GA News Podcast – East Metro (Sundays) for Sunday June 25th – Published Friday June 23rd
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 June 25th and happy 62nd birthday to comedian Ricky Gervais
***Gervais***
I’m Brian Giffin 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
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The University of Georgia (UGA) has been awarded a $1.5 million USDA grant to support agricultural initiatives and innovative food production in Georgia. UGA's Archway Partnership will administer the grant and leverage its community engagement model to connect UGA experts with farmers and agricultural producers. The goal is to address the needs of Georgia's agricultural community, improve supply chain resiliency, and create fairer and more competitive markets. The grant will support projects related to food access, education, business startup costs for new farmers, and policy development. Additionally, it will fund a statewide network of community gardens to promote urban agriculture. The funding is part of a larger USDA program to transform the food system and advance sustainable practices.
The State Election Board has rejected a state takeover of Fulton County elections. After a review of the county's election operations, the board cited improvements and a shakeup in leadership as reasons to oppose the takeover. Fulton County's elections have faced criticism for long lines and delays in reporting results. Republican legislators had passed an election law in response to the 2020 presidential election, allowing state takeovers of local election boards. However, the board's decision aligns with a review panel's report that stated replacing Fulton's local election board would hinder progress made in recent years. The county has made efforts to address issues and improve transparency in its election processes. The decision comes after wild conspiracy theories and debunked rumors emerged surrounding Fulton County's handling of the 2020 election.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare faced significant changes, affecting doctor visits, procedures, staffing, technology, and Medicaid processes. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provided Medicaid coverage during the public health emergency and paused redetermination for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids. A bill passed in 2022 resumes the redetermination process in Georgia, potentially impacting around 20% of Medicaid members in the state and around 15 million people nationwide. It is crucial for Georgians to understand their healthcare coverage and ensure their information is up to date with the Department of Community Health (DCH). This can be done online through the Gateway account at staycovered.ga.gov, by phone, or through paper forms. Staying informed and taking the necessary steps will help individuals maintain their healthcare coverage.……we’ll be right back
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The Newton County Board of Education has given final approval to the fiscal year 2024 budget. The budget includes a general fund of over $217 million with a per-pupil expenditure of around $12,000 based on projected student enrollment of 18,714. The budget includes several significant expenditures, such as a $2,000 salary increase for certified personnel, a 3% salary increase for classified personnel, a pay grade adjustment for custodians, and an extension of the salary schedule for certified personnel. The school system is also facing increased health insurance premiums for employees, with the state covering most of the increase for certified employees. The budgeted general fund expenditures total nearly $228 million and the school system plans to use approximately $10.8 million from its reserve fund to balance the budget.
Samantha Fuhrey, superintendent of the Newton County School System, was honored and recognized for her 10-year tenure as she prepares for retirement. At a reception, she received a city proclamation and a resolution from the Board of Education, acknowledging her achievements and leadership. Fuhrey was named Georgia's Superintendent of the Year in 2020 and was a national finalist. She was the first woman to hold the position of NCSS superintendent and received various awards, including the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders Vision Award. During her tenure, the school system achieved a record graduation rate, completed the construction of Eastside High School, acquired a literacy grant, and implemented one-to-one technology for students and teachers. Fuhrey expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized her confidence in the future of the school system.
6 workforce
The Despite Georgia's low unemployment rate of 3.2% and a sizable workforce of around 5.1 million people, companies in the state are struggling to recruit employees. Testimony from the Senate Study Committee on Expanding Georgia's Workforce revealed that there are challenges in filling vacancies and finding people with the required skills. A skills mismatch and record job creation were identified as contributing factors to the problem. While a potential recession may temporarily alleviate hiring difficulties, it is expected that labor shortages will persist until at least 2030 or even 2040. There is a need to focus on career-ready employment in addition to college-ready education systems to address this issue. The committee will continue its meetings to provide recommendations for lawmakers to consider in January.
Final thoughts after this
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