🌱 Governor State Of The State Address + GSU $15 Million Grant

Welcome back, Atlanta! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town. In today's Daily, you'll learn about these stories and more:

• Gov. Brian Kemp made his State of the State address, mentioning the need for stricter penalties for individuals recruiting children to gangs.
• Georgia State University received a $15 million grant.
• The Atlanta Hawks will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community on Feb. 9.

But first, today's weather:

Cooler; cloudy, then some sun. High: 47 Low: 29.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. Gov. Brian Kemp made his State of the State address on Wednesday and highlighted the push for stricter penalties for people who recruit kids into gangs. “They are targeting the most innocent among us,” he said, "[and] pulling them down a dark path" to incarceration or death. Kemp said he will be working with Attorney General Chris Carr to propose legislation to increase penalties. (The Business Journals)
2. The Starr Foundation awarded Georgia State University a $15 million grant, which will enhance its risk education programs and elevate the program's stature worldwide. The grant will establish an honors scholarship program, develop a cross-disciplinary program, and create a new physical space to house the program. (Metro Atlanta CEO)
3. The Atlanta Hawks unveiled their plans for Pride Night on Feb. 9. The team will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with a performance by Keri Hilson, award-winning R&B singer-songwriter and LGBTQIA+ ally, during halftime for their annual event. In-game programming will celebrate and honor members of the community and feature rainbow lighting of the iconic "ATLANTA" letters on the State Farm Arena. (Henry Herald)
4. The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s spring bulb festival is quickly approaching! Beginning in March and running through April, the annual Atlanta Blooms festival will showcase hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses blanketing the 30-acre Midtown attraction. Attendees can learn various ways to grow bulbs, including container gardens and floating islands. For more information about the event, click here. (Metro Atlanta CEO)
5. State Rep. Karlton Howard suffered a medical emergency while attending the State Capitol on Wednesday. At the time of publication, Howard's staff was not given the details of the crisis or his condition. (WRDW)

Today in and around Atlanta:

• Five-Course Pairing Dinner At Enzo Steakhouse & Bar, Fayetteville (5:00 PM)
• January Tastings: Rhone Valley Wines At Stem Wine Bar, Marietta (6:00 PM)
• Get Funky With Punk Bingo At Red’s Beer Garden (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening this week in the Atlanta area at the link. (Atlanta Patch)
• MovieMaker Magazine named Atlanta the No. 1 place to live and work for moviemakers. (City of Atlanta Government via Facebook)
• Atlanta first responders are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of arsonists who might be connected to the Target fire on Piedmont Road and Walmart on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. (City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department via Facebook)

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Events:

• Grand Opening!!! (January 28)
• Atlanta Wedding Extravaganza (January 29)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Emory Continuing Education (January 31)
• Online discussion with professional roofers in Atlanta (February 1)
• Scream Your Heart Out Ghost Hunt and Interactive Paranormal Investigation at Jasper’s Old Jail (February 3)
• Home Buyer’s Seminar (February 11)
• Ladies Night: A Salute to Women in Music (February 11)
• The Creativity Experience:Love Changes (February 11)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (February 23)
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Housing:

• Do You Qualify To Buy A Home 2023? CHAT NOW! (Details)
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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.