By Michael E. Kanell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Medical bills of less than $500 have been removed from credit scores by Atlanta-based Equifax and the other two leading consumer reporting companies. The action will help consumers by undoing some...
More infoHow Georgia’s top GOP leaders have blocked title lending reform
By Margaret Coker, The Current and Mollie Simon, Probulica, Georgia Public Broadcast — In February, Georgia lawmaker Josh Bonner introduced a bill that he hoped would fix a thorny problem that entangles tens of thousands of state residents in debt each...
More infoEarnin advances cash before payday; watchdogs say it preys on the poor
By Dana Fowle | Fox 5 Atlanta — ATLANTA – A new way to get a payday advance is emerging in the area of finance called fintech. These financial apps aren’t banks, but they move money around. They are striking up controversy nationwide by filling...
More infoBetter Broadband Would Minimize Healthcare Gaps in Georgia
By Shanteya Hudson | Public News Service — A half-million Georgians face the reality of inadequate internet access, according to the state’s broadband annual report. The glaring digital divide drastically affects essential services in business...
More infoAnother Vogtle reactor issue will delay new unit’s operation
By Drew Kann, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Unit 3 was expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter, but cooling system problem creates new delay Georgia Power said Wednesday that “vibrations” were discovered within the cooling system of...
More infoStarting next year, customers will pay higher Georgia Power bills
GA Power customers will see about a 12% increase over the next three years
More info‘Completely out of line’: Georgia Power proposes 12% rate hike, could raise bills by $14 in 2023
Liz Coyle with watchdog group Georgia Watch says even more increases are likely to come.
More infoAs Vogtle’s nuclear units move toward completion, rate hikes lie ahead
By Drew Kann, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — The two new nuclear reactors under construction at Plant Vogtle remain on track to begin generating electricity next year, Georgia Power and Southern Nuclear staff said Tuesday in the companies’ latest...
More infoNearly 40% of Georgia hospitals earned average marks for safety from independent watchdog
By T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square — Roughly four in 10 Georgia hospitals earned a grade of C, according to a new analysis from an independent national watchdog. Of the 83 hospitals The Leapfrog Group graded, it gave 21 hospitals (25.3%) an A, 23...
More infoHow title lenders trap poor Georgians in debt with triple-digit interest rates
By Margaret Coker/The Current GA, Joel Jacobs/ProPublica, with research by Mollie Simon/ProPublica — For some Georgia residents, title pawn contracts offer a quick way to obtain desperately needed cash. But poor regulation of a confusing system traps many...
More infoGeorgia Power pushed to expand solar program as state regulators consider 12% rate hike request
By Stanley Dunlap, Georgia Recorder — Another round of hearings in Georgia Power’s rate case concluded Thursday with the final day dominated by a debate over whether the utility should expand its popular rooftop solar program. Georgia Power is pushing for...
More infoGeorgia Power watchdogs next up in rate case hearings
By Dave Williams, Capitol Beat News Service — ATLANTA — In late September, Georgia Power executives explained during several days of hearings before the state Public Service Commission why the Atlanta-based utility needs a nearly 12% rate increase over the...
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