Georgia Trend Daily – June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025 Augusta Chronicle

Vanessa Countryman reports that a mix of smoke and dust is blanketing parts of Georgia this week, as wildfire smoke in Canada and a wave of Saharan dust converge in the atmosphere over the southeastern U.S. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow forecast placed much of Georgia, including parts of South Georgia, under a “moderate” air quality index for Thursday, June 5.

June 5, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Staff reports that Athens Rock Lobsters are proud to announce the hiring of Garrett Rutledge as the organization’s new General Manager of Hockey Operations and Head Coach for the upcoming 2025–26 season. Rutledge brings a wealth of experience, a player-focused development philosophy, and a championship pedigree to one of the fastest-growing franchises in the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL).

June 5, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Chart Industries, a company based near Ball Ground that makes cryogenic tanks and other thermal management equipment, is merging with Flowserve, an industrial firm based in Texas. The merged firm will be based in Dallas, Texas, according to the two companies in an announcement Wednesday.

June 5, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

Annie Mayne reports, after 12 hours of mediation, two rounds of voting and one missed deadline, Cobb County and the city of Mableton have reached a deal to fund city residents’ services for the next year. The agreement sees Mableton paying Cobb $9.5 million to cover police and transportation services until May 31, 2026.

June 5, 2025 Appen Media

Jon Wilcox reports that private developers continue playing a substantial role in Alpharetta’s Alpha Loop. At its June 2 meeting, the Alpharetta City Council approved an agreement that provides impact fee credits to Lakeview Park Development in exchange for building a length of the multi-use trail.

June 5, 2025 Savannah Morning News

Vanessa Countryman reports, looking for your next beach vacation? U.S. News & World Report has just crowned St. Simons Island as the No. 1 most underrated travel destination in the nation. Nestled just off the southeastern coast, this barrier island has long been the go-to summer escape for Peach State locals.

June 5, 2025 Augusta Chronicle

Miguel Legoas reports that two weeks ago, news broke that the new James Brown Arena in downtown Augusta may not be the new James Brown Arena. A possible name change has sparked heated debate, and on Tuesday, Augusta Commissioners joined the conversation.

June 5, 2025 The Brunswick News

Taylor Cooper reports, Glynn County Commission will consider inking an agreement with Coastal Pines Technical College to have Glynn County Fire Rescue personnel take medical program students for ambulance ride-alongs when it meets Thursday. The deal will help students in Coastal Pines’ emergency medical services program, according to the agreement.

June 5, 2025 GlobalAtlanta.com

Trevor Williams reports that Atlanta International School highlighted its (and the city’s) deep links to France en route to a goal-breaking fundraiser in support of need-based scholarships as the school enters its 40th year. This year’s April 26 spring benefit, themed Rendez-Vous!, followed last year’s similarly successful Inspired by India event, continuing the tradition of celebrating vibrant countries and cultures well-represented in the school community, in this case both among its student body and within its curriculum.

June 5, 2025 Rome News-Tribune, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Daniel Dassow reports that U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she would not have voted for President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” if she had known about a section that prevents states from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years. “I am adamantly OPPOSED to this and it is a violation of state rights and I would have voted NO if I had known this was in there,” Green said in a post on social media Tuesday.

June 5, 2025 WABE

Sam Gringlas reports, when Republican State Sen. Brian Strickland launched his 2026 campaign for Georgia attorney general this week, he did something unusual. Instead of just releasing a digital video, he made his announcement in person.

June 5, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Dave Williams reports that the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) is seeking public input ahead of two planned open houses this month on a plan to widen Interstate 16 west of Savannah. The project would widen the heavily traveled highway from two lanes to three in both directions from the I-16/I-95 interchange west to Georgia 67 in Bulloch County, a distance of 32 miles.

June 5, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report that Georgia Democrats walked out of the state House in April to protest a bill that made sure taxpayer money couldn’t be used for gender-affirming care for prison inmates. Now, Republicans want to make sure voters don’t forget it.