Area News
Carr Fights for Farmers at the U.S. Supreme Court
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has filed a brief in opposition to a Massachusetts law that seeks to regulate pork production nationwide. If upheld, this statute will impose costly mandates on out-of-state pig farmers – burdening the interstate pork market and increasing prices for all Americans. Carr and 23 other attorneys general are asking the…
Read MoreABAC receives $424,000 in federal funding to strengthen rural nursing education
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) has been awarded $424,000 in federal funding to enhance its nursing education programs and expand access to high-quality health care training for rural communities across Georgia. The funding, secured through the leadership of Sen. Raphael Warnock, reflects a strong bipartisan effort to improve rural health care outcomes and educational opportunities. “Our…
Read MoreSecretary Raffensperger Using Music to Teach Georgia Students Financial Literacy
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Funding the Future released the Spring 2026 tour dates. Partnering with singer-songwriter Gooding, the tour will visit 11 Georgia schools, turning high school auditoriums into energetic concerts where students gain key financial literacy skills. The tour will make the following stops: Monday, March 9 at 9 AM – Cook Middle…
Read MoreSGMC Health Welcomes Jaclyn Quinones as Director of Biomedical Services
SGMC Health has named Jaclyn Quinones as its new Director of Biomedical Services, a role in which she will oversee the maintenance, repair, and performance of medical equipment across the health system’s hospitals and clinics. Quinones will lead the Biomedical Services department, which is responsible for ensuring that critical medical equipment used in patient care…
Read MoreSGMC Health Earns ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification from DNV
SGMC Health announced that its teams have earned ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification through DNV Healthcare Inc., an internationally recognized standard that validates strong quality, safety, and performance systems across the health system. ISO 9001 certification is awarded to organizations that demonstrate consistent, reliable processes supported by data‑driven decision‑making and continuous improvement. In healthcare,…
Read MoreVSU’s My Friend’s House Hosts Community Day March 26
My Friend’s House at Valdosta State University will host Community Day 2026 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at 109 W. Moore St. This event is ideal for caregivers interested in improving the quality of life for adults with dementia, while also learning how to better navigate common challenges that arise…
Read MoreSocial Security Administration Brings Medical Continuing Disability Reviews In-House
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced the agency will transition the processing of medical Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) from State Disability Determination Services (DDS) to its federal processing site called Disability Case Review (DCR). Bringing in-house CDRs will improve service to our most vulnerable Americans. CDRs are conducted as part of SSA’s ongoing program…
Read MoreSGMC Health Names Colby Ruiz, MD, Physician Advisor for Student Engagement Programs
SGMC Health has named Colby Ruiz, MD, vascular surgeon, as Physician Advisor for the health system’s Student Engagement Programs. In this volunteer leadership role, Dr. Ruiz will serve as a physician advisor and clinical resource supporting SGMC Health’s student engagement and healthcare pipeline initiatives. Dr. Ruiz provides clinical perspective and guidance for SGMC Health’s high…
Read MoreLt. Governor Burt Jones Supports House Action on Senate Bill 523
Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones issued a statement in support of the Georgia House of Representatives passing Senate Bill 523 with a unanimous, bi-partisan vote. Earlier this morning, Lt. Governor Burt Jones was joined at the Capitol by former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer to discuss this priority and other measures the…
Read MoreABAC highlights Fall 2025 academic achievements
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has announced the students who earned top academic honors for the Fall 2025 semester. Students are recognized for outstanding classroom performance across three achievement lists: the President’s Honor List, the Dean’s Honor List and the Distinguished Achievement List. The President’s Honor List, ABAC’s highest academic recognition, includes students who achieved a…
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