Legislators propose bills to address Okefenokee mining controversy

Don’t get your hopes up, but a couple of bills have surfaced in the Legislature addressing the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (insert oxymoron here) giving approval for Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals to mine a 584-acre tract of Trail Ridge on the eastern flank of our Okefenokee...

The way to ensure actual justice is to curb the abuses

In lawsuits and legislative debates alike, both sides get their say. And the plaintiff’s bar, now playing defense thanks to Gov. Brian Kemp’s push to rein in abusive lawsuits, is certainly making its case against reform.

Hatchett: Week Seven under the Gold Dome

Crossover Day — the deadline for bills to pass out of their original chamber and stay in consideration for this session — is quickly approaching, with committee hearings and legislative debates in full swing. This week, we passed HB 67, the Senate’s version of the 2025 amended fiscal year budget.

A ‘thank you’ to a community who supports our paper

The Clayton Tribune received hundreds of votes in its annual “Best of Rabun County Readers’ Choice Awards” in dozens of categories. Voting was tight, but the community was passionate about their choices.

Joining those who are saying goodbye to DEI

Uh. Oh. This column as you read it may never be the same again. I’m not talking about finally figuring out where commas go. That will never change. No, I am talking about my Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. I am afraid I am going to have to dismantle that sucker.

Answering how a bill would affect premiums is difficult

Gov. Brian Kemp’s push to curb abusive lawsuits cleared a significant hurdle this past week. The state Senate approved a comprehensive reform bill on a mostly party-line vote (one Republican voted against it, and one Democrat for it).

Hatchett: Week Six under the Gold Dome

With Legislative Day 20 behind us, we have officially reached the halfway mark of the 2025 Legislative Session. One of our primary legislative priorities this session has been hurricane relief.

It’s The Law: Is their debt, your debt?

When a celebrity dies, most of us mourn the loss of a star, or athlete, who has given us so much pleasure and excitement during their lifetime.  It is only later, that it is reported that at their death, many of them had debts that were never fully paid back.

County, municipalities, BOE, decide on HB 581

Community members showed up to public hearings and forums to share their opinions about whether the Board of Education, county and certain municipalities should stay in or opt-out of HB 581.

Georgia congressman’s name game a bit lame

Georgia’s 1st Dist. Rep. Buddy Carter is a pharmacist. I can’t be sure, but I’m guessing he may have had a sip or two of Robitussin AC while back home. Why else would he have introduced a bill last week in the U.S. House of Representatives to rename Greenland, “Red, White and Blueland?