Friday, December 6, 2024

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024

Good morning! On this date in 1865, slavery throughout the U.S. became illegal when Georgia’s General Assembly provided the last state approval needed to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Today we’re covering the selection of a top state business leader to lead the nation’s Small Business Administration and the city of Macon’s plans to start the New Year with a bang by blowing up a giant downtown building.

Today, we’re sponsored by New Sapience, offering an opportunity to invest in AI technology.

Loeffler Named to Lead SBA

One of Georgia’s top business leaders is set to join President-elect Donald Trump’s administration as head of the Small Business Administration.

Kelly Loeffler, a former Georgia GOP senator from 2020-21, was nominated for the post late Wednesday by Trump.

He said the 53-year-old will “bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive.”

Loeffler began her career in finance at companies including Citibank and Intercontinental Exchange. By the time she served in the Senate, she was the richest member of Congress.

Peach Pass Set for Upgrades

Easier payment options, new help features, and automated e-vehicle and motorcycle verification are among the improvements coming to the state’s Peach Pass toll lane billing system.

A new Peach Pass Go! website and app will launch Dec. 17 as part of the upgrades. More than 1.8 million vehicles are registered with Peach Pass.

During the Dec. 12 and the Dec. 17 changeover, users won’t be able to access their accounts and should make sure payment information is updated to avoid violations.

Macon to Blow Up Downtown Hotel Jan. 1

It will be out with the old in a big way this New Year’s in Macon, with the city planning to celebrate by imploding a 16-story downtown former hotel building at 9 a.m. Jan. 1.

The once-vibrant venue was a site for conventions, parties, and celebrity guests including Elvis Presley, but was also troubled by ownership changes, foreclosures, and at least one murder case.

No specific redevelopment plans for the site were announced but city leaders are confident the eyesore’s removal will spur successful new projects.

Flying together with our sponsor

This Team of Founders Has $350M in Exits Combined

What do a rocket scientist, an astronaut, and the co-inventor of the desktop PC have in common? They’re all pioneering the last breakthrough in AI together, one that will achieve general intelligence.

It’s called Synthetic Intelligence, which is when a machine has a digital mind that truly thinks and learns. truly thinks and learns. For a limited time, you can invest in the company behind it, New Sapience, while they’re private.

Here’s why you should take advantage of this now:

The New Sapience team has $350M in exits and 100 patents combined.
Bill Gates has said a company that builds a true AI could be “worth 10 Microsofts.”
Their potential market is also huge–anyone with a smartphone.

While ChatGPT and other Large Language Models are just rearranging words, this is an opportunity to blaze the trail for a machine that understands.

Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to support the company that’s rewriting the AI playbook. Act now to secure your stake in the future of Synthetic Intelligence.

➤ McDuffie County: A jury found Thomson’s mayor not guilty of purposely leaving a bottle of gin in a ditch for a prison work crew after the mayor testified the bottle fell from his SUV by accident. (More)

➤ Augusta: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is opening disaster recovery centers to help to residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. (See Locations)

➤ Valdosta: A UPS driver says he’s striving to “just keep the positivity alive” several months after his story of helping save an elderly woman drew national attention. (Watch)

➤ Gainesville: A suspected cult member who once ran for mayor is now the focus of murder investigations in two states, with detectives linking him to a May beating death in Macon. (More)

➤ Decatur: A lottery player came up one number short of winning the $240 million Powerball jackpot after purchasing a ticket at a local grocer, coming away with $50,000 instead. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech football is getting its best recruiting marks ever after landing six in-state blue-chip prospects and top out-of-state players during Tuesday’s National Signing Day. (More)

➤ Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 2 in the nation, landing five commitments from five-star prospects. (See Full Class)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons named Grady Jarrett the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee. The award is given to players “who excel on the field and demonstrate a steadfast commitment to creating a positive impact beyond the game.” (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks extended their win streak to five games with a 119-104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, who entered the game winners of seven straight. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Find the perfect stocking stuffers with The Flyover! Peeps™ are a revolutionary new way to get spotless lenses. They clean perfectly every time and are trusted by leading Optometrists worldwide. Keep your glasses crystal clear; no cloth required! (See It Here)

➤ Hyundai rolled out the first 21 hydrogen-powered trucks for use at its Ellabell plant, teaming with Glovis America on a project that includes plans for a hydrogen fuel-cell refueling station. (More)

➤ A restaurant chain known for its syrup- and flavored cream-infused “dirty sodas” will open its first Georgia location in Fort Oglethorpe, becoming Swig’s 60th site in seven states. (More)

➤ Columbia County commissioners approved plans for more housing developments, with the area seeking to build on growth from commercial centers and a hospital. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The #1 Personal Safety Alarm For Women. Hootie is designed to deter attackers and help prevent life-altering tragedies. Simply activate the strobe light and ultra-loud siren to attract attention and stop any would-be attacker. Hootie is designed to stop attackers in their tracks.

Flying together with our sponsor

The AI Revolution, Rooted in Common Sense. Today’s AI has a critical flaw—it doesn’t truly know anything. It makes mistakes because it can’t think or learn like we do, lacking the understanding and good sense we value. New Sapience is changing that with “Synthetic Intelligence,” a groundbreaking technology that truly understands language and explains its reasoning. Built on logic and wisdom, it’s transforming the way AI works. Bill Gates said a company that creates true AI would be “worth 10 Microsofts.” New Sapience is leading this revolution, and you can be part of it.

Become a shareholder today and help shape the future of computer intelligence—rooted in understanding and purpose.

This is a paid advertisement for New Sapience’s Regulation CF Offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.newsapience.com/

➤ A remembrance service for two Americus law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in December 2016 will take place Saturday at the Georgia Southwestern State University campus. (Details)

➤ Northeast High School in Macon is cheering the school football team’s first-ever appearance in a state semi-final game, the first time since 1975 that any Bibb County school has hosted a semi-final game. (More)

➤ A group of military veterans in the Brunswick area received the quilting equivalent of a group hug when each was presented with a specially made quilt by the Golden Isles Liberty Belles. (See Photo)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Start Breathing Better Instantly! Intake Breathing Strips instantly opens your nasal passages, letting you take deep breaths that improve your overall health. Enjoy 15 tabs for improved breathing! (See It Here)