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Georgia Senate passes ban on DEI in schools and colleges as 2025 session winds down

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5 months ago

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georgiarecorder.com – Maya Homan – 2025-04-03 00:48:00

by Maya Homan, Georgia Recorder
April 3, 2025

Lawmakers in the Senate concluded the 39th legislative day of the 2025 session in the early hours of Thursday morning by advancing a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs or policies from all state public schools and universities.

The bill, which effectively hollowed out legislation originally aimed at increasing sick days and maternity leave for public school teachers, passed in a contentious 33-21 vote, restricting the freedom educational institutions have to discuss racial justice issues even as lawmakers across the hall voted to expand First Amendment protections based on religion only hours before.

House Bill 127’s sponsor in the Senate, Sylvania Republican Sen. Max Burns, argued that the bill was aimed at preventing discrimination in Georgia’s public educational institutions.

“DEI is the antithesis of equality,” Burns said on the Senate floor. “If you believe in equality, if you believe in equal opportunity, this bill does not strip you of that. It enhances it.”

Democrats swiftly condemned the bill, arguing that a ban on DEI would be a return to an era of “state-sponsored discrimination.” They also feared it could be used to censor topics like slavery’s role in the civil war and other ways that race and racism have shaped American history.

“I don’t want to say DEI, I want to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Derek Mallow, a Savannah Democrat. “If there is a need to ban DEI, then what is the opposite to diversity? Well the opposite to diversity is uniformity, and to be uniform means that you lack any other options for anyone to be different, to look different, to talk different, to walk different, to be different.”

They also proposed a total of 20 amendments — the most on any individual bill in living memory — but all 20 amendments were dismissed without a vote by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. 

“This is a sad day for the Georgia state Senate, one of the saddest I’ve ever been in in 10 years, quite frankly,” said Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II, an Augusta Democrat. 

“This doesn’t represent the people of Georgia,” he continued. “Tonight was a night the Republican Party said they’re going to take Georgia backwards — backwards to days when people did not have full rights.”

The bill now returns to the House, which must agree to the Senate’s amendments before the bill can advance to the governor’s desk. 

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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.

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Richmond Hill votes to roll back millage rate

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11 hours ago

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September 2, 2025

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www.wsav.com – Christine Queally – 2025-09-02 22:39:00

SUMMARY: Richmond Hill City Council voted to roll back the millage rate from the proposed 4.132 to 3.981, avoiding a nearly 4% property tax increase. This decision followed several public hearings where residents expressed concerns about rising housing costs and the impact of higher property taxes on affordability. Critics questioned the city’s spending, citing funds tied up in unused land and city hall renovations amid infrastructure issues. Georgia law requires public hearings for maintaining or increasing millage rates. Mayor Russ Carpenter emphasized careful financial planning to balance taxpayer relief with maintaining essential city services.

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Teen girl, mother killed in ‘domestic murder-suicide’ | FOX 5

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12 hours ago

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September 2, 2025

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www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-09-02 21:33:30

SUMMARY: In Johns Creek, a man, James Choi, killed his wife Mia and their 15-year-old daughter Grace, a sophomore at Mount Pisgah Christian School, before taking his own life. Police discovered the family’s bodies during a welfare check at their Glencastle Court home. The tragic incident shocked the local community and school families, who expressed disbelief and sorrow. Mount Pisgah Christian School released a statement emphasizing support for students’ emotional health and extended condolences to the family. Authorities continue to investigate but confirm there is no ongoing threat to the community. The tragedy deeply affected students, parents, and staff alike.

Three family members, including a teen, were found dead in Johns Creek home. Police believe James Choi, 52, killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life. Authorities say the incident is isolated and their investigation remains ongoing.

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Why winner of $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot won’t be an instant billionaire

Published

23 hours ago

on

September 2, 2025

By

www.wsav.com – Addy Bink – 2025-09-02 10:34:00

SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $1.3 billion after Monday’s drawing, marking the sixth time it has surpassed $1 billion and ranking as the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot ever. Despite the huge figure, winners don’t receive the full amount due to federal and state taxes, which can withhold about 37% of the prize. The advertised jackpot reflects the annuitized payout over 30 years, currently estimated at $820.3 million after taxes in states without lottery tax, while the lump sum cash option is about $589 million before taxes. Powerball drawings occur thrice weekly with odds of 1 in 292.2 million.

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