Georgia / Public News Service

Depending on your income and circumstances, you may qualify for financial assistance to lower your monthly insurance premium and potentially reduce out-of-pocket costs in Georgia through HealthCare.gov. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Expert offers health insurance tips for choosing best plan in GA

It is almost time to select health insurance for the coming year in Georgia. Open enrollment dates are a little different depending on your type of …

According to Alliance for Youth Action, if the November 2022 election were held today, 53% of young voters in battleground states would vote for the Democratic candidate for Congress, while 42% would vote for the Republican candidate for Congress. Independent voters favor Republican candidates, 49% to 41%.<br />

Georgia youths on brink of reshaping political landscape

Georgia's young people could shift the political landscape of the state in the near future. New data from the Brookings Institution indicates that …

The report calls for lawmakers to pass the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act. It would create a permanent endowment fund, for stable funding for rural public lands, county services and education. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe Stock)

Report Offers Roadmap for Growth in Rural Georgia

Rural areas in Georgia are looking for ways to strengthen their communities with policies that address the climate crisis, infrastructure, and …

About a month ago, former President Donald Trump was indicted for 13 crimes related to his alleged efforts to reverse his election loss in Georgia. (Michael Rolands/Adobe Stock)

Report: GA Among Battleground States at Risk for 'Election Denialism'

Georgia and other battleground states are susceptible to election denialism, which a new report said has implications for the next election. The …

Former U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich, introduced House Resolution 40 in 1989, and successively introduced it in each Congress until his retirement, almost 30 years later. (Andrii Koval/Adobe Stock)

Pushing for Reparations: Georgia's Efforts to Address Historical Injustices

By Sunnivie Brydum and Sonali Kolhatkar for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES…

President Biden has set a goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia Sees Rapid Growth in EV Registration Amid Growing Demand

Georgia is defying skepticism surrounding electric vehicle sales and is seeing a surge in EV registration and infrastructure investments. In 2022…

Wildfire smoke is not only a mixture of hazardous air pollutants, but these fires also release large quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. (Aleksandr Lesik/Adobe Stock)

Study: Wildfires Magnify Health Risks for GA Residents

From Georgia all the way north along the East Coast, poor air quality this summer has mostly been a result of wildfires many miles away in Canada…

The Inflation Reduction Act offers purchase incentives of $7,500 for new electric vehicles and $4,000 for used EVs. (Adobe Stock)

GA's Elected Officials Mark Anniversary of Inflation Reduction Act

It has been one year since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The sweeping climate legislation has had vast …

In the 2022 legislative session, state lawmakers around the country introduced at least 43 bills that would allow or require problematic voter purges. So far in 2023, states are considering at least 28 additional bills. (Adobe Stock)

New Report Reveals Alarming Impacts of Voter Purge Policies in Georgia

A recent report by Dēmos, a nonpartisan public policy organization, uncovered disturbing findings regarding the impact of voter registration …

More than one in 13 student loan borrowers is currently behind on their other payment obligations. (Adobe Stock)

GA Borrowers Get Ready to Resume Federal Student Loan Payments

With summer coming to an end, kids are headed back to school, but for college graduates, it also means resuming payments on their federal student …

The Greening America's Cities initiative will award $400 million primarily to community environmental justice organizations through 2030. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia Receiving Nearly $8 Million to Create Green Spaces

Organizations in Georgia are getting an opportunity to develop and enhance green spaces to help mitigate some effects of climate change. Through the …

While cigarette pollution takes up to 10 years to degrade, disposable vapes are not biodegradable. Experts said the cartridges endanger ocean creatures inadvertently consuming the plastics. (Adobe Stock)

Disposable Vapes Raise Hazardous Waste Concerns

Disposable vapes are posing a growing environmental threat in Georgia and across the country, according to a new report. The U.S. Public Interest …

Data for December 2022 show that total Medicaid/CHIP enrollment grew to 92.3 million, an increase of 21.2 million from enrollment in February 2020 (29.8%), right before the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

More than a Half-Million Georgians to Lose Medicaid Coverage

More than a half million Georgians stand to lose their Medicaid coverage this year because of the end of pandemic-era coverage. As a result of …

A Not-So-Sweet Dilemma for Artificial Sweetener Aspartame

Recent news headlines about the possible cancer risks from using the common artificial sweetener aspartame might have alarmed people who eat and drink…

In 2021, Georgians had more than 22,600 stroke hospitalizations. (Adobe Stock)

Recognizing the Signs: A Stroke Survivor's Journey to Raise Awareness

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in Georgia, making it crucial to know the signs and symptoms, especially with time being of the essence …

Older women are more likely to live in poverty than men as a result of wage discrimination and having to take time out of the workforce for caregiving, according to the National Council on Aging. (Adobe Stock)

