Georgia / Public News Service

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

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

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…

Makerspaces empower students to invent, design and explore through hands-on engagement with science, engineering and tinkering. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe Stock)

GA grade-school library embraces, teaches technology

As technology overtakes so many areas of life, one Georgia school is helping students cope by creating a nontraditional approach to its library …

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Parents should inspect toys for data privacy

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion dollar industry and is expected to double by 2027, and this holiday season, experts are warning …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, changing the climate is likely to increase the severity of both inland flooding and droughts. Since 1958, the amount of precipitation falling during heavy rainstorms has increased by 27% in the Southeast. (Adobe Stock)

Leaders address need for resilience planning in Georgia

Leaders across Georgia are joining forces to address the pressing need for resilience planning amid rising risks of severe storms. The Institute for …

According to a new report, an inventory of emissions from wood-pellet production found more than 55 hazardous air pollutants, along with more than 10,000 tons of volatile organic compounds and more than 14,000 tons of particulate matter in annual emissions. (Daniel Vincek/Adobe Stock)

Report reveals biomass energy impacts on Georgia health, air pollution

A new report showed biomass energy and wood-pellet production may be worse for human health and air pollution in comparison to fossil fuels across Geo…

According to TheWorldCounts.com, more than 48 million tons of electronic waste have been thrown out, a growing issue because of the toxic chemicals that can have dangerous health impacts such as birth defects and kidney damage. (Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers in GA push for repair scores to reduce e-waste

Legislators in Georgia and across the country are demanding more information for residents about longevity and repairability of tech devices…

According to a new report, there are only about 550 local or state digital news sites in the entire country, and fewer than 1,000 active local minority or ethnic news outlets. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia sees local news sources vanish, especially in rural areas

People in rural Georgia are going without the news and information they need to stay connected and make changes in their communities. According to a …

Research shows one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. (Adobe Stock)

Research in Georgia receives boost for Alzheimer's treatments, cure

Research in Georgia is getting a boost to help enhance the lives of people living with Alzheimer's disease and provide better support. In Georgia…

The Farm Credit System is cumulatively the largest lender to the agricultural sector, making about 45% of all agricultural loans, with $350 billion in assets. (Adobe Stock)

Report calls for more accountability, sustainability in Farm Credit System

A new report calls for greater accountability in the system that provides funding to farmers in underserved communities. The research takes a dive …

The courts have commended Georgia for its progress in increasing political opportunities for Black voters in the 58 years since passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But some observers argued the progress has not been shared equally among Black voters across the state. (Lamar Carter/Adobe Stock)

Voters weigh in on need to include growing groups in GA's redistricting

In just over a week on Nov. 29, state lawmakers will return to Atlanta to decide on Georgia's new congressional voting district maps. Grassroots …

Since the Inflation Reduction Act became law, there have been nearly 60 solar manufacturing announcements. Companies have also announced enough new battery manufacturing projects to support production of more than 10 million electric vehicles per year. (Adobe Stock)

Elected officials: Inflation Reduction Act investments will aid national security

In order to fight climate change, officials are pushing for investments through the Inflation Reduction Act. The group Elected Officials to Protect …

According to a recent poll of rural residents, 51% of Democrats thought the economy was working well for them, compared with 17% of Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

Georgia's rural voters' concerns may shape upcoming elections

Georgia's rural voters are honing in on the issues expected to shape the upcoming elections, according to a recent poll conducted by the Center for …

According to KFF, in one recent year, 20% of nonelderly Hispanic people had no health insurance. In addition to an already limited pool of Spanish-speaking providers, patients have even fewer options when they are uninsured. (Nina Lawrenson/Adobe Stock)

Growing GA Latino population faces mental-health service gaps

More than 1 million Latinos call Georgia home but the growing community faces an alarming gap in finding and using mental health services. The …

Fannin, Gordon, and Laurens counties opted to arm some school employees under House Bill 60.(Azee Jacobs/ Adobe Stock)

GA educators: Put the brakes on more guns for teachers

Georgia lawmakers are proposing a bill that would facilitate teachers carrying guns in schools. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and Republican Sens. Clint …

Georgia high school seniors will receive a letter of college admission at their home address along with connections to resources for application fee waivers, scholarships and grants. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Georgia offers 'Apply to College Month' with no application fees

Georgia is stepping up efforts to help students seize college opportunities. Starting this week, students can apply to partner schools with the …

Clean-air groups and the electric truck sector are calling on state governments to consider tax credits that would make EV trucks more affordable. (Phonlamaiphoto/Adobestock)

Electric-truck experts push EPA to adopt emissions limits

Groups that fight climate change are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt ambitious new greenhouse-gas emissions rules for medium- and …

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Georgia ranks second in the nation, after North Carolina, in densified biomass fuel manufacturing capacity. (Andrei Merkulov/Adobe Stock)

Companies highlight how bioenergy benefits Georgia

Albany Green Energy and Procter and Gamble are showcasing how Georgia benefits from bioenergy this week. In celebration of the 11th National …

Georgia residents owe around $68.6 billion in student loan debt. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips on managing college costs, student-loan debt

As student loan payments resume after a three-year halt, experts offer advice on pursuing higher education without accumulating unnecessary debt…

A new report looks at best practices in artificial intelligence, which is used for myriad applications, including facial-recognition programs. (Angelov/Adobe Stock)

'Big Tech' firms unite to establish ethical standards for AI

Artificial intelligence is growing fast, and such companies as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Verizon are on the list of those who have come together …

Georgia reports there were 30.2 deaths for every 100,000 live births in Georgia from 2018 to 2020. That is about a 20% increase from the previous three-year period, when the rate was 25.1. (Adobe Stock)

CDC updates report on mistreatment of maternity-care patients

People from some racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have negative experiences during pregnancy and delivery that affect the quality …

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)

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…

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