FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1922 Viola Napier of Bibb County and Bessie Kempton Crowell of Fulton County became the first women elected to the General Assembly.

We're looking forward to a weekend with as little politics as possible. Thank heavens for football, and the match-up we've previewed in Sports!

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Three Charges Dropped in Trump Case

Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee on Thursday dismissed three counts in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his associates.

Two of the charges dropped against Trump dealt with conspiracy and filing false documents, with the judge ruling those fell under federal jurisdiction. A third charge was dropped against Trump’s associates.

The former president now faces eight counts, though the case remains stalled while a decision is made over whether DA Fani Willis will be removed over her relationship with ousted special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Norfolk Southern CEO Fired

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw and Executive Vice President Nabanita Nag were fired after an investigation revealed they had an inappropriate relationship.

The Norfolk Southern Board of Directors unanimously voted to terminate Shaw and Nag based on preliminary findings from the investigation, which focused on conduct inconsistent with the company's code of ethics.

Following Shaw's dismissal, Executive VP and CFO Mark George was named as the new CEO and will work with COO John Orr to lead the company.

Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern has about 19,000 employees and generates $12.7 billion in revenue.

NextGen USPS Trucks Debut in Athens

The first of the Postal Service's new Next Generation Delivery Vehicles debuted in Athens, with a handful now in service.

The new trucks offer modern safety features like airbags, 360-degree cameras, and collision sensors, along with comfort features such as air conditioning and larger payload areas.

Designed by Oshkosh Defense, the vehicles will replace the aging Grumman trucks that were prone to breakdowns and lacked basic safety and comfort upgrades.

Athens is among the first cities to experience the rollout, which will eventually expand to 60,000 vehicles, most of them electric.

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➤ Three ballot questions aimed at keeping state property taxes low will be on the November ballot, including one to limit tax assessment increases. (Details)

➤ Fulton County: Third-party candidates Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz were disqualified from running for president in Georgia by two state court judges, who ruled their electors failed to file the proper paperwork. (Details)

➤ Winder: Marcee Gray, the mother of the alleged Apalachee High School shooter, Colt Gray, issued an open letter of apology, while insisting that her son is “not a monster.” (More)

➤ Macon: Georgia elementary students in third through fifth grade were invited to enter the fall 2024 STEM Challenge by exploring the process of composting. (Details)

➤ Coastal Georgia: Local seafood farmers asked for Governor Kemp’s help with issues driving them out of business, especially foreign companies dumping shrimp on the market. (Details)

➤Savannah: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say high-end stolen vehicles—Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, and Ferraris—are being shipped out of the Port of Savannah as part of a terrorist money-laundering scheme. (More)

➤ Atlanta Braves outfielder Ramon Laureano made a tremendous throw for an out at second base, but it wasn’t enough as the Braves lost 1-5 to the Washington Nationals Wednesday night. (See Throw)

➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins needs 374 passing yards on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles to tie Drew Brees as the third-fastest player to reach 40,000 career passing yards. (More)

➤ The Georgia Bulldogs released a video to rally fans for tomorrow's matchup against Kentucky, their first game of SEC play in 2024. (Watch video)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | PGA

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➤ Atlanta has been ranked in the Top 10 best cities for remote workers, according to a new report. The study included internet speed, home sizes, and access to coworking spaces as criteria. (More)

➤ Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic violated the central bank’s ethics policies but didn't engage in insider trading, according to the federal Office of Inspector General. (More)

➤ Georgia tax collections rose by 2.4% last month compared to August a year ago, bringing in a total of $2.34 billion. (Details)

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➤ Elder Mill Farm, a countryside estate on 62 acres with fishing ponds and walking trails, has come on the market for $11 Million. (See Photos)

➤ Film projects now being cast in Columbus include Low Ball and Late Twenty. (Full List)

➤ Allie Ann Wheeler of Coolidge was named Miss Rodeo Georgia at the yearly pageant in Covington. Her official reign begins Jan. 1, 2025. (See Photo)

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