Georgia / Public News Service

Georgia's home energy rebate program is kicking off with a limited pilot phase. Approved contractors will work with their current clients to bring energy savings to eligible households. The full program rollout is set for early 2025. (Ramon Cliff/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Report highlights needs for GA energy efficiency

A new report from the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy showed the Southeast, including Georgia, is not doing enough to invest in energy efficiency…

With a 2020 population of 56,795, Brookhaven ranks as the second-largest city entirely within DeKalb County, trailing only Stonecrest. (Marcus Jones/Adobe Stock)

Monday, January 20, 2025

Brookhaven mayor focuses on sustainability at national mayors conference

John Park, mayor of Brookhaven, joined more than 250 mayors at the 93rd annual winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C…

In his 2025 State of the State address, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp highlighted the efforts of the GRACE Commission. He noted the state has investigated over 330 human trafficking cases, secured 49 convictions and rescued about 200 trafficking survivors. (Adobe Stock)

State of the State: Kemp proposes GA tax cuts, tort reform

Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his 2025 State of the State address Thursday, emphasizing tax cuts and tort reform as key priorities for Georgia. Kemp …

In 2023, Savannah's main water system supplied 5.5 billion gallons of groundwater and 1.4 billion gallons of surface water to a population of 130,865, according to the 2024 Savannah Water Resources Quality Report. (Adobe Stock)

Gov. Kemp proposes $500M for Georgia’s water supply

In this year's state budget, Gov. Brian Kemp is proposing a $500 million investment to tackle a critical issue for Savannah and surrounding areas - …

Georgia church creates solar-powered emergency hub with federal climate funds

By Yessenia Funes for Next City and Yale Climate Connections. Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the …

Team Rubicon has grown to over 180,000 registered volunteers, with over 50% being military veterans. (Courtesy of Team Rubicon)

Veterans bring Hurricane Helene relief to GA’s overlooked communities

Months after Hurricane Helene tore through Georgia, rural communities are still grappling with its devastating impact. With limited access to …

Jimmy Carter, seen here with Mashun D. Simon and Carter's wife Rosalynn, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his many years of international humanitarian service. (Photo courtesy of Simon)

Jimmy Carter’s passing spurs reflection on legacy of service

As the world reflects on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Mashaun D. Simon sees a man whose ministry and …

About 65,000 people are in federal prison for drug offenses. (Adobe Stock)

Clemency advocates call for broader action from Biden

In one of his final acts in the White House, President Joe Biden has commuted the sentences of 37 people with federal death-row convictions to life …

To avoid phishing and smishing scams, more than 40 million people have already signed up for

USPS warns GA customers awaiting packages not to fall for 'smishing'

As last-minute holiday packages flow in this week, and the United States Postal Service is warning customers not to fall for "smishing" scams…

More than 54% of new clean-energy jobs and 60% of projects in Georgia are located in low-income<br />communities. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia’s clean energy boom sparks workforce growth, housing challenges

By Sarah Melotte and Elizabeth Miller for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection for the Public News Servic…

Transgender activist Monica Helms created a transgender pride flag in 2000 that now hangs in the Smithsonian Institution's collection of LGBTQ historical items and, in 2003, founded the Transgender American Veterans Association. (Flickr)

GA trans activist: Election may bring struggle to save hard-won rights

The issue of transgender rights is back in the news after a recent Supreme Court hearing and Donald Trump's reelection as president returns legal and …

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence has released a report featuring input from experts in higher education, law and business. The goal is to get ahead of AI and how it will impact various industries. (Kevin Ruck/Abode Stock)

Georgia lawmakers aim to chart AI future with new recommendations

Georgia lawmakers are mapping out the state's future in artificial intelligence. This week, the Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence …

A new study from the University of California-Santa Barbara says nature-based agriculture can reduce the environmental footprint of chemical-intensive agriculture while providing good jobs in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Research shows value of getting 'back to nature' on GA farms

A new study suggested getting "back to nature" in farming could help ward off the biggest impacts of climate change. As Georgia experiences more …

Valdosta State University is one of the 26 higher education institutions that make up the University System of Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia Match program hailed as college enrollment rises in GA

Georgia higher education officials are crediting a program assisting high school students with a wave of new enrollment in the state's colleges and un…

According to the CDC, peaks of respiratory disease usually happen from about December to February.(Adobe Stock)

Georgia doctors urge residents to stay healthy ahead of holidays

With flu and COVID-19 cases increasing during the holiday season, a Georgia doctor said now is the time to take steps to protect yourself and your …

It's estimated that more than 2 million Georgians have prediabetes, a condition that can often be reversed with weight loss, regular exercise and healthier eating habits. (Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips to prevent, manage diabetes in Georgia

