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Yesterday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger made a formal request to the newly appointed Attorney General, The Honorable Pam Bondi, urging the Department of Justice to withdraw its lawsuit, U.S. v. Georgia. This litigation was filed by the Biden Administration contesting provisions of Senate Bill 202 (SB 202), a commonsense election reform measure that has strengthened election integrity and voter accessibility since implementation.

In his request, Secretary Raffensperger also urged the Department of Justice to consider filing statements of interest in support of Georgia’s election administration practices in related legal cases. Since SB 202 took effect, Georgia has seen measurable improvements, including reduced wait times at polling places, enhanced absentee ballot processes, and increased voter confidence across all demographics in the security and reliability of elections.

“The Biden Administration and Stacey Abrams created a false narrative regarding Georgia’s elections,” said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. “The DOJ should never be leveraged for political purposes, and I hope Attorney General Bondi will join us in ending this frivolous lawsuit against the state of Georgia, and release documents exposing the coordination between the Biden DOJ and the liberal left.” 

Opponents of SB 202 previously called for economic boycotts against Georgia, most notably the relocation of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game following advocacy efforts led by Stacey Abrams. Despite these efforts, Georgia’s voting laws remain unchanged, and the 2025 MLB All-Star Game is set to return to Atlanta.

Recent data underscores the effectiveness of Georgia’s election reforms. A 2022 University of Georgia poll found that 99% of voters reported no issues casting their ballots, and a follow-up poll in 2024 reflected a similarly high satisfaction rate, with 98% of voters experiencing no problems at the polls.

 

 Shiplify, the primary accessorial revenue identifier for carriers, shippers and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, today announced the launch of its self-service product, tailored specifically for shippers looking to optimize their Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) processes independently. This solution provides shippers with access to the same detailed location data used by over 90% of LTL carriers, delivering unparalleled insights to streamline operations, eliminate surprises, and boost profitability.

Shiplify’s self-service plans cater to shippers of varying sizes and scales, with pricing starting at just $99/month for the Basic plan (up to 500 location lookups per month) and going up to $249/month for the Premium plan (up to 1,500 location lookups per month). Enterprise plans are available for parties that need access to more than 1,500 location lookups per month. All plans include a 14-day free trial, making it easier than ever to see the potential cost savings and operational improvements in action.

“With our self-service solution, shippers can finally simplify LTL processes and improve their relationships with carriers,” said North Winship, President of Shiplify. “By allowing all parties to work with the same data, we’re creating a more transparent and efficient logistics environment.”

Shiplify’s self-service solution simplifies LTL shipping with advanced features like exclusive location data for dock and forklift identification, location types, and lumper details, helping shippers streamline operations and avoid delays. Users can quickly access detailed data for single destinations or process batches to gather accessorial insights at scale. With shipment and quote APIs, Shiplify enables highly accurate freight quotes aligned with carrier tariffs, reducing discrepancies and improving invoice accuracy. Powered by AI and billions of geospatial data points, the platform boasts a 99.5% data accuracy score, providing shippers with the tools to optimize processes confidently.

“We created this tool to empower shippers by providing the visibility and insights they need at the time of order,” added Winship. “Shippers leveraging our self-service function are going to avoid costly add-ons and retain their margins. There will be no surprise charges—just accurate, actionable data.”

Shiplify’s self-service solution is tailored to provide benefits to shippers across various industries, especially those running several LTL shipments a week. By identifying accessorial fees upfront, the platform helps shippers avoid frustrating charges and discrepancies between quotes and invoices, ensuring their bottom line remains protected.

Additionally, Shiplify streamlines delivery operations by offering critical insights into location-specific details such as dock access and forklift availability, enabling smoother delivery processes. It also combats margin erosion by preventing hidden costs from unknown accessorials, while improving freight audit accuracy to safeguard profits.

“We know how critical data is to a functional shipping operation,” concluded Winship. “Our self-service product ensures that data is no longer a burden—it becomes a competitive edge. This launch represents an important step in simplifying LTL for shippers and ensuring they have all the tools needed to thrive.”

For more information about Shiplify’s new self-service product, please visit shiplify.com/shippers. To start a 14 day free trial, follow the link here.

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MindTrip.ai Personalized Travel Planning It’s 2025, and we’re anticipating a good year for travel, perhaps in new, novel ways, and where USA travel might be featured. American travelers benefiting from a strong US dollar will enjoy an expanded range of affordable itineraries across the globe. And they’ll be greeted with a vast amount of information…

Georgia invites travelers to discover an exciting array of new experiences coming to the Peach State in 2025, from luxury hotel stays and theme park attractions to cultural offerings and milestone celebrations. Here is a preview of the most anticipated openings and experiences set to debut across Georgia this year.

