Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 11, 2026
Aug. 11, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Georgia tax revenues remained strong in July, bolstered by the sales tax
Ty Tagami reports, Georgia tax revenue continued rising in July, bolstered by strong receipts from the sales and use tax, which sent more money to local governments. Net tax collections were $2.57 billion, up $78.1 million from July 2025.
Aug. 11, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Political Notes: Ups, Downs and In-betweens
Christy Simo reports that the five-day special session called by Gov. Brian Kemp this summer concluded by extending the deadline on how the state casts and counts ballots – to January 1, 2028. The General Assembly passed a measure extending the use of QR codes to count votes that Kemp signed into law in June.
Aug. 11, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia data centers use more than power and land. They need warehouse space.
Zachary Hansen reports that artificial intelligence and the data center boom are influencing many things across Georgia, ranging from politics and technology to debates over energy, water consumption and land use. But there’s something else the sector is gobbling up — space in warehouses across the state.
Aug. 11, 2026 Savannah Morning News
$85K is headed to Georgia wildfire families. Here’s what to know
Vanessa Johns reports that families recovering from devastating wildfires in South Georgia could receive financial and other assistance through a new recovery fund, but the Georgia Forestry Foundation has not yet publicly laid out a specific application process for individuals seeking help. The Forest Wildfire Recovery Fund was launched by the Georgia Forestry Foundation in April as wildfires caused widespread damage across South Georgia.
Aug. 11, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Lawmakers say data loss is keeping hurricane-harmed Georgia farmers from insurance payments
Ross Williams reports, nearly two years after Hurricane Helene unleashed flooding and fierce winds across the South, some Georgia farmers say they still haven’t received compensation for damages, despite efforts from both sides of the political aisle. The hurricane created at least $5.5 billion in agricultural and timber losses, according to the University of Georgia.
Aug. 11, 2026 Chief Healthcare Executive
Wellstar Health System acquires 12th hospital, prepares to open another
Ron Southwick reports, the Wellstar Health System now includes a dozen hospitals. On Monday, the Georgia-based system announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Mountain Lakes Medical Center. The facility is the 12th hospital in the Wellstar Health System.
Aug. 11, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
First look inside Wellstar Columbia County hospital
Katie Goodale reports, before patients arrive, community members got a chance to walk the halls, explore patient rooms and see the new facility up close. Take a look inside the Wellstar Columbia County hospital during its community open house.
Aug. 11, 2026 WABE
Interim MARTA GM and CEO finalist for the permanent job as board expected to select Thursday
Rahul Bali reports that the MARTA Board of Directors is down to three finalists to lead the transit agency, with one of them being current Interim GM and CEO Jonathan Hunt, who has been the face of MARTA since Collie Greenwood stepped down last year. Greenwood, who is Canadian, stepped down from the position because of personal matters and issues over his immigration status.
Aug. 11, 2026 GPB
Georgia data centers likely to demand more energy than the state can provide
Peter Biello reports that last year, Georgia Power got permission from the state’s Public Service Commission to radically increase the amount of electricity the utility generates and sells. Now as communities across the state make deals with data center developers, there’s reason to believe Georgia has promised more power than it has to offer — even after Georgia Power’s expansion.
Aug. 11, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Harris County leaders say data center moratorium unnecessary. Columbus area coalition forms
Kala Hunter reports that Jackie Moyer, a physical therapist in Harris County, asked for time and a pause from her local leaders during the Aug. 5 board of commissioners meeting — time to research data center development to create an ordinance with protections. Moyer took a page from the anti-data center playbook used in dozens of other Georgia counties to slow the introduction of data centers in Harris County, wary of noise, land use, lack of buffer between residents and effects on water quality and availability.
Aug. 11, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Major development plans could reshape 100 acres on Hutchinson Island
Evan Lasseter reports that two undeveloped land tracts totaling 100 acres on Hutchinson Island may soon be primed for redevelopment. The Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission recommended approval Wednesday of major master plan amendments to the Savannah Harbor Planned Development on Hutchinson Island.
Aug. 11, 2026 The Current
Potent, mislabeled and easy to buy: Inside Georgia’s kratom market
Justin Taylor reports, on a chilly night this past February, Andrew Wood died alone in his bed after consuming a kratom product purchased legally at a Brunswick vape shop. He was 24.
Aug. 11, 2026 State Affairs
Lawmakers kick off search for new election system in Georgia
Beau Evans reports that Georgia is en route to picking a new voting system in time for the 2028 presidential election after years of heartburn over the state’s electronic barcoded ballots. A panel of lawmakers held its first hearing Friday to draw up recommendations for how to choose the next system, laying the groundwork for what type of machines the state should buy, which companies can compete for big-dollar contracts and how to pay for it all.
Aug. 11, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Four dozen Black Georgia lawmakers press Collins on alleged ‘white nationalist’ ties
Ross Williams reports that more than 50 Black Georgia lawmakers have signed onto a statement condemning Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins for associates’ comments and posts that have been widely panned as racist and antisemitic. Collins is set to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
Aug. 11, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What constitutional amendments will be on Georgians’ ballots in November?
Sophia Eppley reports that Georgia voters won’t just decide who holds office this November. They’ll also weigh in on three proposed amendments to the state constitution.
