Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 27, 2026
Feb. 27, 2026 WABE
Georgia soybean farmers urge no more tariffs after US Supreme Court ruling
Marlon Hyde reports, soybean farmers in Georgia and across the country urged President Donald Trump to avoid imposing more tariffs on agricultural inputs after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his sweeping 10% global import tax. Fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and tractors are just a handful of the items farmers regularly buy that have become more expensive under the president’s trade policies.
Feb. 27, 2026 Georgia Trend Exclusive!
Douglas County | Douglasville: Hitting Its Stride
David Butler reports, Douglas County began as a little-known Atlanta suburb that was more of a sleepy bedroom community, but it has since morphed into an economic dynamo. “I was here and I remember when Douglas County didn’t even show up on a map,” says Breezy Straton, interim president of Elevate Douglas, a public-private economic development partnership tasked with developing the county’s economy.
Feb. 27, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Newell Brands exec has made imprint on Sharpies, strollers and shampoo
Kelly Yamanouchi reports, if you’ve ever used a Sharpie pen or Craftsman tools, you may have experienced the influence of Kris Malkoski. As an executive in the consumer products industry, Malkoski led teams at Procter & Gamble, Sears and the parent company of Pyrex and CorningWare.
Feb. 27, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Wellstar’s new head talks growth, culture and challenges
Isabelle Manders reports that just over 100 days into his tenure as president and CEO, Ketul Patel has reached a firm conclusion about Wellstar Health System. “We are the best kept secret in healthcare,” he said.
Feb. 27, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
What are the steps from proposal to approval for Columbus data center Project Ruby?
Jordyn Paul-Slater reports, building a data center is a lengthy, regulated process that involves far more than pouring concrete and turning on servers. Developers must pass through a series of checkpoints before a facility becomes operational.
Feb. 27, 2026 The Brunswick News
Kings Bay reaches construction milestone for facility
Gordon Jackson reports, the final steel beam for the new Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department building at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay has been set, symbolizing a significant milestone toward the completion of the facility. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to support critical maintenance and repair operations for submarines equipped with Trident ballistic nuclear missiles like the ones on Ohio-class submarines and the new Columbia-class submarines now under construction.
Feb. 27, 2026 Savannah Morning News
These 5 Georgia companies named best midsize employers in US by Forbes
Miguel Legoas reports, of course several major businesses call Georgia home, but there are some medium-sized companies worth looking at. Forbes and Statista has released this year’s list of “America’s Best Midsize Employers.”
Feb. 27, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta National pledges $1.5 million to grow USNDP state junior teams
Cameron Jourdan reports, Augusta National Golf Club is partnering with the U.S. Golf Association to pave the way for junior golfers in America. The USGA announced Thursday that Augusta National and Masters Tournament Charities have committed $1.5 million over three years to support the expansion of the State Junior Team component of the U.S. National Development Program.
Feb. 27, 2026 State Affairs
Data center regulations left in limbo in Georgia Senate
Beau Evans reports, all Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, could do was shake his head. Hours before, the 13-year lawmaker had cobbled together enough support to avoid what he saw as a gutting of his bill to protect Georgia homes and businesses from the data center boom.
Feb. 27, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Data center bill stalls after last-minute change opposed by industry finds support
Alander Rocha reports, the Senate session ended abruptly Thursday just as senators were nearing a vote on a bill aimed at ensuring data centers pay for the energy infrastructure built to accommodate them after it appeared a last-minute alternative measure had the votes to pass. The Georgia Senate avoided voting on Senate Bill 34, which moved out of committee earlier this week after it had been changed to reflect language from House Bill 1063, which Georgia Power did not oppose and the data center industry preferred.
Feb. 27, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Students who skip school could face new punishments, including loss of driver’s license
Ty Tagami reports, students with too many unexcused absences would be barred from playing sports and could lose their driver’s license under legislation approved by the state Senate Thursday. “These are privileges,” said Sen. Jason Dickerson, R-Canton. “And this bill reinforces the connection between responsibility and opportunity.”
Feb. 27, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Democratic lawmaker quits race for Georgia governor
Greg Bluestein reports that Democratic state Rep. Ruwa Romman dropped out of the race for governor Thursday and pivoted to an open Gwinnett-based state Senate seat, conceding in an interview she saw no path forward in a crowded field. Romman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution she decided to withdraw after learning well-financed outside groups were lining up behind former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and that grassroots networks she hoped to mobilize were directing their focus to other states.
