Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 15, 2026
Jan. 15, 2026 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces Affordability, Infrastructure & Workforce Priorities at Eggs and Issues
Staff reports that Gov. Brian P. Kemp today delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues legislative event, announcing a number of his top legislative and budgetary priorities for the 2026 session of the General Assembly. Among other proposals, the governor announced historic investments in affordability, transportation and energy infrastructure, and education and workforce development.
Jan. 15, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Notable Georgians
Julia Roberts reports, in addition to the 100 Most Influential Georgians, we compiled a list of Georgians who have made significant impact on the Peach State over the years. See the entire list on our digital edition.
Jan. 15, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta’s latest elite frequent flyer changes reflect broader strategy
Emma Hurt reports, for Delta Air Lines’ most loyal customers, the extra perks they get to choose at the start of each year are a key benefit of their elite frequent flyer status. The Atlanta-based airline reevaluates these benefits every year, and its latest changes, announced in December, offer insights into Delta’s larger loyalty strategy.
Jan. 15, 2026 Savannah Morning News
SEDA’s annual meeting talks strategy and dabbles in some ‘imagineering’
Evan Lasseter reports, machines typically need both a powerful engine and intelligent operator to reach peak performance. For the Savannah Economic Development Authority, the same is true for the economic vitality of the region.
Jan. 15, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Georgia’s Former Trade Director Tapped as Chief of Protocol
Trevor Williams reports that Georgia Department of Economic Development has tapped the former head of its trade division as its chief of protocol, a role tasked with tending to the state’s vital international relationships. Mary Waters, who will add the protocol title to her main job as chief administrative officer, is acquainted with the state’s international partners, as well as its intense focus on global markets for growth.
Jan. 15, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb Oks $2 million for veterans memorial
Isabelle Manders reports, after more than a decade, the long-awaited Cobb Veterans Memorial Park is finally poised to move forward with construction after county commissioners approved additional funding, though lingering “administrative” issues remain unresolved. During Tuesday’s meeting, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an additional $2 million in surplus revenue from the county’s 2022 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) to the Cobb Veterans Memorial, which will be built on Fairground Street next to the Cobb County Civic Center.
Jan. 15, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Forsyth P&Z makes no recommendation on 12M-square-foot data center. What’s next?
12-million-square-foot data center proposed in Forsyth is in question after the City of Forsyth Planning & Zoning Commission made no recommendation after a deadlocked Wednesday meeting. The project, if approved and built according to preliminary plans, would be six times the size of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and use more than a million gallons of water a day, according to a development of regional impact report produced by the Middle Georgia Regional Commission.
Jan. 15, 2026 Decaturish
DeKalb defers Ellenwood data center proposal to July
Zoe Seiler reports that the DeKalb County Commission, at its Jan. 13 meeting, deferred a data center proposal until the summer. DeKalb County has received a special land use permit application for a data center at 4358 and 4280 Loveless Place. This would be in small lot residential and mixed-use low-density zoning districts.
Jan. 15, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Error in state auditors’ data center review inflated job production and economic value
Ty Tagami reports that data centers in Georgia did not produce the same high payback in exchange for nearly half a billion dollars in tax breaks as reported by state auditors last month, according to a correction issued Wednesday. In a report first released on Christmas Eve, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts said the state effectively gave away $474 million in the fiscal year that ended in July by exempting data centers from some taxes.
Jan. 15, 2026 The Current
Glynn brings turtle-friendly lighting plan to residents
Jabari Gibbs reports, two public meetings on Monday about the Glynn County lighting ordinance pitted residents’ safety concerns against advocates who seek more protections for nesting sea turtles on the area’s barrier islands. As the update to the antiquated zoning ordinances nears a final vote, Glynn County staff held two public town-hall-style meetings on St. Simons Monday.
Jan. 15, 2026 WABE
Georgia is investing $50 million to curb homelessness
Marlon Hyde reports that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced a one-time investment of $50 million to local governments and nonprofits to increase housing stability and address street-level homelessness in the state. As Atlanta prepares to host the World Cup in a couple of months, Kemp is rolling out what he’s calling the Homelessness Response Grant.
Jan. 15, 2026 GPB
‘Lawmakers’ Day 2: Senate passes first legislation of session; Democrats call to ‘unmask ICE’
Sarah Kallis and Tristan Smith report, on Tuesday, lawmakers looked into state approaches to national immigration enforcement questions for Day 2. The Senate jumped to a quick start, passing the first bill of the session.
Jan. 15, 2026 State Affairs
Kemp rolls out billions in roadwork for final session in Georgia
Beau Evans reports, Gov. Brian Kemp wants big spending on roadwork for his last year in office. The governor announced plans Wednesday for more than $2 billion for highway reconstruction, local road projects and bridge repairs in rural areas as part of his upcoming budget recommendations, set to roll out next week.
Jan. 15, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Traffic congestion, homelessness top Kemp’s agenda for his final year in office
Maya Homan reports that last year, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s priorities going into the 2025 legislative session had an almost singular focus: overhauling the state’s civil litigation system through a series of policies that proponents refer to as “tort reform.” This year, with the fight over tort in the rearview mirror, Kemp has begun to roll out his plans for his last session in office.
Jan. 15, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Georgia GOP senators target Raffensperger over voter registration lists
Mark Niesse reports that several Georgia Republican senators introduced a resolution Tuesday demanding that Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger comply with the Trump administration’s pursuit of the state’s unredacted voter registration list. Raffensperger objected to the effort, saying state law prevents sharing voters’ private information such as full Social Security numbers, dates of birth and driver’s license numbers.
Jan. 15, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Endorsements show Trump’s impact on both sides of Georgia’s governor’s race
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, a pair of endorsements shows just how central President Donald Trump will be to Georgia’s 2026 race for governor. Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Quillian Yates endorsed Democrat Jason Esteves this morning, saying the job demands strong leadership against “Trump’s destructive agenda.”
