Author: Linda M. Erbele

March 13, 2024 Fox 5 Atlanta Another fraught Georgia election season after predictable 2024 presidential primary Stanley Dunlap reports that Georgia voters on Tuesday helped cement Donald Trump and Joe Biden as the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees for the…

March 12, 2024 Georgia.gov February Net Tax Revenues Fall 4.3%; Adjusted YTD Down 3.1% Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections in February totaled more than $2.03 billion, for a decrease of $92.3 million or 4.3 percent…

March 11, 2024 Albany Herald Young southwest Georgia farmer leads family farm into the future amid industry challenges Lucille Lannigan reports that Casey Cox Kerr was a child, she watched her dad farm while snacking on raw peanuts atop a…

March 8, 2024 Georgia Recorder Rivian taps brakes on plan to build $5B EV plant in rural Georgia Jill Nolin reports that the electric vehicle start-up Rivian announced Thursday that it will delay construction on its Georgia plant and instead…

March 7, 2024 WSB Radio 2 metro Atlanta cities make Southern Living’s list of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise in 2024 Staff reports that two Georgia cities have made Southern Living’s list of the South’s Best Cities on…

March 6, 2024 The Current Nearly 300 attend public hearing on plan to mine near Okefenokee Mary Landers reports that close to 300 people attended a virtual hearing Tuesday evening sponsored by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to collect comment…

March 5, 2024 Georgia Ports Authority Savannah container volumes up more than 14 percent in February Staff reports that Georgia Ports Authority handled 451,670 twenty-foot equivalent container units in February, for an increase of 56,880 TEUs or 14.4 percent compared…

March 4, 2024 Georgia Recorder Georgia Power’s request for more electricity comes under fire Emily Jones reports that Georgia’s energy regulators are considering Georgia Power’s request to generate and buy more electricity to meet what the utility calls a surge…

March 1, 2024 Capitol Beat News Kemp signs midyear budget Dave Williams reports that Gov. Brian Kemp signed a record $37.9 billion fiscal 2024 midyear budget Thursday that includes $5.5 billion in new spending. “This is a very, very good…

Feb. 29, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Play ball: Columbus OKs $50 million Double-A Braves baseball bet on 1920s Golden Park Tim Chitwood reports that after hours of debate before a packed crowd, the final score was 6-4 as Columbus Council voted…

Feb. 28, 2024 The Current EPD offers plan to aid private wells impacted by Hyundai’s water use Mary Landers reports that Bulloch County residents worried about their private wells in the face of the Hyundai development had a chance to…

Feb. 27, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp, State Leaders Celebrate Hyundai Motor Group’s Historic Impact on Georgia Staff reports that Gov. and First Lady Kemp yesterday joined President and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and President and CEO of Hyundai…

Feb. 26, 2024 Albany Herald Southwest Georgia communities awarded Rural Energy grants Staff reports that Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. D-Ga., the ranking Democrat leading the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related…

Feb. 23, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Announces 66 Appointments to State Boards, Authorities, and Commissions Staff reports that Gov. Kemp, on Thursday, announced the appointment and re-appointment of the following 66 Georgians to various state boards, authorities, and commissions.  …

Feb. 22, 2024 Rome News-Tribune Georgia Environmental Protection Division Chastised for Ash Pond Closure Permit John Bailey reports that the latest salvo fired in a fight over the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s approval of leaving tons of coal ash in…

Feb. 21, 2024 The Brunswick News Vehicles keep ports busy at Colonel's Island Hank Rowland reports that higher numbers of vehicles keep rolling on and off the docks each year on Colonel’s Island. The auto port recorded its busiest calendar…

Feb. 20, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Announces Second Round of Funding Increases for CJCC's Victim's Services Grant Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Monday announced he has directed the Office of Planning and Budget to again increase funding for the…

Feb. 19, 2024 Georgia Recorder Georgia Power objections cast long shadow over state lawmakers’ efforts to expand solar energy Jill Nolin reports, a push to expand community solar in Georgia is running into opposition from the state’s largest electric utility,…

Feb. 16, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp: SOLARCYCLE to Create 600 Jobs in Polk County at First-of-its-Kind Solar Panel Glass Plant Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced that SOLARCYCLE, an advanced technology-based solar recycling company, will create more than…

Feb. 14, 2024 Athens Banner-Herald UGA medical school gets approval with hopes of 'alleviating physician shortages' Staff reports, with its vote on Feb. 13, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents authorized the University of Georgia to establish a new…

Feb. 13, 2024 Georgia.gov January Tax Revenues Up 2.1%; Adjusted YTD Down 2.7% Staff reports that the State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of January totaled $3.05 billion, for an increase of $62.7 million, or 2.1 percent,…

Feb. 12, 2024 Georgia Recorder Georgia environmental regulators issue draft permits for strip mine near Okefenokee Jill Nolin reports that state regulators have issued draft permits for a controversial mining proposal near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The state Environmental…

Feb. 9, 2024 Savannah Morning News Savannah National Wildlife Refuge goes with flow to combat climate change John Deem reports, when the remnants of Hurricane Irma moved north across the Georgia-South Carolina border in 2017, nature revealed the fragile line…

Feb. 8, 2024 State Affairs Security issues, worker shortages still plague state courts, Chief Justice Boggs tells lawmakers Tammy Joyner and Jill Jordan Sieder report that Georgia courts have cut their backlog of violent felony cases significantly with the help…

