House Republicans Retain Leadership Team 

Georgia House Republicans voted to retain their leadership team for two more years, renominating Jon Burns as speaker and Jan Jones as speaker pro tem.

Burns highlighted the House’s recent successes, including tax reductions, investments in infrastructure, and efforts in education and public safety.

Majority Leader Chuck Efstration and other key leaders were also re-elected, with the team emphasizing priorities for the upcoming legislative session, such as expanding healthcare access and addressing school safety.

Burns expressed optimism about continuing the Republican agenda and supporting Georgia’s families and economy.

  University System Hits Record Enrollment  

The University System of Georgia has reached a record-high enrollment of nearly 365,000 students across its 26 public institutions this fall.

This growth includes a 27% increase in out-of-state students since 2020, drawn by factors such as Georgia remaining open for business during the pandemic while other states shut down. 

Enrollment has become more diverse, with a rise in Latino and Asian students. 

The Board of Regents also approved policies for merit-based admissions and hiring and greenlit a $25 million expansion for Georgia Tech’s basketball facilities.

Chick-fil-A Is Georgia’s Favorite Fast Food

Georgia’s top fast food choice is Chick-fil-A, followed by Domino’s, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s, according to a recent study.

Wendy’s, Burger King, and Popeyes rank lower, while Taco Bell and Chipotle sit in the middle of the state’s top ten.

Nationally, Domino’s ranks first, with McDonald’s second and Chick-fil-A third, while Pizza Hut and Taco Bell follow in fourth and fifth. Wendy’s and Subway complete the national top ten, with Popeyes and Burger King just outside.

The rankings were compiled based on Google search volume for each fast-food brand. See the national ranking here.

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➤ Georgia: The state ranks fifth in the U.S. for GLP-1 medication use, likely driven by high obesity rates and significant demand for weight management drugs among middle-aged residents. (More)

➤ Fannin County: A mother was arrested after her 10-year-old son walked less than a mile to town alone. Child services later presented the mother with a “safety plan” mandating constant adult supervision and location tracking of her son, which she refused to sign. (More)

➤ Brooklet: Mayor Nikky Gwinnett is suing the city over its denial of his rezoning request, which would allow his cabinet shop to operate on a residentially zoned property. (More) 

➤ Whitfield County: The commissioners approved a fifth consecutive reduction in the county’s property tax rate, decreasing it from six mills to 5.536 mills. (More)

➤ Cumming: Fire department crews worked to contain a fire at Goodson Drug Company, a long-standing business in downtown Cumming. (More)

➤Atlanta: The city council is reviewing a proposal to raise salaries for the mayor, city council members, and school board members, with recommended increases of 36%, 76%, and 133%, respectively. (More)

➤ The Georgia Bulldogs were ranked No. 12 in the newest College Football Playoff Rankings. However, the Bulldogs would miss the playoffs if the season ended today, as No. 13 Boise State would earn the 12th seed in the playoff as the fifth-highest-ranked conference champion. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Hawks picked up their most important win of the season, defeating the Boston Celtics 117-116 in the first game of the 2024 NBA Cup. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Falcons have signed former all-pro kick/punt returner Jakeem Grant. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAF | NCAAM | NCAAW  

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➤ Slim Chickens announced a 10-location expansion in northern Atlanta, targeting counties such as Floyd, Cherokee, and Clarke, aiming to open its first location by April 2026. (More) 

➤ SOLARCYCLE will invest $62 million in Polk County, creating 640 jobs and expanding solar panel recycling capacity to 10 million units annually. (See Details)

➤ The Georgia Ports Authority will receive nearly $49 million from the EPA’s Clean Ports Program to deploy zero-emission equipment and infrastructure upgrades at the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick. (More) 

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➤ Jaukeem Fortson, a 14-year-old from Elberton, wowed Michael Bublé during the Knockout Rounds on The Voice, earning a spot on his team. Known locally as “the little music man,” Fortson delivered a heartfelt performance of “God Only Knows.” (Video) 

➤ Nearly 2,000 public suggestions poured in to help Zoo Atlanta name its newest baby sloth, leading to the sweet choice: Rolo! Born on Aug. 9 to parents Nutella and Cocoa, Rolo is their first male offspring and continues the family’s dessert-themed names. (More)

➤ The final supermoon of 2024 will light up Georgia’s sky tonight, bringing a bright and striking view as it reaches its closest point to Earth, about 225,000 miles away. (More)

Do you own a raincoat?

1. Yes
2. No, not specifically

Yesterday’s Results:

What is your favorite pie for Thanksgiving?

1. Pumpkin pie: 26.8%
2. Pecan pie: 34.6%
3. Apple pie: 19.6%
4. Another kind of pie: 18.9%

Which Georgia city is known as “The Granite Capital of the World”?

Show me the answer