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Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project

UCB plans a major research hub near Dacula, marking a milestone for the 2,000-acre project.

Development

A proposed mini-city taking shape in Gwinnett County took a major step toward becoming reality after successfully wooing a global <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biopharmaceutical" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/biotech-dealmaking-boom" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/12/biotech-dealmaking-boom" target="_self">biopharmaceutical</a> giant.Why it matters: UCB&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ucb.com/about-ucb/magazine/detail/article/growing-our-us-roots-with-a-new-facility-in-georgia" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ucb.com/about-ucb/magazine/detail/article/growing-our-us-roots-with-a-new-facility-in-georgia" target="_blank">investment</a> is the largest in county history and accelerates plans for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rowen" data-vars-click-url="https://rowenlife.com/" data-vars-content-id="bc70fb43-cbd8-4054-aa2b-25b961903ca6" data-vars-headline="Gwinnett County lands UCB deal to anchor Rowen mini-city project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rowenlife.com/" target="_blank">Rowen</a>, a 2,000-acre research-focused &quot;knowledge community&quot; halfway between Atlanta and Athens.

Bill would move Georgia to new time zone, end biannual clock change

The Georgia Senate passed legislation that, if approved by the U.S. transportation secretary, would move the state into the Atlantic time zone.

Culture

Twice a year, we dread adjusting our internal and external clocks to reflect whether we&#x27;re in standard or daylight saving time.<ul><li>One Georgia legislator&#x27;s solution: place the state into a completely different time zone and leave the clocks alone for good.</li></ul>The latest: The state Senate on Monday passed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="legislation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69591" data-vars-content-id="28cd767f-569d-48b6-b302-7a154702d0db" data-vars-headline="Bill would move Georgia to new time zone, end biannual clock change" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69591" target="_blank">legislation</a> that would ask the U.S. transportation secretary to move Georgia from the Eastern time zone to the Atlantic time zone, which is one hour ahead.

Atlanta joins thousands of No Kings protests set for Saturday

Organizers are planning more than 3,000 protests across the U.S.

Politics

Organizers across the U.S. are planning more than 3,000 local events Saturday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Kings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" data-vars-content-id="3af917df-0e66-425d-a3db-e62e4efce339" data-vars-headline="Atlanta joins thousands of No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" target="_self">No Kings</a> Day of Nonviolent Action, including several in metro Atlanta.The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday&#x27;s nationwide demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="3af917df-0e66-425d-a3db-e62e4efce339" data-vars-headline="Atlanta joins thousands of No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" data-vars-content-id="3af917df-0e66-425d-a3db-e62e4efce339" data-vars-headline="Atlanta joins thousands of No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/18/no-kings-protests-october-18-turnout" target="_self">October</a>.

New ad blitz shows how tariffs hurt small businesses

The campaign is targeting Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Newark because they are located in states hit hardest by tariffs.

Business

A new month-long ad campaign is hitting Atlanta and other cities Monday to try to bring attention to small businesses who have been affected by tariffs.Why it matters: According to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surveys by the Council on Foreign Relations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-americans-really-think-about-trade-and-tariffs" data-vars-content-id="2813c8e9-99ea-480c-89b8-db8300a649a1" data-vars-headline="New ad blitz shows how tariffs hurt small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-americans-really-think-about-trade-and-tariffs" target="_blank">surveys by the Council on Foreign Relations</a>, two-in-five Americans mistakenly believe a tariff is paid by a foreign country. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Research from the New York Fed " data-vars-click-url="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/02/who-is-paying-for-the-2025-u-s-tariffs/" data-vars-content-id="2813c8e9-99ea-480c-89b8-db8300a649a1" data-vars-headline="New ad blitz shows how tariffs hurt small businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2026/02/who-is-paying-for-the-2025-u-s-tariffs/" target="_blank">Research from the New York Fed </a>and Columbia University shows nearly 90% of the tariffs President Trump enacted in 2025 were paid by U.S. firms and consumers.

Georgia nears medical cannabis expansion, hemp limits

A bill on Gov. Kemp's desk would widen access, while lawmakers debate limits on hemp products.

News

Georgia lawmakers want to expand the state&#x27;s medical cannabis program and could clamp down on synthetic hemp products before the legislative session ends.Why it matters: The potential changes come while cannabis companies lobby for relief from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a federal law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12620" data-vars-content-id="71ba8348-1f1c-4706-9bb1-76b3743a0e8d" data-vars-headline="Georgia nears medical cannabis expansion, hemp limits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12620" target="_blank">a federal law</a> which could upend the billion-dollar cannabis industry, business leaders say.

DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta

TSA officers who are working are not being paid due to the shutdown.

Travel

Roughly 41% of TSA agents did not report to work at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security told Axios.Why it matters: Along with the hourslong security lines at airports across the country, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="skyrocketing prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/iran-war-flight-prices-air-travel-tips-cheaper" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/20/iran-war-flight-prices-air-travel-tips-cheaper" target="_self">skyrocketing prices</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/03/plane-crash-black-box-investigation-cockpit-recorder" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/02/03/plane-crash-black-box-investigation-cockpit-recorder" target="_self">safety concerns</a>, a partial <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/government-shutdown-dhs-democrats-trump" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/government-shutdown-dhs-democrats-trump" target="_self">government shutdown</a> and a spike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in oil prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/iran-war-oil-trump-hormuz-strait-threat" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/22/iran-war-oil-trump-hormuz-strait-threat" target="_self">in oil prices</a> are fueling a &quot;spring of hell for air travelers,&quot; Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="249d77e2-2899-45b9-9b8d-b631a97e0549" data-vars-headline="DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">reports</a>.

