TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1925, Flannery O'Connor was born in Savannah. One of Georgia's most famous literary figures, O'Connor wrote two novels and 31 short stories. Andalusia Farm in Milledgeville, where O'Connor moved in 1951, is now a museum dedicated to her work.

Read about a couple working to get synthetic food dyes banned in the Et Cetera section, and then let us know in the Poll if you pay attention to food dyes in ingredients.

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State Tax Cuts and Rebates on Track

State lawmakers approved a $1 billion tax rebate and income tax cut bill now headed to Gov. Brian Kemp for his expected approval.

Under the measure, rebates of up to $250 would go to individual filers, up to $375 to heads of households, and up to $500 to married couples filing jointly.

This marks the third straight year for state income tax rebates. State officials credit Georgia's healthy budget, including an $11 billion surplus.

Kemp is also expected to sign the legislature-approved HB 111, which would reduce the state's flat income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19%. Critics say the tax cut benefits high earners at the expense of the average taxpayer.

Fungal Infections Spread in Hospitals

A drug-resistant fungus called Candida auris is spreading in U.S. hospitals, with Georgia reporting more than 1,300 cases as of February, the state Department of Public Health said.

First discovered in 2016, Candida auris cases have doubled every year since and pose a serious threat when spreading in healthcare facilities where patients may be immunocompromised, public health officials say.

University of Georgia researchers recently called fungal infections "public health enemy No. 1" and are working to better understand the spread and treatment possibilities.

Eight Communities Make Best Places to Live List

Eight Georgia communities were named in Niche's 2025 list of the top 100 places to live in the U.S., including Alpharetta, Atlantic Station, Johns Creek, and Midtown.

Niche uses data-driven rankings to determine the annual list that debuted 11 years ago. Factors like public schools, housing, safety and nightlife are considered in the ratings.

The Atlantic Station neighborhood in Atlanta was ranked No. 2 in the country, receiving excellent scores in schools, health and fitness, commute, nightlife, diversity, and more.

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Crisis in DRC

A decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has gone from a simmer to a boil in recent months.

Last week, Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 ignored calls for a ceasefire, seizing a strategic town in Congo—one of the most poverty-stricken countries in the world. M23 is one of nearly 100 armed groups that have been vying for control of the mineral-rich area, and the resulting conflict has caught civilians (including many Christians) in the middle, creating one of the world's most significant humanitarian crises.

Last month, the U.N. Human Rights Council launched an investigation into allegations of atrocities, such as mass killings of civilians, by multiple groups.

An estimated 7 million people have been displaced, and more than 25 million people—approximately one in four Congolese—face acute food insecurity.

Statewide: State lawmakers approved a $250 million spending plan to improve prison conditions, including hiring an additional 700 guards and staff. (More)

Tucker: Key fob cloning technology likely allowed a thief to steal an F-150 Raptor while the owner was feet away. (More)

Floyd County: A wildfire was fully contained near Georgia Highway 156 after forcing the evacuation of more than two dozen homes. (More)

Albany: The USDA cut more than $1 billion in funding to programs in Georgia that connected local farmers with schools and food banks. (More)

Dalton: A man and woman from Dalton were arrested for allegedly scamming a Kentucky woman for more than $80,000. (More)

Thomas County: No students were injured when an SUV rear-ended a school bus. The driver of the SUV was airlifted in critical condition. (See Image)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks' win on Sunday padded the team's lead over the Orlando Magic for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves sent former first-round pick Ian Anderson to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for veteran pitcher Jose Suarez. (More)

➤ No. 4 Georgia baseball swept its three-game series against No. 13 Florida over the weekend, capped by a 15-4 win on Sunday that ended after seven innings due to mercy rule. (More)

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➤ Hyundai plans to invest an additional $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing, including an additional auto plant in Georgia and a steel plant in Louisiana. (More)

➤ Gas prices in Georgia rose 5 cents last week to about $2.94 per gallon. Georgia’s prices are 41 cents cheaper than a year ago and 18 cents less than the national average. (More)

➤ State lawmakers approved nearly $300 million in tax breaks for farmers and timber owners recovering from Hurricane Helene. (More)

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Join us in partnering with World Concern to help the most vulnerable in the Congo and in countries around the world where World Concern serves by providing life-sustaining nutrition, clean water, medication, and more with the love of Jesus. Every $27 provides someone with these emergency essentials.

➤ A Georgia couple is at the forefront of the national campaign to ban synthetic food dyes after noticing behavioral improvements in their son after changing his diet. (More)

➤ Circle Care sponsored sensory-friendly screenings of Shrek at NCG Cinemas in Peachtree and Marietta for children with autism and sensory sensitivities. (More)

➤ A University of Georgia student whose "smiling" mugshot went viral on social media was arrested again in Athens for allegedly obstructing police. (More)

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