More than 38 million Americans live with diabetes, including nearly 1 million Georgians. The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates another 2…

Slaughterhouses can contribute to environmental degradation through toxic runoff and water usage. (Adobe Stock)

GA activist focuses on zoning violations to advocate for environmental health

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…

As a part of new Farm Service Agency loan improvements, an online direct loan repayment feature will be available to help relieve borrowers from having to call, mail or visit a local USDA Service Center to pay a loan installment. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

As FSA loan changes aim to support farmers, advocates say more needed

New federal loan adjustments aim to ease financial burdens for farmers but advocates said lasting change requires legislative action. The U.S…

Georgia operates a decentralized election infrastructure, governed by statute and supplemented by rules and regulations adopted by the State Election Board. (Adobe Stock)

Last-minute GA election challenges put security under microscope

With Election Day over, Georgia officials and election integrity groups are focused on securing every vote, amid new rule changes and legal …

In 2016, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by almost 29% of the vote in Glynn and four years later beat Joe Biden by 23% of the nearly 42,000 votes cast in the county. The former president is expected to prevail again this year in the heavily Republican county. (Michael Rolands/Adobe Stock)

Glynn County under watch as key Election Day player

By Jabari Gibbs for The Current.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Rural News Network-Public News Serv…

In 2023, more than 82,000 Georgia families saved a combined $148 million through clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades. (Adobe Stock)

Groups work to help GA's faith communities access energy savings

As people head to the polls tomorrow, groups are working to ensure Georgia's Black and brown communities understand the energy saving benefits of the …

Nearly 1.9 million residents are enrolled in Medicare in Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Georgians choose insurance benefits during open enrollment period

The open enrollment period for Medicare and other health care plans is underway and Georgians are making their selections for insurance coverage for t…

The American Federation of Government Employees is the largest union, representing 750,000 federal and District of Columbia government workers. It advocates for the rights and interests of public service workers across the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Stakes high for GA government workers in Nov. 5 elections

As the Nov. 5 election approaches, union members are working to make sure their voices are heard at the polls. In Georgia, some federal workers are …

In 2023, Shore to Shell recycled more than 72,000 pounds of oyster shells. (Adobe Stock)

GA oyster shell recycling turns restaurant waste into coastal protection

By Isabelle Atkins for Grady Newsource.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a 350,000-acre national wilderness area located at the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers in southern Georgia. (Mike Sepelak/USFWS)

GA swamp creatures may be creepy but pollution makes them really scary

"The Creature from the Black Lagoon" is a scary story told around Halloween, but conservationists say the real danger in Georgia's swamps is how …

According to the World Resources Institute, it takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt. (Adobe Stock)

UGA's swap shop aims to cut waste, promote sustainability

By Isabelle Atkins for Grady Newsource.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

Nearly 67,000 schools participate in Farm-to-School programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Michael Chamberlin/Adobe Stock)

Program helps build bridge between local farms, school cafeterias

This October, schools in Georgia are celebrating National Farm to School Month by serving local produce in their meals. The U.S. Department of …

The Inflation Reduction Act allocates more than $369 billion in funding through tax breaks, incentives and grants to combat the climate crisis, addressing the increasing toll of extreme weather and worsening air quality on communities. (Adobe Stock)

Savannah climate resilience efforts get boost from federal investments

Savannah's leaders are pointing out the ways federal dollars are being used to boost the area's resilience against climate change. In the aftermath …

According to the Education Law Center, Georgia has the sixth-largest teacher pay gap in the nation, and teachers make 73 cents for every dollar earned by similar non-teaching professionals. (Adobe Stock)

GA educators warn of escalating teacher crisis amid political rhetoric

Educators in Georgia are sounding the alarm about the state of the teaching profession, citing political pressures and low morale as key factors …

Georgia has the fourth-largest prison population in the country, with approximately 50,000 incarcerated people in state custody. (Adobe Stock)

DOJ report reveals severe failures in Georgia prisons

The U.S. Department of Justice has released a report on the state of Georgia's prisons, citing horrific conditions and extreme violence. The …

Postpartum anxiety occurs in up to 11% of new mothers. Symptoms include feeling very nervous and recurring panic attacks. (Adobe Stock) <br />

GA mothers face growing need for postpartum mental health resources

September is one of the busiest months for childbirth, but it also highlights the growing need for postpartum mental-health resources in Georgia…

A report from the Brennan Center for Justice emphasized that cash bail often allows release based on financial resources rather than public safety considerations. (Adobe Stock)

Report challenges Georgia’s expanded cash bail law

A new report challenges the belief that bail reform leads to increased crime, an idea that drove recent changes in Georgia's bail system. Senate …

According to the report, data centers and large manufacturing facilities may run around the clock and require that 100 megawatts of power be available every hour of the day. (Eimantas Buzas/Adobe Stock)

