Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 18, 2026

Sept. 18, 2026 Albany Herald

Kathryn Crockett reports that Sedrick Rowe doesn’t spray herbicides on his 10 acres of organic peanuts. He fights weeds with his tractor instead, which means he runs it more often than most farmers — and burns at least 30 gallons of diesel fuel on a typical day.

Sept. 18. 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Christy Simo reports, from new scholarships and record-breaking enrollment to expanded partnerships and an ambitious state career and workforce initiative, there’s lots happening in higher education in Georgia. The big news is the governor’s Top State for Talent initiative, which creates a single, coordinated statewide education and workforce plan in cooperation with the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, the Department of Education, the Department of Labor and the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

Sept. 18. 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Zachary Hansen reports that Atlanta’s economic development arm on Thursday agreed it would provide a tax break to support the first phase of a new live-work-play development near Piedmont Park and the Beltline. The Invest Atlanta board voted 6-2 to give the initial green light to an incentive package that focuses on Amsterdam Walk’s first apartments.

Sept. 18. 2026 Vinea Capital

Staff reports that Allan Soto, founder and managing partner of Vinea Capital, is returning to the field where his career began with the launch of Agape ILG, a new provider of residential and support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Southeast. Soto began his career in this field at just 23 years old, gaining firsthand experience supporting adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.

Sept. 18, 2026 Georgia.org

Staff reports that the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced that five industrial sites across Georgia have earned a new certification that makes them particularly attractive for future industrial development: “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status.

Sept. 18. 2026 Savannah Morning News

Evan Lasseter reports that Colonial Terminals, a subsidiary of Savannah’s Colonial Group Inc., is opening a new multi-modal breakbulk facility along the Savannah River, according to a company press release. The new facility will feature direct vessel access and Class I rail service via Norfolk Southern, the press release said.

Sept. 18. 2026 Georgia Chamber

Staff reports that the Georgia Chamber of Commerce has earned a strong positive standing among likely Georgia voters, with a +13 net favorable rating, according to new statewide polling conducted by Cygnal. Among those tested in the survey, the Chamber’s +13 net favorable standing ranks second only to Governor Brian P. Kemp, who recorded the strongest net-positive standing at +17.

Sept. 18. 2026 Valdosta Daily Times

Staff reports that the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority (VLCDA) shared that five local industries plan to invest $26.2 million and add 77 new jobs in 2026. These projects involve expanding facilities, building new spaces, upgrading equipment, and improving production to help these companies grow and operate more efficiently.

 

Sept. 18. 2026 State Affairs

Beau Evans reports that Georgia’s medical cannabis program has expanded rapidly since lawmakers approved a switch from low-dose oils to inhalable plants starting in July, sparking a surge of interest in home deliveries and prescriptions filled at pharmacies. The number of patients on the state’s medical cannabis registry spiked by more than 50% from late June to mid-September, swelling from around 35,000 patients to nearly 55,000 patients — by far the largest increase in the program’s six-year history.

Sept. 18. 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Payton Towns III reports that two first-time candidates are vying to be the Georgia labor commissioner, even though one is the incumbent. Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Republican Barbara Rivera Holmes to this position March 18, 2025, after Commissioner Bruce Thompson died from cancer.

Sept. 18. 2026 Macon Telegraph

Chelsea Madden reports that the lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive position in Georgia and is a four-year term, with no term limits. The position is on the Nov. 3 election ballot. Burt Jones holds the position, but he is not running for lieutenant governor.

Sept. 18, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Evelyn Davidson reports, the Georgia insurance and safety fire commissioner is a four-year, no term-limit executive role in the state government. The commissioner leads Georgia insurance industry regulation and state fire safety efforts through standards and best practices set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Sept. 18. 2026 Capitol Beat News

Ty Tagami reports that robots have not taken over yet, but AI may be helping with a core function of democracy in Georgia’s largest county: writing ordinances and resolutions. A Fulton County commissioner used an online tool to analyze legislation introduced by a couple of her colleagues and found that four proposals, including two that would change ethics policies and procedures, were likely written by AI.

Sept. 18, 2026 Georgia Recorder

Maya Homan reports that Georgia seems poised to switch to a hand-marked paper ballot system for the 2028 election, but researchers and cybersecurity experts say there is a lot more to consider to ensure that voting stays secure and free from undue influence. Election security concerns have long been at the forefront of the conversation around election equipment.

Sept. 18. 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, back-to-back releases from conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports offer strikingly different snapshots of Georgia’s two marquee races. The latest finds Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson neck-and-neck in the governor’s race, 48%-45%, with the 3-point gap falling within the poll’s margin of error.