Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 24, 2025
Dec. 24, 2025 WABE
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta expects a robust economy in 2026 as recession fears loom
Marlon Hyde reports that the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta expects the economy to remain robust, but headwinds, such as the labor market and inflation, to remain in the near future. With a few months left in his final term, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said between inflation and the labor market, he believes inflation is furthest from his target, sitting at 2.7% above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.
Dec. 24, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
A Peach of a Leader
Loran Smith reports, if there were a Hall of Fame for promoting a city into prominence in the sports world, Gary Stokan would be a charter member. The president and CEO of Peach Bowl, Inc. – who will retire at the end of the 2025 football season – has been instrumental in Atlanta being known as the sports capital of the world.
Dec. 24, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Fortune 500 firm is ousting its CEO. Some investors want him to stay.
Amy Wenk and Kelly Yamanouchi report that two top shareholders of metro Atlanta-based Graphic Packaging are publicly challenging a decision by the consumer packaging giant’s board to oust its chief executive. New York asset management firm Eminence Capital and Atlanta investment management firm Shapiro Capital Management are mounting a pressure campaign on Graphic Packaging to reverse the leadership change.
Dec. 24, 2025 Valdosta Daily Times
DCA allocates $103 million in 2023-2024 storm assistance
Staff reports, on Friday, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that it has allocated $103 million to the Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (HRRP). This program offers assistance through for eligible homeowners impacted by Hurricane Idalia, Tropical Storm Debby, and Hurricane Helene across 2023 and 2024, the DCA said in a press release.
Dec. 24, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Inside BioTouch’s $12.5M expansion in Columbus. Who gets what from whom in the deal?
Jordyn Paul-Slater reports that BioTouch, a health care logistics company based in West Haven, Connecticut, announced three weeks ago it will invest $12.5 million to expand its two kit manufacturing facilities in Columbus. Now, the Ledger-Enquirer has obtained the inducement agreement documents signed between BioTouch and the Development Authority of Columbus.
Dec. 24, 2025 The Brunswick News
500,000th vehicle arrives at IAP
Gordon Jackson reports that the 500,000th vehicle rolled into the Port of Brunswick on Monday, setting a new single-year record for International Auto Processing, the company which processes about two thirds of the vehicles that arrive there. Don Asdell, president and CEO of International Auto Processing, said his organization has been close to processing a half-million vehicles in recent years before finally reaching that benchmark.
Dec. 24, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Smyrna approves $5.7M deal for cameras, drones in public safety expansion
Megan Jackson reports that the Smyrna City Council has approved a deal with Flock Safety for 75 additional license plate reader cameras and two drones. The city is paying approximately $5.7 million over a span of 10 years for Flock’s City Safe Program initiative, anticipated to roll out in three to six months.
Dec. 24, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Rincon nonprofit created to preserve biodiversity in Coastal Georgia
Latrice Williams reports, watching as industrial, commercial and residential properties continue to consume wetlands and agricultural land in Effingham County, Isaiah Scott felt he had to do something. At just 22 years old, Scott founded Rookery and Roots Conservancy in Spring of 2025, a 501c3 nonprofit to preserve biodiversity in the region.
Dec. 24, 2025 Fox 5 Atlanta
Judge clears path for Georgia election board to access Fulton County 2020 ballots
Deidra Dukes reports that a Fulton County Superior Court judge has cleared the way for the Georgia State Election Board to obtain 2020 presidential election ballots and related records from Fulton County after the board reopened its investigation into the county’s election handling last year. The court ruled the election board must cover the cost of obtaining the documents.
Dec. 24, 2025 State Affairs
Fewer preschoolers complicate Georgia’s education budget math
Beau Evans reports that the number of 4-year-old children in Georgia preschools has dropped in recent years, complicating efforts for Lottery-funded early education programs to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease comes as lawmakers weigh whether to boost funding for preschools in the 2026 legislative session after adding around $105 million last year to reduce class sizes and increase teacher pay by $2,500.
Dec. 24, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Georgia health officials map out $1.4 billion plan for new federal rural health funds
Maya Homan reports that state officials have introduced a $1.4 billion plan to improve rural health outcomes over the next five years under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created as part of this summer’s budget reconciliation bill. In a 96-page application, officials from the state’s Department of Community Health requested funds to improve access to primary and specialty care in rural areas, strengthen telehealth infrastructure and recruit more health care providers across the state’s dozens of rural counties.
Dec. 24, 2025 Capitol Beat News
2025: Trump policies, big tech and affordability become major issues for Georgia
Ty Tagami reports, the year started with news about presidents past and present, as Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term and Georgia mourned the loss of Jimmy Carter. The Trump administration implemented major changes to immigration and trade policy that reverberated across the country and in Georgia. Developments driven by technology companies also rocked the state, as the words “data center” came into common use.
Dec. 24, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta federal prosecutor sidesteps Trump Justice Department chaos — so far
Tamar Hallerman reports, at a time when the U.S. Department of Justice and its regional prosecutors’ offices are in the spotlight amid allegations of chaos, presidential meddling and the loss of independence, Theodore Hertzberg, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, is largely showcasing the bread-and-butter crime-fighting work he and his staff are undertaking. At the same time, he’s taking care not to run afoul of Trump.
