Thursday - January 22, 2026
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Georgia Newsletter for Thursday January 22, 2026 ( 39 items )  

365 Wins in 365 Days: President Trump's Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The White House issued the following news on Jan. 20, 2026: * * * 365 WINS IN 365 DAYS: President Trump's Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity One year ago today, President Donald J. Trump returned to office with a resounding mandate to restore prosperity, secure the border, rebuild American strength, and put the American people first. In just 365 days, President Trump has delivered truly transformative results with the most accomplished first year of any preside  more

37 Mexican Nationals Wanted for Serious Crimes Transferred to the United States From Mexico, Including Leaders of Foreign Terrorist Organizations
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Jan. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas posted the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * 37 Mexican Nationals Wanted for Serious Crimes Transferred to the United States from Mexico, Including Leaders of Foreign Terrorist Organizations The United States announced today that yesterday evening it took into custody 37 fugitives from Mexico facing a range of federal criminal charges around the country, including charges relating to   more

Allen, Colleagues Seeking Answers on Eisenhower Army Medical Center
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Allen, Colleagues Seeking Answers on Eisenhower Army Medical Center Today, Representatives Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Austin Scott (GA-08), and Sheri Biggs (SC-03) sent a letter to the Honorable David J. Smith, M.D., Acting Director of the Defense Health Agency, seeking answers about potential changes in the scope of services provided at Eisenhower Army Medical Center (EAMC) at Fort   more

Attorney General Brenna Bird Joins Coalition Defending Religious Liberty Against California Discrimination
DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 21 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Brenna Bird Joins Coalition Defending Religious Liberty Against California Discrimination * DES MOINES-Attorney General Brenna Bird announced today she joined a coalition of 20 states to defend churches and other religious institutions from California's anti-religious targeting during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID pandemic, California enacted emergency powers b  more

Attorney General Hilgers Joins Amicus Brief Supporting EPA's Claw Back of Environmental Grants
LINCOLN, Nebraska, Jan. 21 -- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Hilgers Joins Amicus Brief Supporting EPA's Claw Back of Environmental Grants * LINCOLN-Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced that Nebraska has joined a West Virginia-led amicus brief filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, supporting the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to rescind improperly awarded grants under   more

CARE Bangladesh responds to fire at Rohingya Camp
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 21 [Category: Sociological] -- Care, an organization that says it is dedicated to ending poverty, issued the following news release: * * * CARE Bangladesh responds to fire at Rohingya Camp * Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, January 21, 2026 - A devastating fire broke out in the early hours in the Rohingya camps on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar. The fire started in one of the blocks in Camp 16, severely affecting hundreds of Rohingya refugee families. The fi  more

Carter calls for passage of his PBM provisions in House funding package
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- Rep. Earl L. Carter, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Carter calls for passage of his PBM provisions in House funding package * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) today called for bipartisan support of the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) provisions included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which he has championed in the House of Representatives and will protect patients and pharmacies from harmful and anticompetitive bu  more

Carter-led bill improving air quality standards passes out of House Committee
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- Rep. Earl L. Carter, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Carter-led bill improving air quality standards passes out of House Committee * WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) today celebrated passage of his Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform (CLEAR) Act, a bill to modernize out-of-date National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. "For decades, states' economic growth has been  more

Center for European Policy Analysis: Poland Prepares for Drone War With Russia
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Center for European Policy Analysis posted the following commentary on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Poland Prepares for Drone War With Russia Europe needs to get on the front foot to tackle Russia's hybrid warfare, a Polish deputy defense minister warned as he unveiled details of a new anti-drone systems. By Michal Kranz Cezary Tomczyk, secretary of state in Poland's Ministry of Defense, has provided new details about a new Euros2bn (pound sterling2.3bn) anti-drone system  more

CNN's Have I Got News For You Announces Season Premiere Guests
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 21 [Category: BizMedia] -- CNN posted the following news: * * * CNN's Have I Got News For You Announces Season Premiere Guests NEW SEASON PREMIERES SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 AT 9PM ET ON CNN  NEW YORK - (January 21, 2026) - Comedian and actor Andy Richter and Emmy(r) winning media executive Janice Min will join as guests on this week's season premiere of CNN's Have I Got News For You, the American version of the long-running UK comedy series. Produced by Hat Trick Producti  more

