Jill Nolin

Several Georgia races shed candidates as qualifying week looms and races take shape  • Georgia Recorder This past week – the last before candidates officially qualify to run – brought plenty of news about who won’t be appearing on the ballot this year.  Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Duluth Democrat,...

Our weekly roundup of political news: Several Georgia races shed candidates as qualifying week looms and races take shape

Data center bill stalls after last-minute change opposed by industry finds support • Georgia Recorder The Georgia Senate abruptly adjourned after an effort to restore original language to a data center bill seemed to gain support from a majority of the body.

The Senate session ended abruptly Thursday just as senators were nearing a vote on a bill aimed at ensuring data centers pay for the energy infrastructure built to accommodate them after it appeared a last-minute alternative measure had the votes to pass.

Story by @alander.bsky.social.

2 attorneys launch campaigns challenging GOP-appointed justices on Georgia’s highest court • Georgia Recorder Two prominent attorneys have launched campaigns for the Georgia Supreme Court, challenging two sitting justices who were originally appointed by former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal.  Former Democratic ...

Two prominent attorneys have launched campaigns for the Georgia Supreme Court, challenging two sitting justices who were originally appointed by former Republican Gov. Nathan Deal.

Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young: Photographs from the past a reminder that ‘freedom is not free’ • Georgia Recorder The 93-year-old former U.N. ambassador warned that freedom must be constantly protected to prevent the struggles of the past from becoming a reality.

Civil rights icon Andrew Young issued a blunt warning Tuesday that liberties won during the 20th Century are under threat, but he also said he believes people today have the necessary tools to protect them.

Story by @alander.bsky.social.

The race is on to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in northwest Georgia district • Georgia Recorder Early voting began Monday in the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, and candidates are racing to set themselves apart from the crowd – and often from the district’s previous representativ...

Early voting began Monday in the race for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, and candidates are racing to set themselves apart from the crowd – and often from the district’s previous representative, former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Story by @journalistross.bsky.social

Lawmakers push plan to lift Georgia’s lagging literacy rates  • Georgia Recorder State lawmakers say 2026 is the year they will pass major legislation to assist teachers in helping the youngest Georgians become skilled readers. House Bill 1193, the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 20...

State lawmakers say 2026 is the year they will pass major legislation to assist teachers in helping the youngest Georgians become skilled readers. House Bill 1193, the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026, is House leaders’ attempt to do so.

Story by @journalistross.bsky.social.

Ossoff tells voters ‘we will overcome this together’ • Georgia Recorder At a campaign rally in Atlanta, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff told voters that “the first light of dawn is on the horizon.”

"They came to the doorstep of John Lewis’s congressional district," Ossoff said, referring to the recent FBI raid at the Fulton County elections center. "And as a result, we are going to mobilize the biggest and most unstoppable turnout in state history.”

Story by @mayahoman.bsky.social

Trump backs a candidate to replace Greene, a Georgia Senate race takes shape and more  • Georgia Recorder The big news in Georgia politics this week was the surprise announcement from a wealthy health care executive that he will join in the GOP primary race for governor.  But there were other significant ...

Our weekly recap: Trump backs a candidate to replace Greene, a Georgia Senate race takes shape and more

W/ @journalistross.bsky.social

Georgia House lawmakers go for property tax break instead of governor's income tax rebate • Georgia Recorder Georgia House lawmakers have replaced the governor’s proposed income tax rebate with a one-time tax break for homeowners. The change was included in the chamber’s version of this year’s revised budget...

The $42.3 billion spending plan now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will want to leave their own mark on the budget.

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Two Georgia state House races take shape  • Georgia Recorder The ballots are now set for two special legislative races in Georgia and the candidates are still lining up for a third contest set for March 10.  Since the 2026 legislative session is already underwa...

The ballots are now set for two special legislative races in Georgia and the candidates are still lining up for a third contest set for March 10.

Georgia House GOP unveils plan to end property taxes for homeowners • Georgia Recorder House Republicans have proposed a major property tax overhaul that they say will save Georgia homeowners money but eliminate a reliable source of revenue for counties, cities and schools.  Under the p...

Local officials would be able to make up the lost property tax revenue through sales taxes – to a point – and fees and assessments for specific services.

georgiarecorder.com/2026/01/29/g...

‘Bell to bell’ cell phone ban proposed for Georgia high schools  • Georgia Recorder The state Legislature is poised to consider expanding the state’s classroom cell phone ban for elementary and middle schools to high schools.

New from @journalistross.bsky.social: Georgia’s teenagers could soon be doing significantly less scrolling, swiping and tapping on weekdays.

A monster special election day, Fern’s session freeze and more • Georgia Recorder There are now four special elections set for March 10 in Georgia. The most closely watched will be the race to fill former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat in northwest Georgia. Nearly two ...

