Government for its Citizens
Maria Arambula Brings Deep Roots and Heart for Service to Ray City Council Race*
Meet Ray City Council Candidate By Carol A. Gasser Moore / *Spanish translation follows news in English RAY CITY, Ga. — A ninth-generation Georgian with a lifelong spirit of service, Maria Arambula has qualified as a candidate for the Ray City Council, bringing with her a blend of administrative experience, community dedication, and a passion…
Read MoreGrace Mack Seeks Re-Election to Lakeland City Council Post 4*
Meet the Lakeland City Council Candidate for Post 4 By Carol A. Moore | Lanier County News *Spanish translation follows news in English LAKELAND, Ga. – Lakeland City Council veteran Grace Mack has announced her…
Read MoreZoning for Friends and Family: Who Benefits from Development Decisions? Conflicts of Interest — Part 28*
By Carol A. Moore | *La traducción al español sigue a la noticia en ingles LANIER COUNTY, Ga. – If you want to know who really runs a small county, follow the land. In Lanier County and the City of Lakeland, rezoning and variances are where private fortunes meet public power. Georgia law is crystal…
Read MoreMake Your Voice Heard
By Representative James Burchett (176th District) SOUTH GEORGIA – I love living and raising my family in our South Georgia community, surrounded by neighbors who want what’s best for South Georgia, our state, and our country. Last week I had the privilege of visiting Waresboro Elementary School to see the amazing elementary school agricultural…
Read MoreAn Update from Congressman Austin Scott*
*Spanish translation follows news in English October 5, 2025 Dear Georgian, 17 days ago, the House of Representatives passed a clean, continuing resolution to fund the government and avoid a harmful shutdown, in a bipartisan vote. We are now in day 5 of the shutdown, still watching Democrats in the Senate block the vote…
Read MoreConflict of Interest: When County Contracts Stay Close to Home (Transparency Questions Follow Lanier’s Bidding Practices) – Part 27*
LANIER COUNTY NEWS SPECIAL REPORT EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is part of an ongoing series and speaks to decision making leaders with known or potential conflicts of interest and employees of area government. The series examines ethics and governance in Lanier County, which includes the incorporated communities of the City of Lakeland and a…
Read MoreAn Update from Congressman Austin Scott
September 29, 2025 Dear Georgian, As many of you are aware, our fiscal year comes to a close this Tuesday, September 30. Nine days ago, the House, in a bipartisan vote, passed a clean short-term continuing resolution that allows our government agencies to continue operating at current funding levels until Nov 21st. This additional time…
Read MoreFederal FOIA Report Highlights Transparency Gains, Sets New Reporting Deadlines for 2026*
What It Means for South Georgia Governments and Citizens By Carol A. Gasser Moore / *Spanish translation follows news in English WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Information Policy (OIP) has released its 2025 Summary and Assessment of Chief FOIA Officer (CFO) Reports, alongside newly issued guidelines and deadlines for the…
Read MoreFederal Seizures Target Georgia Vape Distributor*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / *Spanish translation follows news in English WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has launched one of the most sweeping enforcement actions to date against unauthorized vaping products. More than 2.1 million illicit e-cigarettes were seized nationwide on…
Read MoreDHS to streamline H-2A filings as farmers face rising labor pressures*
By Carol A. Gasser Moore | *Spanish translation follows news in English WASHINGTON D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new final rule, to take effect October 2, 2025, that aims to simplify how U.S. farm employers file for H-2A temporary agricultural worker visas. Under the revised process, U.S. Citizenship and…
Read More