Georgia NOW News for Friday August 7, 2026

The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after months of debate over her nomination and concerns about the agency's independence. Georgia lawmakers convene the first meeting of the Joint Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee to begin developing recommendations for the state's next voting system. A successful multi-agency effort helped rescue a manatee tangled in crab trap lines off the Georgia coast near St. Simons Island and Brunswick. Georgia utility regulators are reviewing a major power agreement between Georgia Power and OpenAI for a planned $20 billion data center in Effingham County that will require enough electricity to power more than 2 million homes. 🎧 Tune in 24/7 to Georgia NOW. Grab the app or listen online at heargeorgianow.com — and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share Georgia NOW News wherever you get your podcasts. #GeorgiaNews #GeorgiaPolitics #CDC #PublicHealth #ElectionIntegrity #Voting #GeorgiaLegislature #OpenAI #DataCenters #GeorgiaPower #Energy #CoastalGeorgia #Manatee #EnvironmentalNews #Podcast