New State Laws Coming

The new year will bring new state laws on property and health insurance, teledentistry, and more starting Jan. 1.

Property insurers must give 60 days’ notice before dropping homeowners, and HVAC warranties will transfer automatically to new buyers. Another new law allows residents to open “catastrophe savings accounts” to prep for disasters.

New healthcare rules require insurers to provide access to online appointment scheduling along with expanded access to teledentistry.

You can find a roundup of new state laws here, including some that took effect midyear.

  Falcons Feeling the Heat

Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris sympathized with fans after Sunday’s loss cemented the team’s eighth straight losing season and officially bounced them from the playoffs.

“Our fan base deserves a winner,” said Morris, whose future has been the subject of plenty of speculation. “You can’t make any promises you can’t keep at this moment. All you can do is give them the best effort you can give them.”

Many fans and analysts say changes are needed in the team’s leadership, with one columnist saying, “As bad as the Falcons have been during these eight seasons of losing, this feels like the worst coaching job of them all.”

On Sunday, Atlanta held Seattle to six first-half points but collapsed after halftime, giving up a 100-yard kickoff return and 31 second-half points in a 37-9 blowout loss that emptied Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Kennesaw State Goes from Worst to First

One year after finishing at the bottom, Kennesaw State beat Jacksonville State 19-15 on Friday to win its first Conference USA championship and a spot in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

The Owls improved to 10-3 under first-year coach Jerry Mack, marking one of the biggest turnarounds in recent college football history.

The team’s bowl game against Mid-American Conference champion Western Michigan will take place Dec. 19 in Conway, S.C. “It’s a great day in the history of this program, our athletic department and our university,” Mack said after the team’s selection. 

In Friday’s game, Owls quarterback Amari Odom capped a game-winning drive in the final minute with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Navelle Dean.

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➤ Swainsboro: The merger of East Georgia State College into Georgia Southern University received approval on Monday, with the campus renamed Georgia Southern University-East Georgia. (More)

➤ State: Fog and drizzle cleared Monday, but colder air is expected by the weekend with highs below 50 for much of the state. (More)

➤ Atlanta: A pedestrian was struck and killed on I-75/85 northbound near University Avenue on Saturday night, closing lanes for hours. (More)

➤ Statewide: State agencies launched an initiative to equip the state’s 2,300 public schools with Narcan kits, aiming to prevent opioid overdose deaths. (More)

➤ Sumter County: Former beauty queen Trinity Poague, 20, received life in prison for the beating death of her ex-boyfriend’s toddler son in a college dorm. (More)

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➤ Atlanta will host five World Cup group matches next year, including two featuring world No. 1 Spain. (More)

➤ Auburn and Florida State were among the schools that rejected an invitation to the Birmingham Bowl to play Georgia Southern, leading to the eventual selection of Appalachian State. (More)

➤ Georgia Tech offensive lineman Peyton Joseph entered the transfer portal just hours after his position coach, Geep Wade, was hired as Nebraska’s new offensive line coach. (More)

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

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➤ Athens grocery market and coffee shop Birdies will close Dec. 28 after two years, citing rising costs and a lack of a path to profitability. (More)

➤ The state’s November tax revenue was up 0.9% from a year ago, with a dip in income tax collections offset by increased sales and motor fuel taxes. (More)

➤ Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines reported a $200 million loss from slowed bookings and refunds during the 43-day shutdown but expects a strong December rebound. (More)

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➤ A Georgia-led team of wildlife specialists spent two days partially freeing an endangered right whale entangled in 300 feet of fishing gear near St. Simons Island. (More)

➤ CURE Childhood Cancer in Atlanta hosted 150 families for its annual holiday party, offering fun, crafts, and support to those affected by pediatric cancer. (More)

➤ A lottery player won $1 million from a Powerball ticket purchased at a QuikTrip in Marietta. (More)

Do you plan to watch the World Cup next year?

1. Yes, first-timer
2. I’ve watched before
3. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter?

1. Yes: 53%
2. No: 47%

What is Georgia’s state marine mammal?

Show me the answer