Columbus
Georgia Recorder
New rule to close ‘gun show loophole’ finalized by Biden administration
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Thursday finalized a new rule that would require anyone selling a gun to obtain a federal license and conduct background checks. The rule aims to close what’s known as the “gun show loophole.” Gun merchants who sell online, by mail or at flea markets and gun shows until now […] The post New rule to close ‘gun show loophole’ finalized by Biden administration appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
States race to restrict deepfake porn as it becomes easier to create
After a 2014 leak of hundreds of celebrities’ intimate photos, Uldouz Wallace learned that she was among the public figures whose images had been stolen and disseminated online. Wallace, an actress, writer and social media influencer, found out the images were ones her ex had taken without her consent and had threatened to leak. Over […] The post States race to restrict deepfake porn as it becomes easier to create appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil
WASHINGTON — U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger sought to ease concerns from the lawmakers in charge of his agency’s budget on Wednesday, saying the department is preparing for major upcoming events — including another potential Jan. 6 — by trying to grow the size of its force and overhauling its intelligence gathering activities. […] The post U.S. Capitol Police chief describes preparations for possible post-election turmoil appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia child welfare agency defensive after Ossoff Senate panel reports neglect and exploitation
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services consistently fails to protect children from abuse, and mismanagement at the division is “a key contributor” to child deaths and serious injuries, according to a U.S. Senate report released Tuesday. DFCS called the allegations “unfounded and irresponsible.” “The most vulnerable children in our state and in our […] The post Georgia child welfare agency defensive after Ossoff Senate panel reports neglect and exploitation appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls
As the Republican National Committee ramps up plans to monitor the polls for illegal voting this fall, the national party is increasingly working with a loose network of anti-fraud extremists who have been found to routinely spread election lies. The extremists also have close ties to the prominent far-right conspiracy theorists who tried to overturn […] The post Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans are returning from a two-week recess Tuesday with an even slimmer majority and the potential looming chaos of a second speaker fight in less than a year. Hours before recess began on March 22, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Rome, Georgia filed a motion to vacate the U.S. House speaker’s office, […] The post Republicans return to D.C. amid dwindling majority, suspense over House speaker post appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia to distribute $638M settlement through grant program to combat deadly opioid epidemic
The state has launched a grant program for awarding the hundreds of millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds coming to Georgia. A total of $638 million will flow into Georgia, with three-fourths of the funds being distributed through the grant process unveiled Monday. Another 25%, or $159 million, will be shared among the city […] The post Georgia to distribute $638M settlement through grant program to combat deadly opioid epidemic appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Trump immunity claim a ‘radical’ departure from democracy, special counsel Jack Smith says
Donald Trump’s view of absolute immunity for actions he took as president would radically change U.S. democracy and give presidents unprecedented power akin to monarchs rather than elected leaders, U.S. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith wrote in a reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court late Monday. Smith’s 66-page brief, answering Trump’s argument to the high court […] The post Trump immunity claim a ‘radical’ departure from democracy, special counsel Jack Smith says appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Israel-Hamas war sets progressive and young voters on collision course with White House
Joe Biden has a problem. Seven months ahead of the presidential election, some progressives, young voters and Muslim American voters are showing serious reservations about the Democrat’s reelection campaign as his administration backs Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. “For some of those people — maybe a critical number — what’s happening in […] The post Israel-Hamas war sets progressive and young voters on collision course with White House appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Trump says abortion policy should be left to the states, backing away from national ban
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced a shift in his views on abortion laws Monday, releasing a video advocating for state legislatures to make those decisions, not Congress — and was immediately met with strong criticism from an influential anti-abortion group that said it should remain a national debate. “My view is now […] The post Trump says abortion policy should be left to the states, backing away from national ban appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Monday will announce the rollout of a student debt forgiveness proposal that the White House believes is narrowly targeted enough to survive legal challenges. The plan, if finalized, would include a one-time cancellation of all accrued interest for 23 million borrowers. It would also cancel the full amount of […] The post Biden proposes new student debt relief plan for millions of borrowers appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Time runs short to comment on state permits to mine near Okefenokee as environmental groups blast plan
More than 70,000 comments have already poured into the state Environmental Protection Division as the public comment period wraps up on draft permits greenlighting mining near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Tuesday is the last day to submit a written comment on Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals’ plans to mine Trail Ridge, which is seen as […] The post Time runs short to comment on state permits to mine near Okefenokee as environmental groups blast plan appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled.
