Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 7, 2025
Oct. 7, 2025 Rough Draft Atlanta
Georgia’s pecan farmers brace for the future
Sarra Sedghi reports that Georgia is the nation’s top producer of pecans, providing about one third of domestic nuts. The majority of Georgia’s pecans are grown in the state’s southern half, a frequent path for Gulf Coast hurricanes.
Oct. 7, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Political Notes: Ups, Downs and In-Betweens
Christy Simo reports, Gabriel Sterling, the former COO in Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office who made news when he called on President Donald Trump to condemn threats to election workers in 2020, is seeking to take Raffensperger’s place. Sterling recently announced he will run in the 2026 Republican primary for Secretary of State.
Oct. 7, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The EPA killed $7B for solar. Now, groups in Georgia, other states are suing.
Drew Kann reports that a coalition of groups sued the Donald Trump administration Monday for terminating $7 billion in grants this summer for free rooftop solar programs aimed at lower-income residents in Georgia and other states. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island against the Environmental Protection Agency and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, argues funding for the so-called “Solar For All” initiative was unlawfully terminated without Congressional approval.
Oct. 7, 2025 WABE
Georgia farms and food businesses devastated after losing access to federal funding
Marlon Hyde reports that Georgia farmers growing crops like peanuts, pecans and blueberries recently lost access to federal funding and technical assistance through the Southeast Regional Food Business Center. The program that worked to bolster food and farm entrepreneurs and localize the production of healthy food was terminated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Oct. 7, 2025 Macon Telegraph
Government shutdown halts federal prosecutors’ office in Middle Georgia
Alba Rosa reports that the government shutdown that started last week caused the federal prosecutors’ office in Middle Georgia to stop working on cases, according to federal court records. All civil cases in Middle Georgia involving the United States, its federal agencies, officers and employees, as well as U.S. Attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys, will be paused due to the “lapse of appropriations” that occurred Oct. 1 when the government shut down after Congress officials failed to agree on funding healthcare subsidies, according to federal court records from Monday.
Oct. 7, 2025 Rome News-Tribune
Shutdown puts Blue Angels performance at Wings Over North Georgia airshow in doubt
Adam Carey reports that the federal government shutdown could mean that Wings Over North Georgia headliners, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, won’t be appearing as expected. But show organizers remain hopeful that the Angels will grace the skies above Rome next weekend.
Oct. 7, 2025 Gainesville Times
How Hall planning board voted on proposed data center in southeast Hall
Jeff Gill reports that a proposal for a data center with its own power substation at 2400 O’Kelly Road was recommended for approval by the Hall County Planning Commission. The vote was 3-0, and now goes before the Hall County Board of Commissioners for final action on Oct. 23.
Oct. 7, 2025 GlobalAtlanta.com
Atlanta International School Marks 40th Anniversary
Trevor Williams reports, as Atlanta International School gears up for this year’s edition of WorldFest, an annual food and cultural festival spotlighting 30-plus countries and cultures, its community has an extra milestone to celebrate. The school, which started with 51 students in a converted army barracks on Powers Ferry Road in 1985, celebrated its 40th anniversary Sept. 3, marking a generation dedicated to international education.
Oct. 7, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Georgia ranks among top 10 most expensive state to own a car, Consumer Affairs finds
Vanessa Countryman reports that owning a car in Georgia comes with a hefty price tag. According to recent research, drivers in the state pay 13% more than the national average.
Oct. 7, 2025 State Affairs
Shrimp labeling laws gain momentum as states seek to support local fishermen
Humberto Sanchez reports, in an effort to protect consumers and boost the ailing Southeastern shrimp industry, states this year considered legislation that could help consumers distinguish between imported and domestically produced shrimp. Texas and Mississippi enacted laws after Alabama did last year and Louisiana in 2008. The Georgia House overwhelmingly passed a bill in February that later died in the Senate, while measures were also introduced in South Carolina and Florida.
Oct. 7, 2025 Georgia Recorder
U.S. Senate GOP hopefuls say they raised nearly $2M each in fight for Georgia seat
Ross Williams reports, how much does it cost to run for the U.S. Senate in Georgia? Millions of dollars are already pouring into the coffers of Republicans hoping to claim the office – and of Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is fighting to hold onto it.
Oct. 7, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Data centers and electrification of transportation driving energy demand in Georgia
Ty Tagami reports that data centers gulp massive amounts of power, and that insatiable thirst is driving new production and distribution of natural gas supply, experts said at a legislative hearing Monday. A special House subcommittee heard from industry insiders involved in the sourcing and supply of the finite fossil fuel.
Oct. 7, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brandon Beach’s plan to put Donald Trump on $1 coin raises legal questions
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, at times, it seems like President Donald Trump’s political appointees are competing to see who can produce the most ardent display of loyalty. By that standard, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach — a former Georgia state senator — just played his “Trump” card.