Common Cause Challenges Trump's Demands for Voter Data in 14 States
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 [Category: ThinkTank] -- Common Cause posted the following news release: * * * Common Cause Challenges Trump's Demands for Voter Data in 14 States * Today, Common Cause, the nation's leading good government organization, held a media briefing describing its multi-state legal response to unprecedented U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) demands for sensitive voter roll data. The Trump Administration's requests raise urgent questions about data privacy, federal overreach, and   more

Congressman Allen Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- Rep. Rick W. Allen, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Allen Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition * Today, U.S. Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Every year, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school art competition. This contest is open to all high school students (9th - 12th grade) in Georgia's 12th District. The winning piece will be displayed f  more

Defense Contractor President Sentenced to 48 Months in Bribery Scheme
SAN DIEGO, California, Jan. 16 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California posted the following news release: * * * Defense Contractor President Sentenced to 48 Months in Bribery Scheme Philip Flores, the owner, president, and chief executive of Intellipeak Solutions, Inc., a former defense contractor based out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was sentenced in federal court today to 48 months' custody, after admitting that he participated in a bribery scheme with fo  more

EMILYs List Announces $15 Million State Power Plan, Targeting Nine Key States for Building Democratic Power in 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 [Category: Political] -- EMILYs List issued the following news release: * * * EMILYs List Announces $15 Million State Power Plan, Targeting Nine Key States for Building Democratic Power in 2026 * EMILYs List is announcing its 2026 State Power Plan, a bold and dynamic plan to secure governing majorities across nine key states by recruiting, investing in, and supporting women candidates up and down the ballot.  The $15 million plan targets nine states where building Democ  more

EMILYs List State Power Plan Targets Nevada In $15 Million Plan to Build Democratic Governing Majorities in 2026
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 [Category: Political] -- EMILYs List issued the following news release: * * * EMILYs List State Power Plan Targets Nevada In $15 Million Plan to Build Democratic Governing Majorities in 2026 * EMILYs List announced Nevada as a key target in its 2026 State Power Plan, a bold and dynamic $15 million plan to secure Democratic governing majorities across nine key states by recruiting, investing in, and supporting women candidates up and down the ballot in 2026.  "The Republ  more

ESPN presents over 250 women's college basketball matchups across networks, Jan. 21-27
BRISTOL, Connecticut, Jan. 21 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN presents over 250 women's college basketball matchups across networks, Jan. 21-27 * * ESPN networks to feature 16 ranked teams * Thursday Prime features a top 20 battle between No. 2 South Carolina and No. 16 Oklahoma (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET) * Sunday, ESPN is home to a top 5 bout between No. 5 Vanderbilt and No. 2 South Carolina (3 p.m.) ESPN continues its i  more

Financial Advisor Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Massive $380 Million Ponzi Scheme
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Financial Advisor Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Massive $380 Million Ponzi Scheme Todd Burkhalter, the founder and chief executive officer of the Georgia-based financial advisory group Drive Planning LLC, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for masterminding a years-long Ponzi scheme that allowed him to live a lavish lifestyle while causing   more

Former Georgia State Representative Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Scheme
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Former Georgia State Representative Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Scheme Karen L. Bennett, who resigned from her position as an elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives on January 1, 2026, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to fraudulently obtain thousands of dollars of emergency pandemic unemploymen  more

From Altitude to Arrival: Delta's New Campaign Honors Team USA's Journey to Milano Cortina 2026
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- Delta Air Lines issued the following news: * * * From altitude to arrival: Delta's new campaign honors Team USA's journey to Milano Cortina 2026 As the Official Airline of Team USA, Delta is honoring the extraordinary journey of Team USA athletes as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. * Delta is honoring the extraordinary journey of Team USA athletes as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cor  more

Ga. Gov. Kemp Announces Superior and State Court Appointments
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- Gov. Brian P. Kemp, R-Georgia, issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Gov. Kemp Announces Superior and State Court Appointments Today Governor Brian P. Kemp's office announced the following judicial appointments: Steven Blackerby to the Superior Court of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert W. "Bert" Guy; Kristi Goodwin Connell, to the Superior Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, filling  more