WASHINGTON — Many U.S. taxpayers in a dozen states for the first time can electronically file their federal returns directly to the Internal Revenue Service for free — but critics insist the new federal benefit is not needed and will even harm both users and states. More than 50,000 taxpayers in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, […] The post The IRS is testing a free method to directly file taxes. But not everyone is thrilled. appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
In Maryland appearance, Biden pledges federal support to rebuild collapsed bridge
DUNDALK, Maryland — President Joe Biden traveled to Maryland on Friday to tour the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge by helicopter before meeting with the families of the construction workers who are presumed or confirmed dead after the collapse last week. Biden said he understood the families’ pain of losing their loved ones, and pledged […] The post In Maryland appearance, Biden pledges federal support to rebuild collapsed bridge appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
State PSC members could avoid voters for years as meter runs on Georgia Power rate hikes
A Georgia environmental organization is pushing against plans to postpone state utility regulator elections until 2025, arguing that further delay denies the rights of several million Georgia Power customers to elect members to a board that has approved several company proposals that have increased the financial burden on ratepayers. A former state Public Service Commission […] The post State PSC members could avoid voters for years as meter runs on Georgia Power rate hikes appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Health and Human Services increases loan forgiveness for OBs, midwives who practice in rural areas
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday a $25,000 increase in loan forgiveness available to primary care providers in designated underserved areas. That means qualifying individuals are eligible for up to $75,000 in forgiveness if they commit to two full-time years of service. The amount is available to medical and osteopathic doctors, including […] The post Health and Human Services increases loan forgiveness for OBs, midwives who practice in rural areas appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
An 1873 law banned the mailing of boxing photos. Could it block abortion pills too?
WASHINGTON — An anti-obscenity law enacted in 1873 that hasn’t been enforced in decades shot to the forefront of the nation’s abortion debate in the past week thanks to two U.S. Supreme Court justices, amid expectations a future Republican president would use the law to order a nationwide ban on medication abortion. The Comstock Act, […] The post An 1873 law banned the mailing of boxing photos. Could it block abortion pills too? appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Bookman: Eastman’s law license suspension suggests peril for Trump, allies in Georgia RICO case
So far, Donald Trump and his fellow defendants in the Fulton County election-racketeering case have managed to turn the spotlight away from their own alleged misdeeds to those of District Attorney Fani Willis. (And yes, Willis herself has helped make that possible.) However, events last week in California involving John Eastman, a Trump lawyer, co-defendant […] The post Bookman: Eastman’s law license suspension suggests peril for Trump, allies in Georgia RICO case appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Democrats’ quest to hang on to U.S. Senate majority centers on Arizona, Montana and Ohio
WASHINGTON — Political consultants and Beltway pollsters are setting up camp in purple states to join a towering battle for control of a narrowly split U.S. Senate, but come November, only the voters will make that choice. The road to the majority in the upper chamber of Congress mostly runs through Arizona, Montana and Ohio, […] The post Democrats’ quest to hang on to U.S. Senate majority centers on Arizona, Montana and Ohio appeared first on Georgia Recorder.
Georgia Recorder
2K+
Posts
27M+
Views
The Georgia Recorder is an independent, nonprofit news organization that is focused on connecting public policies to stories of the people and communities affected by them. We bring a fresh perspective to coverage of the state’s biggest issues from our office a few blocks from Georgia’s Gold Dome. Our perch might be near the Capitol in downtown Atlanta, but the communities we care about are found in all corners of Georgia, from the mountains of Blue Ridge to the flatlands of Bainbridge. Just a few years ago, news outlets across Georgia staffed their own capital bureaus and it was common for several reporters to cover the same legislative committee hearings, press conferences on the Capitol steps and other state policy news. Most traditional news organizations now lack the resources to do much more than chase the political outrage of the day. Meanwhile, proposals to shape Georgia’s approach to health care, public schools, community development and other essential ingredients for a good quality-of-life don’t receive the attention they warrant. The Georgia Recorder aims to remedy that. The Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Recorder retains editorial independence.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.