Georgia / Public News Service

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 …

By a 40-point margin, 64% to 24%, voters favor congressional action to set 18-year term limits for current and future Supreme Court justices. (Adobe Stock)

Supreme Court emerges as key election issue, according to survey

In the last election, Georgia tipped the scales with the smallest victory margin for President Joe Biden, but now a new battleground emerges: the …

About 1,500 juveniles are confined in Georgia, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Youth diversion programs could improve Georgia juvenile justice

Juvenile justice advocates say more diversion programs could be key to keeping Georgia's young offenders out of the criminal justice system. A …

In 2022, Georgia had 70,400 registered electric vehicles, a 48% increase from the 47,600 EVs registered in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia lawmakers highlight EV benefits for health, environment

Georgia lawmakers with the group Elected Officials to Protect America are spotlighting the health and environmental benefits of electric vehicles…

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. (Adobe Stock)

Housing among top priorities for Savannah at Mayors' Conference

More than 200 mayors, from cities in Georgia and across the country, gathered through this weekend to tackle the nation's most prominent issues at …

In a survey conducted by World Animal Protection, 80% of U.S. consumers said they were concerned about the treatment of factory-farmed pigs. (Adobe Stock)

GA restaurants urged to end use of livestock gestation crates

Advocates for animal welfare are calling on restaurants in Georgia to end the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs in their supply chain…

Georgia's highest ranking among four domains studied by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in its Kids Count Data Book is in education, at 31st. (Adobe Stock)

GA ranks among bottom 10 for health despite gains in child well-being

Georgia remains among the bottom 10 states for children's health, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, about 87,000 people are incarcerated in Georgia's state prisons and/or local jails, compared to about 6,500 in federal prisons in the state. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe Stock)

Could states use federal dollars to reduce prison populations?

Some Georgia lawmakers want to lower the jail population, especially in Fulton and Muscogee counties, due to safety concerns and staffing shortages…

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, about eight out of every 10 women have fibroids by age 50. (Adobe Stock)

Raising awareness about fibroids, treatment options

More than 26 million women in the United States have fibroids, benign growths typically in the uterus and reproductive organs, and fewer than half of …

Among people aged 70, 61% of those with Alzheimer's dementia are expected to die before age 80 compared with 30% of people without Alzheimer's dementia. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Brain health experts seek solutions for Alzheimer's crisis in Georgia

Brain-health experts are working to improve detection and care for Alzheimer's disease as new data reveal an increasing Alzheimer's population in Geor…

The transportation sector in the United States is the main contributor to carbon emissions, with heavy-duty vehicles responsible for more than 20% of this pollution despite comprising only 10% of road vehicles. (Adobe Stock)

New regulations target transportation emissions in Georgia

New federal clean-truck standards in Georgia will improve air quality and public health. The Environmental Protection Agency aims to reduce …

According to the EPA, Georgia has warmed less than most of the nation in the last century but in the next few decades, the changing climate is likely to harm livestock and increase the number of unpleasantly hot days and heat-related illnesses. (Laura Ballard/Adobe Stock)

Scientists call on moms to help fight climate change

Mothers from a nonpartisan climate science group are gearing up for summer, getting the word out to Georgia families on how more frequent and extreme …

Research shows children in families of color, particularly Black and Latino families, have been more likely to experience gaps in health coverage. (Adobe Stock)

More than 300,000 Georgia kids lose health coverage post-COVID

More than 300,000 children have been dropped from Medicaid and Peach Care for kids since the pandemic ended. A report from the Georgetown University …

About 151 Georgia counties are in need of more mental-health care professionals. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia takes aim at mental health care shortages with new legislation

Georgia is taking on its mental-health care challenges head-on through new legislation. One bill is aimed at increasing the number of providers in …

Earthjustice data show 94% of coal ash ponds in the United States are unlined. (Adobe Stock)

New EPA rules target Georgia legacy coal-ash ponds

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule to close a significant loophole in coal ash disposal regulations. The Coal Combustion …

The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center will be on an 85-acre plot of forested land owned by the City of Atlanta. Once completed, the campus will be the nation's largest police training complex, equipped with military-grade facilities and a mock city for urban police training. (Adobe Stock)

Disability advocates join efforts to halt Atlanta's 'Cop City'

By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media/Public News …

Environments which are violent, lack accessible and effective community resources and are disproportionately affected by poverty or unemployment are variables contributing to child abuse<br />and neglect, according to PCA Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia groups empower parents to safeguard children's well-being

As communities across Georgia come together to raise awareness during Child Abuse Prevention Month, local groups are taking steps to equip parents …

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the largest blackwater wetland ecosystem and the least disturbed freshwater ecosystem on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates urge stronger safeguards for Okefenokee

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia faces the prospect of a titanium dioxide mine near its border. Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals …

