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Fulton County is taking a stand against the alarming rise in synthetic kratom use among children, urging lawmakers to act now before more lives are at risk.

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#GA #CitizenPortal #SubstanceAbuse #PublicHealth #YouthProtection #GeorgiaCommunity
Fulton County resolution and student witnesses press Georgia lawmakers to ban synthetic kratom extracts
Fulton County commissioners and high school students urged the study committee to ban synthetically altered kratom products and to restrict marketing and sales that make such products accessible to children, citing pediatric poison calls and deceptive packaging.
citizenportal.ai
September 26, 2026 at 11:12 PM
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Mae Jemison's groundbreaking journey as the first African American woman in space not only shattered barriers but continues to inspire generations to reach for the stars.

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#GA #STEMEducation #DiversityInspiration #BlackHistoryMonth #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal
Mae Jemison honored as first African American woman in space during Black History Month
Celebration highlights Mae Jemison's historic 1992 space flight and impactful career journey.
citizenportal.ai
February 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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Westside High School's 2025 graduation will spotlight an inspiring class of diverse achievers, embodying the community's spirit and commitment to educational excellence.

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#GA #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity #EducationExcellence #InclusivityInEducation #StudentSuccess
Community honors graduates at local recognition ceremony
Local event celebrates achievements of students from various educational backgrounds.
citizenportal.ai
May 31, 2025 at 10:26 AM
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Senator Nikki Merritt and the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus are amplifying community voices to shape a more inclusive future—discover how personal stories are driving real change!

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#GA #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity #RepresentationMatters #InclusivePolicy
Senator Nikki Merritt leads discussion on Georgia Legislative Black Caucus initiatives
Senator Merritt emphasizes the importance of community stories for Georgia's future progress.
citizenportal.ai
June 25, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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The Georgia House of Representatives paid tribute to remarkable community figures and declared April 5, 2025, as Run Atlanta 5K Day, celebrating both legacy and health!

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#GA #CulturalContributions #CitizenPortal #CivicAcknowledgment #GeorgiaCommunity #HealthPromotion
Georgia assembly honors influential community figures with series of resolutions
Assembly adopts resolutions honoring Joe Reuben Green, Janelle Jeris Green and more.
citizenportal.ai
April 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
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Georgia lawmakers are uniting to tackle human trafficking, recognizing its devastating toll on both community safety and economic stability.

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#GA #HumanTrafficking #EconomicStability #GeorgiaCommunity #CommunitySafety #CitizenPortal
City leaders push for actions against human trafficking to protect children and economy
Officials emphasize urgent measures needed to combat human trafficking for community safety.
citizenportal.ai
March 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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The Southwest High School class of 2025 celebrated their graduation with heartfelt speeches and a strong sense of community, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.

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#GA #YouthEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity #CommunitySupport
James Winston welcomes Southwest High School class of 2025 at graduation ceremony
James Winston addresses graduates and guests during Southwest High School's commencement celebration.
citizenportal.ai
May 31, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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In a heartfelt moment during Georgia's Session Day 37, Representative Holly honored Andrew O'Mallard for his unwavering dedication to raising his son Aiden after a devastating family tragedy.

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#GA #LegislativeParticipation #CitizenPortal #CommunityResilience #GeorgiaCommunity
Representative Holly honors Andrew O'Mallard for raising son after tragic loss
Representative Holly highlights Andrew O'Mallard's dedication to his son Aiden amid tragedy.
citizenportal.ai
March 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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Georgia's State Capitol buzzed with unity and gratitude as lawmakers celebrated firefighters, Girl Scouts, and civic engagement on a memorable Session Day 11.

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#GA #PublicRecognition #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #YouthLeadership
Georgia House recognizes firefighters and Girl Scouts during civic engagement day
Legislators honor firefighters and Girl Scouts for their community contributions at the Capitol.
citizenportal.ai
February 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM
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A powerful prayer by the Chaplain of the Day on Session Day 37 called for unity, justice, and healing, reminding leaders of their moral responsibility to serve the community with integrity.

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#GA #MoralLeading #CommunityService #CitizenPortal #JusticeAndHealing #GeorgiaCommunity
Speaker John leads prayer session emphasizing justice and healing for community
Speaker John delivers prayer focusing on justice, unity, and healing for attendees.
citizenportal.ai
March 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
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In a powerful moment of unity, the Chaplain of the Day urged Georgia's leaders to embrace the future with wisdom and discernment, reminding them to focus on the opportunities ahead rather than past challenges.

