Georgia Trend Daily – July 17, 2026
July 17, 2026 GPB
The Okefenokee is on the verge of UNESCO World Heritage status, bringing promise — and pressure
Jillian Magtoto reports, later in July, a United Nations committee will likely convene in South Korea to officially inscribe the swamp as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside 26 other sites in the U.S. including Yosemite and Yellowstone. Much of the efforts behind the designation is to shine an international light on the site and in doing so, draw in more visitors.
July 17, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Southwest Georgia Nurse Honor Guard
Candice Dyer reports, for many practitioners, nursing is more than just a profession. It is a sacred calling that sometimes exerts a toll. “During the pandemic, we lost so many colleagues,” says Jennifer Heyer, a longtime emergency room nurse and associate professor at Albany State University.
July 17, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coca-Cola suspends U.S. production of billion-dollar brand after cyberattack
Mirtha Donastorg reports that Coca-Cola has shut down U.S. production for its dairy brand Fairlife after it was hit by a ransomware attack, the company announced Thursday. The company said in a statement that it had “identified unauthorized access by a third party to a portion of its systems, including its production-related systems,” and as a result, production in the U.S. is temporarily suspended. However, its operations in Canada have not been impacted.
July 17, 2026 Rome News-Tribune
Among carpet giants, local designer finds niche for small rug company
Elizabeth Green reports, with intricate designs, a distinctively artsy feel and serious durability, American Dakota is churning out what company founder Mark Ford calls “adult rugs” — pieces that are worth an investment and will feel relevant and fresh for years. The small private company is based in Calhoun, squarely in the middle of carpet country.
July 17, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
AI data center company expands in Columbus after $111M agreement
Jordyn Paul-Slater reports that Duos Edge AI, a subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Duos Technologies Group, has entered into a five-year agreement to provide 10 megawatts of computing capacity at its Columbus data center campus. Duos Edge AI develops and operates data center infrastructure for artificial intelligence, cloud computing and other high-performance computing applications.
July 17, 2026 WABE
Chattahoochee Nature Center turns 50 years old
Marisa Mecke reports, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is 127 acres on the river in Roswell, and one of the few wildlife rehabilitation centers in the region. This year, it’s turning 50 years old.
July 17, 2026 Macon Telegraph
Georgia is among the most affordable states for college, reports U.S. News & World
Sundi Rose reports that Georgia has been named one of the top five most affordable states to earn a college degree, and based on a few factors, can make it substantially more attainable than in many other parts of the country. As part of the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best States” rankings, the higher education analysis ranks Georgia no. 4 in the nation for in‑state public tuition and fees.
July 17, 2026 Albany Herald
Dawson Council approves $400,000 lifeline in emergency meeting as financial accountability remains elusive
Kathryn Crockett reports, less than a week after city officials publicly acknowledged the city of Dawson cannot continue operating without additional financing, the Dawson City Council convened a hastily called emergency meeting Tuesday evening and unanimously approved authority to borrow up to $400,000 through a tax anticipation note. The meeting lasted less than 10 minutes.
July 17, 2026 State Affairs
Dip in gas tax shows signs of surplus strain in Georgia, analysts say
Beau Evans reports, a big drop in state revenues from the recent suspension of Georgia’s motor fuel tax should not slow down road construction funded by gasoline sales, according to state officials and outside analysts. But analysts see cause for concern in tax revenue dips after state officials and lawmakers spent years pulling billions from budget surpluses to fund tax breaks — an option that may be off the table in the future as Capitol leaders eye spending cuts.
July17, 2026 Georgia Recorder
A decades-old law promised Georgians a second chance. A new law hopes to deliver on that promise.
Maya Homan reports, a mistake doesn’t have to be a life sentence. That’s the promise of Georgia’s First Offender Act, which is meant to give residents who find themselves facing their first misdemeanor or qualifying felony charge a chance to avoid the stigma that comes with having a criminal record.
July 17, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Trump to visit Georgia to tout affordability agenda
Ty Tagami reports that President Donald Trump plans to visit Georgia next week to highlight tax breaks, grants to newborns and other policies aimed at affordability, a top concern ahead of the November elections. The president is scheduled to visit Wheeler High School in Marietta on Wednesday.
July 17, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How Keisha Lance Bottoms is making inroads in rural Georgia
Sophia Eppley reports, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat six opponents in the May Democratic primary for governor, winning 56% of the vote and avoiding a runoff. But to win in November, she will need to make gains outside of the core metro Atlanta counties where previous Democratic nominees have fallen short.