GAO Denies Base Services of Athens Protest Over Navy Food Service Award
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- The Government Accountability Office has denied a protest filed by Base Services of Athens Inc., Chamblee, Georgia, regarding a contract award by the U.S. Navy. The contract, set aside for small businesses, involves providing comprehensive food galley services, including management, food preparation, and attendant services for Navy facilities. The dispute centered on the Navy's decision to award the contract to Crystal Enterprises Inc., Glenn Dale, Maryland, which offered  more

Jamestown Foundation Posts Commentary: Arrests Shake Georgian Dream's Inner Circle
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The Jamestown Foundation posted the following commentary on Jan. 21, 2026, in its Eurasia Daily Monitor: * * * Arrests Shake Georgian Dream's Inner Circle By Khatia Shamanauri Executive Summary: * Over the past few months, the Georgian Dream government has stepped up its crackdown on former officials, filing corruption charges against a growing number of them. * The ruling party frames the move as a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, insisting that past loyalty o  more

Judicial Watch Sues Justice Depart for FBI Communications Celebrating Prosecution of Trump Adviser Peter Navarro
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 [Category: Law/Legal] -- Judicial Watch issued the following news release: * * * Judicial Watch Sues Justice Depart for FBI Communications Celebrating Prosecution of Trump Adviser Peter Navarro Judicial Watch announced today it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice for communications of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents regarding the prosecution of former Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro ( Judicial Watch Inc. v  more

League of Conservation Voters: Memo - Trump props up costly, aging coal plants, leaving ratepayers holding the bill
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 [Category: Environment] -- The League of Conservation Voters posted the following memorandum: * * * TO: Interested Parties FR: Lashelle Johnson, LCV Senior Director of State Climate and Equity Policy and Matthew Davis, LCV Vice President of Federal Policy RE: Trump props up costly, aging coal plants, leaving ratepayers holding the bill Over the last eight months, the Trump administration has begun requiring that decades-old, expensive and inefficient coal plants conti  more

MCG starts human trials on deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer's patients
AUGUSTA, Georgia, Jan. 21 -- Augusta University posted the following news release: * * * MCG starts human trials on deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer's patients * The average age of the global population is increasing, and with that comes an increase in the number of people being diagnosed with dementia, an umbrella term for a collection of cognitive, functional and behavioral symptoms caused by neurodegenerative diseases. The main culprit is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 60-8  more

Meet the 24 Practitioners Selected for AI J Lab: Builders, in Partnership With Nordic AI Journalism
NEW YORK, Jan. 22 -- The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism issued the following news: * * * Meet the 24 Practitioners Selected for AI J Lab: Builders, in partnership with Nordic AI Journalism The AI Journalism Labs at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, supported by Microsoft, is thrilled to announce the 2026 AI Journalism Lab: Builders cohort, offered in partnership with the Nordic AI Journalism (NAIJ) network, the leading international group for   more

Mo. A.G. Hanaway Joins Coalition Challenging Biden-Era EPA Misconduct
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Jan. 22 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Hanaway Joins Coalition Challenging Biden-era EPA Misconduct Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joined a coalition of 24 state attorneys general in challenging potential Biden-era grant fraud and supporting the EPA's cancellation of billions of questionable grants. Biden's Environmental Protection Agency handed out $20 billion in grants as part of  more

NWA Announces 2026 Priorities to Keep WIC Strong and Maintain Virtual Services
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- The National WIC Association, a non-profit advocacy voice of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program, issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * NWA Announces 2026 Priorities to Keep WIC Strong and Maintain Virtual Services Today the National WIC Association (NWA), the nonprofit education and advocacy voice for WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), announced its 2026 p  more

Pepsi-Cola Drivers in Georgia Join Teamsters
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 [Category: Union] -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters posted the following news release: * * * Pepsi-Cola Drivers in Georgia Join Teamsters * (ATLANTA) - More than 100 Pepsi-Cola drivers at facilities in Atlanta and Lithonia, Georgia, have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 528. The drivers organized for respect on the job, a unified voice, and wage and benefit improvements. "Congratulations to our newest Teamsters on their successful campaign to joi  more

Rep. Carter: 52 Weeks of Keeping America Safe
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- Rep. Earl L. Carter, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: * * * 52 Weeks of Keeping America Safe * WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Trump spent the first year of his presidency laser-focused on addressing Biden's wide-open southern border, which made every community in America less safe. Under his watch, Georgia's illegal immigrant population grew to be the 6th largest in the nation, and we paid a real price for his incompetence. Just ask Laken Riley's family. "  more

