(GEORGIA NEWS NETWORK)
*Holiday spending in Georgia was up this year. According to MasterCard SpendingPulse data, retail holiday sales jumped 3.8 percent compared to 2023. That blew past expectations. Jewelry sales saw the biggest increase at four percent. Online shopping also saw a huge increase, climbing nearly seven percent over 2023.
*Gwinnett County’s school board is considering a policy change that would prevent people who do not attend board meetings from watching public comments online. The Gwinnett Daily Post reports district officials are suggesting stopping recording public comments, which would result in those comments not being included in online or TV broadcasts of board meetings. In defending the proposed change, outgoing board vice chairwoman Karen Watkins said there are parents who are concerned about people taking clips of themselves or their children addressing the board and broadcasting that video on social media.
*A few reminders about Georgia’s fireworks law: Fireworks are allowed New Year’s Eve until 1:00 a.m. New Years Day. But some private communities prohibit fireworks, so you probably should review your neighborhood’s rules. You also must be over the age of 18 to buy, possess, or ignite fireworks. It’s also illegal to set off fireworks within 100 yards of an electric plant, water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, gas station, refinery, electric substation, jail, prison, hospital, or other health care facility.