Jan. 6, 2025 Augusta Chronicle
Staff reports that initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 4,192 in the week ending December 28, down from 5,191 the week before, the Labor Department said.
Jan. 6, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Julia Roberts reports, like everyone in the United States and Georgia, we mourn the life of President Jimmy Carter, our 39th President of the United States, who was not only a leader but an example of kindness, wisdom and service to us all. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s journey instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility toward others, to become Georgia Governor and eventually President.
Jan. 6, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Meris Lutz and Drew Kann report that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Friday it has finalized a plan that could lead to the expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The plan approved by the FWS — which manages the 407,000-acre refuge — adds 22,000 acres to the Okefenokee’s “acquisition boundary.”
Jan. 6, 2025 Newnan Times-Herald
Clay Neely reports that Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation has announced that Robert (Bob) Brown will assume the role of president, effective Dec. 30, 2024. Brown succeeds Takahiro (Taka) Imanishi, who has served as president since 2020 and is returning to Japan for a new position.
Jan. 6, 2025 Clayton News-Daily
Staff reports that the Clayton County Office of Digital Equity will host its first town hall meeting Friday, Jan. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners Board Room, 112 Smith St., Jonesboro. This is an opportunity for residents and business owners to engage and share their experiences related to digital access, affordability and inclusion with Clayton County, according to a press release.
Jan. 6, 2025 WABE
Molly Samuel reports, in his time in the White House, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter advanced environmental priorities, from protecting millions of acres of land in Alaska to creating the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Georgia. But he took one of his first big environmental actions as governor of Georgia when he surprised – and angered – many people by deciding to block construction of a proposed dam.
Jan. 6, 2025 Augusta Chronicle
Erica Van Buren reports, recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and remanufacturing them into new products, according to Drawdown Georgia. Increased recycling can reduce greenhouse gas emissions because recycling existing materials is often less energy-intensive than creating new materials.
Jan. 6, 2025 Rome News-Tribune
Diane Wagner reports that the median estimated poverty rate of children ages 5 to 17 in the Floyd County school district was 22.6%, according to data released in December by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new data come from the 2023 Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates report, which will be used to allocate federal funding for Title I and several other programs in the 2025-2026 school year.
Jan. 6, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Sundi Rose reports that the Columbus Museum has been named the Best New Museum for 2025 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, marking a significant milestone for the recently reimagined cultural institution. This prestigious recognition comes after an extensive renovation that transformed the museum into a more dynamic and visitor-oriented space.
Jan. 6, 2025 Cartersville Daily Tribune
David Herron reports that Bartow’s legislative delegation discussed their goals for 2025 before the Georgia General Assembly convenes this month. The Governmental Affairs Meeting took place Jan. 3 at the Cartersville-Bartow County Chamber of Commerce. Guests included state Rep. Matthew Gambill, state Rep. Mitchell Scoggins, state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler and state Sen. Ed Setzler.
Jan. 6, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Dave Williams reports, Ryan Buchanan has announced his resignation as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Buchanan will step down from the post on Jan. 19, one day before Donald Trump is sworn in as the nation’s 47th president.
Jan. 6, 2025 Rough Draft Atlanta
Katie Burkholder and Dyana Bagby report that lawmakers return to the Gold Dome Jan. 13 and advocates and organizations are preparing for another year of anti-LGBTQ bills, including legislation targeting transgender young people. Last year, approximately 20 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in the Georgia legislature, including a “don’t say gay” bill targeting LGBTQ topics in schools, bathroom bans targeting trans students, a bill to define “sex” to exclude trans identities, and bills to further restrict access to gender-affirming care.
Jan. 6, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Dave Williams reports that the Justice Department has entered into a consent decree with Fulton County calling for a series of improvements at the county jail aimed at ending violations of prisoners’ constitutional rights, the federal agency announced Friday. The feds launched an investigation into conditions at the Fulton County Jail in July 2023 based on complaints that jail employees were engaging in a pattern of inhumane – and frequently violent – treatment of prisoners.
Jan. 6, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
David Wickert reports, for years Georgia’s political leaders have cut taxes and increased spending, thanks to a confluence of factors that boosted state revenue following the 2020 COVID-19 shutdown. Gov. Brian Kemp and legislative leaders have signaled they’ll follow that same playbook as they prepare spending plans for the new year.