Georgia Latino advocacy groups respond to Chávez abuse allegations

Labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta said César Chávez sexually abused her, and the New York Times published a story Wednesday documenting several allegations of abuse by Chávez.

New allegations that United Farm Workers co-founder and civil rights activist César Chávez sexually abused women and girls are reverberating in Latino communities in Georgia and across the country. Why it matters: Chávez, one of the nation&#x27;s most celebrated Latino union activists, was a central figure in the fight for farmworker rights — a legacy that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now in question" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations" data-vars-content-id="71f1dc41-a9db-4ac4-8d2f-4611eebbaad2" data-vars-headline="Georgia Latino advocacy groups respond to Chávez abuse allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations" target="_self">now in question</a> after accusations from several minors and women, including civil rights icon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolores Huerta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/kamala-harris-dolores-huerta-latino-voters" data-vars-content-id="71f1dc41-a9db-4ac4-8d2f-4611eebbaad2" data-vars-headline="Georgia Latino advocacy groups respond to Chávez abuse allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/kamala-harris-dolores-huerta-latino-voters" target="_self">Dolores Huerta</a>, Axios&#x27; Nadia Lopez <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/18/san-francisco-cesar-chavez-renaming-dolores-huerta-allegations" data-vars-content-id="71f1dc41-a9db-4ac4-8d2f-4611eebbaad2" data-vars-headline="Georgia Latino advocacy groups respond to Chávez abuse allegations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/18/san-francisco-cesar-chavez-renaming-dolores-huerta-allegations" target="_self">reports</a>.

Dickens says extending TADs could help end inequality in Atlanta

Mayor Andre Dickens needs buy-in from civic, business and political leaders

A $5 billion plan to reduce Atlanta&#x27;s stubborn income inequality hinges on extending a tax incentive program this year, Mayor Andre Dickens said at Wednesday&#x27;s State of the City address.Why it matters: Atlanta is a group project, Dickens told civic, business and political leaders at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and he needs their buy-in for the neighborhood revitalization plan.

Atlanta surpasses goal to house 400 people before World Cup

The Atlanta Rising campaign has built 387 housing units and another 112 are expected to open by April.

Atlanta&#x27;s Downtown Rising initiative has helped move over 400 people off the street and into housing, marking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a major milestone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/21/atlanta-housing-affordability-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="5cb51301-f616-45db-a862-d9bc05924708" data-vars-headline="Atlanta surpasses goal to house 400 people before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/11/21/atlanta-housing-affordability-world-cup" target="_self">a major milestone</a> in its effort to reduce homelessness in the city.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s push to house its most vulnerable residents kicked into high gear last year as preparations began for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" data-vars-content-id="5cb51301-f616-45db-a862-d9bc05924708" data-vars-headline="Atlanta surpasses goal to house 400 people before World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2025/06/12/2026-fifa-world-cup-atlanta" target="_self">the World Cup</a>.

Sandy Springs finally gets its own default ZIP codes

The U.S. Postal Service will designate Sandy Springs as the default city for ZIP codes 30319, 30327, 30328, 30338, 30339, 30342 and 30350.

In the 20 years since becoming a city, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sandy Springs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/17/sandy-springs-20th-anniversary-georgia" data-vars-content-id="19170620-645b-4459-8390-cd705c670aed" data-vars-headline="Sandy Springs finally gets its own default ZIP codes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2026/02/17/sandy-springs-20th-anniversary-georgia" target="_self">Sandy Springs</a> waged another, lesser-known campaign to help cement its identity: claiming ZIP codes assigned to the area as its own.<ul><li>That decades-long lobbying ended last week, when the U.S. Postal Service said it will designate several ZIP codes long associated with Atlanta as belonging to Sandy Springs.</li></ul>Why it matters: Civic pride, mostly. But it will also ensure Sandy Springs residents pay the correct sales taxes and not the city of Atlanta&#x27;s rate.

Crossover Day 2026: Data centers, income taxes and mugshots

From income tax cuts to AI safety, key Georgia bills are still alive.

Taxes, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="5c28fd43-f5e4-476f-b849-e0ca345a9cfe" data-vars-headline="Crossover Day 2026: Data centers, income taxes and mugshots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/30/georgia-ai-data-centers" target="_self">data centers</a> and even psychedelics remain on Georgia lawmakers&#x27; agendas as the legislative session moves toward its final weeks.Why it matters: This past Friday marked Crossover Day — the deadline for bills to pass either chamber and stay alive before lawmakers adjourn April 2.

Politics 🇺🇸

Georgia nears medical cannabis expansion, hemp limits

New ad blitz shows how tariffs hurt small businesses

Atlanta joins thousands of No Kings protests set for Saturday

Bill would move Georgia to new time zone, end biannual clock change

DHS: 41% of TSA agents called out of work on Sunday in Atlanta