Perdue Confirmed as China Ambassador

The U.S. Senate voted 67-29 to confirm David Perdue as the U.S. ambassador to China, backing President Trump’s selection of the veteran Georgia businessman and former U.S. senator amid rising trade and security tensions.

Perdue called China the “most consequential diplomatic challenge of the 21st century” and pledged a strategic and bipartisan approach in representing U.S. interests. His confirmation follows a wave of U.S. tariffs placed on Chinese imports.

Perdue emphasized stopping fentanyl ingredient trafficking by China as one of his top priorities.

  Kemp Signs Education Bills

Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a series of bills aimed at improving Georgia’s education system.

The package includes school safety laws requiring panic buttons, mental health coordinators, and faster threat reporting, sparked by last year’s Apalachee High School shooting.

Other measures ban males from competing in female sports, boost school mental health screenings, and streamline school psychologist certifications.

“I’m proud to sign these bills that will further safeguard our classrooms, both from those with violent intentions and from out-of-touch political agendas,” Kemp said.

Bird Migration Underway

Georgia’s skies will bustle with activity this week as more than 10 million birds are expected to migrate northward, according to ornithologists.

The state Department of Natural Resources urges residents to contribute to the birds’ health by cleaning bird feeders regularly to prevent the spread of diseases, since sick birds are often reported in the spring and summer due to filthy feeders.

Coinciding with the migration, the 10th annual Georgia Bird Fest runs through May 16, featuring more than 40 birding events statewide.

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Fulton County: Two hospitals faced bomb threats recently, prompting lockdowns and police sweeps at Children’s Healthcare and Grady Memorial. No credible threats were found. (More)

Oglethorpe:  Eric Walton, 43, of Macon, died after the log truck he was driving collided with a train Monday morning. (More)

Gainesville: A police chase ended with three injured people after a Norcross teenager fled police, sideswiped a car, and wrecked his Camaro. (More)

Tift County: Cleanup continued after strong winds from a suspected tornado downed trees, caused power outages, and damaged homes late Sunday night. (More)

Decatur: A jury convicted two men of murder and armed robbery in the 2023 shooting death of Akhir Muhammad at a local gas station. (More)

South Georgia: Six schools earned 2024 state awards for academic gains, with Terrell High in Terrell County and Garrison-Pilcher Elementary in Thomas County receiving platinum honors. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Braves optioned Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A after a .167 batting average and clubhouse controversy over his alleged lack of hustle during an April 19 game. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks parted ways with personnel executive Grant Liffmann. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons may keep Kirk Cousins as a backup as trade options dwindle following the NFL Draft, an analyst says. (More) 

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Atlanta-based UPS will cut 20,000 jobs and close 73 facilities, including some in Georgia, as it slashes Amazon shipments and restructures operations. (More)

➤ Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, visited Suwanee, promoting $12.6 billion in U.S. small business loans and urging patience with ongoing China tariffs. (More)

➤ A report by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce warned tariffs and trade barriers could cost the state’s service industries millions of dollars weekly and threaten jobs. (More)

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➤ Gwinnett County Army veteran Kerrie Porter, legally blind and pregnant, received a new service dog after her previous dog was killed when struck by a car. (Watch)

➤ A new exhibit at the Carter Center in Atlanta showcases John Cleaveland’s landscapes inspired by Jimmy Carter’s childhood memories. (More)

➤ Duluth police continued searching for a goat or sheep spotted last week near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. Residents are urged to call animal control and not intervene. (More)

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