GA Program Boosts Income, Quality of Life for Older Adults

Many older adults in Georgia are facing difficulties with housing expenses, health care, and decreasing savings. However, one senior program in …

Some 90% of middle and high schools and 84% of elementary schools were providing a device for every student, according to a March 2021 Education Week survey of school leaders. (Adobe Stock)

Chromebook Expiration Leaves Schools to Cope with E-Waste

Education advocates say pending expiration dates for Google Chromebooks teach kids the wrong lesson about technology. Software on thirteen models …

The growth rate of the Hispanic population in Savannah-Chatham County surpasses both the statewide growth rate of 32% and the national growth rate of 23%, according to the report. (Adobe Stock)

MESE Urges Chatham County Schools to Bolster Support for Hispanic Students

Migrant Equity Southeast is calling on the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System to address the urgent need for investing in Hispanic and Spani…

The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine says 60% percent of U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine are located in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, and the schools require clinical rotations in rural and underserved communities. (Adobe Stock)

Tackling Georgia's Doctor Shortage with Osteopathic Medicine

In Georgia, hospital consolidations, coupled with a dwindling workforce of primary-care physicians, has caused growing gaps in access to care for …

Salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it, thus decreasing the effects of global warming. (Joanne Dale/Adobe Stock)

Salt Marsh Initiative: Preserving GA's Coastal Landscapes

Georgia's nearly 370,000 acres of salt marshes are in danger, due to rising sea levels and levels of development that conservation groups say are …

According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, 21,000 more children have health insurance in Georgia than in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

Children in GA Struggle with Affordable Housing, Health Care Access

In new findings released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, it seems more families with children in Georgia require more affordable housing than …

According to the CDC, if North America managed to reduce the incidence of Adverse Childhood Experiences by just 10%, it could equate to an annual savings of $56 billion. (Oscar Williams/Adobe Stock)

Building Stronger GA Communities through Trauma-Informed Care

A group in Georgia is working to equip people and organizations to combat what are known as Adverse Childhood Experiences, the traumatic events in a …

For her master's thesis at Northwestern College, Deanna Cuffee wrote:

Backlash Grows on Removing DEI Standards from GA Teacher Training

Educator training programs in Georgia would not contain diversity, equity and inclusion terms, if the Georgia Professional Standards Commission …

The Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Court Battle Ends with Major Implications for Wetlands in GA, U.S.

More than 7.7 million acres in Georgia are wetlands, and groups aware of their value to the environment are worried the watery acreage might be in …

Georgia is the 26th jurisdiction to decriminalize medical marijuana use. (Adobe Stock)

Cannabis Equity: The Importance of Reform and Access to Dispensaries

The rise of medical cannabis dispensaries in Georgia is highlighting the need for reform and equitable access. One of the state's first dispensaries …

More 15-year-olds discussed finances with their parents when the topic was something the teens wanted to buy, according to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Initiative Aims to Improve GA Teens' Financial Literacy

Aiming to close the financial literacy divide among teens and young adults, one investment company has set a goal of reaching one million of them by 2…

The global trucking industry is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2025. (Carolyn Franks/Adobe Stock)

Groups Help Reduce Barriers for GA Women in Trucking

Two groups are working to create equal opportunities for Black and Latina women in the trucking industry. The Truist Foundation has pledged $1.5 …

In the decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of students reported they felt like part of their school community. After dropping sharply, the numbers have rebounded. (Adobe Stock)

Data Shows Striking Gap in Student Support After Pandemic

As the pandemic draws to a close, one group is raising awareness of the crucial need for student support and mental health resources. According to …

Once laptops have expired, they don't receive updates and can't access secure websites. (Adobe Stock)

Right to Repair Chromebooks Could Save GA Schools $63 Million

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund is urging Google to allow Chromebook owners a right to repair the devices and extend their …

Kinship-care placements with relatives and close friends increased from 14% in 2006 to 22% in 2021 according to the Fostering in Youth Transitions 2023 report. (Pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Report: Older Foster Youths Lean Toward Higher Ed

Children who stay in foster care beyond age 18 are likely to pursue higher education, according to the Fostering in Youth Transitions 2023 report by …

In Georgia, 1,156,660 people are facing hunger - and of them, 335,720 are children. (Adobe Stock)

GA Food Banks Prep for Increased Need One Year After Pandemic SNAP Ends

Georgia's food banks are taking action to address the growing demand for their services ahead of summer break. Frank Sheppard, Feeding the Valley …

The state of Georgia hosted 412 productions, represented by 32 feature films, 36 independent films, 269 television and episodic productions, 42 commercials and 33 music videos between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Writers’ Strike Could Affect GA Economy, Jobs