New and Improved Attractions

Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta – 20th Anniversary Year, New Exhibit Opens May 2025
Georgia Aquarium – the largest aquarium in the U.S. – celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025 with an exciting lineup of experiences, including an all-new bioluminescence exhibit that showcases the mesmerizing glow of marine life like corals and jellies, tying into a summer event that will transform the aquarium into an immersive glowing wonderland for all ages.

Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell – Georgia Gold Rusher Debuts Spring 2025
The Georgia Gold Rusher is the first-of-its-kind, free-spinning gondola ride that offers high-speed, high-elevation thrills with twists, turns, and exciting water features. Inspired by Georgia’s 1885 gold rush, the coaster will introduce thrill seekers to William “Willy” Gibson and his hydraulic mining machine through immersive storytelling.

Wild Adventures Theme Park, Valdosta – Expansion Opens Spring 2025
The Water’s Edge expansion at Wild Adventures will feature three new family-friendly rides, new animal habitats, new dining options, and live entertainment. New rides will include the Horizon Wheel, a reimagined, illuminated Ferris wheel providing panoramic views; the Wing Swinger, a soaring swing ride; and The Boat Parade, a gliding and bouncing speedboat-themed ride. Guests can also enjoy new animal encounters and exhibits, including brilliantly colored macaws and a new reptile house.

National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Atlanta – Expansion, Reopens Fall 2025
A 28,000-square-foot expansion is underway at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which will add three new galleries to the world-class museum and cultural institution: an immersive family gallery for children 12 and younger; a gallery showcasing the history and legacy of the Reconstruction Era; and a traveling exhibitions gallery. Enhancements will also be made to the Center’s permanent civil and human rights exhibits, plus a reimagined gallery to display papers and artifacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville – Expansion, New Exhibits Open Late 2025
The Smithsonian-affiliated Tellus Science Museum is building a 20,000-square-foot addition that will feature two new exhibit spaces. One will house a new permanent exhibit featuring the evolution of technology and smartphones. The second gallery space will host larger, more dynamic traveling exhibitions that will rotate two to three times a year.

Major Events and Milestone Celebrations

ATL Airport, Delta Air Lines Soar into Centennial Years; Delta Flight Museum Turns 30
Global travel giants based in Atlanta are marking major milestones in 2025 as they continue to shape the future of air travel and connect Georgia to the world.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will host a once-in-a-century celebration over the next 18 months, featuring a centennial gala, art installations, and stories that chronicle its journey from an abandoned auto racetrack to the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.

• Delta, Atlanta’s hometown airline, kicked off its centennial year by unveiling groundbreaking innovations to enhance the travel experience. As part of ATL’s Concourse D renovation, a new 23,000-square-foot Delta Sky Club will open this spring, marking the first new Club at Delta’s ATL home base since 2016 and the second-largest at the airport.

• Delta Flight Museum, housed in two historic 1940s hangars on the ATL campus, celebrates its 30th anniversary this spring with new exhibits and experiences for visitors to explore Delta’s 100-year legacy and growth from a small crop-dusting operation to a global airline.

Georgia Welcomes Soccer Fans for FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host six matches for the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, including a quarterfinal, marking the largest stand-alone global club football event ever staged. Matches in Atlanta start June 16 and conclude with a quarterfinal on July 5. The tournament will commence the one-year countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026, reinforcing Atlanta’s reputation as a premier soccer destination. It also joins an impressive slate of major sporting events coming to the city over the next several years, including the MLB All-Star Game in 2025, FIFA World Cup in 2026, Super Bowl LXII in 2028, and NCAA Final Four in 2031.

Hotels on the Horizon

Municipal Grand, Savannah – Opens Early 2025
A new cocktail-centric, luxury boutique hotel, Municipal Grand is set to open in the Hostess City of the South in early 2025. Built as a banking headquarters in the 1960s, the mid-century gem is being reimagined into a six-floor hotel featuring 44 guest rooms, a lobby bar and restaurant, rooftop pool, and subterranean bar.

Cypress Resort, Jasper – Phase One Opens Spring 2025
From private dining under the stars to bespoke spa treatments in the heart of the forest, Cypress Resort will offer discerning travelers a transformative escape where nature and luxury intertwine. Opening in four phases starting in Spring 2025 and completion anticipated by 2030, the resort will span 48 acres with 30 luxury villas, a 50-foot private waterfall, a full spa, multiple restaurants, and more amenities.

