Most of the 2,900 internet service providers in the U.S. cover small geographic areas, according to BroadbandNow.com. Fewer than 240 of them serve parts of Georgia. (Alena Mozhjer)

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Essential Roles for Broadband in Rural GA: A Catalyst for Farmers

In rural Georgia, hardworking farmers grapple with staying competitive in the global market, and some said they are hindered by limited broadband …

In 2023, community college completion rates are 44% for first-time, full-time students in Georgia, according to the Community College Review. (KDavis/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Monday, March 20, 2023

Online, Community Colleges Offer Flexibility for Non-Traditional Students

Many Georgia college students have to balance family and work responsibilities with academics. Some are finding non-traditional higher education is …

Georgia teachers are eager for increased mental-health support and planning time in schools. (Robert Peak/Adobe Stock)

GA Proposes Teacher Pay Hikes; Educators Say More Work Needed

Georgia's Fiscal Year 2024 budget could bring a $2,000 salary boost for teachers, addressing the alarming educator shortage. Educators say low wages…

The most iconic species that resides in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge may be the American alligator. An estimated 15,000 alligators live in the refuge area. (Wildspaces/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge Georgia DEP to Nix Mine Permit Near Okefenokee

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division wants the public to weigh in on whether a titanium mine will be allowed to operate near the Okefenokee N…

According to a study by the EPA's Center for Air, Climate and Energy Solutions, the disparity in soot exposure between white, Black, Latino, and Asian Americans was consistent across the country, in rural and urban settings and at all income levels. (Adobe Stock)

Group Urges EPA to Set Stronger Rules for Soot Pollution

In Georgia and across the country, advocates for clean air are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to do more to protect public health by …

The average student debt for a Georgia college graduate in 2019-20 was $27,759, according to the Institute of College Access and Success. (Damir Khabirov/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Georgians Head to D.C. to Rally for Student-Loan Debt Cancellation

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments next week in the two cases on student loan debt cancellation. Groups across the country wanting at least …

According to CDC data, more than 37,500 abortions were performed in 2020 in Georgia, a rate of just over 17 per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44. (Lomb/Adobe Stock)

Reproductive Freedom Act Takes Aim at Current GA Abortion Ban

Reproductive rights groups are supporting legislation to restore abortion access in Georgia. The Reproductive Freedom Act was filed to repeal House …

The CDC recommends parents assist children under age 6 with brushing their teeth until they have developed good brushing skills. (Cecilie Skjold Wackerhausen/Adobe Stock)

Pediatric Dentists See Uptick in Cavities in GA Children

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, giving parents another reason to watch their children's intake of Valentine candy this week…

In the United States, approximately 697,000 people died from heart disease in 2020, accounting for one in every five deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (AdobeStock)

GA Heart Expert Explains Heart Attack, Cardiac Arrest, Prevention

February is American Heart Month, and a Georgia medical expert said knowing the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest can help save a …

In Georgia, the birth rate in 2023 is just over 12 births per 1,000 people, a 2.25% decline from 2022. (Pololia/Adobe Stock)

Groups Work to Improve Maternal, Infant Death Rates in GA

Preventing maternal and infant mortality in Georgia is a top priority for health care providers in the state. Georgia already has the nation's …

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes provisions to lower prescription drug costs for people with Medicare coverage, including those who take insulin, which went into effect this month. (Sebra/Adobe Stock)

New Changes to Medicare Set to Benefit Georgia Seniors

Big changes are underway for Medicare participants, after historic legislation put them in motion this month. More than 1.8 million Georgians who …

The top 10 states certified 1,225 projects and more than 353 million gross square feet of commercial space. (Kristina Blokhin/AdobeStock)

GA Ranks in Top 10 for Green Buildings

The Peach State made it onto the top 10 list of states focused on sustainable building practices, according to a new report. Georgia comes in at …

For Black women in Georgia, pregnancy-related maternal mortality is higher at 47 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to white women, at 14.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. (insta_photos/Adobe Stock)