Your weekly roundup of Georgia political news: A monster special election day, Fern’s session freeze and more

Fulton County DA will not prosecute advocate accused of stealing Georgia Power’s ‘trade secrets’ • Georgia Recorder Clean energy advocate Patty Durand will not be prosecuted for alleged stealing a Georgia Power' booklet containing trade secrets.

Story by @alander.bsky.social: Fulton County DA will not prosecute advocate accused of stealing Georgia Power’s ‘trade secrets’

ACLU says pregnant immigrant in medical distress deported through Atlanta airport WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials placed an asylum seeker who is eight months pregnant on a deportation flight Wednesday afternoon, even though she was in medical distres...

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials placed an asylum seeker who is eight months pregnant on a deportation flight Wednesday afternoon, even though she was in medical distress, her attorneys told States Newsroom.

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/aclu...

State economist says slow wage growth, higher inflation likely to continue • Georgia Recorder Georgia’s economy is showing signs of strength, but persistent inflation and slow job and wage growth have left consumers feeling sour about their finances.  And the state economist, Robert Buschman, ...

Georgia’s economy is showing signs of strength, but persistent inflation and slow job and wage growth have left consumers feeling sour about their finances.

Outrage over surge of data centers in Georgia inspires wave of bipartisan bills • Georgia Recorder Georgia lawmakers are expected to consider data center legislation this session to address the industry's power demands and their impact on utility costs.

A surge in data center development has turned Georgia into a national hotspot while raising fresh concerns about the state’s energy landscape and natural resources.

Story by @alander.bsky.social.

Claudette Colvin, who challenged Alabama's segregation laws, dies at 86 | Alabama Reflector Colvin was just 15 years old when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated Montgomery bus.

From the @alabamareflector.com:

Claudette Colvin, whose challenge to Alabama’s segregation laws nine months before Rosa Parks provided a spark for the modern Civil Rights Movement, died on Tuesday. She was 86 years old.

Georgia Democrats align on key issues at Savannah forum • Georgia Recorder The seven Democratic candidates vying to become governor addressed Coastal Georgia voters Thursday in the first major policy forum of the election year, with each aiming to distinguish themselves amid...

The seven Democratic candidates vying to become governor addressed Coastal Georgia voters Thursday in the first major policy forum of the election year, with each aiming to distinguish themselves amid a crowded race for the state’s top job.

Story by @savmargaret.bsky.social with the Current GA.

Data center ‘gold rush’ pits local officials’ hunt for new revenue against residents’ concerns • Georgia Recorder Without state regulations to guide them, Georgia counties are taking vastly different approaches to managing the surge in data center proposals.

“Somebody needs to be watching to see what the impact is going to be overall,” said Twiggs County resident Nancy Lubeck. “How many of these things can Georgia safely support? And if nobody’s looking at that, then we could end up being in a lot of trouble.”

Story by @alander.bsky.social.

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A look back at the year's top stories in Georgia politics • Georgia Recorder Looking back, a year that started with the funeral of the only Georgian to ever serve as president and snow storms in the South was destined to be an especially wild ride.  But some stories stood out ...

Here’s our take on what were the most consequential moments in Georgia politics this year.

The Georgia Recorder presents 2025 in photos • Georgia Recorder We took thousands of photos in 2025 across Georgia. Here are some of our favorites:

Here's a look back at our favorite staff photos from 2025.

Curated by @journalistross.bsky.social.

Georgia regulators approve massive power grid expansion to serve data centers • Georgia Recorder Opponents of the power expansion criticized commissioners for potentially failing to protect customers from the cost of building power for data centers.

Georgia regulators unanimously approved a massive expansion of the state’s power grid Friday, approving Georgia Power’s request for nearly 10,000 megawatts of new energy capacity despite concerns over transparency and the potential financial risk to ratepayers.

Story by @alander.bsky.social.

Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.

My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!

go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT

She was set to give birth as a Georgia prisoner, again. Terrified, she asked a nonprofit for help. • Georgia Recorder Walking into court, Danielle Edwards thought she might have a chance to get her daughter back—someday.  She’d given birth to Lily two years earlier as a state prisoner, and the relative who’d cared fo...

NEW: She was set to give birth as a Georgia prisoner, again. Terrified, she asked a nonprofit for help.

Democrat flips northeast Georgia state House seat, pulling off special election upset • Georgia Recorder A Watkinsville Democrat defeated a Republican in a two-way race Tuesday, flipping a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives.

“We had the right message in this time,” Democrat Eric Gisler said, adding that his opponent “ran on tired MAGA talking points.”

Story by @mayahoman.bsky.social + @journalistross.bsky.social

Protest erupted this morning as Georgia Public Service Commission hearings began with opposition to Georgia Power's huge energy buildout request. Several people protesting the upcoming commission vote, were kicked out before the hearing officially started. #gapolitics