(GA. NEWS NETWORK)
*First, it was Gainesville. Now it’s Augusta. That east Georgia city commissioners are considering downtown paid parking. Again. The first time it didn’t fly. The city is having a parking management company develop a plan for paid parking downtown. No word on when Augusta will make a decision. Paid downtown parking was implemented in Gainesville in May.
*Venezuelans in Gwinnett County are gathering supplies for earthquake victims in their home country. Dozens of volunteers showed up to help Saturday at a warehouse in Lawrenceville. Bags and boxes of water, non-perishable food, clothing, and medicine are stacked are ready for shipment Monday. Venezuela reports at least 1,500 people dead and over 3,200 hurt after two earthquakes late last week.
*Georgia’s data centers are in high demand, with a vacancy rate of just one percent in the Atlanta area. The AJC says a new report shows most data centers are full or leased before opening. According to the Global Data Trend of 2026, the first quarter of the year saw a 33% surge in data centers across North American driven by AI Deman.
*State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper is urging Georgia residents to be on the lookout for Yellow-legged Hornet (YLH) nests as state officials continue efforts to control the spread of this invasive species. Watch for activity around beehives, particularly during the morning hours and after 5:00 p.m. Also, look for large, round or oval-shaped secondary nests high in trees or other elevated locations. There’s more of what you should look for and do if you spot a nest here: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper Calls on Public to Report Yellow-Legged Hornet Secondary Nests | Georgia Department of Agriculture