WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 2017, the Atlanta Falcons, led by quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones, routed Green Bay 44-27 to win the team's second NFC championship.

Yep, you heard the name of the sign-language interpreter correctly during Monday's big football game: She is Johrgia Peaches. You can learn more about her below, and we'd love to hear if you know other names with a Georgia flair—just reply to this email.

Today's sponsor is Weight Loss by Hims. Check out their products below.

Jan. 6 Pardons Extended to Georgians

President Donald Trump's January 6 pardons extend to 44 Georgians, including 23 ordered to serve jail terms, 9 given probation, and 13 with cases pending.

Trump announced the pardons Monday night, calling the prosecutions a "a grave national injustice." Critics of Trump's action slammed the move.

The Georgians to receive pardons were arrested for a range of alleged offenses, ranging from unlawful parading to violence toward police. You can see the list here.

Snow Prompts More Closures

Schools, businesses, and airlines announced more closures and delays as a blast of snow and ice hit Georgia on Tuesday, with cities like Savannah braced for their first snow in years.

On Monday night, one person, described as a "critical needs patient" in an undisclosed city, died of hypothermia after going outside in the extreme cold.

In Metro Atlanta, snow fell for the second time in two weeks, with the area anticipating an inch or so before the storm moves out overnight.

In Savannah, a winter storm warning was in effect until Wednesday as the area braced for a possible 3 to 5 inches of snow and sleet, up from prior forecasts.

Gainesville Named 'Economic Superstar'

Gainesville tops the list of the nation's best-performing small cities, heralded as an "economic superstar" in a new ranking.

Gainesville scored high for job growth, wage gains, and broadband services, edging out St. George, Utah; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Bend, Ore.; and Midland, Texas, in the Milken Institute report.

The city's poultry industry, Georgia Heart Institute research center, and economic development efforts also drew special mention.

Other Georgia cities are analyzed in the report, with Warner Robins ranking in the top 50 among small cities. Among big cities, Savannah ranked No. 42 and Atlanta No. 61.

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➤ State: Former Georgia congressman Doug Collins faced little opposition in his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (Watch Collins' Opening Remarks)

➤ Blairsville: A senior scammed out of $109,000 described what happened, an example of why the state now requires a 25-day waiting period on suspicious bank drafts. (More)

➤ State: Georgia U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff were among the 12 Democrats who joined with Republicans to pass the Laken Riley Act. (See List)

➤ Brunswick: More than 200 prospective jurors gathered for the trial of a former prosecutor accused of meddling in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case. (More)

➤ Peachtree City: The city declared a public swimming pool safe after a tainted water scare, with follow-up tests finding no signs of antifreeze in the pool. (More)

➤ Rural Georgia: A Georgia State University study named wider availability of opioids as a key factor in rural homelessness. (More)

➤ Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic saw his historic 110-game streak of making at least one three-pointer end. (More)

➤ Valdosta State named former star quarterback and current offensive coordinator Graham Craig as its head football coach. (More)

➤ The clock is ticking on Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris to fix the team's clock management woes. (More)

➤ Georgia Bulldogs star pass rusher Chaz Chambliss declared for the NFL draft. (More)

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➤ Older workers in Bainbridge and other rural communities are struggling to find jobs, turning to senior jobs programs for help. (More)

➤ An online site tracks new and planned restaurant openings in select West Georgia cities, while also listing closures and "squashing rumors." (See Website)

➤ Gov. Brian Kemp leaves for Germany and Poland this week, seeking to drum up more business for Georgia in visits with current and prospective trade partners. (More)

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➤ Viewers of the college football championship game may never forget the name of one of the young sign-language interpreters: Johrgia Peaches. (More)

➤ Speaking of Monday's big game in Atlanta, Georgia fans of the victorious Ohio State Buckeyes joined the post-game celebrations. (Watch)

➤ Work starts this week on removing and renovating more than 70 stained-glass windows at a historic church in downtown Gainesville. (See Photo)

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