Jan. 8, 2025 11 Alive
Reeves Jackson and Melissa Nord report, as metro Atlanta and north Georgia brave out a cold snap that could bring snow and ice to the region, Gov. Brian Kemp is preparing the state for the winter storm that is expected to arrive on Friday. The impacts of the winter storm are expected to linger throughout the weekend.
Jan. 8, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Ben Young writes, as we begin 2025, the year of Georgia Trend’s 40th anniversary, it is inspiring to look at some of the state’s jaw-dropping accomplishments over the last four decades. It is equally inspiring to see what takes place under the radar, helping our broader community.
Jan. 8, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Drew Kann and J. Scott Trubey report that Amazon said Tuesday it plans to spend at least $11 billion on new data center capacity in metro Atlanta to respond to the huge demand in computing power from the rise of generative artificial intelligence. Amazon Web Services, a division of the e-commerce giant, said it will make the investments in facilities in Butts and Douglas counties, south and west of Atlanta respectively.
Jan. 8, 2025 Savannah Morning News
Amy Paige Condon reports that the Ogeechee River Keeper (ORK) and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority issued a joint statement on Monday afternoon that the ORK had agreed to dismiss its challenge to the groundwater withdrawal permits issued to Bryan and Bulloch counties after reaching a settlement.
Jan. 8, 2025 The Brunswick News
Michael Hall reports that dockworkers at the Port of Brunswick and at ports along the East and Gulf coasts may strike next week for the second time in four months if a deal isn’t met on the use of automation that replaces human labor. Economists say a prolonged strike that shuts down port operations could impact the American economy.
Jan. 8, 2025 WSB Radio
Staff reports that Tyson Foods says it has restarted operations at the Camilla meat plant after the fire that killed one person and left several others injured at the end of last year. A company spokesperson says the facility has resumed full operations.
Jan. 8, 2025 Augusta Chronicle
Joe Hotchkiss reports that Augusta and Georgia are primed for economic prosperity in 2025 thanks to a busy 2024. That’s according to the findings presented in the 2025 Georgia Economic Outlook series by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business on Tuesday.
Jan. 8, 2025 State Affairs
Tammy Joyner reports, plagued by staff shortages, aging facilities and infiltration of contraband cell phones and drones, state prison officials, with the backing of Gov. Brian Kemp, are asking for another $372 million-plus of investments over two years to address the problems. On Tuesday, Kemp unveiled what he called “historic budget infusion recommendations for the state’s prison system.”
Jan. 8, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Stanley Dunlap reports, the Georgia Department of Corrections and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp unveiled a plan Tuesday to spend an additional $600 million on the state prison system, which has suffered from inadequate staffing, violence, and facilities in disrepair. During a joint meeting of House and Senate appropriation subcommittees Tuesday, state corrections department Commissioner Tyrone Oliver presented the wide ranging list of budget recommendations, describing them as necessary investments for strengthening prison security, increasing staffing levels, increasing compensation for correctional officers and other staff and renovating facilities.
Jan. 8, 2025 Rome News-Tribune
John Bailey reports that U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced Tuesday that she would file legislation to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America after President-elect Donald Trump made the pitch during a press conference. Greene’s office sent out a press release Tuesday afternoon stating the 14th District Republican would “introduce legislation ASAP to support President Trump’s name change of the Gulf of Mexico to its rightful name, the Gulf of America.”
Jan. 8, 2025 Dalton Daily Citizen
Staff reports that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced progress to expand protections of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The service said on Friday it will expand the refuge’s approved acquisition boundary, a key step to strengthening protections of the refuge.
Jan. 8, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Dave Williams reports that the celebration of the life of former President Jimmy Carter moved from Atlanta to the nation’s capitol Tuesday, with a day full of pageantry capped by a memorial service inside the Capitol Rotunda. The nation’s top political leaders praised the many accomplishments of Georgia’s only president thus far not only during his four years in the White House in the late 1970s but during more than four decades after leaving office when he founded the Carter Center and built houses for the poor as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
Jan. 8, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Martha Dalton reports, school security and literacy will be education priorities for lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session. There’s also a chance the K-12 school funding formula could be retooled and school voucher programs could be expanded.
