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Georgia lawmaker says he may push for state verification of farmers’ grass-fed beef claims

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georgiarecorder.com – Leon Stafford – 2025-08-12 03:00:00


Georgia state Rep. Robert Dickey is considering legislation to establish state inspections for grass-fed cattle operations to ensure accurate labeling and protect consumers. With grass-fed beef gaining popularity for its health benefits and farm-to-table appeal, Dickey aims for transparency in terms such as “grass-fed,” “corn-fed,” and “organic.” The effort follows a similar but unsuccessful shrimp labeling bill. Industry reactions are mixed: some producers favor transparency but worry about excessive labels, while others oppose added bureaucracy, citing existing programs like Georgia Grown. The legislation would balance consumer fairness, producer costs, and clear definitions of grass-fed beef.

by Leon Stafford, Georgia Recorder
August 12, 2025

Georgia could soon take on an inspection role in ensuring grass-fed beef lives up to its labeling under a new proposal a key state legislator says he may pursue next year. 

State Rep.  Robert Dickey, who chairs the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, said there needs to be more transparency in how cattle are raised in the grass-fed beef industry to protect consumers from potentially misleading marketing.

“We’ve got a great beef industry and healthy food, and that’s what consumers are looking for,” the Musella Republican said. “We just want to make sure that they are getting what they are paying for. We want to put parameters around what is grass-fed, corn-fed, pasture raised or organic.” 

The discussion comes as grass-fed beef has grown in popularity as health-conscious consumers increasingly seek fresher cuts of meat through farm-to-table programs that promise no preservatives, no hormone injections and no GMOs.

Dickey, who is a peach farmer, unveiled his idea back in April in the waning days of the 2025 legislative  session that saw a similar labeling bill targeting the shrimp industry gain traction in the House before dying in the Senate.

HB 117 mandated that restaurants verify on menus the source of shrimp as a means of transparency for consumers. If approved, its authors – including Reps. Jesse Petrea, Savannah Republican and Al Williams, a Midway Democrat – hoped it would also help the state’s beleaguered shrimp industry, which has struggled in recent years against foreign competitors with cheaper labor costs. 

The House passed the bill 165-7, but the measure failed to retain its momentum in the Senate. 

Dickey said he does not yet have details on the shape of the possible legislation, such as how “grass-fed” would be defined, what farmers would need to prove to qualify for certification or if there are costs associated with the inspections.

At this point, he wants input from consumers, beef producers and the cattle industry on what they would like to see in legislation if he were to make a formal proposal. The state Department of Agriculture could also play an advisory role if he finds the feedback persuades him to move forward.

“We want to make something that is workable for the ranchers and the cattlemen,” he said. “We don’t want to restrict, we want to make sure consumers understand what they are getting.” 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture used to regulate the labeling of grass-fed beef but stepped back from that role in 2016, University of Georgia professor of beef and cattle Lawton Stewart said. Third-party inspectors such as the American Grassfed Association, Food Alliance and A Greener World stepped in to fill the void.

The challenge the industry faces is defining grass-fed beef, Stewart said. Most cattle are raised eating grass but may be switched over to grain to fatten them up before processing. Others that are “grass-finished” can eat grain earlier in their lives but may be switched to an all-grass diet before they are processed.

“It comes down really to what tastes better to you, because grass-fed and grain-fed do taste different,” he said. “It comes down to the fat profile. The grass creates a different fatty acid profile compared to grain. And typically grass-fed is leaner because there are fewer calories in their diet.”

Dickey’s proposal received a mixed reaction from beef producers in the state. 

Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, a leader in the grass-fed beef industry, said he’s all for transparency, but thinks the industry is already overwhelmed with labels. A better option would be to create more uniformity in how grass-fed beef is marketed and to ensure that beef raised in other countries is properly identified for consumers.

“Transparency is more than a label,” said Harris, who added that he invites consumers to see how cattle are raised on his farm in person. “We have an open-door policy.”

Fernando Mendez of Marview Farms in Arabi agreed. He said for the labeling to be effective, the public needs to be educated on the difference between grass-fed, grass-finished, grain-fed and other methods of raising cattle. 

