News Roundup for August 1, 2025

Donovan dives into everything from downtown ribbon cuttings to billion-dollar rail mergers. A new waxing salon has landed in Tifton, the state’s trying to fix its nursing shortage with a new college agreement, and 8,600 Georgia students are getting Promise Scholarships for alternative education. Lawmakers are back at it with gambling proposals, and the Port of Savannah just had a monster year—thanks, tariffs. Meanwhile, Valdosta launched a girls-only firefighter camp, and Union Pacific is trying to buy its way across the country with an $85B rail deal. The EPA might roll back climate rules, Georgia cities are killing it in food manufacturing, and a new national health data system is raising privacy flags. Kamala Harris isn’t running for governor, Texas is playing redistricting hardball, and oh—someone found a radioactive wasp nest. The economy? Surprisingly perky with 3% GDP growth. Not bad, considering everything. Catch it all with a wink and a side of sass—only on Tifton Talks.Show Sources: Valdosta-based salon opens new location in Tifton | Tifton GazetteKemp announces agreement to streamline nursing education in Georgia - Grice ConnectGeorgia Promise Scholarship applications number more than 8,000 | 11alive.comGeorgia lawmakers reignite debate over legalizing sports betting, casinos, horse racingRetailers stock up ahead of tariffs, driving Port of Savannah's growth | AP NewsSparking change: Georgia firefighters launch Camp Blaze to inspire young womenUnion Pacific strikes deal to buy rival Norfolk in $85B mega railroad dealTrump rolling back 'trillion dollars' of Dem green car regulationsReport: Georgia cities dominate list of top performing U.S. food manufacturing locations | Georgia Public BroadcastingTrump administration announces new private health tracking system with Big Tech’s help | AP NewsKamala Harris says she won't run for California governor - CBS NewsTexas Republicans unveil congressional map that may help pick up 5 seatsReport says radioactive wasp nest was found near SC nuclear facility | WCBD News 2GDP Q2 2025:Voicemail: https://tiftontalks.com/voicemailEmail: [email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tifton-talks--6578576/support.---Voicemail: https://tiftontalks.com/voicemailEmail: [email protected]:  229-234-1307 Get full access to Tifton Talks at tiftontalks.substack.com/subscribe