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Two environmental and consumer advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday accusing the state of violating Georgia’s Constitution by unilaterally postponing elections to the state Public Service Commission (PSC).

The suit, filed by Georgia WAND and Georgia Conservation Voters, follows last month’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear an appeal of a lawsuit brought in 2022 challenging the way PSC members are elected.

In the previous case, four Black Fulton County residents argued that electing members of the PSC statewide rather than by district dilutes Black voting strength in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act, making it more difficult for Black voters to elect a candidate of their choice.

A lower federal court agreed and ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, but the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals overturned that decision. The Supreme Court’s decision not to take up the case means statewide PSC elections that had been delayed while the lawsuit was pending now may go forward.

Under the timetable the Republican-controlled General Assembly approved in March, elections for PSC districts 2 and 3 – now held by Commissioner Tim Echols and Commissioner Fitz Johnson, respectively – will take place next year. The election for District 5 will be held in 2026, and elections for PSC districts 1 and 4 will take place in 2028.

The new lawsuit filed Wednesday argues that postponing PSC elections in 2022 and again this year allowed the sitting commission members to approve the largest utility rate increases in Georgia history, putting an additional burden on ratepayers that might have been avoided had elections been held in a timely manner.

Giving multiple sitting commissioners an extra two years in office is illegal because Georgia’s Constitution requires PSC terms run for six years and cannot be lengthened without a constitutional amendment.

“The illegal postponement of PSC elections in Georgia is an attack on our constitutional right to vote and the state’s constitutional mandate to hold statewide elections within the time frame governed by the law,” said Kimberly Scott, executive director of Georgia WAND.

During the legislative debate over setting a new timetable for PSC elections, Republican leaders argued the General Assembly was being forced to delay the elections when the 2022 lawsuit dragged on without a ruling.

Capitol Beat is a nonprofit news service operated by the Georgia Press Educational Foundation that provides coverage of state government to newspapers throughout Georgia. For more information visit capitol-beat.org.

The Wells Fargo Foundation is kicking off a nationwide effort to build and repair homes across the U.S. in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International. This year, the company is providing more than $6.3 million in grant funding through the 2024 Wells Fargo Builds program to support new home construction, renovation and repair of more than 280 affordable homes in 175 communities across the U.S. 

“At Wells Fargo, we believe access to a quality, affordable place to call home is something everyone should have,” said Stacy Spann, head of Housing Access & Affordability Philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We’re proud of our long-standing collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to help more families access affordable homeownership, providing family stability and an opportunity to build generational wealth.”

In 2023, housing in the United States became even less affordable for the average American due to sky-rocketing mortgage rates, fluctuating inflation, and incomes barely keeping pace. In California, nearly 38% of households are cost-burdened, with 1 in 5 households being severely burdened. As part of the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley received a $30,000 grant to support its Esperanza Place development in Walnut Creek, California. Along with the funding, more than 65 Wells Fargo volunteers contributed 500-plus hours to this project as well as others.

The 42-home neighborhood will provide community amenities for residents including a green space and lighted pedestrian paths as well as a short walk to the Contra Costa Centre Bay Area Rapid Transit station, connecting residents with reliable transportation to commute to work or school. For Yulisa, who will be moving into her home in Esperanza Place by the end of the year, homeownership will be transformative for her family. Not only will they no longer have to worry about rising rent prices, homeownership will also provide stability for Yulisa’s autistic son and help him develop independence as he grows into adulthood.

“At Habitat for Humanity, we know the power that a safe and affordable home has on a family,” said Charlita Stephens-Walker, vice president, cause marketing and corporate partnerships at Habitat for Humanity International. “Through the Wells Fargo Builds program, Habitat and Wells Fargo are working together to make a difference for families through affordable homeownership. We are grateful to have the invaluable support of Wells Fargo for another year.”

For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity International and Wells Fargo have worked together to increase access to affordable homes and homeownership. Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation have donated more than $136 million to Habitat for Humanity International and local affiliates since 2010, including support for new home construction and repairs, helping older adults age in place in their homes, and neighborhood revitalization and disaster response efforts. Wells Fargo has also supported other Habitat efforts including its Cost of Home national advocacy campaign and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.  

Tindall Corporation, a leading provider of precast, prestressed concrete solutions, is proud to announce the promotion of Cheryl Lang to the position of President & CEO of the company effective July 1 st.

Lang joined Tindall in 1990 as a Controller until 2006, when she was named Vice President and CFO. She was promoted again in 2022 to the role of Senior Vice President of Administration, where she was responsible for accounting and finance, human resources, safety, trucking, information technology, and marketing. In 2023 Lang became acting President, along with her newly appointed CEO title, Lang will continue to assume the duties of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business.

“After more than thirty years of dedicated service, Cheryl brings a wealth of experience, business knowledge and solid leadership skills to this role.” said Greg Force, previous CEO of Tindall Corporation. “I am confident she and her team will do an excellent job proving Tindall to be the company with whom our customers and our employees will want to invest their futures.”

In addition to her professional career, Lang is also active in several organizations in the Upstate community and industry-specific memberships, including Women Giving for Spartanburg, First Presbyterian Church, the South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA) and the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI). Lang graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in business and earned a master’s degree in business administration from Clemson University.

To learn more about Tindall Corporation, visit https://tindallcorp.com/.

• Among the 150 cities analyzed, apartments in Atlanta are renters’ second most saved searched listings — an important step before signing a lease. 

• High demand, fewer options: Available apartments increased by a mere 1% compared to the same six-month period in 2023, offering renters the same limited options as they faced one year ago.