“The way we talk about it is grass-fed, grass finished,” he said, adding that most people just hear grass-fed but aren’t aware there is more to it. “That’s a misinterpretation.”

Phillip Bridges, who operates Lexington-based The Georgia Beef Company with his brother Alan Bridges, said he opposes a state-mandated inspection. He already participates in the state’s Georgia Grown program, which works with farms to make sure their product is safe and trustworthy before giving a seal of approval. 

Adding another layer of inspection appears to him to be more government bureaucracy, he said. 

“If someone has a problem with my meat, they talk to me,” he said, adding that grass-fed producers lose customers if they are falsely identifying their product. “I’m not willing to do a third-party verification. I don’t see the need to pay someone to tell my customers I’m telling the truth.”

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said he will work with state leaders if this proposal becomes law in the future. Right now, the discussion is in its infancy, he said, and the road map is unclear. 

Legislation will have to balance the needs of the consumer and the producer and take into consideration production costs for farmers, Harper said.

“At the end of the day it’s about fairness to consumers and it’s about fairness to farmers and ensuring that the products are not deceptively labeled,” he 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 Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

The post Georgia lawmaker says he may push for state verification of farmers’ grass-fed beef claims appeared first on georgiarecorder.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content presents a balanced view on a proposed state inspection process for grass-fed cattle in Georgia, featuring perspectives from a Republican lawmaker, industry experts, and producers with differing opinions. It focuses on consumer protection, industry transparency, and regulatory concerns without promoting a partisan agenda, reflecting a neutral and fact-based approach typical of centrist reporting.

News from the South - Georgia News Feed

Mall shooting suspects appear in court, linked to 2 groups

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www.wsav.com – Kaley Fedko – 2025-08-26 23:04:00

SUMMARY: Six suspects linked to a deadly July 2 shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Ga., are moving closer to murder indictment. Four appeared in court: Royce Haynes, Theron Robbins, Franklin James, and Johnathan Jones; Aujawan Hymon and Dahmil Johnson are scheduled later. Police identified two rival gang groups involved: 2X (Group A: Hymon, Haynes, James, Jones) and 3X (Group B: Robbins, Johnson). A physical fight escalated into a shootout, resulting in the death of Tina Smith, who died due to physiological stress fleeing the gunfire. Defense motions to dismiss felony murder charges were denied. Indictments, possibly including gang charges, are expected by October 1.

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The post Mall shooting suspects appear in court, linked to 2 groups appeared first on www.wsav.com

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Democrat heads to runoff in Georgia state Senate race with two Republicans competing for second

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georgiarecorder.com – Maya Homan – 2025-08-26 18:58:00


A special election is underway to fill the Georgia state Senate seat vacated by Republican Brandon Beach, now U.S. Treasurer. Democrat Debra Shigley led Tuesday’s primary with about 40% of the vote, advancing to a runoff against the leading Republican, either Jason Dickerson or Steve West, who are narrowly split around 17% each. Over 20,000 voters participated, a 14% turnout. Shigley, an attorney and small business owner, emphasizes affordability, education, and healthcare, gaining notable endorsements. The district is heavily Republican, but Shigley’s strong showing signals growing Democratic momentum ahead of the Sept. 23 runoff to decide the winner.

by Maya Homan, Georgia Recorder
August 26, 2025

The lone Democrat in a seven-way race has advanced to a runoff in a special election that will decide who will replace former Alpharetta Republican state Sen. Brandon Beach, but the top GOP candidates in the contest were still battling it out for second place late Tuesday night.

Democrat Debra Shigley had a strong showing Tuesday night, racking up about 40% of the vote. Republicans Jason Dickerson and Steve West were still neck and neck for second place Tuesday night, earning 17.4% and 17.1% of the vote, respectively. Dickerson held a narrow 65-vote edge over West. 

Over 20,000 voters cast their ballots in the special election, amounting to a 14% turnout rate.

Since no candidate cleared 50% of the vote to win the race outright Tuesday, the top two candidates will face off for a second time on Sept. 23.

