Diesel Prices Climb Higher

Georgia truckers, farmers, and other diesel fuel users are paying sharply more at the pump as the Iran conflict disrupts global oil markets.

The state’s average price for a gallon of diesel was $4.99 as of Thursday, up 85 cents in the past week and nearly $1.50 higher than a month ago, according to AAA. Prices in several cities topped $5.

The jump has been higher than for unleaded gasoline, which averaged $3.45 as of Thursday, up about 30 cents from a week ago and 70 cents from a month ago.

Spring travel demand and summer gasoline blends are adding to the price pressures on fuel, according to GasBuddy senior analyst Patrick De Haan.

In Atlanta, one motorist, who identified himself only as SOTA, rolled out a kids’ motorized vehicle souped up with a power-washer engine as a cost-saving way to drive around.

  ‘Hollywood of the South’ Struggles

Film and television production spending in Georgia has fallen by nearly half since 2022, leaving thousands of workers scrambling.

A digital imaging technician described going from 70-hour weeks to working just four days total since May 2024 on a set.

Industry spending in the “Hollywood of the South” dropped from a peak of $4.4 billion in 2022 to $2.3 billion in the last fiscal year, while productions were down from 412 in 2022 to 245 last year.

Adding to the challenges, the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes halted work for months. The industry’s 2025 rebound lagged expectations, with Marvel shifting to the United Kingdom and more streamers filming overseas.

The industry remains hopeful, with other studios remaining optimistic and the state reporting some success after expanding media production tax credits. In Washington, D.C., President Trump has proposed tariffs aimed at keeping film production in the U.S.

Candidates Flood Legislative Races

A total of 537 candidates signed up for the May 19 primaries to contest all 236 seats in the Georgia legislature.

Democrats fielded 308 candidates as the party works to reclaim majorities not held in over a generation, while Republicans defend advantages in both chambers.

High turnover looms, with 18 lawmakers seeking higher office and nine retiring, including House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones.

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➤ Middle Georgia: A severe storm with high winds swept across the region Thursday morning, damaging homes, knocking down trees and power lines, and scattering debris in Macon, Forsyth, Fort Valley, Warner Robins, and other areas. (Photos)

➤ Savannah: City leaders detailed safety and security plans for next week’s 202nd St. Patrick’s Day parade, including the use of more pedestrian and water barricades than last year. (More)

➤ Social Circle: Some residents say their monthly gas bills more than doubled this winter, with some topping $400. Local utility leaders cited rising natural gas commodity prices, frozen equipment, and high heating demand. (More)

➤ Villa Rica: A local military veterans association continues to fundraise for the building of a local veterans memorial park in the downtown area, planned as a place for “reflection, remembrance, and community pride.” (More)

➤ Hall County: District Attorney Lee Darragh said he will review reports on the deadly teen prank that resulted in a teacher’s death and give “great deference” to a request by the victim’s family for charges to be dropped. (More)

➤ DeKalb County: A school bus driver and four students were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a motorist allegedly ran a red light and their car crashed into the bus Thursday morning. (More)

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➤ The Atlanta Falcons officially released quarterback Kirk Cousins this week after two seasons in Atlanta. The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly interested in signing him. (More)

➤ No. 4 Georgia Tech baseball beat West Georgia 14-0, pushing the Yellow Jackets’ record to 15-2 on the season. (More)

➤ WNBA basketball player Rickea Jackson filed for court protection from her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr., after his arrest on battery and stalking charges. Pearce did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ Eddie Bauer will close its stores nationwide, including Georgia sites in Commerce, Dawsonville, Lawrenceville, and Woodstock, after the bankrupt retailer failed to find a buyer for its more than 170 remaining locations. (More)

➤ Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta CEO Donna Hyland announced her retirement after 18 years. She will be succeeded by Dr. Patrick Frias, the current CEO of Rady Children’s Health in San Diego. (More)

➤ Bipartisan federal legislation backed by Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock would bar private investment groups that already own more than 350 homes from purchasing additional single-family properties in markets such as metro Atlanta. (More)

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The next recession is coming, and experts warn: “This Time, You’re the Collateral.” A recession isn’t just likely… It’s inevitable. The cracks in the system aren’t just cracks anymore. 

• Debt levels are at historic highs.
• Consumer savings are drained.
• Wall Street is on edge.
• Inflation is still bleeding your purchasing power.

➤ A Vietnam War veteran living near Lake Sinclair recently reunited with the exact fighter jet he flew during the war, now on display at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins. (More)

➤ The Sexton Pub and Provisions in Savannah landed at No. 20 on a national ranking of the best Irish pubs in America, with its perfect 5.0 Google rating offset by higher beer and food prices than some others on the list, according to researchers. (More)

➤ Second Harvest of South Georgia and Elephant Aid International seek volunteers to help with weekly surplus produce deliveries to three retired elephants living on 850 acres at Elephant Refuge North America in Attapulgus. (More)

Have you ever shopped at Eddie Bauer?

1. Regular customer
2. Occasionally
3. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Are you a fan of wooden roller coasters?

1. Prefer steel coasters: 26%
2. Love ’em: 22%
3. Not a coaster rider: 19%
4. Too bumpy: 17%
5. No preference/other: 16%

What breed of dog did Eddie Bauer introduce as his hunting partner in 1930?

Show me the answer