GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 10-1 – Published Friday 9-29
From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc.
Today is Sunday, October 1st and happy heavenly birthday to actor Walter Mathau.
***Bad News Bears – Meet the team***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty
We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast and If you want community, local, and statewide news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
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Story 1: Georgia GOAL Conference
The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program recently held its "GOALTenders Conference" in Atlanta, celebrating 15 years of its Education Tax Credit program. Over 230 school officials from across the state attended, discussing the vital role of tax credit scholarships in shaping students' academic futures. The conference featured reflections on past achievements, discussions on school choice legislation, and an audit indicating cost savings for taxpayers. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones emphasized the importance of school choice. Private school leaders shared insights, and the event highlighted ongoing advocacy for school choice, ensuring parents have educational options for their children in Georgia.
Story 2: How a looming government shutdown could hit national parks
A potential partial government shutdown could impact national parks and nearby communities, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue daily. The extent of park access restrictions remains uncertain, but past shutdowns have seen varying approaches, with some parks remaining partially open at the cost of visitor services and safety. Gateway communities, reliant on tourism, could face significant economic losses. Scientific research and park assets could also be at risk. While some suggest using visitor fees or state funding to keep parks open during a shutdown, these are not long-term solutions, highlighting the need for resolution in federal spending disputes.
Story 3: Okefenokee on track to World Heritage Site status
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in south Georgia is taking steps to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This designation recognizes sites of international significance. The refuge, managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, will work with the nonprofit Okefenokee Swamp Park to prepare a nomination package by September 2024, with the goal of presenting the nomination to the United Nations in February 2025. If successful, it would be the first U.S. wildlife refuge to earn this distinction. The Okefenokee boasts a unique, intact ecosystem, and the designation would encompass federal land without impacting private or state-owned land. However, concerns about nearby mining activities persist, with some advocating for conservation over extractive industries. Despite misconceptions, the designation doesn't cede sovereignty to the United Nations but signifies international recognition and support from local communities. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter has been involved in supporting the Okefenokee's bid for World Heritage status.
Break: ESOG—Cardinal Cleaning
Story 4: Georgia Is Attracting Wealthy Millennials
Millennials, aged 27 to 42, are asserting their economic power as they enter their peak earning and spending years. Despite early economic challenges, they now make up the largest segment of the labor force and homebuyers. The COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities for job changes, remote work, and interstate migration, with wealthy millennials leading the way. States like Florida and Texas gained the most wealthy millennials, while California and New York lost them due to high living costs. Georgia experienced a 1.3% net increase in wealthy millennials, with 2,493 moving in and $331,743,000 added to the tax base.
Story 5: Patients aren't alone at UGA’s Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center
Mel Garber's wife, Barbara Bankston, was diagnosed with dementia after showing early signs of cognitive decline. This experience led Mel to seek help from the Cognitive Aging Research and Education Center (CARE Center) at the University of Georgia. The CARE Center provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, including diagnosis, medical assessments, social support services, and more. It aims to raise awareness about dementia, offer early intervention, and provide resources for caregivers. Through partnerships with Extension agents, CARE has expanded its outreach to rural communities in Georgia, helping educate people about dementia prevention and care. The center's interdisciplinary approach is changing how dementia is perceived and managed.
We’ll right back.
Breakl: Corn Hog Law – Ingles 3 – State Farm
Story 6: Bishop announces STEM grant for Fort Valley State
Fort Valley State University in Georgia has been granted nearly $400,000 by the National Science Foundation to promote and support underrepresented students in pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) higher education degrees and careers. The grant will facilitate the transfer of students from nearby two-year colleges to Fort Valley State University, enhancing STEM curriculum, workshops, research experiences, and career guidance for minorities, veterans, and nontraditional students. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. emphasized the importance of STEM fields for national security and economic prosperity. The NSF, established in 1950, supports research and education in science and engineering.
Story 7: Five rural Georgia school districts getting grants for innovative programs
Five rural Georgia school districts, including Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Macon, and Sumpter counties, will receive $20,000 grants to implement innovative educational programs. These grants are made possible through the nonprofit Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE) and a state income tax credit program. Each district has a unique program plan: Clay County will launch a mentoring program for elementary male students, Crisp County will establish an early learning academy to address pandemic-related learning loss, Dooly County will enhance its academic rewards system, Macon County will introduce an intervention program for at-risk ninth-graders, and Sumter County will create mental health and wellbeing spaces for faculty and staff.
Final thoughts after this.
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