Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 29, 2025
Oct. 29, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Georgia panel raises state park fees with additional price hikes in the works
Ross Williams reports that the Georgia Board of Natural Resources has voted in favor of a plan to increase parking pass rates at state parks, and the Department of Natural Resources could be considering further cost hikes. The new changes, which include surge pricing for campsites, cabins and yurts as well as golf courses, could go into effect next year without a board vote.
Oct. 29, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2025 Higher Education Directory
Staff reports, it’s no secret that Georgia is continually ranked as the top place to do the business in the country, and our strong higher education system plays a part in that success. The 89 colleges in this year’s Higher Education Directory continue to work together to strengthen the state’s talent pipeline, expand opportunities for students and bolster career readiness.
Oct. 29, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UPS down 34,000 jobs in the last year amid shrinking of Amazon relationship
Emma Hurt reports, as UPS continues a multiyear change to its business model that includes a downsizing of its relationship with Amazon, it announced Tuesday it has closed 93 buildings this year and cut 34,000 operational jobs. That total includes drivers who took an unprecedented voluntary retirement offer but is in addition to previously instituted cuts of about 14,000 management positions.
Oct. 29, 2025 Gainesville Times
Ivester Foundation donates $1M for science, nursing programs in Hall County Schools. Here are the details.
Ben Anderson reports that the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation has once again opened its checkbook for the Hall County School District. It was announced Monday that the foundation has donated $1 million to build science classrooms at the North Campus of the Howard E. Ivester Early College.
Oct. 29, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Marietta company develops Space Armor for astronaut protection
Staff reports that a Marietta-based company has developed “Space Armor,” a radio frequency-permeable technology used to protect astronauts and spacecraft. Atomic-6, a manufacturing company focused on developing mobility technology in extreme environments, developed Space Armor tiles, the first radio-frequency permeable debris shield that resists impact and allows radio communications to and from satellites, according to a news release.
Oct. 29, 2025 The Brunswick News
City receives state designation for plan implementation
Taylor Cooper reports, for the next two years, the City of Brunswick is officially recognized as a PlanFirst Community by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Per the DCA, the designation “recognizes communities that demonstrate exemplary implementation of their local comprehensive plan.”
Oct. 29, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Savannah River plutonium pit site embarks on hazardous waste plan
Jillian Magtoto reports, at the Nancy Carson Library in Augusta, Ga., on Oct. 23, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) held a public meeting under the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) new mission to produce 50 of 80 of the nation’s annual stockpile of plutonium pits, the source of explosion at the core of nuclear warheads.
Oct. 29, 2025 The Brunswick News
Bill to prohibit EPD from issuing mining permits near Okefenokee lingers in committee
Hank Rowland reports, it is up to the chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee to say when the committee will vote on the Okefenokee Protection Act. That’s the position of two of Glynn County’s state delegates, senior member Rep. Buddy DeLoach, R-Townsend, and Rep. Rick Townsend, R-St. Simons Island.
Oct. 29, 2025 WSB Radio
Temporary bridge loan helps Georgia’s three largest Head Start programs remain open
Miles Montgomery reports that a metro Atlanta-based organization is providing a bridge loan to three of Georgia’s largest Head Start providers as the programs face a potential federal funding gap starting Nov. 1. The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta is offering the loan, which will allow the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, the state’s largest Head Start provider, to keep its doors open for 45 days.
Oct. 29, 2025 Athens Banner-Herald
This former Georgia leader is one of 30+ donors to the White House East Wing ballroom
Miguel Legoas reports, recently, the White House released a list of more than 30 donors to help fund the work being done to transform the East Wing into a “beautiful, beautiful ballroom” as President Donald Trump once put it. Of those listed, one name may stick out to Georgians: Kelly Loeffler and her husband Jeff Sprecher.
Oct. 29, 2025 State Affairs
Leader of Georgia’s sports betting push exits legislature
Beau Evans reports that a high-ranking House lawmaker leading the charge to legalize sports betting and casinos in Georgia has resigned his seat to focus on working for a real estate firm, state officials announced. Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, stepped down Tuesday midway into his fourth term representing the House’s 121st District, covering most of Oconee County and part of Clarke County near Athens.
Oct. 29, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
AJC poll says Georgia Democrats want a tougher response to Trump
Greg Bluestein reports that Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s new poll of likely Democratic primary voters shows economic issues like jobs and inflation still rank as their top concerns. But “standing up to Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans” comes in a surprisingly close second at 20%.
