🌱 New Georgia Laws + UGA Headed To Natty + Revamping School Funding

Hello 2023! I'm back hosting the 'Daily' issue for Loganville-Grayson! Here's a quick look at the local news in our area to get your day started. In today's issue, you'll learn about...

• Some new Georgia laws that took effect Jan. 1 might benefit you during tax time.
• The University of Georgia Bulldogs are headed to their second straight National Championship with a win against Ohio State in the final seconds of 2022!
• The General Assembly will address and work to improve the outdated system for deciding on state funding to Georgia schools.

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But first, today's weather:

We'll start the day cloudy, but with a high of 68 and a low of 61, the temperatures throughout the day will be pretty mild. Thunderstorms will start rolling in during the early afternoon, so be prepared for rough weather.

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Here are the top stories in Loganville-Grayson today:

1. A few additional laws that took effect on Jan.1st due to a delay in the General Assembly may benefit you this year. Several new tax credits are included in the new laws, including House Bill 424 providing a credit to taxpayers who contribute to nonprofits supporting children about to age out of the foster system, Senate Bill 361 that will give taxpayers a credit for contributions toward local public safety initiatives, and Senate Bill 87, the Jack Hill Verteran's Act, which will provide tax credits for donations to scholarship funds for service-disabled veterans through the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation. Additional laws that are now in effect as of Jan.1 and moving forward, insurance companies will now be required to report how they are providing health coverage for mental health in children, adolescents, and adults. House Bill 1013 is a state effort to make sure insurance companies are covering mental health care the same way they are covering physical health care. The state Insurance Department must also track complaints about unfair denials. Senate Bill 226 requires that school districts are now required to take complaints regarding materials that parents deem potentially harmful to their children, including books, websites, and other materials. The district must investigate complaints and post the name of the materials on its website for a year. (Gwinnett Daily Post) and The Atlanta Voice)
2. Another example of neighbors looking out for one another in a Gwinnett County neighborhood. On New Year's eve afternoon, neighbors were driving by a home on Lakeway Drive in Dacula and noticed the second story "engulfed in flames." A woman called 911 while her boyfriend jumped out of the car and ran into the home to help the woman and her dog get out safely. The woman was the only one home and had just noticed smoke coming from her living room as the man came in to lend a helping hand. After arriving to the active fire, fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze, and no one required any medical attention. (11Alive.com WXIA)
3. The next General Assembly will most likely see Georgia lawmakers working toward a resolution to the problems in the state's 37-year old formula to determine the state's school funding. Currently, Georgia is only 1 of 6 states that does not allocate additional funds to help schools address poverty. The state also currently ranks 38th on per pupil spending, according to the Education Law Center, and received a D grade for funding. The Quality Basic Education Act was passed in 1985, long before digital devices became a staple in education and mental health issues became a focus, and lawmakers are in agreement that there needs to be an overhaul on how spending is calculated. (Newsbreak)
4. No. 1 UGA wins a nail biter over in a 42-41 thriller over the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes! In just 5 plays, Stetson Bennet IV took the Dawgs 72 yards down the field with 54 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter for the game winning score, and the defense made some great stops to bring the final outcome down to a field goal. The kick was wide left leaving the Dawgs on top and advancing to their second consecutive National Championship game. The Bulldogs will play TCU on Jan.9th in California for the National Title. (Gwinnett Daily Post)

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Today in Loganville-Grayson:

• Reminder that it's Freddy's Family Night at their Loganville and Snellville locations! Lots of fun activities, raffles, and free kids meals when adults purchase a combo. (5:00pm-8:00pm)
• Philanthropy Grill & Ale House is hosting Music Bingo tonight! (6:00pm-8:00pm)
• Loganville Red Devil Basketball starts 2023 off with Region games against Clarke Central tonight at LHS in the Inferno. (Varsity Girls 6:00pm, Varsity Boys 7:30pm)

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From my notebook:

• Our community is expected to experience Level 1 Severe Weather risks this afternoon. Potentially strong, gusty winds and localized flooding with a risk of tornadoes is to be expected, so be cautious on the roads and prepare for emergency weather situations. If you are travelling to other parts of the state, our neighbors in the western part of the state will be in a Level 2 Severe Weather Alert, meaning strong and potentially severe storms are expected. (Newsbreak)
• Congratulations to Grayson High School athletes for their recent accomplishments. The 2022 Gwinnett All-County Football Team was recently announced. LB Jalen Smith and OL Waltclaire Flynn Jr. made the team. Smith had 154 tackles with 17 TFL's and 7 sacks, while Flynn Jr. rated an 88% blocking rate with 65 knockdown blocks. The Grayson Girls Basketball Team won the St. Pius Christmas Classic last week with a convincing win over Archbishop Chapelle (La.) 58-22. They are now 10-4 on the season. (Gwinnett Daily Post)
• The Loganville Community Wide Prayer Service will be held on Jan. 4th from 11:30am to 12:30pm, at the First Baptist Church of Loganville, 680 Tom Brewer Road. Pastors and believers throughout the community will be in attendance and everyone is welcome to attend. (Monroe Local)
• A local New Year's Eve celebration turned dangerous and the Walton County Fire Rescue and Loganville Fire Department responded to a 911 call for a fire in a detached garage off of Forest Ridge Drive in Loganville. At the time, there were fireworks going off in the garage. The small fire had spread to a second story fitness room, but it was contained to the garage. Luckily, no one was injured or displaced by the fire. (Monroe Local)
• Late at night on New Year's Day, a single motorcycle accident was reported on Hwy 78 near Troy Smith and Rowe Road. The driver failed to maintain the lane and drove into the median laying his bike down and crashing. Georgia State Patrol TFC 2, J.Jeffrey, said that the driver was not wearing a helmet. Walton County Fire Rescue attempted to air lift the driver, however, weather conditions prevented the air ambulance from flying. The driver was taken to Piedmont Walton and then to Grady Memorial in critical condition. The name of the driver and condition have not been released at the time of this report. (Monroe Local)

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That's a wrap for today! Don't forget to share the Daily with your friends so they can stay up to date on local news and events with you. I'll be back in the morning with more to share. Be safe and make it a great day!