High home prices and limited housing options are making renting the preferred choice for many aspiring homeowners. So, because the rental season is getting hotter and apartment hunters are on the prowl, we did a mid-year check-in to see which cities had received the most attention from renters in the first half of 2024.

Minneapolis reigns supreme as the most in-demand city in the last six months, after attracting the highest online engagement on RentCafe.com and claiming the top spot for five out of six months.

Hot on its heels is Overland Park, KS, followed by Atlanta — both consistently making appearances on the podium between January and June. Notably, Overland Park briefly edged out Minneapolis for the top spot in April, while Atlanta emerged as the top market to watch in 2024 after attracting the highest number of online engagements on RentCafe.com in 2023.

At the same time, the West leads as the most popular region for renters seeking options that match their needs and lifestyles. Specifically, the West boasts 10 entries in the top 30 most-coveted cities for renters. Namely, cities like Tacoma, WA (#7); North Las Vegas, NV (#14); Sacramento, CA (#16); Peoria, AZ (#19); and Denver (#26) have maintained their increased renter appeal throughout the first half of the year.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia’s June unemployment rate was 3.3, up one-tenth from a revised 3.2 percent in May. The unemployment rate was eight-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate. 

“School’s out, and Georgia is thriving like never before,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Our students infuse our workforce with new talent and energy each summer. While this may temporarily increase seasonal unemployment, the fresh skills and enthusiasm these young workers bring to the local economy are key to cultivating an economy that’s built to last.” 

Jobs were up by 8,900 (0.2%) over the month and up by 64,200 (1.3%) over the year to 4,979,800, an all-time high.

The sectors with the most over-the-month job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 3,200; Transportation and Warehousing, 3,000; State Government, 1,800; Wholesale Trade, 1,400; and Retail Trade, 1,400.

Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -1,700; Local Government, -1,300; and Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing, -1,000. 

Jobs were at an all-time high in Private Education and Health Services, 685,200, and Leisure and Hospitality, 528,100.

The sectors with the most over-the-year job gains included Health Care and Social Assistance, 23,400; Accommodation and Food Services, 13,900; Local Government, 13,300; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, 9,000; and Durable Goods Manufacturing, 6,000. 

Jobs were down in Administrative and Support Services, -14,700; Information, which includes Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries, -9,500; and Transportation and Warehousing, -8,000.

The labor force was up by 15,502 to 5,391,294, an all-time high, and has increased by almost 48,000 over the past three months. The labor force was up by 81,242 over the past 12 months. The labor force participation rate was up from 61.6 percent to 61.7 percent.

The number of employed was up by 8,493 to 5,214,373, an all-time high, and was up by 74,279 over the past 12 months. The employment-to-population ratio held at 59.7 percent.

The number of unemployed increased by 7,009 to 176,291 and was up by 6,963 over the past 12 months. 

Initial claims were up by 1,833 (9%) over the month to 21,867 in June.  Initial claims were down by 1,610 (-7%) over the year.

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BrandsMart USA, a leading retailer in appliances, electronics, furniture, housewares, and more, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest store located at 840 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw, GA 30144, conveniently located at Cobb Place Shopping Center.

The grand opening event promises to be a celebration of technology, innovation, and unbeatable deals. With its commitment to offering the latest products at the lowest prices, BrandsMart USA aims to become the go-to destination for consumers in Kennesaw and the surrounding areas.

“We are thrilled to bring BrandsMart USA to the vibrant community of Kennesaw,” said Steve Olsen, President at BrandsMart USA. “Our new store will provide customers with an unparalleled shopping experience, featuring a wide selection of top-quality products, knowledgeable staff, and exceptional customer service.”

The Kennesaw store will showcase BrandsMart USA’s extensive range of products, including:

Appliances: Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen or laundry room, BrandsMart USA has everything you need, from refrigerators and ovens to washers and dryers.

Electronics: From big screen TVs to cutting-edge smartphones and laptops, to state-of-the-art home audio systems, BrandsMart USA offers the latest technology from leading brands.

Furniture: Transform your living space with stylish and comfortable furniture options, including sofas, recliners, dining sets, and more.

Back-To-School: The store is opening just in time for parents to save on a huge selection of name brand laptops, tablets, electronics and accessories for the new school year.

To celebrate the grand opening, BrandsMart USA will be offering exclusive deals and promotions on a wide range of products. Customers can expect to find incredible discounts, special financing options, and exciting giveaways throughout the opening weekend. BrandsMart USA also has easy in-store and delivery options, and even delivers on Saturdays.

Sharon Mason, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said, “The Cobb Chamber is thrilled to support BrandsMart U.S.A. with the opening of their newest location in Kennesaw at Cobb Place Shopping Center. BrandsMart U.S.A.’s incredible selection of products, sleek and modern new store design, and strong civic partnerships will be a great addition to our community and local economy.”

The grand opening festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:40AM on Saturday, July 20^th. Customers can enjoy refreshments and a fun interactive shopping experience. Upon entry, the first 150 guests will receive a $50 BrandsMart USA gift card to use at their convenience. In addition, a free gift with purchase will be available while supplies last.

“We invite the community to join us in celebrating this milestone event,” added Store Manager Chris Rullier. “Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, home chef, furniture aficionado, or just looking for a great deal there’s something for everyone at BrandsMart USA.”

This marks BrandsMart USA’s second new store opening in Georgia within a year, following the launch of a location in Augusta in October 2023. The team is enthusiastic about the opportunities for further growth ahead.

For more information about the grand opening event and ongoing promotions, visit www.brandsmartusa.com or follow BrandsMart USA on social media.