-Tribune
Rome’s Economy Recovered Quickly Post-Pandemic, But Housing Remains a Challenge
Adam Carey reports that Northwest Georgia has recovered quickly from pandemic economic woes and is expected to see continued rapid growth for the foreseeable future, according to a noted business economist who focuses on the region. “Rome has been doing considerably better than other counties in the state,” University of Louisiana at Lafayette Economist Gary Wagner said. “And Georgia is doing better than most states in the country.”
Jan. 30, 2025 Valdosta Daily Times
FEMA seeks property to rent in communities affected by Helene
Staff reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is seeking information from property management companies with ready-for- occupancy residential or rental properties in Georgia communities affected by Hurricane Helene. These units must meet local, state and federal housing regulations.
Jan. 30, 2025 Macon Telegraph
Lack of rooftop solar & surge in data centers in GA are among top concerns of environmental groups
Margaret Walker reports, an environmental group on Monday called on state leaders to protect Georgians by pushing for cleaner, safer and more affordable sources of energy. The organization, Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV), speaking at a press conference inside the state capital, said two of its top concerns were a lack of distributed solar, or rooftop solar panels, and a surge in data center development.
Jan. 30, 2025 11 Alive
First Lady Marty Kemp introduces tougher anti-human trafficking legislation to stiffen penalties on offenders
Cody Alcorn reports that Georgia is strengthening its stance against human trafficking with new legislation and expanded prosecutorial resources. First Lady Marty Kemp introduced Senate Bill 42 this week.
Jan. 30, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
‘Chaos at the Capitol’: Cobb Legislators Split over Delegation
Annie Mayne reports that for decades, the Cobb County Legislative Delegation has acted as one body. But now, some Republicans have declared the delegation must be split by chamber, sparking a debate and confusion along party lines at the Capitol.
Jan. 30, 2025 State Affairs
Legislation seeks stiffer penalties against cities harboring undocumented immigrants
Tammy Joyner reports that local governments and their officials could be sued for violating Georgia’s ban on harboring undocumented immigrants under legislation introduced this week. Senate Bill 21 also increases penalties against municipalities, counties and government entities with “sanctuary” policies of resisting or refusing cooperation with federal immigration authorities unless ordered by a court or presented with an arrest warrant.
Jan. 30, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Georgia House panel advances bill to increase grant access for state college and tech students
Ross Williams reports, more Georgia’s college and technical students may soon be eligible for grant money to help them complete their degree after a mathematical oversight made it impossible for many to qualify. A House committee unanimously passed a bill aimed at correcting the oversight Wednesday.
Jan. 30, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Trump signs Laken Riley Act into law
Dave Williams reports that legislation named in honor of a Georgia nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant Wednesday became the first bill signed into law by President Donald Trump. The Laken Riley Act requires federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest, detain and deport illegal immigrants who commit nonviolent crimes including theft, burglary, larceny or shoplifting.
Jan. 30, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Warnock to vote against Kennedy after tense exchange over Nazi comments
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick to lead Health and Human Services, denied comparing the CDC to “Nazi death camps” during a hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill. But Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock had the receipts.
