Good morning, and happy National Lighthouse Day! On this day in 1789, Congress approved legislation “for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers.” For those of you fortunate enough to be on the Golden Isles today, I hope you have the opportunity to celebrate by stopping by one of Georgia’s lighthouses, three of which are open for tours.
Pat Conroy
- If you’ve had a hospital stay recently, you’re already aware that Georgia hospitals are expensive, but now we have data that suggests they’re more costly that comparable stays in other states.
- Several environmental groups have asked the state’s Environmental Protection Division to deny permits for five sites for coal ash disposal, citing that the sites are unlined and close to rivers.
- Seven children were rescued in Georgia as a result of the FBI’s nationwide child trafficking sting.
- Federal lawsuit against the Georgia Board of Dentistry may limit who can legally straighten your teeth.
- Allen Peake is unhappy with Brian Kemp’s slow appointments to the new Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.
- Augusta’s government has confirmed it’s under an active FBI investigation of “unknown scope.”
- President Trump’s call for “red flag” gun laws has some support amongst Georgia Democrats. Republicans, on the other hand, all looked for ways to oppose it without drawing ire from the president.
Alice Walker
- President Trump will visit El Paso and Dayton (not Toledo). Not everyone is happy about it. Trump responded with the maturity and grace you’d expect from him.
- The FBI is investigating the Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting as a case of domestic terrorism.
- Jon Huntsman is resigning as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia. There is speculation he may run for governor of Utah. Worth noting, this change in ambassador comes at a time where OilPrice is reporting Russia has gained a stranglehold over the Persian Gulf.
- How the tariffs on Chinese goods could affect you.
- While Georgia Republicans aren’t fans, there is bipartisan interest in “red flag” gun legislation at the federal level.
Flannery O’Connor
- An Americus woman claimed on Facebook that she is intentionally infecting partners with HIV (which is a felony).
- Oh, Florida. Now you have exploding toilets, too.