Growing industries threaten Georgia’s climate goals amid rising energy demand

A new report warned climate goals in Georgia and nationwide are threatened by the rapid growth of industries like data centers and electric vehicles…

In Georgia, abortion is legal up to the point at which a detectable fetal heartbeat is present, which happens at around six weeks of pregnancy. State law defines it as the

GA women detail life-threatening impact of abortion ban at Senate hearing

Women and health care providers testified before the Human Rights Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., in Atlanta this week, detailing …

At least 25 state prison systems and federal prisons offer copay waivers for chronic conditions and 13 states provide copay exemptions for pregnancy-related care. (Rob Byron/Adobe Stock)

Research: Medical copays block health-care access in GA prisons

Researchers say higher healthcare copays are blocking access to care for people behind bars, as prison populations in Georgia and nationwide struggle …

Backers of the Freedom to Vote Act said it would strengthen democracy by securing voting rights, eliminating partisan gerrymandering, reforming campaign finance laws and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.(Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit leaders push for voting-rights reforms on Capitol Hill

Nonprofit leaders from around the country gathered on Capitol Hill Tuesday, pushing for what they are calling "sweeping democracy reforms," in …

Around 17 million people attempt to get a new Social Security card every year. (Adobe Stock)

Protecting your Social Security number: GA residents urged to stay vigilant

In Georgia, the demand for Social Security cards is soaring, with nearly 34,000 residents in Gwinnett County alone requesting appointments for new …

According to state data, one in eight Georgia teens suffers from depression. (Adobe Stock)

Back-to-school mental-health checklist aims to support GA students

With students back in classrooms, the mental health of Georgia's youth is a top priority and one group is working to make sure students have access …

The Sentencing Project found a total of 8,632 individuals serving sentences for crimes committed as minors in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

GA juveniles left behind despite sentencing reforms

Efforts to reform juvenile sentencing in the U.S. have made significant strides, but a new report shows that Georgia is lagging behind. A study by …

Georgia is home to 35 Community Health Centers and 384 delivery sites. (Adobe Stock)

Atlanta meeting focuses on role of community health centers, health care issues

The National Association of Community Health Centers is meeting in Atlanta this weekend to address the issues affecting the health care system as more…

According to the Center for American Progress, economists predicted the Inflation Reduction Act will generate $178 billion in clean energy transportation investments. (Adobe Stock)

GA leaders celebrate impact of IRA on clean energy, environmental justice

Thursday marks the two-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act and Georgia leaders with Elected Officials to Protect America are reflecting on…

According to the Prison Policy Institute, about 58,000 people who are pregnant are admitted to jail and prison every year, and thousands give birth or have other outcomes while still incarcerated. (Adobe Stock)

Senate committee exposes abuse of pregnant prisoners in GA, U.S.

A U.S. Senate subcommittee has uncovered widespread abuse of pregnant and postpartum women incarcerated nationwide, including in Georgia. Sen…

In Georgia, about 3.1% of the state's voting-age population is disenfranchised, which exceeds the the national average of 2%, according to a report from The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

Report: GA, US behind in voting rights for justice-impacted

A new report highlighted how the U.S. compares globally in disenfranchising people based on criminal convictions. The study analyzed 136 countries …

The Inflation Reduction Act commits nearly $400 billion in federal funding and tax credits over 10 years to clean energy and improving climate resilience. (Adobe Stock)<br />

GA solar business showcases benefits of Inflation Reduction Act

A Georgia business owner is touting the effects of the Inflation Reduction Act on families, businesses and job creation, including her own. Olivia …

The State of Georgia currently has more than 11,000 children in foster care. (Adobe Stock)

Carter's adoption support: Empowering families, strengthening workplaces

A Georgia company is showcasing the benefits of supporting workers who want to adopt children. The Atlanta-based kids' clothing brand Carter's is …

Older adults, very young children and people with chronic diseases are at highest risk for heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Experts offer tips on staying safe is Georgia heat

As scorching heat waves sweep across southern states, experts are urging residents and visitors in Georgia to take precautions. With parts of the …

A report from the mental health organization Inseparable showed Georgia needs more than 575 more 23-hour crisis receiving chairs for shorter-term stays and evaluations to meet the state's needs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Georgia urgently needs better crisis response systems

Georgia needs to increase its crisis-response capacity for long-term success, according to a new report by the mental health policy group Inseparable…

Agriculture contributes about $83.6 billion annually to Georgia's economy, according to the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. (Adobe Stock)

University of Georgia farm program helps veterans transition to agriculture

A University of Georgia outreach program is giving veterans a new start in agriculture. With the help of a $750,000 grant, the Farm Boot Camp will …

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