Study: Medicaid Expansion Reduces Postpartum Hospitalizations

New research makes a compelling case for expanding Medicaid coverage in states like Georgia that have not. The study examines postpartum …

According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, five species of sea turtles are found on the Georgia coast, but only the loggerhead nests regularly on Jekyll, Ossabaw, Sapelo, Sea and other barrier islands. (JEANNE/Adobe Stock)

GA Group Challenges Elimination of Coastal Dredging Protections

The new year brings a new legal challenge to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, asking it to reconsider its decision to dredge year-round on the …

Over 37,000 abortions were performed in Georgia in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Trac1/Adobe Stock)

Women's Health Played Major Role in 2022 Midterms

By Jennifer Weitz-Wolf for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Danielle Smith for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News …

Across the country, home heating bills are expected to increase by 17.2%, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association. (Novikat/Adobe Stock)

Final Vote This Week on GA Power Rate Hike

The Georgia Public Service Commission will hold a final vote this week on Georgia Power's next three-year plan. After months of public hearings…

According to the Georgia Secretary of State, within the state's 159 counties, over 3.5 million ballots were cast in the U.S. Senate runoff this month. (Richelle/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS Decision Could Affect Future GA Elections

A Georgia group said the outcome of Moore v. Harper in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court has potential consequences for future elections in the …

According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Peach State is sixth in the nation for public EV charging stations, at more than 1,500 outlets. (Michael Flippo/Adobe Stock)

EV Charging Stations Coming to Underserved GA Communities

Electric vehicles are an environmentally friendly way to get from one place to another, but the lack of charging stations often limits drivers to …

Access to Care, Medication is Key to HIV Prevention in GA

Today is World AIDS Day, an annual observance to support people living with HIV and remember those who have died from the virus, and encourage others …

According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2017, some 95% of Georgia counties had no clinics that provided abortions, and 55% of Georgia women lived in those counties. (Longfin Media/Adobe Stock)

Georgia Supreme Court Reinstates 6-Week Abortion Ban

The Georgia Supreme Court granted an emergency stay of a lower court's ruling, once again allowing a six-week abortion ban to take effect in Georgia …

Small Businesses Help Georgians Find Health Insurance

Open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is already underway, and ends on Jan. 15. More than 1.3 million Georgians do …

The Georgia Rental Assistance Program has either spent or committed more than $830 million in rental, utility, and other housing-related expenses for Georgians in need. (Paolese/Adobe Stock)

Some GA Households to Receive Assistance with Utility Bills

The Georgia Rental Assistance Program and Georgia Power have partnered to help eligible households with their past-due utility bills. The state and …

According to OpenSecrets, the 2021 Georgia contests that decided party control of the Senate were the top two most expensive congressional elections in the country. (Pixabay)

Runoff Continues Record Spending in Georgia's U.S. Senate Race

Control of the U.S. Senate could once again be decided in Georgia as a tight race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican …

In Georgia, polls will be open on Election Day, Nov. 8, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Georgians are also required to show a valid photo ID when voting in person. (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Last-Minute 'Get Out the Vote' Efforts in Georgia

The last-minute push for voter education is even more urgent in Georgia today. According to the Georgia Secretary of State's website, more than 1.7 …

More than 7 million active voters are registered in Georgia, according to the Secretary of State's website. More than 2 million of them are Black. (Antgor/Adobe Stock)

Ahead of Midterm Elections, 'Black Men Got Something to Say' Tour

As the midterm election approaches, the Black Man Lab Foundation and the New Georgia Project have mobilized a nine-city tour across the state to give …

Georgia Power serves 2.7 million customers and provides electric service to customers in 155 of the state's 159 counties. (Spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

Report: GA Utility Gets Failing Grade for Climate Promises

A report by the Sierra Club says Georgia Power isn't doing enough to transition to cleaner energy sources, along with dozens of other utility …

The U.S. Census Bureau reports as of 2021, Georgia had almost 11 million residents, and 14.7% of them under age 65 did not have health insurance. (Annap/Adobe Stock)

Georgia Open Enrollment for ACA Insurance Begins Nov. 1

Thousands of Georgians will be shopping for new health insurance plans for 2023, when open enrollment begins on Nov. 1, and there is a lot to …

