Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 20, 2025
Nov. 20, 2025 Rough Draft Atlanta
Lovett School announces largest gift in history from Rollins Family
Staff reports that the Lovett School announced Nov. 19 a record-breaking $30 million commitment from the Rollins Family, the largest single donation in the school’s 99-year history. According to a press release, the transformational commitment, among the largest single gifts to an independent school in the country, bolsters the One Lovett Campaign, strengthening priority investments in faculty support, student opportunities, and financial aid, as well as future-facing campus development.
Nov. 20, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Restoring the State GOP
Brian Robinson writes, in June, Josh McKoon was in the car with his wife when Trump called to congratulate him on his re-election as chair of the Georgia Republican Party. Not long into the call, Trump says, “China’s calling me. I’ll call you back.”
Nov. 20, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hyundai CEO: White House apologized for raid on Georgia battery factory
Adam Van Brimmer reports that a White House official telephoned Hyundai Motor Co. Chief Executive José Muñoz to apologize for the September immigration raid at the South Korean company’s electric vehicle manufacturing campus near Savannah, Muñoz said Wednesday. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, Muñoz said the unnamed official told him he or she was “not aware” and “didn’t know” about the Georgia raid.
Nov. 20, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb targets millions in federal funds to counter drones, boost World Cup security
Isabelle Manders reports that next summer, Cobb County will serve as the training grounds for several international teams competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expected to be one of the largest sporting events in history. To prepare, county officials are asking the Board of Commissioners to allow the county to apply for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security grants: the FIFA Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant and FIFA World Cup Grant Program.
Nov. 20, 2025 Gainesville Times
How $2.5 million in federal money will be used for Lake Lanier
Jeff Gill reports that an effort to improve Lake Lanier’s water quality has gotten a federal $2.5 million boost. The money goes to a regional effort to reduce nutrient pollution and otherwise protect the lake, U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick said in a press release Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Nov. 20, 2025 Augusta Chronicle
This Georgia town ranked among the South’s best spots for seniors
Vanessa Countryman reports, a Georgia community is earning national attention after World Atlas named it one of the most comfortable towns in the South for seniors in 2025. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Dahlonega is a historic town known for its amazing wineries and for its rich gold mining heritage.
Nov. 20, 2025 GPB
See where Georgia ranks on the latest annual report for infant and maternal health
Sofi Gratas reports that an annual report from the March of Dimes points to minor improvements in infant and maternal health outcomes. Nationally, the maternal mortality rate returned to pre-pandemic rates but the infant mortality rate showed no change from the previous year.
Nov. 20, 2025 Savannah Morning News, The Imprint
Federal shutdown prompts Georgia to gatekeep vital child welfare services
Jordan Anderson reports, in emails sent late Friday to child welfare agencies in Georgia, state officials announced that the federal government shutdown has required them to suspend new services that protect children from entering foster care and ensure family reunification — unless approved in writing by the state. Under the directive, without that level of approval, caseworkers cannot initiate contracted services for child and family assessments, aides for parents, wraparound care, measures to prevent foster care, including “unnecessary out of home placement,” and “early intervention” services.
Nov. 20, 2025 The Brunswick News
Tourism the top legislative priority for Chamber
Gordon Jackson reports that Ralph Staffins III, Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said tourism will be the main issue they will discuss with state officials during their annual visit. The initiative should be well received because making Georgia the No. 1 state in the nation for tourism is one of Gov. Brian Kemp’s priorities.
Nov. 20, 2025 State Affairs
$30B tax breaks targeted to eliminate Georgia’s income tax
Beau Evans reports that tax credits are on the chopping block for top lawmakers in the Senate pushing to eliminate Georgia’s state income tax. This week, leaders in a high-profile Senate panel combed through roughly $30 billion in tax credits and other incentives as part of early steps to make major cuts — enough to offset around $16 billion in state budget revenues that would be lost from ditching the income tax.
Nov. 20, 2025 Athens Banner-Herald
Georgia has 7 Democrats running for governor in 2026. Here’s who will be in primary
Miguel Legoas reports that for more than 20 years, Georgia has had a Republican in the governor’s seat. But that could change by 2027.
Nov. 20, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Two Democrats advance to a runoff in contest to name new state senator for metro Atlanta district
Maya Homan reports that two candidates vying to replace former state Sen. Jason Esteves to represent a metro Atlanta Senate seat are headed to a runoff election next month after neither candidate managed to secure more than 50% of the vote in a six-way special election held Tuesday. Esteves, an Atlanta Democrat, resigned from the state Senate in September to focus on his campaign for governor.
Nov. 20, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Report: Georgia unauthorized immigrant population reaches nearly 500,000
Lautaro Grinspan reports that the number of unauthorized immigrants living in Georgia reached 479,000 as of mid-2023, according to a report released last month by the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank focused on immigration. Georgia’s population of unauthorized immigrants increased by more than 45% since 2018, according to MPI.
