Local Voices. Statewide Impact. Stay Informed with Georgia News
- Major rail industry debate over whether Union Pacific can acquire Norfolk Southern, creating the nation's first truly transcontinental railroad.
- Pratt & Whitney, an RTX company, will invest $200 million to expand Columbus operations, initially creating 15 jobs.
- State budget includes first major funding for a House-led initiative to help every child in Georgia learn to read.
- Four added words to legislation targeting mugshot mills alarm free speech advocates, could restrict public access to police accountability videos.
March 16, 2026 GPB
Amanda Andrews reports that leaders from the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, transportation, and business organizations around the state spoke on various panels Thursday about their ongoing preparations for the tournament. Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches this summer starting June 15.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Staff reports, Georgia is home to an array of postsecondary education options, from large public universities with satellite campuses to private four-year colleges and universities, and to a statewide career and technical education system with a range of pathways, including a robust registered apprenticeship program.
March 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Emma Hurt reports, in boardrooms and ballrooms featuring the elite of the North American freight rail industry, a big question is on the table. Should Union Pacific, the Omaha-based Western railroad company, be allowed to acquire Norfolk Southern, the Atlanta-based Eastern railroad, and merge into the nation’s largest — and first truly transcontinental — railroad company?
March 16, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Jordyn Paul-Slater reports, on Feb. 24, the Ledger-Enquirer reported that Pratt & Whitney, an RTX company, will invest $200 million to expand its Columbus operations. The new project is expected to create 15 jobs, with more to come, according to a news release.
March 16, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Trevor Williams reports, as Jason Dunn delved deeper into a proposed project that would benefit rural Georgia’s wood sector, an unforeseen problem emerged. Tariffs were set to significantly raise the costs of perhaps the biggest line item in the client’s new facility — machinery imported from Germany.
March 16, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Jack Lindner reports, after a year filled with major project completions, more developments are on the horizon for the Cumberland community. A panel discussion hosted by Connie Engel, CEO of Strada Communities, saw Commissioner Erick Allen, Charles Beirne, general manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority, and others discuss varying projects and highlights this week.
March 16, 2026 Walton Tribune
Staff reports, the Development Authority of Walton County announced that Dycom Industries, a national leader in telecommunications and digital infrastructure services, will establish a state-of-the-art training facility in Walton County. This investment underscores Dycom’s commitment to workforce development and innovation in the telecommunications and digital infrastructure sectors.
March 16, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta
Staff reports, nine chefs from across Georgia were named to the state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class on March 11, part of State Restaurant Day at the Capitol. The program, a joint initiative between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association, recognizes chefs who actively source ingredients from Georgia farmers and use their kitchens to promote locally grown food.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Ross Williams, Maya Homan and Alander Rocha report, the big election news this week came out of northwest Georgia, where voters whittled down the long list of candidates who are hoping to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. That race is now set for an April 7 runoff, but state legislative races also remain unsettled and are heading to their own runoffs.
March 16, 2026 State Affairs
Beau Evans reports, lawmakers spent the ninth week of the 2026 legislative session recovering after the advance-or-die Crossover Day deadline and gearing up for a final sprint to wrap up bill wrangling by April 2. The week’s biggest development boiled down to key moves on a new state budget that sets aside the first significant funding for a House-led initiative to help every child in Georgia learn how to read.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Press
Zoe Seiler reports, a bill that removes zoning regulations for smaller homes has advanced out of the Georgia House and is in the state Senate for consideration. House Bill 1166, sponsored by Rep. Tangie Herring, D-Macon, eliminates zoning regulations for homes that are 400 square feet or smaller.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Juliana Milevsky reports, lawmakers have been looking at ways to respond to rising homelessness in Georgia, with $50 million added to this year’s budget for what are being called homelessness response grants. But another proposal under consideration this year is focused on preventing vulnerable Georgians from losing their housing in the first place.
March 16, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Ty Tagami reports that four words added to legislation that targets mugshot mills have free speech advocates worried the public could lose access to videos that hold police accountable for their conduct. Legislation that started in Georgia’s Senate as a solution to the reputational harm caused when booking photographs circulate online after charges are dismissed has evolved into a much broader measure.
March 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greg Bluestein reports, near the end of another Democratic forum for governor last week, Jason Esteves did something that’s fast becoming routine: He took a bracing shot at former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. The ex-legislator unveiled a microsite eviscerating the party-switching former Republican, saying, “It’s time for accountability.”
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