Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 9, 2026
Oct. 9, 2026 WABE
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issues state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Isaias
Kendall Murry reports that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Thursday across all 159 counties as Hurricane Isaias moves closer to Georgia. The hurricane is strengthening across the Gulf Coast and is expected to make landfall near the Alabama and Florida coastlines on Friday evening.
Oct. 9, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Georgian Honored at Film Festival
Kathleen Conway reports, actor, writer, producer and Statesboro native Danny McBride will receive the 2026 Flannery O’Connor Award for Storytelling during the 23rd annual Rome International Film Festival, which takes place November 5-8 in the Floyd County city. The award recognizes artists whose work embodies the distinctive spirit of Southern storytelling.
Oct. 9, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Target to hire thousands of seasonal workers in metro Atlanta
Amy Wenk reports that Target plans to hire 2,300 seasonal employees for its metro Atlanta stores to meet demand this holiday shopping season, a company spokesperson said Thursday. The starting wage for these roles is $15 to $24 an hour, according to information shared with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Oct. 9, 2026 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp: Hyundai Transys Bringing 320 New Jobs to West Point
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced that Hyundai Transys will invest nearly $560 million to expand its manufacturing capabilities in West Point, Georgia. The company plans to create 320 new jobs as part of its ongoing efforts to support global automotive customers with operations in North America.
Oct. 9, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Oliver Dam in Columbus gets visit from US Dept. of Energy to see $27 billion loan in use
Kala Hunter reports that Greg Beard, the Director of Energy Dominance Financing at the U.S. Department of Energy, visited Oliver Dam on Thursday to see how the $26.5 billion loan his department gave Southern Company in February is being put to use. North of Columbus’ world-class whitewater course, Oliver Dam is part of a series of hydroelectric dams constantly churning turbines and generators from millions of gallons of Chattahoochee River water, adding electricity to Georgia Power’s grid for more than half a century without polluting the air.
Oct. 9, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport named best airport in the U.S.
Latrice Williams reports that Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is taking off with a new national accolade, earning recognition as the best airport in the United States — a distinction that puts the Coastal Empire’s gateway in the national spotlight. Tuesday, Condé Nast Traveler released its 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards, with the Savannah Airport being ranked No. 1.
Oct. 9, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
Data center demand drives $30M expansion near Thomson
Joe Hotchkiss reports that a Milwaukee company specializing in fabricating metal for data centers is renovating a building near Thomson. With a booming demand for both data center and power-related equipment, Mayville Engineering Co. announced Thursday that it plans to invest up to $30 million to expand McDuffie County’s former Augusta Coating and Manufacturing facility, keep its current workers and add more production capabilities.
Oct. 9, 2026 Valdosta Daily Times
Kelley Loeffler, Russ Goodman visit Valdosta for Manufacturing Day
Bailey Wilson reports that Kelly Loeffler, the 28th administrator of the United States Small Business Administration, and state Sen. Russ Goodman visited Valdosta on Oct. 1 to learn more about the city’s latest major manufacturing business, Blue Ops. Blue Ops is a boat building company operated by Red Cat, specializing primarily in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Oct. 9, 2026 Albany Herald
Statewide candidates hit Albany for forum ahead of Nov. 3 election
Alan Mauldin reports that Southwest Georgia voters heard this week from six candidates who are on the ballot in races for state constitutional offices at a forum held at an Albany church. The Tuesday forum at Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church brought out an audience of about 65 to listen to candidates, or their representative, in races for state school superintendent, labor commissioner, insurance and fire safety commissioner and Public Service Commission.
Oct. 9, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Collins, Ossoff trade personal insults during Georgia’s first U.S. Senate debate
Ross Williams reports that Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Congressman Mike Collins came out swinging on the debate stage Thursday night, discussing topics like the economy, healthcare and data centers in between brutal insults ahead of the November election. During an hour-long debate hosted by Atlanta News First and Atlanta-based Gray Media, Ossoff, who is facing his first re-election challenge since taking office in 2021, repeatedly hammered Collins over President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the war in Iran and a series of racist and antisemitic statements made by associates.
Oct. 9, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Trump and accusations of extremism were dominant themes in Georgia’s U.S. Senate debate
Ty Tagami reports, the first debate between Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, the Republican nominee challenging him, centered on President Donald Trump. It was also an opportunity for the two opponents to paint each other as dangerous extremists.
Oct. 9, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Trump eyes return to Georgia ahead of November midterms
Greg Bluestein reports that President Donald Trump could make two campaign stops in Georgia before the November election, according to three Republican officials familiar with the plans who were not authorized to speak publicly about them. The sources said that the visits remain tentative and the timing, details and whereabouts are uncertain.
