Thursday, April 29, 2010

GNB Update

Here's what's happening for Thursday on GNB...

Sarah Palin's former pageant rival is trying her hand at Georgia politics. The Associated Press reports that former Miss Alaska Maryline Blackburn qualified to run for the House District 34 seat Thursday. Blackburn beat out Palin for the Miss Alaska title in 1984. The former Alaska governor and U.S. vice presidential candidate finished as second runner-up that year.

A surprise development in the race for Congress. The Associated Press reports that GOP state representative Austin Scott announced Thursday he would run against incumbent Democrat Jim Marshall for Georgia's 8th Congressional District seat. Scott was one of the leading candidates for the Republican nomination for governor, but decided to make a run at Capitol Hill instead.

A candidate running for a seat in the Georgia House has decided to go for state Senate instead. Peach Pundit reports that Travis Bowden will end his bid to run for the House District 102 seat, and challenge nine-term incumbent Don Balfour for the Senate District 9 spot. Bowden was running to succeed Clay Cox. Cox left the state House to run for U.S. Congress last month (March).

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.



Wednesday, April 28, 2010

GNB Update

It's time for yet another edition of "Hyperlocal Wednesday" on GNB...Here's the news...

A new fiscal year is on the horizon for officials in one northwest Georgia county. The Calhoun Times reports that commissioners in Gordon County will soon give the OK to a new budget for fiscal year 2011. But the news is not all good. County Administrator Randy Downing told the Times that Gordon expects to face a budgetary shortfall of around $1.5 million. That means the county must rely on reserves to cover it. The final budget is expected to be approved in June.


Some possible good news for a middle Georgia aerospace manufacturer. The Warner Robins Patriot reports that an imminent order from India's government could keep the C-17 line of planes coming from the Boeing's Macon facility for at least another year. If the sale is approved, India would the likes of Great Britain, Canada, and Australia as C-17 customers.

A southwest Georgia high school senior gets a prestigious honor. Click here to find out what she wrote to earn it.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.






Tuesday, April 27, 2010

GNB Update

Here's what's happening for Tuesday at GNB...

Forbes.com has released its "Best Places for Business & Careers" list for 2010, and one northeast Georgia city is near the top of it. The business publication ranked Athens 26th out of 184 small metropolitan areas, while nearby Atlanta came in 27th out of 200 mid-sized/large metros. Des Moines, Iowa was tops in the medium/large category, while Merced, California finished in last place. In the small metro division, it was mixed results for the Midwest, as Sioux Falls, South Dakota topped that list, while Jackson, Michigan finished at the bottom.

For the complete rankings of the "Best Places for Business and Careers" from Forbes.com, please click here. Also, click here for the "Best Small Places".

Additionally, to see how the Georgia metros fared, please click here and here.


The GOP says "no" to a gubernatorial candidate. OnlineAthens.com reports that the Republican Party has turned down a request by real estate broker Ray Boyd to run for governor under their ticket. GOP officials say Boyd's refusal to pledge loyalty to their party led to him being rejected. Boyd deposited $2 million of his own money into a campaign account earlier this month, but was turned away when he tried to get his name on the Republican ticket.



Georgia is one step closer to getting a new "Golf Hall of Fame". The Morris News Service reports that the House unaminously approved legislation allowing for the state to sell 16 acres of land for the now-defunct Augusta-based facility Tuesday. The bill now goes to the state Senate for approval.



GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.





Friday, April 23, 2010

GNB EXTRA--Valdosta named among Top 100 Places

Valdosta has joined some select company. The south Georgia city was named among the "Top 100 Places" to live in America for 2010. That's according to RelocateAmerica.com. Columbus and Peachtree City join Valdosta as the only other Georgia cities on that list.

Click here for the full article.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

GNB Update

Welcome to another edition of "Hyperlocal Wednesday" on GNB...Here's what's happening...

A commissioner in one southwest Georgia county speaks out on the negative press surrounding his community. Click here to find out what all of the fuss is about.

Robins Air Force Base is hiring. The Warner Robins Patriot has the details here...

A southeast Georgia man recently finished a 12-day, 250-mile walk carrying a cross...Click here to read the amazing story.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

GNB EXTRA--BREAKING NEWS

The Georgia Senate has voted to bring back federal funding for the arts. It restored around $890,000 in funding for the Georgia Council of the Arts Tuesday. Also, state Senators voted in favor of restoring for the Georgia Music and Sports Halls of Fame, both located in Macon. The article on the arts can be read here, as well as the article for the halls of fame here.

GNB Update

Here's what's making news for Tuesday on GNB...

One south Georgia town is now known for something besides big fruit. Macon.com reports that Crisp County High School in Cordele earned honors as one of the nation's best public high schools. That's according to U.S. News & World Report. Crisp is one of 29 Georgia high schools to earn that honor. The list of the state's best public schools is available here.

The world's top soft drink company sees a profit increase, thanks to worldwide sales. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Coca-Cola reported growth in sales and profits all over the world for the first quarter of 2010. The Atlanta-based drink maker says its revenues jumped five percent to more than $7.5 billion, while profits rose 20 percent to more than $1.5 billion. Coke also 69 cents per share. That's up from 58 cents from the first quarter of 2009.

There's a challenger for Jim Marshall's seat in Georgia's Eighth Congressional District. PeachPundit.com has an interview with GOP primary candidate Angela Hicks. The podcast can be downloaded by clicking here.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 15, 2010

GNB Update

Here's what's making news for Thursday on GNB...

Mixed results on several measures under the Gold Dome. State representative Steve Davis (R-McDonough) via Twitter says that fellow lawmakers approved the fiscal year 2011 budget by a vote of 120-52. But on other matters, Davis says that fellow state representative David Lucas (D-Macon) saw his bid to fund the two defunct state Halls of Fame fail miserably. That vote failed 107-62. Also, state representative Bobby Franklin's (R-Marietta) measure to shut down the Department of Human Services failed an overwheliming margin. The vote was 165-4 to keep the DHS in business.

