Georgia cracks down on fentanyl trafficking, with new sentencing law
ATLANTA - The penalty for trafficking fentanyl just got more serious in Georgia after Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation that seeks to suppress illicit sales of the dangerous drug. When used in a medical setting with proper dosing, the painkiller can help patients...
Schools prepare to ban cellphones through eighth grade, with new law taking effect
ATLANTA - Schools across Georgia will have to figure out how to pry cellphones from students' hands next year now that a new ban will be taking effect. House Bill 340 prohibits personal communications devices in public school classrooms from kindergarten through...
Kemp inks workforce development bills
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp signed a package of bills Monday aimed at strengthening Georgia's workforce. House Bill 192, which the General Assembly passed this year with just two "no" votes, codifies into state law the Georgia MATCH program, a direct university and...
Another GOP contender joins Georgia race for U.S. Senate
ATLANTA - John King, Georgia's insurance commissioner, has joined the Republican primary election in hopes of unseating Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff next year. Gov. Brian Kemp's announcement last week that he would not be running for the Senate opened the door...
Kemp signs bill targeting foreign adversaries
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp and his allies in the General Assembly say they're determined to prevent foreign adversaries from doing business with state agencies. Toward that end, Kemp signed legislation Friday requiring the Georgia Technology Authority to establish and...
State eyeing Atlanta-to-Savannah passenger rail line
ATLANTA - By the middle of the next decade, Georgians may be able to travel between Atlanta and Savannah by high-speed rail, avoiding traffic and expensive air fares. The state Department of Transportation has launched a study of the feasibility of connecting the two...
Kemp signs $37.7 billion state budget
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp signed a $37.7 billion fiscal 2026 state budget Friday, a spending plan that prioritizes education and prisons. "(This) budget makes important investments to meet the needs of our growing state without growing government or adding to our...
Kemp signs bill denying state funding for gender-affirming care for prison inmates
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp signed controversial legislation Thursday denying the use of state funds for sex reassignment surgery, hormone replacement surgeries and other gender-affirming care sought by Georgia prison inmates. Georgia House Democrats walked out of the...