FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1883, the Central Railroad and Canal Company of Georgia was chartered, the beginnings of the state's rail system, starting from Savannah to the state's interior.

A new report takes a look at agricultural damage done by Hurricane Helene as Congress debates a year-end spending deal that includes billions of dollars in storm aid. Details below.

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Today's sponsor is the Voice of Martyrs, who are helping provide aid to Christians in hostile territories.

Willis Removed from Trump Case

A Georgia court of appeals disqualified Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her team from prosecuting President-elect Donald Trump in his election interference case.

The appeals court based its decision to remove Willis on her having an inappropriate romantic relationship with a top prosecutor she hired for the case.

The court's decision does not dismiss the indictment against Trump and his co-defendants, meaning a new prosecutor could be assigned to review the case and decide whether to go forward.

Amazon Workers Walk Off Job in Atlanta

Workers at an Atlanta Amazon warehouse walked off the job Thursday, potentially impacting holiday shipments in the region, as part of a strike by 10,000 Amazon workers across the country.

Amazon said strikes at warehouses in Atlanta and eight other cities would not disrupt the busy holiday shipping season, describing the strikers as outside contractors.

An Amazon spokeswoman said the company's own workers and drivers are not involved. The union representing the strikers said shipping disruptions are expected.

The strikers are represented by the Teamsters but Amazon does not recognize the affiliation with the union. The strike comes after the union says Amazon ignored a Dec. 15 deadline to negotiate a contract.

Study: Helene's Farm Losses 'Devastating'

Hurricane Helene devastated agriculture in the rural Southeast, with poultry farms in Georgia and North Carolina hardest hit, a study finds.

The losses extended to livestock, dairy operations, other crops such as pecans and blueberries, farmland, pastureland, buildings, and fencing.

The damage path ran through Georgia counties with a combined $5.6 billion in crop and livestock production, more than in Florida, North Carolina, or South Carolina. (See Map)

Gov. Brian Kemp and state lawmakers list Hurricane Helene relief as the top priority of the upcoming legislative session.

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Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world's most hostile and restricted nations.

His mission? To meet the courageous men and women who have faced persecution for their unwavering faith in Christ. Todd has traveled far and wide to hear their powerful stories firsthand and to bring their voices to the world, sharing their extraordinary testimonies of faith and resilience.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

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➤ Western Georgia: Farmers impacted by drought will gain special access to additional groundwater resources in the Lower Flit and Chattahoochee River basins. (More)

➤ Statewide: Federal emergency management workers urge Georgians impacted by Hurricane Helene to get their aid requests in as early as possible before the Jan. 7 deadline. (More)

➤ Kennesaw: A 41-year-old teacher killed in this week's Wisconsin school shooting previously lived in Georgia, graduating from Harrison High School and Kennesaw State University. (More)

➤ Metro Atlanta: Drone experts in Georgia reacted to the uptick in drone sightings locally and the nation, saying drone use is up but some may be a case of mistaken identification. (More)

➤ Statewide: Bankrupt retailer Big Lots will start going out of business sales at remaining locations while searching for a buyer. Big Lots' website lists several dozen Georgia sites as still operating. (More)

➤ Statewide: So far, the last-minute year-end federal budget proposal still contains hurricane relief and additional farm aid for Georgia and other states. (More)

➤ Georgia Southern fell 31-26 to Sam Houston in the New Orleans Bowl on Thursday night, tripped up by turnovers. (More)

➤ Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins spoke on Thursday for the first time since his benching, saying “It’s disappointing... I didn’t forget how to play quarterback.” (More)

➤ Trae Young was named to the NBA Cup’s all-tournament team after leading the Atlanta Hawks to a semifinal appearance. (More)

➤ Georgia opted not to be included in an upcoming Netflix documentary giving behind-the-scenes looks at SEC teams. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Macon area leaders celebrated more than $1 billion in local business investment during 2024, including expansions of Irving Tissue, First Quality Baby Products, and Embraer. (More)

➤ Georgia added 46,000 jobs over the past year and the state's jobless rate of 3.7% is below the U.S. rate of 4.2 percent, the state's interim labor department boss announced. (More)

➤ Atlanta ranks No. 1 in the nation for rental property owners using rent price algorithms, an approach that critics say is designed to drive rents higher. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world's most hostile and restricted nations.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ A good supply of bakeries and holiday shops helped propel the Atlanta area to the No. 1 slot in WalletHub's ranking of the best cities for Christmas, ahead of No. 2 Pittsburgh. (See Rankings)

➤ Firefighters in Houston County took a group of children in need on $100 shopping sprees as part of the multiagency Southern Santa program. (More)

➤ The final round of free Hurricane Helene-related storm debris collection will take place in January, with residents asked to place the debris no later than Jan. 6. (More)

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