Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 17, 2025
Dec. 17, 2025 Gainesville Times
When inland port could open off Ga. 365 in northeast Hall County
Jeff Gill reports, a Georgia Ports Authority inland port under construction off Ga. 365 in northeast Hall County is expected to open in the spring, according to the Georgia Ports Authority. “We’re making strong progress” on the $127 million Blue Ridge Connector off White Sulphur Road, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch said in November press release.
Dec. 17, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Demand Better from Lawmakers
Tharon Johnson writes, next month, 180 state representatives and 56 state senators will be returning to the Gold Dome for the second half of Georgia’s 158th legislative session. Bills that were introduced and discussed earlier this year will once again be up for consideration, including measures to expand Medicaid, legalize sports betting and reform key criminal justice provisions, among hundreds of others.
Dec. 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
DeKalb extends data center moratorium 6 months
Reed Williams reports, DeKalb County commissioners on Tuesday extended a moratorium on the development or expansion of data centers for six months, after hearing from residents who are fiercely opposed to the facilities. However, county officials said the moratorium could be repealed or shortened if the Board of Commissioners approves an ordinance before then to establish data center regulations.
Dec. 17, 2025 Bloomberg News
UPS buys hundreds of robots to unload trucks in automation push
Spencer Soper and Cailly LaPara report that United Parcel Service Inc. will invest $120 million in 400 robots used to unload trucks, according to people familiar with the matter, revealing new details on the logistics giant’s $9 billion automation plan that aims to boost profits by decreasing labor costs. Unloading trucks and shipping containers at warehouse docks is mostly done by people and remains a key bottleneck in the shipping industry.
Dec. 17, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Hurricane relief finally coming to GA, senator says. Who gets money?
Irene Wright reports, more than $300 million will be coming to Georgia communities after Senator Raphael Warnock accused the Trump Administration of withholding emergency relief funds from communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released $314 million to Georgia, Sen. Warnock said in a statement on Dec. 12, part of a total $350 million being paid to electric cooperatives and localities, the agency told the Associated Press.
Dec. 17, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
New partnership with Columbus Fire & EMS allows 911 callers to talk to a doctor
Kelby Hutchison reports, Columbus Fire & EMS is now offering a new 911 option where non-emergency callers can connect virtually with a board-certified emergency room doctor, according to a news release from the department. This new option, through Texas-based RightSite Health, is designed to help keep ambulances and emergency rooms available for patients with life-threatening conditions, the news release says.
Dec. 17, 2025 WABE
State Farm Arena listed as one of top 10 venues worldwide in 2025
Kendall Murry reports that State Farm Arena may be known as the home of the Atlanta Hawks, but according to a recent Billboard report, it is also among the most visited stadiums for live entertainment in the world. The publication’s Year In Touring 2025 report ranks the arena fifth domestically and seventh worldwide in the Top Venues category, which includes venues with 15,001 or more capacity, excluding stadiums.
Dec. 17, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Macon Telegraph
This GA city is a ‘Christmas wonderland,’ Travel + Leisure says. Here’s why it’s so amazing
Chelsea Madden reports that year after year, it seems Macon, Georgia’s Christmas Light Extravaganza is the talk of the town and this year is no different. Travel + Leisure featured Macon in a story, calling it an “underrated southern city” that “transforms into a Christmas Wonderland every December.”
Dec. 17, 2025 The Current
Port Wentworth panel advises against data centers
Mary Landers reports, in a unanimous vote Monday, the Port Wentworth planning commission rejected a proposal to define data centers in the small city’s zoning ordinance. The panel’s non-binding recommendation goes to city council for its consideration on Thursday.
Dec. 17, 2025 Capitol Beat News
UGA researchers find more evidence that mining would harm Okefenokee
Ty Tagami reports, new scientific research has added more evidence about the risks of mining near the Okefenokee Swamp, with potential implications for future permitting applications. Philanthropists neutralized the latest attempt to withdraw minerals near the ancient wetland by purchasing property on Trail Ridge.
Dec. 17, 2025 State Affairs
Jackpots galore as Georgia Lottery eyes rebound
Beau Evans reports that a string of jackpots looks to be putting Georgia’s Lottery back on track to raise historic amounts of money for local preschools and college scholarships following recent dips in revenues. On Wednesday, the Lottery is set to hold the next drawing for a Powerball jackpot that has climbed to $1.25 million, one of the largest prizes in state history.
Dec. 17, 2025 Rome News-Tribune, New York Daily News
U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Brian Glenn are getting married
Brian Niemietz reports that Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome is engaged to Right Side Broadcasting Network personality Brian Glenn. The pair announced their impending nuptials on social media with a photo showing the two enjoying dinner at a restaurant where the right-wing lawmaker showed off her new ring.
Dec. 17, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Howard wins Georgia Senate special election runoff to represent Atlanta district
Maya Homan reports, Democrat Jaha Howard, a dentist and former Cobb County School Board member, is headed to the state Capitol after narrowly defeating fellow Democrat and former state Rep. Roger Bruce during a special election runoff. He will represent a metro Atlanta district that includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties.
Dec. 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fani Willis’ testimony gives Republican candidates time in the spotlight
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, all eyes will be on Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis today as she testifies before a special state Senate Committee. But we’ll also be interested in what’s happening on the other side of the table. Of the seven state senators that will question Willis today, four of them are Republicans running for statewide office.
