Regional

Photo by Alexander Grey

Photo by Alexander Grey

Lawmakers pass $36.1 billion state budget

ATLANTA - The General Assembly gave final passage to a $36.1 billion fiscal 2025 state budget Thursday night, including raises for state employees and public school teachers as well as an 11th-hour influx of funding for Georgia’s Pre-Kindergarten program.
Several members of Harmony House’s team holding blue pinwheels, a reminder of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Left to right: Kaitlin Andrews, child and family services advocate; Olivia Owensby, director of forensic services; Darrin Haley, clinical director; Wendy Risner, outreach/volunteer coordinator; and Laurie Whitworth, CEO.

Several members of Harmony House’s team holding blue pinwheels, a reminder of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Left to right: Kaitlin Andrews, child and family services advocate; Olivia Owensby, director of forensic services; Darrin Haley, clinical director; Wendy Risner, outreach/volunteer coordinator; and Laurie Whitworth, CEO.

Anti-grooming bill “step in right direction”

Last week, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 993, which would make the grooming of a minor for sex a felony in Georgia punishable with between one to five years of prison time.
The Georgia Senate unanimously passed House Bill 993, a bill pushed by Representative Alan Powell now making the grooming of a minor for sex a felony in the State of Georgia.

The Georgia Senate unanimously passed House Bill 993, a bill pushed by Representative Alan Powell now making the grooming of a minor for sex a felony in the State of Georgia.

General Assembly passes anti-grooming bill

On Tuesday, March 26, the Georgia Senate unanimously passed House Bill 993, a bill pushed by Representative Alan Powell now making the grooming of a minor for sex a felony in the State of Georgia and punishable with between one to five years of prison time.
Senator Jon Ossoff with representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2023.

Senator Jon Ossoff with representatives from Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2023.

Ossoff bipartisan bill to help veterans in rural areas

Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has introduced a bipartisan bill with Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and John Thune (R-SD), which will help veterans in rural Georgia get to Veterans Affairs (VA) health facilities. This bill came on the heels of multiple other bills, including bipartisan efforts, Sen.
Barbi Stowe, teen advocate and outreach advocate at the Northeast Georgia Council on Domestic Violence

Barbi Stowe, teen advocate and outreach advocate at the Northeast Georgia Council on Domestic Violence

Upcoming opportunities to support anti-domestic violence work

The Northeast Georgia Council on Domestic Violence (NEGACDV), which serves Hart, Elbert, and Franklin counties, is offering two upcoming events for the community to support its important work.
The Atlanta Falcons have teamed up with Emmanuel College to become the first Division II program with women’s flag football.

The Atlanta Falcons have teamed up with Emmanuel College to become the first Division II program with women’s flag football.

Emmanuel teams up with Atlanta Falcons to start women’s flag football programs

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – Emmanuel University, in partnership with the NFL and RCX Sports, along with support from the Atlanta Falcons is thrilled to announce its plan to be the first NCAA Division II institution to offer varsity women’s flag football.