TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1895, the Liberty Bell came to Atlanta for the Cotton States Exposition. A 2-mile parade carried it to Piedmont Park, where 50,000 people lined up to see it.

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback on The Georgia Flyover and offered helpful suggestions. We often hear requests for increased coverage in specific regions, particularly the northwest, and we share that goal. We are actively working to expand our sources, and we welcome any recommendations you may have. Please feel free to reply with your suggestions!

Thursday is World Mental Health Day. What better way to refresh and recharge your mind than with today's sponsor, BetterHelp?

Supreme Court Restores Six-Week Abortion Ban

The Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the state's six-week abortion ban while reviewing an appeal of a lower court ruling that had previously struck down the law.

The LIFE Act bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks. The court ruled this aligns with Georgia's compelling interest in protecting potential life.

While critics argue that this restricts women's rights, the court noted that the state's responsibility to protect viable life warranted the reinstatement of the law while the legal process continues.

The court also stressed that the previous ruling by a Fulton County judge didn't adequately consider the state's legitimate interest in preserving life.

$1 Billion Data Center Project Proposed

Strategic Real Estate Partners has proposed a new data center campus, Project Peach, on a 320-acre site in Palmetto, about 30 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta.

The campus would include up to eight data center buildings, totaling 2.1 million square feet, and cost approximately $1 billion. The development is expected to be completed by 2036.

The planned buildings range from 150,000 to 350,000 square feet. The project is part of a broader boom in data center construction, with spending in the sector growing by 70% year-over-year as of May 2023.

Georgia Power projects that data centers will account for 83% of electricity demand from potential new large customers in the state through 2037.

Conservationists Question Cumberland Island Changes

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes four land exchanges at Cumberland Island National Seashore to add approximately 373 acres of forest, salt marsh, and ocean frontage to the seashore, ensuring a green corridor and limiting potential impacts on natural and cultural resources.

In exchange, the NPS would privatize land in less-used areas of the island, and conservation easements would be negotiated to restrict development.

The lack of specific details about the land exchanges has raised concerns among environmental groups like Wild Cumberland and the Center for a Sustainable Coast, who fear the pristine character of Georgia's largest barrier island could be compromised.

Adding to these concerns is the NPS's Visitor Use Management Plan, proposed two years ago, which aims to double the island's daily visitation.

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➤ Thomson: Mayor Benjamin "Benji" Cary Cranford has been suspended by Gov. Brian Kemp after being charged with providing alcohol to state prisoners on a work crew, with the suspension remaining in effect until the case is resolved or his term expires. (More)

➤ Atlanta: MARTA Gold Line trains began skipping Brookhaven station for six weeks starting yesterday to allow for platform renovations. The project is part of MARTA's $1 billion Station Rehabilitation Program. (More)

➤ Fannin County: Schools will soon require students to use clear backpacks for added security, with exceptions for specific equipment and small bags. (More)

➤ Atlanta: The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and other organizations are hosting multiple events throughout October to commemorate the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. (More)

➤ Griffin: Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Piland, a native of Griffin, was promoted to his new rank at a ceremony in his hometown. (More)

➤ Columbia County: A young boy received a memorable birthday surprise after his family was impacted by Hurricane Helene. Hunter, who made handmade thank-you cards for linemen from the Texas-New Mexico Power company, was treated with a signed hat, gift cards, and a ride in a bucket truck. (Photos)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons now hold first place in the NFC South after the results of NFL Week 5. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks will make their preseason debut tonight against the Indiana Pacers. Fans will get their first look at No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher playing with the Hawks' starters. (More)

➤ Georgia football remained at No. 5 in the AP Top 25 this week, just six voting points behind No. 4 Penn State. (See Rankings)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | MLB | NBA | NHL

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➤ Elon Musk sent 72 Starlinks to Georgia to help restore internet connectivity in areas affected by Hurricane Helene, supporting ongoing recovery efforts. (Details)

➤ Stryten Energy has been awarded $4.5 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to build a vanadium electrolyte manufacturing plant in Georgia for long-duration energy storage solutions. (Details)

➤ BioLab will bring in an incident response team and set up an office in Conyers to address community concerns as chemical-filled smoke continues to rise from its plant following a fire. (Details)

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➤ Movie mogul Tyler Perry's former mansion is now listed for $3.9 million in Fairburn's Chattahoochee Hills neighborhood. The property comes with a vintage Rolls-Royce and a Ferrari. (Photos)

➤ The High Museum of Art in Atlanta is hosting Giants, a vibrant exhibition featuring over 100 works by renowned artists from the collection of recording artist Alicia Keys and record producer Swizz Beatz. (More)

➤ The Georgia National Fair showcases live animal exhibits, including goat and sheep shows and a bee stall. (More)

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