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#GA #LeadershipWisdom #CommunityGrowth #GeorgiaCommunity
Pastor prays for wisdom and discernment among community leaders
Pastor calls for enlightenment and guidance for leaders representing diverse community interests
citizenportal.ai
February 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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Despite staff objections, the planning commission has voted to recommend a 24-hour Circle K convenience store, igniting a debate on community needs versus local rules.

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #PublicSafety
Commission backs 24-hour operation for proposed Circle K despite staff opposition
Staff recommended disapproval of a variance to permit 24-hour operation for a proposed Circle K at 5549 Columbia Road, citing county rules that generally limit 24-hour uses to parcels near I-20. Circle K argued 24-hour service supports nontraditional-hour workers and public safety; the commission voted to recommend approval.
citizenportal.ai
September 11, 2026 at 2:00 AM
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A controversial rezoning proposal for a concrete plant on Gordon Highway has been withdrawn after vocal opposition from concerned residents about health and environmental impacts.

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #PublicSafety #CommunityInput
Developer withdraws Gordon Highway industrial rezoning after community opposition
An applicant withdrew a rezoning request to allow a concrete plant and waste transfer station on Gordon Highway; the commission accepted the withdrawal after numerous neighbors raised concerns about truck traffic, dust and water/well impacts.
citizenportal.ai
August 11, 2026 at 11:20 AM
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Stephens County has postponed a critical decision on waiving permit fees for ASI Southeast's $45 million expansion, but approved a waiver for a private driveway—what's next for this major investment?

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #EconomicDevelopment
Stephens County postpones permit-fee waiver for ASI Southeast expansion, approves driveway/address exception
Commissioners postponed a decision on waiving permit fees for ASI Southeast's planned $45 million expansion until the July 28 meeting to allow staff and the company to firm up cost estimates; the board approved a separate waiver allowing ASI to create a private driveway and use an address point.
citizenportal.ai
July 16, 2026 at 6:20 PM
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A fierce debate erupted in Congress over the future of sanctuary cities and the protection of places of worship, pitting strict law enforcement against community safety.

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#US #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity #PublicSafety #ImmigrationPolicy
Congressman Clyde opposes sanctuary city amendment citing rule of law
Congressman Clyde rejects sanctuary city amendment, emphasizing the need for rule of law enforcement.
citizenportal.ai
June 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
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Elder Freeman's shocking testimony reveals alleged police misconduct and missing evidence in Stephens County, as he calls for federal investigations to uncover the truth.

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#GA #CivicAccountability #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcementReform #PublicSafety
Public commenter urges Stephens County commissioners to request outside investigations into alleged law-enforcement misconduct
During public comment, an individual identifying himself as Elder Freeman accused a former deputy and others of excessive force, alleged destroyed body/dash-cam footage and called on commissioners to ask the GBI, FBI or DOJ to investigate; the board did not state a formal response on the record.
citizenportal.ai
May 14, 2026 at 10:52 AM
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Columbia County's Planning Commission has recommended a controversial quarry expansion by Vulcan Materials, promising to reduce truck traffic but raising concerns over noise, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact
Planning Commission recommends quarry rezoning for Vulcan Materials after mixed public reaction; conditions include withdrawal of access from local roads
The commission voted 3–1 to recommend rezoning roughly 319+ acres for overburden storage and future quarry expansion by Vulcan Materials; Vulcan highlighted mitigation measures and a claim it would avoid 40,000 truck trips, while many residents warned of noise, wetlands loss and water quality risks.
citizenportal.ai
May 9, 2026 at 4:45 PM
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The Stephens County Board of Commissioners made significant decisions, approving property variances while denying a controversial pallet-recycling permit amidst community concerns about noise and safety.

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#GA #LandUseRegulations #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal
Stephens County commissioners approve four variances, deny pallet‑recycling permit and postpone data‑center rule changes
The Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved four front-yard/accessory-structure variances, denied a conditional-use permit for on-site pallet recycling and split consideration of land‑use ordinance changes — approving accessory-structure amendments while postponing data‑center provisions for additional study and a work session.
citizenportal.ai
April 30, 2026 at 4:45 AM
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The House Rules Committee is tackling crucial issues like teacher pay, online gaming protections, and special-needs services that could reshape Georgia's future.

