(GEORGIA NEWS NETWORK)
*The director for Georgia Emergency Management Agency is being tapped to serve a role in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump appointed Chris Stallings this week to be assistant administrator for disaster recovery and resilience at the Small Business Administration. Stallings was named to the GEMA director position by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2020.
*The Justice Department (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Houston County alleging that the at-large method of electing members to the Board of Commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act. The suit claims that the current system gives Black citizens less opportunity to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice. The DOJ is seeking a court-ordered change to the county’s election method, such as implementing single-member districts to ensure equal representation for Black voters. 41NBC reports Houston County officials have stated that the lawsuit does not contain allegations of intentional racial discrimination and are committed to reviewing the allegations and evidence thoroughly.
*Health officials in Georgia say emergency rooms are filling up as the seasonal flu and COVID-19 cases surge in the state. Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is also surging. But they say there is still time to get vaccinated. They recommend everyone over the age of six months to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. Seniors should also get vaccinated. Cases of flu and COVID-19 are also expected to peak soon, then decline until the spring.