Sen. Crapo: Working Families Tax Cuts Fuel American Manufacturing
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Working Families Tax Cuts Fuel American Manufacturing The Working Families Tax Cuts, driven in the U.S. Senate by Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), power American reindustrialization through key provisions like immediate research and development expensing, full expensing for new capital investments and full expensing for the construction of new fac  more

Subcommittee Ranking Member McBath's Opening Statement at Subcommittee Hearing on Republicans' Selective Concern About Fraud
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Georgia, ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, issued the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Subcommittee Ranking Member McBath's Opening Statement at Subcommittee Hearing on Republicans' Selective Concern About Fraud Today, Rep. Lucy McBath, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, delivered opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing on Repu  more

Tickets Now on Sale for Hops in the Hangar, Delta Flight Museum's Annual Fundraiser
ATLANTA, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- Delta Air Lines issued the following news: * * * Tickets now on sale for Hops in the Hangar, Delta Flight Museum's annual fundraiser Sip suds from more than 50 of Georgia's best craft breweries under the wing of a 767 jet and other historic aircraft while experiencing the newly renovated Delta Flight Museum located at Delta's world headquarters in Atlanta. * Hops in the Hangar - A Night of Beer, Bites and Banter, Delta Flight Museum's annual fundraising event t  more

To explain or not? Need for AI transparency depends on user expectation
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania, Jan. 21 -- Pennsylvania State University posted the following news: * * * To explain or not? Need for AI transparency depends on user expectation * UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -Artificial intelligence (AI) is said to be a "black box," with its logic obscured from human understanding -but how much does the average user actually care to know how AI works? It depends on the extent to which a system meets users' expectations, according to a new study by a team that includ  more

Twelve Guilty in Macon's "Operation Mobile Order" Targeting Drugs, Guns
MACON, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia posted the following news release on Jan. 21, 2026: * * * Twelve Guilty in Macon's "Operation Mobile Order" Targeting Drugs, Guns Trap House Operated in Shifts Distributing Cocaine; 26 Firearms, Including Machinegun, Seized * Twelve defendants have admitted guilt for their roles in an armed drug trafficking organization exposed by Operation Mobile Order, a two-year FBI-led investigation centered in  more

U.S. Attorney Heap Announces Over 3 Million Dollars Disbursed in Equitable Sharing to Local Law Enforcement Partners and Federal Agencies
SAVANNAH, Georgia, Jan. 22 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia posted the following news release on Jan. 20, 2026: * * * U.S. Attorney Heap Announces Over Three Million Dollars Disbursed in Equitable Sharing to Local Law Enforcement Partners and Federal Agencies Margaret E. Heap, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, today announced that, based on joint criminal investigations conducted by federal, state, and local partners in the Sou  more

UAH Researchers Support Southeast Flash Drought Assessment to Improve Future Drought Preparedness
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, Jan. 22 -- The University of Alabama issued the following news: * * * UAH researchers support Southeast flash drought assessment to improve future drought preparedness By Paola Pinto The Earth System Science Center (ESSC) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, played a key role in supporting a newly published regional drought assessment that details important lessons learned from the flash fall drought experienced ac  more

Va. Gov. Spanberger Delivers Address to Joint Session of General Assembly
RICHMOND, Virginia, Jan. 21 -- Gov. Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, issued the following remarks on Jan. 19, 2026, at a joint session of the General Assembly outlining her vision to create a safer, stronger and more affordable Commonwealth: * * * Mr. Speaker, Madam Lieutenant Governor, Madam President Pro Tempore, Members of the General Assembly, Mr. Attorney General, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Cabinet, our Clerks, honored guests, and most importantly -- my fellow Virginians  more

W.Va. A.G. McCuskey Leads 24-state Coalition Supporting EPA's Cancellation of Billions of Questionable Biden-Era Grants
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Jan. 22 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General McCuskey leads 24-state coalition supporting EPA's cancellation of billions of questionable Biden-era grants West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of states fighting back against potential Biden-era fraud. Biden's Environmental Protection Agency handed out $20 billion in grants as part of their "Greenhouse Gas Reduction  more