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#GA #CivicAccountability #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety
Rules Committee advances range of study resolutions and sets supplemental calendar
The committee advanced multiple study and urging resolutions — on teacher pay steps, design-procurement, online gaming protections, special-needs services, the Georgia Capitol Museum oversight and others — and set a supplemental calendar listing numerous bills and resolutions for further consideration.
citizenportal.ai
April 5, 2026 at 3:53 AM
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Sen. Dickerson's new bill aims to tighten regulations on noncitizen commercial driver's licenses, linking their validity to visa expirations and mandating retesting for interstate transfers to boost highway safety.

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#GA #NoncitizenLicensing #DriverStandards #GeorgiaCommunity
Sen. Dickerson’s bill ties noncitizen CDL expiration to visa status, requires retest for interstate transfers
Sen. Dickerson told the committee that his substitute to SB 442 would make noncitizen commercial driver's licenses expire with visa terms or five years (whichever is sooner) and require retesting when a noncitizen transfers a CDL into Georgia; the committee passed the measure unanimously after technical Q&A.
citizenportal.ai
March 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM
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House Bill 753 aims to tackle blight in Georgia by creating a fund that utilizes existing grants, but concerns about local government powers and fiscal implications are raising questions.

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #LocalControl #CommunitySupport #BlightRemediation
Committee holds hearing on DCA-managed blight fund; seeks more detail before advancing
The committee held a hearing on House Bill 753, which would authorize a DCA-administered "Better Georgia Without Blight Fund" using existing grant funds to support local blight remediation. Members raised property-rights, fiscal-note and staffing questions and asked DCA for follow-up before advancing the bill.
citizenportal.ai
February 21, 2026 at 12:36 AM
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A new bill in Georgia aims to change the way we handle theft of essential items, focusing on support instead of punishment for those in urgent need.

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#GA #PovertyAlleviation #GeorgiaCommunity #CitizenPortal #SocialServices #CriminalJusticeReform
Subcommittee hears bill to steer low‑value essential‑item thefts toward services, not jail
HB1175 would create alternative sentencing options for low‑value thefts of essential items — such as referrals to nonprofits, food pantries, or community service — and the committee kept the bill for further drafting to resolve statutory fee and restitution language.
citizenportal.ai
February 20, 2026 at 6:33 AM
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Witnesses are calling for essential funding to transform rural health services, from peer support programs for new mothers to revitalizing free dental clinics—these investments could save lives and strengthen communities.

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#GA #GeorgiaCommunity #WorkforceRetention
Advocates and rural providers urge state investments in peer support, dental clinics and hospital infrastructure
Witnesses at the appropriations hearing urged funding for peer‑based recovery supports for pregnant and postpartum women, revival of regional free dental clinics, targeted investment to counter falling PeachCare enrollment and capital help for rural hospitals expanding residency and clinical services.
citizenportal.ai
February 1, 2026 at 4:01 AM
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The Jasper City Planning Commission has given the green light for a new drive-through restaurant at the Gateway center, paving the way for a mixed-use community hub with more green space and pedestrian-friendly amenities!

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#GA #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity
Planning commission backs Gateway drive-through and grants parking variance
The commission recommended approval of a special-use permit for a drive-through at Gateway Commercial’s master-planned center and recommended a variance reducing required parking from 127 to 108 spaces subject to conditions, including a shared-parking agreement and minimum on-site spaces. Staff said the center as a whole will provide 232 parking spaces across parcels.
citizenportal.ai
November 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
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Newnan’s City Council has officially denied a major mixed-use rezoning proposal that could have transformed McIntosh Parkway into a bustling hub of apartments and commercial space, raising questions about the area’s future development.

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#GA #CitizenPortal #GeorgiaCommunity
Council rejects large McIntosh Parkway mixed‑use rezoning after staff and public scrutiny
The council denied RZ2025-01, a proposal to rezone ~29.26 acres at 3000 McIntosh Parkway to MXD for 329 apartments, 70 townhomes and ~26,760 sq ft of commercial space; staff found mixed-use merits but raised concerns about service impacts, and the Planning Commission had recommended denial.
citizenportal.ai
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM