Georgia Today: Soldiers promoted posthumously; UPS layoffs; Sports betting update

President Biden speaks to families of soldiers killed in Jordan, UPS plans job cuts, Georgia considers legalizing sports betting.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. I'm your host, Peter Biello, and today we have a lot of important stories to cover. First, we'll discuss the tragic deaths of three soldiers from Georgia who were killed in an attack in Jordan. We'll also talk about UPS's plans to cut 12,000 jobs and the possibility of legalizing sports betting in Georgia. Additionally, we'll cover the arrest of a Georgia resident in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the passing of a prominent Georgia House member, and the approval of a bill to legalize sports betting in the state. We'll also discuss a cyber attack in Atlanta's Fulton County, a record-breaking year for the Georgia Ports Authority, and the opening of Atlanta's first rapid housing community. Finally, we'll explore the unfinished work of celebrated author Flannery O'Connor in the latest episode of the Narrative Edge podcast.

Let's start with the tragic news of the three soldiers from Georgia who were killed in an attack in Jordan. President Joe Biden has spoken to the family members of the soldiers and expressed the nation's pride in their service and sorrow for their loss. The soldiers, Sgt. William Rivers, specialists Kennedy Sanders, and Breonna Moffett, all served in a company of army engineers based out of Georgia's Fort Moore. Sanders and Moffett have been posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant as a small token of gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Tributes are pouring in for the soldiers, with Mayor Van Johnson honoring Sgt. Breonna Moffett as a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In other news, Atlanta-based UPS has announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, a cost-cutting measure that the company says will save about $1 billion. The company's fourth-quarter revenue slid more than 7% to just under $25 billion. Additionally, authorities have arrested another Georgia resident in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The individual, Silas Hamilton, was arrested on four misdemeanor charges, including entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

We also have the sad news of the passing of a prominent Georgia House member, Richard Smith, who served as the chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee. Lawmakers paid emotional tribute to Smith in the House chamber, remembering him as a strong leader and a friend. Additionally, a panel of state senators has overwhelmingly approved a bill to legalize sports betting in Georgia, with proponents citing the potential economic benefits for education. However, spokesmen for several faith-based organizations have warned of the potential socioeconomic consequences of legalized gambling.

Moving on to other news, Atlanta's Fulton County is investigating a cyber attack that has shut down some county services, including public libraries, property tax transactions, and government phones. The global annual cost of cybercrime is predicted to reach nearly $10 trillion this year, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. However, there is some positive news from the Georgia Ports Authority, which has reported a record-breaking year for automobile handling at the Port of Brunswick, with more than 775,000 autos and heavy machinery units moved through the port in 2023.

On a more uplifting note, tenants will begin moving into Atlanta's first rapid housing community, The Melody, this week. The project, which includes 40 micro-units made from converted shipping containers, is part of the city's efforts to combat homelessness. The first 22 residents will begin moving in on Feb. 1.

Finally, we have an exciting update on the unfinished work of celebrated author Flannery O'Connor. After 40 years of being deemed unpublishable, the unfinished third novel titled Why Do the Heathen Rage? is now being explored by award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson. The latest episode of the Narrative Edge podcast delves into this behind-the-scenes look at O'Connor's unfinished work, providing a glimpse into what the author might have planned to publish.

That's all for this edition of Georgia Today. For more information on any of these stories, visit our website at GPB.org/news. And don't forget to hit subscribe on this podcast if you haven't already. We'll be back in your podcast feed tomorrow with more news and updates. If you have any feedback for us, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you tomorrow.

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