Atlanta Progressive News

Forty-five colleges, universities, and schools across Georgia have entered into Yellow Ribbon Program agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve financial aid for veterans participating in the post-9/11 GI Bill program, the White House announced Monday. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the new post-9/11 GI Bill that funds tuition expenses that exceed the highest […]

(APN) ATLANTA — Grady Health System officials on Monday, July 13, 2009, set in motion a series of steps that could lead to a change in how Grady delivers dialysis treatment. Officials also announced the merger of two neighborhood health clinics in order to maximize efficiency and save money. DIALYSIS CENTER TARGETED FOR CLOSURE The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation (GMHC) […]

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the release of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for state-run energy rebate program for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. “Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there’s enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month,” Secretary Chu said.  “These rebates will help […]

Cook County Superior Court Judge Dane Perkins agreed Wednesday to release Frank Hatley, 50, from an Adel, Ga. jail after he spent one year locked up for failing to pay back child support for a child who is not his. The Southern Center for Human Rights appeared in Cook County Superior Court early Wednesday to request Hatley’s release. “State child […]

Georgians For Alternatives to the Death Penalty (GFADP) is holding a Speak Out at Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday July 21 to protest the U.S.’ 1,000th scheduled execution by lethal injection. The state of Ohio plans to execute Marvallous Keene on the same day by lethal injection. Should Ohio moved forward with the execution, it would mark the […]

Cobb and Gwinnett Counties are set to receive $18.5 million for transit improvements courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Thursday. Cobb Community Transit (CCT) will use $9.1 million to fund the rehabilitation, renovation, and construction of a maintenance facility to expand the transit system’s multi-use transit facility as well as preventive […]

The Georgia Peace and Justice Coalition will lead a rally today to protest sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Protesters will gather at the corner of Moreland Avenue and Freedom Parkway from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Organizers are encouraging attendees to “bring signs, banners, drums, etc.” Organizers are also encouraging protests at other busy intersections around town.

Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and representatives of the hospital industry jointly announced Wednesday a deal on billions in Medicare and Medicaid payments over the next decade. To help pay for the expected high cost of a major healthcare system overhaul, hospitals across the country agreed to give up $155 billion in Medicare […]

The Center On Budget and Policy Priorities put out a massive report last month that details the fiscal woes states are experiencing as the recession drags on. The report found 48 states addressed or are facing budget shortfalls for the upcoming fiscal year 2010 totaling $166 billion or 24 percent of state budgets. Worse, the data reveals a majority of […]

The North Georgia Labor Council AFL-CIO is set to endorse State Sen. Kasim Reed for Atlanta mayor during a press conference Thursday. From the Labor Council: A candidate screening panel comprised of members from the Atlanta Labor Council interviewed leading candidates and concluded that Sen. Reed is the best qualified candidate to serve the citizens of Atlanta as mayor. The organization […]

A group of 30 black and Jewish students representing Operation Understanding DC will be in Atlanta Wednesday through Friday to discuss race relations as part of a three-week journey to meet with movement leaders and visit places of importance to the African-American and Jewish Communities. The students, 14 African-Americans and 16 Jews, will speak with Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus about the October […]

The top four candidates for Atlanta mayor (State Sen. Kasim Reed, Councilwoman Mary Norwood, City Council President Lisa Borders, and Atlanta attorney Jesse Spikes) filed campaign financial disclosure reports showing how each fared in fundraising for the period ending June 30. Norwood raised $313,526, according to a campaign press release. Borders, who jumped back into the race in April after taking […]

The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is nominating Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran to be the U.S. Fire Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As U.S. Fire Administrator, Cochran would be charged with overseeing, coordinating, and directing national efforts to prevent fires and improve fire response as well as oversee fire prevention and safety education programs and […]

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced Monday the release of $153 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds for state energy programs in seven states, including Georgia.  “This funding will provide an important boost for state economies, help to put Americans back to work, and move us toward energy independence,” Secretary Chu said. “It reflects our commitment to […]

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that it is awarding American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to four southern states, including Georgia, in an effort to reduce diesel emissions, protect the health of citizens and the environment, and create jobs. Georgia is set to receive $748,000 to provide truck stop electrification at three truck stop locations and another $165,000 […]