State Election Board doubles down on rules changes
ATLANTA - For the second time this month, the Republican-controlled State Election Board approved a change to Georgia's election rules critics say could make it easier to delay the official vote count this fall. The change, which passed 3-2, requires local election...
Kemp touts ‘state-based’ approach to health insurance
ATLANTA - The federal government has given Georgia the go-ahead to launch a state-based health insurance exchange proponents say will give Georgians better health coverage and offer health-care providers higher reimbursements. The new exchange, Georgia Access, will...
Perdue criticizes overhaul of federal student aid process
ATLANTA - University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue is asking the U.S. Department of Education to delay processing federal student aid applications because of the botched rollout of a simplified application website. The simplified website for the Free...
Georgia lawmakers looking to boost struggling timber industry
ATLANTA - Georgia's forestry industry is a victim of its own success. Advanced genetics leading to fast-growing trees and a favorable climate have combined to make Georgia the No.-1 forestry state in the nation, a $42 billion industry responsible for 143,000 jobs. But...
Cobb County prosecutor to lead state Organized Retail Crime Unit
ATLANTA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has hired a former Cobb County assistant district attorney to head the first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit. Timothy Ruffini will oversee a team of prosecutors and investigators targeting criminal networks engaged...
Georgia Supreme Court strikes a blow for open records
ATLANTA - Private contractors working for government agencies are subject to Georgia's Open Records Act, the state Supreme Court ruled this week. The high court's unanimous decision overturned a lower court's dismissal last August of an open records lawsuit filed...
Kemp extends emergency declaration from Debby
ATLANTA - Gov. Brian Kemp has extended the state of emergency in parts of Georgia in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby until Tuesday, Aug. 20. The lingering effects of last week's storm were still being felt Friday in southeastern Georgia in the form of...
Environmental groups seeking delay in Georgia Power turbines project
ATLANTA - Lawyers for environmental groups made a final plea to Georgia energy regulators Thursday to delay Georgia Power's plan to build three new “dual-fuel” turbines at Plant Yates near Newnan. The Atlanta-based utility is seeking certification from the state...