Georgia Trend Daily – July 2, 2026
July 2, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Georgia Power: Grid ready for AI, population growth
Laura Camper reports that Plant Yates was buzzing with activity Thursday, much of it centered on construction of three new generator towers, signs of the growth happening in Georgia. In 2020, the population of Georgia was 10,711,908, a more than 10 percent increase from 2010, according to the U.S. Census bureau.
July 2, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
A Bakery Where Vegan Isn’t a Compromise
Sucheta Rawal reports, inside the small, sunlit coffee shop and bakery tucked into Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood, flaky croissants glisten behind the pastry case. Golden cheddar chive biscuits sit beside cinnamon rolls and strawberry doughnuts.
July 2, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta could acquire rights to Spirit Airlines’ old Hartsfield-Jackson gates
Savannah Sicurella reports that Delta Air Lines could grab an even bigger piece of prime real estate at the world’s busiest airport through the bankruptcy of a low-cost rival. Delta has bid for and appears to be the likely winner for control of two gates, the ticketing lobby and support space previously controlled by Spirit Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
July 2, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Breeze Airways launches travel to new city, airfare starts at $64
Latrice Williams reports that Breeze Airways announced Wednesday that travelers can now fly nonstop between Savannah and Columbus, Ohio Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fares start at $64 one way.
July 2, 2026 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces DCS Leadership Updates
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Wednesday announced that current Department of Community Supervision (DCS) Commissioner Michael Nail will retire on October 1 of this year after more than 37 years of dedicated service to the state. Kemp also announced he will appoint Scott Maurer to succeed Commissioner Nail on October 1.
July 2, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
GA falls even lower in latest US health ratings. Here’s where it ranks & why
Sundi Rose reports that Georgia landed at number 38 nationally in the 2024 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report, published by the United Health Foundation. The state has a few genuine bright spots, but worsening trends in physical health, drug use, and access to care pushed the overall ranking down.
July 2, 2026 Athens Banner-Herald
St. Mary’s to break ground this month on new Greensboro facility
Wayne Ford reports that St. Mary’s Health Care System this week announced that later this month it will host an event-based groundbreaking ceremony for its new medical facility in Greensboro. The ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. July 20 at 5401 Lake Oconee Parkway, site of the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion with a projected cost of $45.6 million.
July 2, 2026 The Macon Melody
Q&A: A closer look at the impact of Macon’s new arena
Evelyn Davidson reports that Macon officials recently unveiled renderings of the new Macon arena, a roughly 10,000-seat venue intended to replace the Macon Coliseum as Bibb County’s premier sports venue for events like high school basketball championships, hockey games and more. Construction on the venue is set to begin this month, with the arena’s completion date slated for summer of 2028.
July 2, 2026 The Brunswick News
Bald eagle nesting in Georgia continues positive trend
Staff reports that a symbol of America is thriving in the Golden Isles and around the state. Bald eagle nesting rated high this year as determined by an annual survey by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
July 2, 2026 GPB
Georgia is on track for a record-high turtle nesting season. What’s behind the good news
Jillian Magtoto reports that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources predicts more than 4,000 loggerhead nests by the end of the season in August. That would be the highest number the state has seen in about four decades.
July 2, 2026 Albany Herald
Who decides elections in Terrell County? Data show older voters dominate turnout as turnout declines
Kathryn Crockett reports, as Terrell County prepares for the November general election, turnout data from this year’s primary and primary runoff offer a snapshot of who is most likely to shape the outcome at the ballot box. An analysis of voter participation from Georgia’s May 19 primary and June 16 runoff shows older residents consistently turned out at the highest rates, while overall participation fell by nearly half between the two elections, and the demographic makeup of the electorate shifted significantly.
July 2, 2026 Georgia Recorder
New state law expected to increase patient access to Georgia’s medical cannabis program
Alander Rocha reports that a new state law that took effect Wednesday fundamentally changed Georgia’s medical cannabis program. The new law, named “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” significantly eases barriers that advocates and physicians said have hindered access to medical cannabis and hampered interest for patients.
July 2, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s campaign finance watchdog is stepping down
David Wickert reports that David Emadi, executive director of the State Ethics Commission, is stepping down to become a Fulton County Superior Court judge. He’ll be replaced by his top deputy, Steven Knittel, who was appointed executive director by the commission last week.