Feb. 7, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp: Second Automotive Supplier Creating 200 New Jobs in Candler County Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Tuesday announced that Doowon Climate Control America, Inc., an auto parts manufacturer and supplier, will invest more than…

Feb. 6, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal 'The Resiliency of the American Economy': KSU Economist Talks Challenges and Successes Annie Mayne reports, according to Roger Tutterow, a professor of economics at Kennesaw State University, while faith in the economy is low,…

Feb. 5, 2024 Valdosta Daily Times Tornado damages, destroys homes in Lowndes Terry Richards reports that a tornado tore through northern Lowndes County Sunday, damaging and destroying buildings, though there were no reports of injuries or deaths, authorities said. The…

Feb. 2, 2024 Savannah Morning News Georgia ranks in top 10 states for a career in tech, Increditools says Miguel Legoas reports, those looking for a technological career may want to give a look at Georgia. The state recently ranked…

Feb. 1, 2024 WABE Where will Georgia’s $640 million opioid settlement money go? Jess Mador reports that hundreds of millions of dollars are flowing into Georgia as part of the opioid drugmaker settlement between states and top opioid manufacturers, distributors…

Jan. 31, 2024 Athens Banner-Herald, USA Today UPS to layoff nearly 12,000 employees across the globe to 'align resources for 2024' Natalie Neysa Alund reports that UPS plans to layoff nearly 12,000 employees following a massive year-over-year decline in revenue,…

Jan. 30, 2024 The Brunswick News Experts cautiously optimistic for economy in 2024 Gordon Jackson reports that Georgia’s economy is expected to continue to grow by 1.1% in 2024, lower than in 2023 but more than the projected growth rate…

Jan. 29, 2024 The Brunswick News Funding approved for vessel berths at Port Gordon Jackson reports that funding for more improvements at the Port of Brunswick has been approved. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-1, said the $15 million federal grant…

Jan. 26, 2024 State Affairs Atlanta State Farmer’s Market may get $50 million face-lift under Kemp’s proposed budget Tammy Joyner reports that at 66 years old, the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market — one of the largest in the Southeast if…

Jan. 25, 2024 Macon Telegraph Here’s how Georgia waterways are benefiting from the closure of coal-fired power plants Gautama Mehta reports, mercury levels found in waterways across the state are declining, mainly due to a single factor: the retirement of…

Jan. 24, 2024 Savannah Morning News Tybee company makes history with harvest from Georgia's first floating oyster farm John Deem reports that at a dock along Chatham County's Bull River, Perry and Laura Solomon are among a half-dozen applicants granted…

Jan. 23, 2024 Fox 5 Atlanta Dexter Scott King, son of Martin Luther King Jr., has died at the age of 62 Staff reports that the King Center has announced that Dexter Scott King, the youngest son and third child…

Jan. 22, 2024 Macon Telegraph An Italian electric car manufacturer plans to open in Middle GA. What we know about Imola Micah Johnston reports that an Italian electric car company has plans to open an EV manufacturing plant in Fort…

Jan. 19, 2024 GPB Atlanta's Spelman College receives historic $100 million donation Collin Kelley reports that Spelman College has announced a $100 million historic gift — the largest single donation ever to a historically Black college and university (HBCU). The…

Jan. 18, 2024 Capitol Beat News New program to provide emergency funding to rural hospitals Dave Williams reports that a nonprofit health-care organization announced plans Wednesday to help financially struggling rural hospitals in Georgia in danger of closing. Ohio-based CareSource…

Jan. 17, 2024 Georgia Recorder State economist says warning signs hint Georgia ‘likely’ to experience mild recession this year Jill Nolin reports, Georgia’s state economist told lawmakers Tuesday that the state is likely to have a mild recession this year,…

Jan. 16, 2024 11 Alive Gov. Kemp tells Georgians to 'be prepared' ahead of freezing temperatures Donesha Aldredge reports that Gov. Brian Kemp is telling Georgians to be prepared ahead of freezing temperatures this week. A significant storm system is…

Jan. 15, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Swears In Lauren Curry as Chief of Staff Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Friday announced that Lauren Curry has officially been sworn in as Chief of Staff for the Governor's Office, making history…

Jan. 12, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Delivers 2024 State of the State Address Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered his sixth State of the State Address to a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly. You can watch his annual address…

Jan. 11, 2024 The Brunswick News Injured right whale renews call for updated ship-speed rule Michael Hall reports that news of an apparent boat-propeller injury to the first critically endangered North Atlantic right whale calf documented this calving season has…

Jan. 9, 2024 Capitol Beat News State awards second round of grants through new rural housing program Dave Williams reports that the state awarded more than $9 million Monday to support more than 400 housing units in four Georgia communities,…

Jan. 8, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Appoints State Elections Board Chair Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Friday announced that John Fervier has been appointed as the new Chair of the State Elections Board, effective immediately. He fills the vacancy created…

Jan. 5, 2024 Georgia.gov Gov. Kemp Announces New Staff Updates Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced changes to his staff ahead of the 2024 legislative session. Kristyn Long will serve as Executive Counsel, following the departure of David…

Jan. 4, 2024 Covington News Court dismisses Rivian zoning challenge Evan Newton reports that a court in Morgan County has dismissed a zoning challenge brought forth by a group of concerned citizens against the electric vehicle startup, Rivian. The ruling…