Stacey Abrams (GPB News / file)

 

GA TODAY

You've arrived at the July 12, 2022 online edition of the Georgia Today newsletter, a twice-weekly publication featuring original stories from GPB News reporters and the latest headlines from around the state.

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Now, the news:

 

Stacey Abrams, Jen Jordan outpacing opponents in fundraising

Gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams announced Friday that she raised $22 million, including $18.5 million in cash on hand, during during the two-month period ending June 30, the Associated Press reported. Republican incumbent Brian Kemp raised $6.8 million with $6.4 million in cash as of June 30.

Likewise, state Sen. Jen Jordan, a Democrat who is running for Georgia Attorney General, outraised Republican incumbent Chris Carr, and state Rep. Bee Nguyen, the Democrat candidate for secretary of state, brought in more money than Republican incumbent Brad Raffensperger through July 8, 2022.

To see how candidates in other statewide races are faring with fundraising, click Read More below.

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Is it normally this hot? Or is it climate change?

If you’re like most people, you know climate change is happening, but think it’s not happening to you. Our partners at The Current report that 70% of Coastal Georgians accept climate change as fact, but only 42% say they’ve personally experienced its effects.

The Climate Shift Index, a new online tool created by researchers at the nonprofit Climate Central, shows how the burning of fossil fuels has boosted the odds of any given daily high and low temperatures across Georgia and the U.S.

For example, on Wednesday, July 6, the National Weather Service predicted a high temperature of 96.9 degrees Fahrenheit along the Georgia coast. That’s 4.8 degrees higher than is typical for that calendar day, as recorded over the last 30 years.

Read More

 

Some Georgians find mental health care in state's jails and prisons

For some Georgians, a lack of access to behavioral health care means that court-ordered programs are the only way to get help. The Fulton County Accountability Court says one-third of all defendants housed in its jail receive some type of psychotropic medication, and more than 75% test positive for illegal drugs upon arrival (or refuse to take the test).
 

GPB’s Ellen Eldridge reports that the Fulton County Jail has been characterized as “the new mental health hospital" in Atlanta after a former administrator estimated 60 to 80% of people incarcerated in the county’s jail system suffer from psychiatric disabilities.

Read More

 

Georgia's teachers are burned out. What's the solution?

A National Education Association survey finds more than 50% of teachers are thinking of leaving the profession. One of the causes? Teacher burnout.

The Georgia Department of Education looked at the causes of burnout among Georgia’s teachers. Those causes include too much time spent in meetings, unrealistic expectations and an ever-increasing workload.

GPB News' Peter Biello spoke with three Georgia teachers about their experience with burnout and possible solutions.

  • “Almost all teachers are here because we love helping others," Lee Allen, Gwinnett County 2022 Teacher of the Year, said. "And I’m worried that, in five years, when teachers who are just hanging on until retirement have retired, a lot of mid-level teachers [will be] looking for careers elsewhere."

Read More

 

Sen. Graham "necessary witness" in election probe with Giuliani, other Trump advisers

Georgia Recorder's Stanley Dunlap reports that a Fulton County special grand jury is in full swing in its investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in favor of Donald Trump with the latest subpoenas targeting Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani and other Trump advisors.

On Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ordered Graham to testify on Aug. 2, as reported by WSB-TV.  The judge's certification filed on Monday described Graham as a "necessary and material witness" to the grand jury probe.

Gov. Brian Kemp, who repeatedly refused pressure from Trump and others to call lawmakers to a special legislative session to overturn the election results, is set to record a statement for the jury on July 25.

Read More

 

Savannah museum announces plans for children's wing

One of Georgia's oldest cultural institutions plans to add a new offering to its lineup come next year: the Telfair Children's Art Museum (CAM).

Telfair Museums — the Savannah nonprofit which manages two art museums in the Telfair Academy and the Jepson Center, as well as the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters — announced that it will transform part of the Jepson Center into CAM.

  • “We're conceiving it as a journey of art exploration for children of all ages and their families,” Telfair Museums CEO and executive director Benjamin Simons said. “There will be a tunnel gallery, large immersive galleries, and a portrait gallery of interactives. We're really excited about it.”

Read More

 

Headlines around the state

GPB News: 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 

Red and Black:  

Technique: 

 

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