According to House Bill 1017, a person commits the offense of unlawful squatting when they

Georgia to strengthen property owners' rights against squatters

Georgia lawmakers appear to be taking a major step toward safeguarding property owners against people who occupy homes or apartments illegally…

According to Thrivent, FAFSA delays are expected to affect more than 17 million students trying to make plans for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Adobe Stock)

FAFSA delays pose challenges for Georgia college-bound students

Students across Georgia seeking college opportunities are encountering delays as they navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process…

According to the American Lung Association, children face special risks from air pollution because their airways are small and still developing, and because they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than do adults. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: New EPA air pollution standards a win for public health

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

The White House predicted more than 6,500 people with prior federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana, and thousands of such convictions under D.C. law, could benefit from pardons. (Adobe Stock)

Presidential pardons in Georgia highlight marijuana reform trend

President Joe Biden recently granted clemency to 11 people serving lengthy sentences for nonviolent marijuana offenses, sparking discussions on …

It's estimated that more than 1 million immigrants live in Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

GA advocates rally against legislation aimed at immigrants

Advocates for immigrants gathered at the Georgia State Capitol this week, urging lawmakers to stop legislation they see as potentially harmful…

According to the Brennan Center for Justice Voting Laws Roundup, voters in 27 states will face restrictions in the 2024 election that they've never experienced in a presidential election, including in Georgia. (Adobe Stock)

Groups reflect on critical step toward equal access to ballot box

As the hearing for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act approaches, advocacy groups are reflecting on its importance. For the nonprofit …

According to America's Health Rankings data, Georgia ranks 19th in teen suicide. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia community unites to combat rising tide of youth suicide

A coalition of organizations in Georgia is joining forces to combat the rising rate of suicide among children and teenagers. According to national …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of children aged 6-8 have had a cavity in at least one of their primary (baby) teeth. (Adobe Stock)<br />

GA dental health experts stress importance of early prevention for children

February is Children's Dental Health Month and experts are urging parents to establish good dental health early. According to the Centers for …

Since 2017, right whales have been experiencing an Unusual Mortality Event, which has resulted in more than 20 percent of the population being sick, injured, or killed. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates call for action to save endangered North Atlantic right whales

Advocates are calling for action to save the North Atlantic right whale, a critically endangered species. The Biden administration has appropriated $…

In Georgia, more than 75,000 drivers own electric vehicles. (Adobe Stock)

Report details electric vehicle savings for GA drivers

Despite the common belief that electric vehicles are more expensive than gas-powered cars, the latest findings say EVs can actually save their …

In Georgia, people who owe fines as part of their sentence are not eligible to register to vote, but not all such debt affects voting rights. (Adobe Stock)

Group works to help GA residents understand, restore voting rights

As people in Georgia mobilize for the 2024 General Election, one group wants to make it easier for those with felony records to understand their …

About 60% of the nation's students in chronically underfunded districts are in just 10 states, including Georgia. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Report: Georgia K-12 schools 'critically underfunded'

A new report shows Georgia is among the 39 states that "critically underfunds" its K-12 public schools. The report on the state school finance …

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, driving an electric vehicle in Georgia produces 2.3 metric tons of emissions per year, compared with 4.9 metric tons from the average new gasoline-powered car. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia leaders call for stricter 'clean car' standards to curb emissions

Transportation is the leading cause of greenhouse-gas emissions, and some Georgia leaders are demanding stricter clean-energy standards to address …

Offenders who engage in financially motivated sextortion are often located outside the United States, primarily in west African countries of Nigeria and Ivory Coast, or Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, according to the FBI. (Adobe Stock)

FBI warns about increase in sextortion crimes targeting minors

The FBI is warning the public about an increase in the crime known as "sextortion," when suspects target others and threaten or coerce them into sendi…

In the United States, more than 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

GA food banks struggle to meet demand; Farm Bill could help

In a state where nearly 10% of households face food insecurity, Georgia's food banks are grappling with an urgent problem. The nonprofit group …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has invested more than $80 million to support more than 200 projects across underserved rural and Native American communities. (Greg Kelton/Adobe Stock)

USDA grants mean lower energy bills for some GA households

A Georgia group is using some U.S. Department of Agriculture Housing Preservation Grant funding to help people stay in and better afford their homes…

Georgia has an incarceration rate of 968 per 100,000 people in prisons, jails, immigration detention and juvenile justice facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Can GA overcome racial disparities in its criminal-justice system?

About 60% of those incarcerated in Georgia are people of color. A new report from The Sentencing Project highlights some of the disparities that …

Azka Mahmood, executive director of CAIR-Georgia, said in an online statement,

GA family calls for changes following threats to Muslim student

The Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Georgia and the family of a Warner Robins Middle School student are calling for polic…

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