Georgia Trend Daily – July 1, 2026

July 1, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Madeline Shapiro reports, in the novel “Theo of Golden,” a stranger moves into a Southern town and embeds himself in the local community. In Columbus, Golden pilgrims are now doing the same.

July 1, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Jerry Grillo reports that Georgia was the last of the 13 colonies to take up arms against Great Britain and join the American Revolution. So it makes a rough kind of sense that one of the war’s final battles would be fought here, too.

July 1, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Drew Kann reports, some people dream of living off the grid, controlling their own supply of electricity. A data center racing to open about 40 miles east of downtown Atlanta plans to do just that, assembling natural gas-powered generators on-site to provide electricity and bypassing utilities such as Georgia Power.

July 1, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal

Megan Jackson reports that a rezoning application for a data center off of Powers Ferry Place, abutting I-75 and ReNew Cobb apartment complex, is up for consideration by the Marietta Planning Commission Wednesday. The application, submitted by Prime Storage Powers Ferry Place Marietta LLC, requests rezoning a 10.73 acre commercial property at 1155 Powers Ferry Place which would allow the existing site and a storage building to be converted into a data infrastructure facility.

July 1, 2026 Macon Telegraph

Margaret Walker reports that Georgia will receive a share of $20 million in federal grants to restore longleaf pine forests as part of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s annual Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund. The Georgia Forestry Commission will get about $1.5 million to improve management of more than 20,000 acres of longleaf pine and pine-oak forest in the Upper Ocmulgee watershed.

Bank of America Plaza’s renovated lobby features Spire espresso + spirits, an all-day café and bar that transforms the workplace into a destination from morning coffee through after-work gatherings. Photo credit: Contributed

July 1, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Chris Eachus reports, as workplace expectations continue to evolve, office owners are rethinking what makes a property competitive in today’s market. For years, retail was viewed as a complementary component of office buildings, a convenience for tenants rather than a core part of an investment strategy.

July 1, 2026 The Brunswick News

Michael Hall reports that a 250-acre industrial property owned by the Golden Isles Development Authority received a shot in the arm this week courtesy of the OneGeorgia Authority. OneGeorgia, which acts as the state’s development authority, gave the local authority a $107,500 Rural Site Development Initiative grant to complete the surveys and research needed to prepare Mallard Industrial Park for Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development, or GRAD, status.

July 1, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Kala Hunter reports, since 1964, the South Columbus Water Resources Facility on South Lumpkin Road has been treating tens of millions of gallons of water per day coming from flushed toilets, kitchen sinks and street gutters of Columbus, Harris County and Fort Benning homes and businesses. During the plant’s lifespan, Columbus’ population has grown by 50,000 people, to approximately 200,000.

July 1, 2026 Macon Melody

Emily Jones reports, in an effort to help farmers, Georgia’s legislature created a new program a few years ago meant to protect farms. The Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund will help farmers sell development rights while keeping their land.

July 1, 2026 Georgia Recorder

Ross Williams reports that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down federal limits on how much political parties can spend on candidates Tuesday, likely increasing the flow of cash into federal races. Republicans celebrated the decision as a victory heading into November’s pivotal midterm elections, when Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is attempting to hold onto his seat against Republican Congressman Mike Collins.

July 1, 2026 Savannah Morning News

Irene Wright reports that Georgia’s newest congressman Clay Fuller has called for a constitutional amendment following the decision by the Supreme Court to protect birthright citizenship on Tuesday. In a landmark 6-3 decision in the nation’s highest court, the Justices rejected President Donald Trump’s proposed limits on who constitutes a citizen in the United States, part of his immigration policy.

July 1, 2026 State Affairs

Jack Rutherford reports, House lawmakers are taking a crack at regulating social media and artificial intelligence after similar moves in the Senate failed during the 2026 legislative session. A push to rein in big tech companies in Georgia has come in fits and starts over the past year.

 

July 1, 2026 GPB

Sarah Kallis and Orlando Montoya report, dozens of new laws go into effect Wednesday in Georgia. Some of the laws include increased penalties for offenses like fentanyl trafficking, pimping and pandering, and blocking a highway during an unpermitted demonstration.

July 1, 2026 Capitol Beat News

Ty Tagami reports that new state laws take effect Wednesday, bringing new mandates that will change life for Georgians in both obvious and unseen ways. The laws that were passed this year and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp will affect everything from health and housing to safety and schooling.

July 1, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, Jon Ossoff won a Senate seat six years ago by making corruption the defining issue. His first general election TV ad released Tuesday morning suggests he’s sticking with a similar playbook.