Georgia NOW!

Stay informed with the latest headlines from across Georgia on this episode of Georgia NOW News.
This episode covers:
Why doctors are urging Georgians to take extra precautions with certain medications during the summer heat.
A metro Atlanta food pantry serving more families than ever as food insecurity and rising living costs continue to impact communities.
Wellstar Health System's announcement that nearly 800 employees will be laid off.
Georgia officials launching a new committee to shape the future of the state's election system.
Atlanta Mission's decision to withdraw plans for a large homeless services campus after significant community opposition.
🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.
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Stay up to date on the biggest stories shaping Georgia in this episode of Georgia NOW News.
This episode covers:
Severe storms that triggered flash flooding, widespread power outages and a heat advisory across parts of Georgia.
Wellstar Kennestone's carefully coordinated move of 44 newborns into a state-of-the-art neonatal intensive care unit.
A close call between two Delta planes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport that's now under federal investigation.
Atlanta's new income-based recreation and after-school program fees aimed at making activities more affordable for families.
Macon's growing pedestrian safety concerns after another fatal crash involving a man in a wheelchair, as local leaders look for solutions.
🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.
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Catch up on the latest headlines from across Georgia in this episode of Georgia NOW. We hear from a McDonough mom who created a new early childhood learning center focused on play-based education and building community for both children and parents.
We also break down a new report ranking Georgia's healthcare system near the bottom nationally, a new campaign aiming to build public support for data centers, the death of a detainee at the Cobb County Jail following a medical emergency, and the first wrongful death lawsuit filed in connection with the 2024 BioLab fire after a federal investigation found longstanding safety failures at the facility.
🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.
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In this episode of Georgia NOW, we cover the stories making headlines across the state. New data from environmental advocacy groups maps nearly 600 warehouses across the greater Savannah area.
We also look at a lawsuit over delays in DACA renewal applications that immigration advocates say are leaving recipients without work permits and disrupting Georgia's workforce.
Plus, the latest on the independent investigation into Stockbridge Mayor Jayden Williams, encouraging news as Georgia's chronic absenteeism rate reaches its lowest level since the pandemic, and why more than 500 scholars—including a University of Georgia historian—are urging Congress to consider proportional representation for U.S. House elections.
🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.
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Today on Georgia NOW, Georgia ranks among the states with the highest share of drivers paying more than $1,000 a month for their car loans.
Then, a school district in northwest Georgia says its four-day school week has been a success for more than 15 years, boosting morale, reducing discipline problems, and giving students and teachers more flexibility.
We'll also celebrate a historic milestone as the Okefenokee Swamp becomes Georgia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, bring you details on a swift water rescue that saved six people from the Chattahoochee River, and preview Tuesday's special election in Georgia's 13th Congressional District, where low early turnout could shape the outcome.
🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts.
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A growing number of Georgia drivers are facing $1,000 monthly car payments. A new LendingTree analysis found 12% of Georgia borrowers with active auto loans now pay at least four figures each month, the fourth-highest rate in the nation. Financial experts say buyers should focus on the total cost of a vehicle, not just the monthly payment, before signing a loan.
A northwest Georgia school district says its four-day school week is delivering positive results. Tatnall County Schools reports improved teacher morale, stronger academic performance and fewer discipline issues since adopting the schedule. District leaders say the extra day also gives students more flexibility for work, medical appointments and other responsibilities, while several Georgia school systems have reached out to learn more about the model.
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As health officials investigate a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, food safety experts say greenhouse-grown produce could help reduce the risk of contamination. Unlike traditional farming, hydroponic operations keep crops away from contaminated soil, surface water and wildlife, giving growers greater control over the growing environment as investigators continue searching for the outbreak's source.
Atlanta is investing $50,000 to create more safe spaces and activities for teenagers after recent social media meetups raised safety concerns. City leaders plan to work directly with students to design pop-up events, while many teens say they simply want more affordable places to spend time with friends.
Georgia drivers are also paying more at the pump. Gas prices across the state have jumped nearly 20% in the past week as rising tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher. Economists warn the increase could squeeze household budgets and force many families to cut back on other spending.
For news anytime, visit HearGeorgiaNow.com.
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Federal investigators say the 2024 BioLab fire in Conyers was caused by a combination of corroded sprinkler heads and improper chemical storage. A new U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board report found the facility stored more than twice its planned amount of pool chemicals, while widespread corrosion in the sprinkler system allowed water to react with the chemicals, triggering the fire and a toxic smoke plume. BioLab says it is reviewing the report's recommendations.
A metro Atlanta nonprofit is helping families prepare for the new school year with a dignity-first approach to free clothing. Founded in memory of Leigh Canada's adopted daughter, Imani's Closet has grown from a garage-based effort into a mobile boutique serving foster families and others experiencing financial hardship, giving parents and children the opportunity to shop for clothing in a supportive environment.
For news anytime, visit HearGeorgiaNow.com.
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A proposed data center campus in South Georgia is drawing growing opposition, even though no formal application has been filed. Last year, Lowndes County approved the rezoning of more than 700 acres near Valdosta for light manufacturing. Residents have since formed a grassroots group with more than 1,200 members, raising concerns about water use, energy demand, noise and the potential for sinkholes while calling for greater transparency and stronger local regulations.
Georgia drivers are paying more at the pump as tensions in the Middle East push oil prices higher. Gas prices across the state have climbed nearly 20% over the past week, with economists warning the increase could force families to cut back on other spending, particularly in metro Atlanta where many residents rely on their vehicles every day.
For news anytime, visit HearGeorgiaNow.com.
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Georgia is moving forward with its first state psychiatric hospital in more than 50 years. State leaders approved $409 million to build a 300-bed forensic hospital in DeKalb County, aiming to reduce a backlog of more than 700 people in the criminal justice system waiting for psychiatric treatment. Supporters say the facility will ease pressure on overcrowded jails, while mental health advocates stress the need for continued investment in community-based care.
July is Postpartum Changes Awareness Month, bringing attention to the mental health challenges many new mothers face. Emory University School of Medicine says postpartum depression affects about one in seven women. One Atlanta mother has turned her own experience with postpartum anxiety into a mission to support other families through postpartum doula services, while Emory's Peace for Moms program continues to connect providers with prenatal mental health specialists.
For news anytime, visit HearGeorgiaNow.com.
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