Hotel Phoenix, Atlanta – Opens Summer 2025
Inspired by the mythical bird that symbolizes Atlanta’s rise from the ashes after its destruction during the Civil War, Hotel Phoenix pays homage to the city’s spirit of renewal and growth. The 292-room hotel will feature a rooftop restaurant with sweeping views, a lobby coffee bar, a full-service all-day restaurant and bar, and a resort-style pool with private cabanas. It will be located within Centennial Yards’ 8-acre entertainment district being developed in downtown Atlanta in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Chambray Hotel, Roswell – Opens Late 2025
An upscale boutique property that pays tribute to Roswell’s milling history, The Chambray Hotel will soon be steps away from bustling Canton Street in the heart of the historic downtown. Located next to the new Southern Post mixed-use development featuring a variety of restaurant and retail offerings, the 125-room hotel will include a Mediterranean restaurant and rooftop sushi bar, among other amenities.

In Case You Missed It

Recent Attraction Openings

Akins Ford Arena, Athens – Opened December 2024
Athens’ thriving music and entertainment scene just amped up a notch with the brand-new Akins Ford Arena, bringing even more concerts, sports tournaments, and events to the city. Just steps from downtown’s lively center, the state-of-the-art venue features interactive displays of the Georgia Music Collections from the University of Georgia Libraries with memorabilia representing more than 200 legendary artists.

Georgia Safari Conservation Park, Madison – Opened June 2024
Georgia Safari Conservation Park is an interactive and conservation-minded wildlife experience, offering guided safari drives, up-close animal encounters, and luxury overnight stays. For the ultimate overnight adventure, guests can stay in unique accommodations ranging from luxury safari tents nestled within a forest canopy overlooking a private savanna to an exclusive suite with panoramic views of the 10,000-square-foot giraffe and rhino barn.

Recent Hotel Openings

Hotel Granada, Atlanta – Opened August 2024
Celebrating over a century of history, Hotel Granada incorporates curated design elements across its 120 guest rooms, public spaces, and dining outlets. Nestled beneath the hotel lies May Peel, a cocktail bar that transcends the ordinary, inviting guests to embark on an evening of hand-crafted drinks and conversation.

All-Movie Hotel, Peachtree City – Opened July 2024
Francis Ford Coppola’s All-Movie Hotel and post-production facilities is conveniently located just a short drive from Trilith Studios. Filmmakers and fans can stay in suites once occupied by stars like Coppola and Adam Driver while discovering unique artifacts and props displayed throughout the hotel.

FORTH Hotel, Atlanta – Opened June 2024
The highly anticipated FORTH is the newest hotel and social club situated along the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail. The 196-room property features a series of food and beverage concepts including a lobby café, upscale Italian steakhouse, poolside restaurant, and 1970s-inspired rooftop cocktail lounge overlooking the Atlanta skyline.

Rivet House, Athens – Opened June 2024
Rivet House blends chic accommodations and bespoke design with the spirit and culture of the Classic City. Brought to life by a local husband-and-wife duo, the 50-room boutique hotel reimagines the historic denim mill with stunning interiors designed by the owners themselves. Guests can indulge in modern Italian cuisine at Osteria Olio and rejuvenating treatments at the holistic spa.

Hotel Bardo, Savannah – Opened February 2024
A new urban resort at the heart of Savannah’s Forsyth Park, Hotel Bardo features 149 luxury guest rooms, coastal Italian restaurant Saint Bibiana, Saltgrass wellness center, a membership-based social club, and curated retail offerings.

Cloudland at McLemore Resort, Rising Fawn – Opened February 2024, New Golf Course Opens Summer 2025
The 245-room Cloudland at McLemore Resort is located on a gorgeous mountaintop setting, complete with award-winning golf courses, a heated infinity pool, and spa amenities – all perched 2,300 feet above sea level on Lookout Mountain. Joining the acclaimed Highlands Course at McLemore this summer, The Keep is an 18-hole, cliffside course featuring awe-inspiring views, giving guests the opportunity to golf above the clouds.

Recent Restaurant News

Georgia’s Culinary Stars Shine in MICHELIN Guide Atlanta, James Beard Award Semifinals
Atlanta’s MICHELIN-starred dining scene is growing, with a total of nine One-Star restaurants as of Fall 2024: Atlas, Bacchanalia, Hayakawa, Lazy Betty, Mujo, O By Brush, Omakase Table, Spring, and Staplehouse.

