Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 11, 2025
Dec. 11, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Economists paint ‘sobering’ picture for 2026, with slower growth expected in Georgia too
Maya Homan reports that economists are offering a “sobering” forecast for 2026, marking the second consecutive year of slowed growth across both Georgia and the U.S. at large. The state’s economy is projected to grow 1.5% in 2026, only marginally better than the 1.3% growth expected nationally, according to economists at the University of Georgia.
Dec. 11, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Toy Giveaway – The Donovan’s Venom
Susana Hills reports, what began as a neighborhood effort has grown into a county-wide movement that connects learning and celebration through music. The Donovan’s Venom, a DeKalb-based nonprofit using music and STEM to inspire academic growth and confidence in underserved youth will host its 6th Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Dec. 11, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coca-Cola names new CEO Henrique Braun to succeed James Quincey
Amy Wenk and J. Scott Trubey report that Coca-Cola has named a successor to CEO James Quincey who will take the reins of the global beverage giant early next year. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun will become chief executive on March 31, with Quincey moving into the role of executive chairman, Coca-Cola said in a late Wednesday news release.
Dec. 11, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Tentative agreement with Georgia Power could mean new capacity for data centers
Ty Tagami reports that Georgia’s dominant electric power monopoly has a reached a tentative deal with state regulators that would allow a major expansion of energy production, mostly from natural gas. The Public Service Commission’s public interest advocacy staff had previously advised approving only a third of Georgia Power’s request for a 10-megawatt expansion.
Dec. 11, 2025 WABE
Sticker shock for Georgians as ACA Marketplace enhanced premium tax credits set to expire
Jess Mador reports that Georgians with Affordable Care Act health insurance are evaluating their options as open enrollment winds down for plans beginning Jan. 1, 2026. A majority of the roughly 1.5 million Georgians with coverage in the state would be affected if enhanced premium tax credits that have made Marketplace plans more affordable since 2021 expire at the end of the year.
Dec. 11, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Marietta Mayor Tumlin seeks a win in women’s soccer pursuit
Hunter Riggall reports, with a stroke of his pen, Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin bought the land for the city, some of which the city had sold to IKEA, back for $18.5 million. The sale represents the end of residents’ long wait for an IKEA store, but not in the way that was originally promised.
Dec. 11, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
A new — and safer — way for pedestrians to travel is coming to midtown Columbus
Brittany McGee reports, work on the first of three phases linking midtown Columbus to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk and the Fall Line Trace on the Dragonfly Trails is expected to begin next year, providing a safer path for pedestrians without navigating busy streets. The Columbus Consolidated Government partnered with the PATH Foundation and Dragonfly Trails Inc. in 2016 to adopt the 65-mile master plan for the Dragonfly Trails Network.
Dec. 11, 2025 Milledgeville Union-Recorder
Exchange Bank contributes $35,000 to Putnam General Hospital
Staff reports that Exchange Bank recently announced a $35,000 contribution to Putnam General Hospital through the Georgia HEART Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program. This investment supports Putnam General’s ongoing work to provide quality healthcare services to residents throughout the region.
Dec. 11, 2025 Macon Melody
Macon officials optimistic about Ocmulgee Mounds bill despite snag in Senate
Casey Choung reports that the bill to designate the Ocmulgee Mounds as a National Park returned to the Senate Dec. 9, and Macon officials believe the bill will advance despite opposition from the National Park Service. Lawmakers did not advance the Mounds bill last year even after it passed through committee hearings.
Dec. 11, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Bryan County to ask state leaders to repeal airport authority bill
Latrice Williams reports that Bryan County Commissioners announced Tuesday night, during their regularly scheduled meeting, they will not continue to support buildout of the proposed airport. Commissioners are calling on state leaders to repeal the airport authority bill, which was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp May 1.
Dec. 11, 2025 State Affairs
Senate makes pitch to regulate AI, social media in Georgia
Beau Evans reports that state senate lawmakers have rolled out recommendations aimed at protecting children in Georgia from the digital harms of social media and artificial intelligence ranging from a crackdown on AI-generated chatbots to a statewide ban on cellphones in high schools. The 33-page report approved Wednesday is set to form the backbone of major legislation in the 2026 legislative session that starts next month, marking the biggest step Georgia has taken toward putting legal guardrails around largely unchecked social media apps and AI.
Dec. 11, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Could Georgia’s 2026 statewide races be runoff free?
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, the Libertarian Party of Georgia is having trouble qualifying for the ballot. Without their candidates, statewide races would likely be settled on Election Day.