According to the Campaign for Action, Black students account for about 20% of nursing school graduates in Georgia, compared with 31.5% of the general population. (Pixabay)

Better Diversity in Nursing Seen as Improving Access to Care

The connection between hospital patient outcomes and nurse staffing has been well documented in health care research, and experts believe a workforce …

Southern Co., the parent company of Georgia Power, says it is actively advancing a net-zero goal by 2050. (Photo of Plant Wansley by Joe Cook; flight provided by SouthWings)

Following National Trend, Another GA Coal-Fired Power Plant Retires

Georgia Power is reducing its reliance on coal by phasing out several coal-fired units. However, clean-energy advocates say the company should …

Some 46% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosed mental health condition, but research shows 90% may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. (Orawan/Adobe Stock)

Suicide Prevention Month: A Focus on 'Zero Suicides' in Georgia

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to shed light on what continues to be one of the toughest topics to discuss for many …

Persons with health insurance in Gwinnett County including children make up 82.3% of the population, meaning 17.7% are uninsured. (Gwinnett Coalition)

Gwinnett Coalition Improves Health-Care Access For Residents

Gwinnett County's uninsured population of 15.6% is slightly higher than the state rate of 15.3%, according to 2020 U.S. census data. Renee Byrd-…

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Marys rivers. (FWS.gov)

GA Groups Fight to Stop Mine Near Okefenokee

Environmental groups are calling on Georgia's Environmental Protection Division to reject permits to build a titanium mine near an intact freshwater w…

According to the Georgia Department of Drivers Services website, Georgia law requires photo identification when voting either in person or absentee. (Krakenimages.com/Adobe Stock) ">

Georgia Voter Registration On Rise Before General Election

The Georgia Automatic Voter Registration system is back up and running after being offline for 15 months. The system opts in eligible residents to …

The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute estimates rural Georgia could see its uninsured rate climb to more than 25% by 2026. (fernandozhiminaicela/Pixabay)

Fellowship Aims to Bridge Gaps in Georgia's Health-Care System

Navigating the complex maze of health insurance can be daunting even for seasoned professionals. In Georgia, one woman is hoping to make the process …

GA Group Mobilizes against World's Largest Wood-Pellet Plant

Residents of Adel, a predominantly Black and Hispanic town in South Georgia, are fighting plans to build the world's largest wood-pellet plant in …

A federal district judge found that the current system for electing people to the Georgia's Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, gave Black residents' votes less weight. (Pixabay)

High Court Victory For Black Voters Challenging Georgia's Election Rules

The Supreme Court is upholding a victory for Black voters who claimed Georgia's elections process for electing members to the statewide Public Service…

Two bills introduced in the House are aimed at changing the makeup of the Supreme Court. One would see several justices retired from the court in the next six years. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Would Put Term Limits on SCOTUS Justices

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would place limits on Supreme Court justices in the wake of several of the court's decisions…

Trauma-informed care acknowledges the need to understand a patient's life experiences in order to deliver the most effective care. (ambermb/Pixabay)

A Growing Movement for Trauma-Informed Care

Your first heartbreak, accident, loss of a loved-one or being chased by a dog - these and so many other incidents can be lasting traumatic …

Nearly half of Hispanic or Latina women of reproductive age in Georgia are uninsured. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Georgia Needs to Step Up for Women, Babies

While abortion care is in the headlines, a new report says accessing other health-care services is a challenge for many women in Georgia. Data from …

While child poverty has improved in Georgia, still 495,000 kids live in families with incomes below the poverty line. (Adobe Stock)

Annual Child Well-Being Report Ranks Georgia 38th Among States

Children in Georgia are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book, released this week by the …

An influx of federal funds could help shape the future and speed the adoption of technologies to make Georgia's infrastructure network smarter, better connected and electric. (Pixabay)

Calls for Infrastructure Spending to Focus on Rural Georgia

President Joe Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law will disburse up to $239 million to help Georgia improve the resilience of transportation infrastr…

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