Dickerson, Shigley and West were among the seven qualified candidates seeking to replace Beach, who resigned from the Senate earlier this year after President Donald Trump appointed Beach to serve as the 46th U.S. Treasurer. The district, which includes parts of Fulton and Cherokee counties, is predominantly Republican, with Beach receiving upwards of 70% of the vote against a Democratic challenger in 2024. 

Dickerson, a Cherokee County resident, is the president of Purple Chip Capital Management, a private investment firm. He has cast himself as a political outsider who plans to prioritize property tax relief and improving access to affordable housing for seniors. Dickerson also reported the highest campaign contributions of any candidate in the race, loaning himself $500,000 and raising an additional $100.

Republican Steve West, the CEO of a metal fabrication company, is currently in third place. West was a member of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners from 2014 until this year, when he stepped down to run for the state Senate. His platform includes a broad range of conservative policy proposals, including eliminating the state income tax, strengthening Georgia’s economy, and cracking down on illegal immigration. He also proposed ending Georgia’s state film tax credit. 

Democrats, meanwhile, have rallied behind Shigley, an Alpharetta mom, attorney and small business owner. The only Democratic candidate in the race, Shigley said she aims to improve affordability for families, strengthen public school systems and expand access to health care. She has received endorsements from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, and progressive organizations including the Georgia Win List and Reproductive Freedom for All.

Shigley’s advancement to the runoff was seen as a success for Democrats, who are seeking to flip the deep-red district. Shigley gained nearly 10 points over Lillia Michelle Lionel, who challenged Beach last year.

“My team and I are more than ready to continue this historic momentum,” Shigley said in a statement. “I am very proud of the campaign we have run so far, and it is clear that our vision — for an affordable, healthy, educated Georgia where working families can thrive — is resonating with our neighbors.”

Dickerson and West did not immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday night.

Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon said he wasn’t surprised to see Shigley in the lead in the jungle primary when asked about the early results around 8 p.m., but he said he expected Republican voters to consolidate behind the GOP candidate in the runoff election.

“It’s really dangerous to read a lot into a special election,” he said. “This is an election taking place in the dead of summer. People are returning from summer vacation. People don’t know there’s an election. They’re not used to voting at this time of year.”

But Democratic officials are optimistic about their chances in the runoff election.

“Debra was the top vote-getter in a deep-red district against a field of six Republicans — a testament not only to Debra’s strong leadership and bold vision for Senate District 21, but to the undeniable Democratic momentum building across our state,” Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey said in a statement. “Now it’s time to carry this momentum forward into the runoff.”

Deputy Editor Ross Williams contributed to this report.

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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 Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

The post Democrat heads to runoff in Georgia state Senate race with two Republicans competing for second appeared first on georgiarecorder.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content provides a balanced overview of a special election in Georgia, presenting information about both Democratic and Republican candidates without evident favoritism. It includes details on candidates’ platforms, endorsements, and election dynamics from multiple perspectives, maintaining a neutral tone throughout. The article focuses on factual reporting rather than opinion, reflecting a centrist approach to political coverage.

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Man accuses Delta flight attendant of slapping him | FOX 5 News

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-08-26 18:21:24

SUMMARY: Mohamed Shibly alleges a Delta flight attendant slapped him during a July 29 flight to Fresno after refusing to provide water to his child. The attendant reportedly used a disrespectful tone and later whispered a vulgar word to Shibly, who responded with profanity. The attendant then struck him with an open palm. A nearby passenger confirmed hearing the slap and the attendant’s angry response. Delta has suspended the crew member and is investigating. Shibly’s attorneys, citing possible discrimination due to his Palestinian Muslim background and his wife’s Palestine shirt, demand sensitivity training and $20 million from Delta. The FBI may be involved.

Delta Air Lines faces a massive legal showdown after an alleged slap in the sky. The man says the incident started with his wife asking for water for one of his young kids, which he says the flight attendant refused to provide. He says he then asked the crew member himself. Delta says it is looking into the incident and the crew member has been suspended while it investigates.

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