News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Bárbara Rivera Holmes sworn in as first Latina to lead Georgia Department of Labor

Published

2 months ago

April 4, 2025

georgiarecorder.com – Stanley Dunlap – 2025-04-04 18:21:00

by Stanley Dunlap, Georgia Recorder
April 4, 2025

Former Albany Herald business reporter Bárbara Rivera Holmes became the first Hispanic woman to hold a statewide executive office position when she was sworn in Friday as state labor commissioner.

During Friday’s swearing-in ceremony, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp trumpeted Holmes’ groundbreaking accomplishment becoming Georgia’s first Hispanic woman to become a constitutional officer. The former news reporter resigned as president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce after being selected by Kemp to fill the remaining term of former Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson, who died in November following an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Like I said last month when we announced the appointment of Bárbara Rivera Holmes to this position, I said that she was smart, accomplished and dedicated to growing opportunities for hard working Georgians,” Kemp said. “She also brings unique experience in economic development, especially in rural parts of our state, and education at the highest levels in our state will benefit all those who are looking for work.”

Holmes will begin leading the Georgia Department of Labor amid rising fears of a recession as President Donald Trump’s administration levies historic tariffs that critics argue could raise the price of U.S. goods while disrupting the global economy.

Her predecessor, Thompson, spent a decade in the Senate prior to becoming labor commissioner in 2023, taking over a state agency that had struggled to process a surge of unemployment claims since the start of the pandemic.

Late Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson honored by state senators for his service

On Friday, Holmes credited her family’s sacrifices that included her grandparents in 1961 seeking political refuge from Cuba in America as the driving force in her becoming the state’s 11th labor commissioner.

Holmes said Friday that she plans to run for a four-year term as labor commissioner when her current term ends in the 2026 election year.

“The Department of Labor is vital to our state’s economy for supporting workforce development, job attainment, safe working conditions and the prosperity of our communities,” she said.

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor John McCosh for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

The post Bárbara Rivera Holmes sworn in as first Latina to lead Georgia Department of Labor appeared first on georgiarecorder.com

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Morning Forecast for Monday, June 16th

Published

10 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – 11Alive – 2025-06-16 03:58:47

SUMMARY: Monday, June 16th, will be hot and muggy with temperatures mostly in the 70s to low 90s. Expect a mix of sun and clouds in the morning with isolated afternoon thunderstorms developing after 1 PM. Some areas will experience showers, but many will remain dry. Outdoor activities may be impacted by saturated grounds and rain. The humid weather continues all week due to persistent Gulf moisture, with scattered storms likely daily. Rain chances range from 30-40% early in the week, dropping to about 20% by Friday. Cooler, drier air is expected late in the week but moisture returns over the weekend.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms
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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Man missing in Lake Lanier after jumping in to swim

Published

20 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Staff Editor

www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-06-15 18:07:25

SUMMARY: Ramon Diaz Soria went missing in Lake Lanier after jumping from a boat during a birthday party around 7 p.m. despite wearing a life vest, as he couldn’t swim. Rescue crews, including Forsyth County Sheriff’s and Georgia DNR teams, searched through the night and resumed efforts today, but rough conditions halted sonar use. Ramon’s family, devastated, describes him as their light and father figure who cared for them and the community. They found a life vest floating but no sign of Ramon. The family pleads for prayers and community help in continuing the search if he isn’t found by tonight.

The family says he was boating with friends when he jumped in to swim. Family members told FOX 5 the man was wearing a lifejacket.

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News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Meet the new CEO of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia

Published

1 day ago

June 15, 2025

Staff Editor

www.wsav.com – Kris Hummer – 2025-06-15 10:18:00

SUMMARY: Krystal Crawford, new CEO of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, oversees troops in 125 counties across three states. She champions a bold vision emphasizing leadership, legacy, and authenticity for girls. Crawford draws parallels between sports and Girl Scouts, citing shared values like teamwork and respect. She encourages troops nationwide to visit Savannah, the birthplace of Girl Scouts, to experience its inspiring history. Crawford highlights the Girl Scout cookie program as the top youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy initiative in the U.S., teaching essential business skills. Her favorite cookie? Thin Mints—but she insists there’s no such thing as a bad one.

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The post Meet the new CEO of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia appeared first on www.wsav.com