Thousands of writers are currently on strike following a breakdown in negotiations with the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Pictur…

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, there are about 19 million veterans age 18 and older in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia Acts to Improve Mental Health Support for Veterans, Families

A new effort is underway in Georgia to improve mental health support for veterans and their loved ones, as Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill aimed at …

In a 2019 survey, almost 50% of Democrats and almost 40% of Republicans said they'd consider crossing party lines to vote for a candidate they thought could

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Group Explores Ways to Have Difficult Conversations in Divisive Times

At a time when it's easy to find something to disagree about, whether it's politics or social issues, one organization is working to help others have …

The Muscogee County Bookmobile visits more than 40 locations monthly, on a biweekly basis. (Adobe Stock)

GA Libraries Work to Boost Literacy Rates for Library Week

Libraries across the country have been in the news lately, mostly for efforts to ban books. But this has been National Library Week, and they're …

In 2021, more than 9,700 people in Georgia were arrested for possession of marijuana. (Iarygin Andrii/Adobe Stock)

GA Group Targets Marijuana Reform

Georgia is among the 19 states that enforce jail time for marijuana possession, resulting in a significant impact on the Black community, with the …

Banning noncompete agreements for workers could reduce racial and gender wage gaps, according to researchers. (Fredericknoronha/Wikimedia Commons)

FTC Noncompete Decision Could Help Georgia Workers

Earlier this year, the Federal Trade Commission said it intends to ban noncompete agreements, and hundreds of people have submitted comments on the …

The overall child population increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia but declined in 27 states. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Decline of Child Population Could Affect GA

Georgia is one of only a few states to see an increase in its population of children, but a report indicates residents could soon see the impact of a …

Plants and plant material can spread the citrus greening disease infection even if no psyllids are visible, according to the state. (Ellen/Adobe Stock)<br />

USDA Warns GA Residents about Crop-Killing Pests

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is alerting Georgia residents about a citrus-killing disease caused by an invasive insect. The Asian Citrus …

Agriculture accounts for about 60% of the land area in Georgia, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. (Budimir Jevtic/Adobe Stock)

GA Farmers Look to Congress for Support to Fight Climate Change

Georgia farmers are watching a bill that is being reintroduced in Congress for ways to help their farms become more sustainable and less likely to con…

Experts estimate that one in 10 kids experiences sexual abuse by their 18th birthday. (Nichizhenova Elena/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

GA Centers Combat Child-Abuse Misconceptions with Impactful Initiatives

Georgia saw more than 62,000 reports of child abuse in 2020, representing more than 120,000 children. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month…

A recent report found at the start of 2022, Dollar General and Dollar Tree -- which owns Family Dollar -- together operated more than 34,000 stores in the United States. (Rido/AdobeStock)

GA Legislation to Set Distance Requirements for Discount Retail Stores

Chain dollar stores are spreading at an unprecedented rate in cities and rural areas across the U.S. - a trend that is making waves in Georgia…

Around 77,900 transgender youths live in 11 states that passed bans or took other executive action this year or in years prior to prohibit or limit their access to gender-affirming care. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia's SB 140 Seen as Serious Threat to LGBTQ+ Youth

New legislation in Georgia targeting gender-affirming health care for transgender minors has health professionals and LGBTQ+ advocates on high alert…

Georgia elected not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to cover nearly all nonelderly adults under 138% of poverty, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Spiroview Inc./Adobe Stock)

Georgia Campaign Fights to Reopen Local Hospitals

Two Atlanta facilities are the latest hospital closures in Georgia, reflecting a trend for more than a decade that's left tens of thousands of people …

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Early Support for Black Students in GA Could Help Boost College Enrollment

Two reports confirm a troubling trend in terms of Black students attending college. According to the University System of Georgia, enrollment among …

The 2022 Georgia Broadband Map documents 454,950 unserved addresses, about 90% of which are in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Better Broadband Would Minimize Healthcare Gaps in Georgia

A half-million Georgians face the reality of inadequate internet access, according to the state's broadband annual report. The glaring digital …

Georgia SB 221 suggests that the USPS's national change of address database could be used to challenge voters. (Matt Bannister/Adobe Stock)

Mobilizing GA Voters in a Non-Election Year: A Crucial Strategy for Voting Rights Groups

There's no rest for Georgia's voting rights groups in this non-election year, though another slew of voting restrictions proposed by a group of …

Georgia has enrolled more than 2.4 million individuals in Medicaid and CHIP, a net increase of 59.77% since the first Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

GA Group Prepares for End of COVID-19 Emergency

A Georgia health advocacy group is concerned about people's health outcomes as the COVID-19 public health emergency is set to expire on May 11…

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