Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 15, 2026

Oct. 15, 2026 Georgia.gov

Gov. Kemp: September Net Tax Revenues Up 2.3%

Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections during the month of September totaled $3.34 billion for an increase of roughly $76.7 million, or 2.3 percent, compared to FY 2026 when net tax collections approached $3.27 billion for the month. Year to date, net tax revenue collections totaled $8.41 billion for an increase of $240.2 million, or 2.9 percent, compared to September 2025, when net tax collections totaled $8.17 billion through three months.

Oct. 15, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Georgia’s Future is in Our Hands

Tharon Johnson writes, This is the most important election in our lifetime.” How many times do you think you have heard that phrase? I would put the total somewhere in the high dozens to the low hundreds, with many of those instances coming in the last six years alone.

Oct. 15, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta will revamp service in its highest-class seats. Here’s what changes.

Mirtha Donastorg reports that Delta Air Lines is unveiling new offerings for its Delta One cabin in an effort to make its highest-tier seats even more luxurious — and top dollar. A sought-after bourbon. A Wagyu burger. An upgraded amenity kit from famed Italian luxury house Missoni.

Oct. 15, 2026 Georgia Ports Authority

Georgia Ports achieves permit for 3.5 million TEU container terminal

Staff reports that Georgia Ports Authority hosted their annual State of the Port of Savannah event with President Kevin Price announcing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved the Savannah Container Terminal permit after a three-year review process. “We’re excited about the Savannah Container Terminal’s role in our future growth and investment plans to take us to a 12 million TEU gateway container port, serving customers in Georgia and our nation with the best infrastructure in a high growth region,” he said.

Oct. 15, 2026 Cobb EMC

Cobb EMC Celebrates Launch of SolarShare Community Solar Project

Staff reports that on Tuesday, Cobb EMC celebrated the official ribbon cutting of SolarShare, its new community solar project in Cherokee County. The 1-megawatt facility is now operational and generating local renewable energy, providing members with a new way to participate in solar energy without installing rooftop panels on their homes.

Oct. 15, 2026 Macon Telegraph

Macon couple’s estate gifts Fort Valley State its largest donation of $5.8M

Myracle Lewis reports that Macon natives who built their lives around service, faith and education will have their legacies live on through the largest grant in Fort Valley State University’s history. The late Macedonia Church Pastor Eddie Dewey Smith Sr. and his wife, the late Martha Smith, gifted the HBCU in Peach County $5.8 million, which the college said will support key university priorities, including student success and academic excellence.

Oct. 15, 2026 Saporta Report

Delta Air Lines Foundation awards $1M grant to Agnes Scott College

Adrianne Murchison reports, the Delta Air Lines Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to Agnes Scott College to support its Global Journeys program, which introduces first-year students to global issues and leadership development. As part of the college’s Summit program, Global Journeys explores global themes in the class curriculum before students travel to an international destination.

Oct. 15, 2026 Valdosta Daily Times

Mercer School of Medicine announces 2026 Nathan Deal Scholars

Staff reports that Mercer University School of Medicine recently recognized 12 new Nathan Deal Scholars for the 2026-27 academic year. The prestigious scholarship honors medical students committed to improving access to healthcare in Georgia’s rural underserved communities.

Oct. 15, 2026 Gainesville Times

Hall County gets financial boost in efforts to craft its own transportation plan

Jeff Gill reports that Hall County efforts to create its own master transportation plan got a boost last week when it was approved for $240,000 in federal transportation planning money. The county must provide a $60,000 local match, bringing the total cost of the study to $300,000.

Oct. 15, 2026 Albany Herald

48th Sunbelt Farm Expo set to kick off next week in Moultrie

Alan Mauldin reports, the farming community from near and far will make its way to Moultrie next week for the 48th annual Sunbelt Farm Expo. The three-day farm show starts on Oct. 20 and runs through the 22nd and is expected to bring up to 50,000 guests to the region over that time.

Oct. 15, 2026 The Current

House size fuels critiques in Cumberland Island land swaps

Mary Landers reports that proposed land swaps on Cumberland Island National Seashore have drawn criticism for a range of reasons, but the size of the homes they would allow tops many lists. That size, a “footprint” of up to 15,000 square feet per residence, has conservation champions fearing the construction of up to eight mansions on Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island.

Oct. 15, 2026 Capitol Beat News

Georgia Supreme Court ruling could shift more fire costs to property taxpayers

Ty Tagami reports, in a ruling with potentially far-reaching consequences for homeowners and businesses, the Georgia Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a fire service fee levied by Chatham County. The county, where Savannah is located, must pay about $30 million in refunds and interest in the class-action lawsuit.

Oct. 15, 2026 GPB

Georgia sets midterm early voting record with over 188,000 ballots cast on first day

Staff reports that Georgians broke the midterm election early voting record on the first of day of voting on Tuesday. The Secretary of State’s Office confirms that more than 188,600 ballots were cast, an increase of more than 53,000 voters since the 2022 midterm election.

Oct. 15, 2026 WABE

Georgia school superintendent debate focuses on literacy, funding

Matt Reynolds reports, the challenger in the race to become the next leader of Georgia’s Department of Education has criticized the state’s $100 million spending on private school vouchers and said more should go to improving literacy. During Tuesday’s debate at the Atlanta Press Club, Democratic nominee Dr. Lydia Powell, who is challenging incumbent school superintendent, Republican Richard Woods, contrasted the voucher funding with $70 million set aside for literacy training and coaches.

Oct. 15, 2026 Savannah Morning News

Trump asked if he did something wrong. MTG replied: ‘You are the snake’

Vanessa Johnson reports that former Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took aim at President Donald Trump on Sunday after receiving an email from Trump’s political operation asking whether he had “done something wrong.” Greene, who has become increasingly critical of her former political ally, shared the apparent campaign email on X on Oct. 11 and responded with a lengthy list of grievances against the president.

Oct. 15, 2026 Georgia Recorder

Early voting is underway in Georgia. Here’s where you can cast a ballot in your county.

Maya Homan reports that Election Day is still weeks away, but Georgia voters are already starting to cast their ballots. That’s because state law mandates that counties offer three weeks of early voting before every major election.

Oct. 15, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The $3B candidate: Unpacking Rick Jackson’s vast business empire

Chris Joyner reports, even before Rick Jackson disrupted Georgia’s political landscape in February by announcing his candidacy for governor, he was best known by the shorthand “healthcare executive.” But that description barely scratches the surface.