Georgia Trend Daily – May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Signs Bills Improving Healthcare and Supporting Coastal Communities
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, constitutional officers, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and local leaders, signed legislation helping promote access to quality, affordable healthcare for hardworking Georgians and supporting the continued growth of coastal communities. He signed ten pieces of healthcare-related legislation.
Shepherd Center rehabilitation expert conducting therapy session for severe injury. Photo credit: contributed
May 2, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Exceptional Recovery Outcomes for Injured Workers Through Partnerships and Claims Service
Belinda Fleming and Bruce W. Mosely report, imagine this real-life crisis – a construction foreman, a pillar to his crew and family, sidelined by a severe workplace injury. Beyond whatever physical pain lies a flood of worries: mounting medical bills, lost income and the daunting path to recovery.
May 2, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Southern Company profits soared last quarter despite economic uncertainty
Drew Kann reports, seemingly unfazed by recent economic turmoil, profits at Atlanta-based utility giant Southern Company — the parent of Georgia Power — rose 19% in the first three months of 2025 compared to last year. The company reported profits Thursday of $1.3 billion between January and the end of March, $200 million more than it earned at the start of 2024.
May 2, 2025 The Brunswick News
Brunswick port poised to continue growth
Taylor Cooper reports that since 1995, the Georgia Ports Authority has seen a 784% increase in container traffic, and the Port of Brunswick Played a pivotal role in that. With vessels carrying roll-on, roll-off (ro/ro), and bulk cargo using the local port, Brunswick’s coastal neighbor Savannah has become home to a 100% container facility.
May 2, 2025 Macon Telegraph
Macon using mass timber for guitar-shaped airport. Why it matters.
Margaret Walker reports that the new guitar-shaped airport terminal set to be built at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport is going to be built from wood, with over 70% of which will be locally sourced from Georgia. Using mass timber is a stylistic choice with sustainability benefits that also fosters the engagement between urban development and the local forestry industry, according to Chris Nardone, lead architect for the project with Passero Associates.
May 2, 2025 Savannah Morning News
‘Won’t raise property taxes’: Pembroke details plans to pay for wastewater expansion
Latrice Williams reports that last year marked a significant turn for the city of Pembroke’s future as a number of housing developments were approved by city council. In all, more than 3,000 homes are scheduled to be constructed in the coming years.
May 2, 2025 State Affairs
Susan Holmes, ‘a steel magnolia’ lawmaker and mayor, dies at 82
Susan Holmes, a former schoolteacher who became the first woman to serve as mayor of her hometown of Monticello before serving six terms in the General Assembly, died Wednesday. She was 82. Her family said Holmes died peacefully while surrounded by loved ones.
May 2, 2025 Augusta Chronicle
‘One of the good guys’: Colleagues remember life, career of Ben Harbin
Joe Hotchkiss reports that Ben Harbin – whose 20 years in the Georgia General Assembly gave a growing Columbia County a stronger voice in Atlanta – died Wednesday at age 61. Harbin was pronounced dead at the Fairfield Inn in Augusta, 3023½ Washington Road, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
May 2, 2025 WABE
Veterans, health providers say DOGE cuts to Atlanta VA would impact services
Jess Mador reports that military veterans and healthcare providers say proposed federal cuts to the Veterans Affairs health system would delay care for Atlanta veterans. The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate more than 80,000 VA employees nationwide.
May 2, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Fired CDC workers vow to fight against cuts as they find a tight job market outside the agency
Jill Nolin reports that Shelby Hutton was a biologist studying sexually transmitted diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who was planning to expand her gonorrhea research by starting doctoral studies in the fall. But in early April, Hutton found herself suddenly unemployed and applying for a job at Starbucks.
May 2, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Kemp signs IVF protections into law
Dave Williams reports that Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation Thursday codifying into state law the right of women struggling to get pregnant to receive in vitro fertilization. House Bill 428, which the General Assembly passed with just one “no” vote, was among a half dozen health-care measures the governor signed during a ceremony at the Savannah Convention Center.
May 2, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greene’s stock trading during tariff sell-off leads to renewed calls for a ban
Tia Mitchell and Phoebe Quinton report, in the 48 hours after President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of tariffs on goods from around the globe, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene went on a buying spree.Nineteen stock purchases worth up to $285,000 were made on her behalf for shares of companies like Amazon, UPS and Lululemon.
