GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 4/21 – Published Friday 4/19
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, April 21th and Happy 64th Birthday to Robert Smith
***04.21.24 – BIRTHDAY – ROBERT SMITH***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here is 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!
Commercial: DRAKE
Story 1: University System of Georgia raising tuition by 2.5%
Georgia's public colleges and universities will see a 2.5% tuition increase for in-state undergraduates in the upcoming school year. Out-of-state students will face a 5% hike, with an additional 2% for out-of-country students. System Chancellor Sonny Perdue attributes the increase to inflation. Kennesaw State University's tuition will rise by $69 for in-state students and $490 for out-of-state students per semester. Students expressed disappointment, particularly those without financial aid. Despite the increase, Georgia's tuition remains among the lowest in the region. Middle Georgia State University will conclude a three-year plan to align its undergraduate tuition. A new mandatory fee structure for online students was adopted. Test score requirements remain waived for most institutions, except for specific scholarships.
Story 2: State Tax Revenues Drop by Double Digits
Georgia's tax collections saw a significant drop of 12.6% in March compared to the same month last year, according to the Department of Revenue. However, year-to-date collections only fell by 0.5%, buoyed by the resumption of taxes on gasoline and motor fuels, previously suspended by Governor Kemp. Excluding these revenues, tax collections decreased by 4.3% over the fiscal year. Individual income taxes declined by 16.1%, partly due to recent state income tax rate cuts. Net sales tax receipts also fell by 4.5%, while corporate income tax collections dropped by 28.3%. Despite the slowdown, Georgia's lawmakers passed record midyear and fiscal 2025 budgets, supported by a $16 billion surplus accumulated over the past three years.
Story 3: Georgia DAs file new lawsuit challenging state oversight panel
Three Georgia district attorneys, including DeKalb County's Sherry Boston, have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of legislation establishing a Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission. This panel has the power to discipline and potentially remove prosecutors for offenses like misconduct or failure to perform duties. The suit argues that the legislation violates the separation of powers and district attorneys' free speech rights. The law was passed after a state Supreme Court ruling last year stalled the commission. Boston asserts the move is an attempt by state Republicans to control local public safety measures. The suit represents a broader pushback against what's seen as a national trend threatening the independence of local prosecutors.
We’ll be right back
Break: WHEELER
Story 4: Deadline Approaches to Register to Vote in May 21 Primary
The deadline to register for the May 21 primary election in Georgia is April 22. Cherokee County residents can register at cherokeegavotes.com/register-to-vote-2. Early voting runs from April 29 to May 17, with various locations open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday until May 11 and until 7 p.m. from May 13 to May 17. Absentee voters must apply for a ballot by May 10 and can return it to designated drop boxes or the elections office. Election Day precincts open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters are encouraged to apply for absentee ballots early due to postal delays.
Story 5: Prospective Georgia Homebuyers Face a 57.0% Mortgage Payment Increase Compared to Two Years Ago
In recent years, the path to homeownership in the U.S. has been challenging due to fluctuating trends and economic uncertainties. While historically low interest rates early in the pandemic initially benefited buyers, they also faced record price increases due to limited inventory and intense competition. Although high interest rates have moderated home prices somewhat, they haven't sufficiently offset the increased borrowing costs. The enduring scarcity of housing inventory has sustained relatively high price levels, leading to affordability concerns for aspiring homeowners. The estimated monthly mortgage payment for a median-priced U.S. home is now about 54% higher than it was just two years ago. Prospective buyers on the East Coast face some of the sharpest increases in mortgage payments, while buyers in select parts of the South and West have experienced comparatively modest increases. In Georgia, the percentage change in mortgage payment from 2022 to present is 57.0%, with a total change of $608.
Story 6: State and JDA file response to No2Rivian appeal case and Court of Appeals denies request for oral arguments
Despite Rivian’s postponement of constructing an Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in Stanton Springs North, legal battles surrounding the $1.5 billion economic development deal persist in Georgia courts. The State of Georgia and Joint Development Authority (JDA) filed a response to an appeal by the No2Rivian group, labeling it as “frivolous and lacking merit.” The Georgia Court of Appeals denied the group’s request for oral arguments. The dispute stems from local zoning ordinances, with the plaintiffs aiming to enforce them on Rivian’s project. The state and JDA argue that the property is not subject to county zoning due to state sovereignty. The case reflects broader concerns about state power in economic development projects, with implications for local zoning control.
Story 7: Phone scam prompts U.S. Marshals Service to issue warning
The U.S. Marshals Service for the Middle District of Georgia is warning the public about fraudulent phone calls where scammers pose as marshals, judges, or court representatives to extort money. These imposters threaten arrest unless payment is made, often using tactics to appear credible, such as providing badge numbers and court addresses. They may request payment via bitcoin, wire transfer, or prepaid debit cards. The public is advised to verify court orders with the clerk of the court's office and report any scam calls to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission. The U.S. Marshals Service and federal courts never solicit financial information over the phone. Victims of fraud, especially seniors, can seek assistance from the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) FRAUD-11.
Commercial: INGLES 7
Thanks again for listening to today’s Georgia News podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.
Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Produced by the BG Podcast Network
Show Sponsors:
#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