The 2025 James Beard Awards have selected more than 10 Georgia restaurants and chefs as semifinalists across various categories: Kimball House (Outstanding Restaurant), Casa Balam (Best New Restaurant), Aria (Outstanding Hospitality), Lucian Books and Wine (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program), Marietta Proper (Best New Bar), Kursten Berry of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours (Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service), and Brian So of newly MICHELIN-starred Spring, Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market, Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo, and Fu Li Zhang of LanZhou Ramen (Best Chef: Southeast). Final nominees will be announced April 2, with winners revealed June 16.

This is just a preview of the unforgettable experiences visitors to Georgia can enjoy in 2025. To learn more about recent and upcoming openings across the state, visit ExploreGeorgia.org.

New unemployment claims increased by 5.3% week-over-week on January 27, and were slightly higher compared to the same week last year. To help add some context to this statistic, WalletHub just released updated rankings for the States Where Unemployment Claims Are Increasing the Most. 

Key Stats:

• Every state had unemployment claims last week that were higher than in the previous week except for Florida, New Mexico, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Michigan, Missouri, West Virginia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Idaho, Vermont, Massachusetts, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and Delaware. 

• While there was an increase in weekly claims nationally, 28 states (including Missouri, Arkansas, and Hawaii) had unemployment claims last week that were better than the same week last year. 

Biggest Increase Last Week	Smallest Increase Last Week
1. District of Columbia	42. Arizona
2. Kansas	43. Wyoming
3. New York	44. Vermont
4. Pennsylvania	45. Maryland
5. Louisiana	46. South Dakota
6. California	47. Oklahoma
7. Utah	48. New Hampshire
8. Oregon	49. Nebraska
9. Colorado	50. Montana
10. Wisconsin	51. Delaware

To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/states-unemployment-claims/72730

To read all of JAMES Magazine Online’s daily news, SUBSCRIBE HERE. *Subscription includes a complimentary subscription to JAMES Magazine.

Georgia Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, unveiled a school safety plan Monday that he says puts Georgia students and schools first by providing critical resources and reforms needed to ensure every child has an opportunity to learn in a secure environment. Burns has listed school safety as a priority issue for this session since the mass shooting at Apalachee High School last September when two students and two teachers were killed.

Burns was joined on the staircase in the Capitol by Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, R-Mulberry, Rep. Holt Persinger, R-Winder, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, Barrow County School System Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff and the family of Coach Richard Aspinwall – the coach killed in the shooting as he unveiled his comprehensive school safety plan.

“Last year, our state witnessed an unimaginable tragedy at Apalachee High School when four Georgians were lost at the hands of an individual whose intent was to carry out a despicable act of evil,” said Burns. “The Georgia House is committed to taking strong action to ensure no parent, student or teacher ever has to fear for their safety when they drop their children off at school, go to class or go to work.”

Burns referred to the safety plan as a “comprehensive approach to securing our school buildings, prioritizing the mental health of our children and keeping Georgia’s students safe.”

The plan mandates schools to participate in a statewide student information sharing database, which will be operated by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. According to Burns, the School and Student Safety Database will be used to collect and integrate data to evaluate the behavior of students who could pose a threat to schools, staff or students while maintaining the highest standards of student information privacy.

Other highlights of the plan:

● It ensures local school systems implement a threat management team consisting of school administration, mental health professionals and law enforcement personnel and provides technical assistance for local school systems to develop policies and procedures for their threat management teams.

● It requires schools to utilize an anonymous reporting app where tips can quickly and efficiently be evaluated and provided to law enforcement and the necessary personnel across the state as needed.

● Builds on prior state investments in school safety resources by providing an additional $50 million for one-time school safety grants for every public school across the state and allocating appropriations for the development of the database.

● Creates qualified mental health coordinator positions to allow for an individual to be primarily responsible for coordinating efforts to identify and intervene with students who are at risk of mental health concerns. Students will also be required to receive instruction in violence prevention and suicide awareness.

● Implements mandatory suspension for students who make threats until law enforcement and school personnel determine the student is cleared to return to school. This approach balances the immediate need to secure the safety and security of other students with the need to provide discretion to law enforcement and school systems.

● Provides voluntary tax incentives for the purchase of safe storage equipment including firearm safes and trigger locks as well as for gun safety training and courses. This encourages responsible firearm ownership practices while protecting the Second Amendment rights of Georgia’s citizens.