Preservationists pressure chemical company for pledge against mining near Okefenokee
ATLANTA — People who want to protect the Okefenokee delivered a petition with 26,000 signatures Wednesday to a company they fear might mine near the swamp, asking for a permanent pledge not to. Last year, conservationists assembled about $60 million to buy a...
Georgia Congressman David Scott, 80, dies
ATLANTA — U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Democrat who made history as the first African American to chair the House Agriculture Committee, has died, his office announced Wednesday. Scott, 80, had represented the 13th congressional district for nearly a quarter century,...
Kemp declares state of emergency for more than half of Georgia as wildfires rage
ATLANTA — An extended spell of dry weather has led to major wildfires in South Georgia, prompting Gov. Brian Kemp to declare a state of emergency covering more than half the state. Kemp's order on Wednesday covers 91 of Georgia's 159 counties. It will be in effect for...
Candidates for Georgia governor present to manufacturers’ forum
ATLANTA — With weeks to go before Georgia's primary election, nearly all the leading candidates for governor attended a forum Tuesday in hopes of distinguishing themselves from their competitors. Only Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat and former Atlanta mayor, skipped...
Georgia General Assembly adopted bill to expose members to scrutiny for alleged improprieties
ATLANTA — A little amendment to the last bill to pass the Georgia General Assembly this year could cause quite a stir if Gov. Brian Kemp signs it into law. Or the Senate's tweak to House Bill 1409 could do nothing, except give lawmakers pause about pursuing sex with a...
Chancellor Perdue to retire, ending historic political career
ATLANTA — Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue announced Wednesday that he will retire from his job overseeing the state's 25 public colleges and universities, ending a career that spanned more than four decades, from service on a local zoning board to the cabinet of...
Georgia university system increases tuition 1%
ATLANTA — Tuition will rise 1% for Georgia students attending one of the state's public colleges or universities, the state Board of Regents decided Tuesday. The regents also increased tuition 3% for out-of-state students attending one of the University System of...
Democrat pushes abortion issue as he trails leader in polls
ATLANTA — A Georgia Democrat aiming to win the primary race for governor fired a broadside against a competitor Monday because of his previous support for a ban on abortion, one of the most contentious topics of the era and a galvanizing issue for many female voters....