Georgia mulls a proposed offer on monitoring radiation. The Associated Press reports that federal energy officials made the offer to state officials earlier this week. The state hopes to find more funding to test radiation levels along the Savannah River. The last time Georgia received federal money for radiation testing came from 2001 to 2004.

The Clayton County School System gets a visit from SACS. The Clayton News-Daily reports that the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools paid a visit to south metro Atlanta Thursday to observe Clayton's progress since SACS stripped it of its accreditation in 2008. It regained those credentials on a two-year probationary basis in 2009.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook by clicking the "Become a Fan" link, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

GNB Update

Once again, it's "Hyperlocal Wednesday" at GNB...Here's what's happening...

Houston County has a new school superintendent. The Warner Robins Patriot reports that Robin Hines was unaminously approved by the school board to lead the middle Georgia school system Tuesday. Hines will replace David Carpenter, who announced earlier this year that he's giving up the top job after a 30-year education career.

A seizure send shockwaves throughout the Port of Savannah. Savdailynews.com reports that U.S. customs officials seized 9,000 counterfeit electronic components. They say the value of shipment was priced at more than $27,000. Additionally, the manufacturer's suggested retail price was listed at over $77,000.

An MIT graduate comes home to tutor math students. Find out more here.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

GNB Update

Here are the goings-on for Tuesday...

A public transportation bill could be pushed towards passage. That's according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The AJC reports that the Atlanta Regional Commission is making a last-ditch effort to get the legislation passed. An e-mail alert sent out Monday says only one week remains to convince lawmakers that transportation is a crucial issue. ARC representatives are in meetings for the rest of the week.

Milledgeville is looking to move on from the Ben Roethlisberger case. Macon.com reports that residents in the middle Georgia college town have grown weary of the scrutiny surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. On Monday, Baldwin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Fred Bright announced he would not prosecute Roethlisberger for the alleged rape of a female student at Georgia College & State University.

Professional baseball could soon return to southwest Georgia. The Albany Herald says that the Peach State League is considering using the Paul Eames Complex on a trial during the independent minor league's trial season, which starts in June. The South Georgia Peanuts of the South Coast League were the last team to play in Albany. That happened in 2007.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

GNB Update

It's Thursday...Here's what's happening at GNB...

One of America's most popular radio personalities makes a stop in Savannah. Savannahnow.com reports that syndicated radio host Tom Joyner came to coastal Georgia Wednesday morning. He was there to encourage citizens to send in their Census forms for 2010. The most recent stats show that just over half of Savannah residents had filled out the paperwork.

A nursing home down the coast makes some needed corrections. The Brunswick News reports that the Georgia Department of Health and Human Services found no deficiencies in the Southeast Georgia Health Care System Senior Center last Friday. The Brunswick-based facility had failed two previous inspections.

A college professor says goodbye after more than three decades on the job. The Tifton Gazette reports Eddie Seagle announced his retirement as a professor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Seagle has taught agriculture and environmental horticulture at ABAC for 32 years.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook by clicking the "Become a Fan" button, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

GNB Update

It's "Hyperlocal Wednesday" once again at GNB...Here's what's happening...

A candidate for state senator wants a new county...Click here for more...

Improvements could soon be on the way for MARTA in Roswell...Click here for the details...

A Clayton County resident is collecting teddy bears for children in orphanages throughout Haiti. Click here to find out how you can help.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.



Tuesday, April 6, 2010

GNB Update

Here's what's happening on Tuesday at GNB...

A surprise entry in the Georgia governor's race. The Associated Press reports that Ray Boyd announced his intention to run for the top job Tuesday. The 67-year-old real estate executive told the AP that a lack of ethics in both Washington and Atlanta prompted him to toss his hat in the ring. Boyd is running for the Republican nomination.

Good news for Georgia schools. The Associated Press reports that the state will get more than $120 million in funding for schools in Tier III. It'll be used to turn around the lowest performing schools statewide. The millions of dollars in funding are part of a $3.5 billion made available to states as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Qualifying is underway, but few people want to run. The Albany Herald reports that although three seats are up for grabs in the race for a seat on the Dougherty County school board, elections officials say only two people have filed the paperwook they need to qualify. In a controversial move, the board recently appointed Joshua Murfree to replace Sally Whatley as school supertindent.

GNB is available at the following places:

Online: georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com

Twitter: twitter.com/georgianewsbeat

Facebook: Click the "Become A Fan" link

E-mail: georgianewsbeat@gmail.com

Thursday, April 1, 2010

GNB Update

Here's what's happening at GNB for Thursday...

A possible merger between Macon and Bibb County appears to have hit a snag. Macon.com reports that talks to consolidate the two middle Georgia governments might be headed toward a stalemate. A Republican state senator, Cecil Staton, and a Democrat, Robert Brown, both disagree on a key part of consolidation. Staton says he wants to limit costs for a new government, while Brown says he won't vote, saying it puts a "hold on local decision making."

Macon isn't the only city with consolidation concerns. The Albany Herald reports in its Wednesdy edition that state Senator Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) will keep Senate Bill 538 as is. She introduced the bill to her fellow senators, then referred it to the State and Local Government Operations Committee. The proposed legislation goes to the House without changes to two controversial provisions. One of those issues involves the pay of the Mayor/CEO, as well as the commision.

Find out why the Albany/Dougherty County consolidation debacle might be down for the count here.

GNB is online at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com, on Twitter at twitter.com/georgianewsbeat, on Facebook, and via e-mail at georgianewsbeat@gmail.com.