GPB News Feed

Students Stretch Out College

mcheatham — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:04:26 -0500

Students in Georgia are taking an average of about six years to get a bachelor's degree, instead of the traditional four, according to both the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and educational experts. The number is similar to a national trend, and could be due in part to an...

Newspaper Calls For Richardson's Resignation

omontoya — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:53 -0500

The editorial page of the Brunswick News today called on House Speaker Glenn Richardson to resign. In doing so, the paper becomes one of the first dailies, if not the first, to call on the powerful Republican to step down from office following a suicide attempt. The editors write, "Given the...

Central State Diverting Patients

josephinebennett — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:28:15 -0500

One of the state's seven psychiatric hospitals is no longer accepting new patients. Following a week long visit by the United States Department of Justice state officials made the decision to quit taking new patients at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville until they can make some...

PSC Asks GA Power To Draft Solar-Only Option

mstiers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:29 -0500

The Public Service Commission has asked Georgia Power to come up a with a solar only option for its Green Energy program. Currently, customers can purchase blocks of renewable energy but most of it comes from landfill gas, with up to ten percent coming from solar. The PSC wants the utility to...

Budget Cuts Could Shorten School Year

mstiers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:53:22 -0500

With state revenues plummeting, more cuts to the state budget are a near certainty come next legislative session. Lawmakers have said no agency will be spared, including public education. Already many teachers are furloughed, several schools have gone to a four day school week to save money,...

Ports Up For First Time In Year

omontoya — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:21:15 -0500

The Georgia Ports Authority posted a modest increase in traffic last month, its first positive container count in more than a year. The state’s deepwater ports in October handled 1.7% more container traffic compared with the same month last year. Port officials are “cautiously optimistic” the...

No New Patients for GA's Largest Mental Hospital

czornes — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:47:21 -0500

A state official says Georgia's largest mental hospital will stop admitting new patients. According to the Macon Telegraph, a spokesman with the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities says Central State hospital in Milledgeville will remain open for now. But new patients are...

State Taps Nursing Homes to House Former Inmates

mstiers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:33:04 -0500

The state is having a hard time finding housing for former inmates with special needs, so it’s trying to tap assisted living and nursing care facilities to help out. Officials with the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles are touring the state to spread the word ...

Atl. School On Lockdown After Gun Reported

mstiers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:21:57 -0500

Police locked down North Clayton High School and used hand-held metal detectors to search students after reports of a gun being seen on campus. Clayton schools spokesman Charles White said officers escorted students from their classes to buses and to the parking lot as school dismissed. White...

Clinton Backs Baker For Governor In Fundraiser

mstiers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:10:27 -0500

Attorney General Thurbert Baker is getting some high profile help for his bid to become Georgia’s first black governor. Former President Bill Clinton will headline a New York fundraiser for Baker in December. Baker praised Clinton for building a strong economy saying he would do the same in...