Wed., April 2, 2014 7:00am
Feds May Revive Fight Against Phoebe Putney Merger
Georgia’s high-profile hospital antitrust saga may not be over after all. The Federal Trade Commission is asking a state agency whether a potential divestiture of the Albany hospital that Phoebe Putney acquired in 2011 would require regulatory approval. Last August, the FTC and Phoebe Putney Health System announced they were settling the agency’s long-running antitrust suit over the hospital acquisition. But that deal has not yet been finalized.
Mon., March 24, 2014 2:36am
Georgia Homeowners Face Flood Insurance Rate Hikes
Although President Barack Obama recently signed a law to roll back some rate increases meant to shore up the troubled National Flood Insurance Program, thousands of Georgia homeowners can count on paying increasing flood insurance premiums each year--though perhaps less than they originally feared.
Wed., December 4, 2013 3:48am
Thompson, Prince, Efstration Win General Assembly Seats
Tuesday may not have seemed like an election day, but voters across the state filled local offices and three vacant General Assembly seats. Northwest Georgia insurance agent and entrepreneur Bruce Thompson, former Gwinnett County prosecutor Chuck Efstration and retired Army lieutenant Brian Prince secured seats in the state legislature.
Fri., October 25, 2013 5:24am
Phoebe Follows National Trend, Cuts 120 Jobs
Phoebe Putney Health System said Thursday that it is cutting 127 jobs as part of an organizational restructuring. These reductions come on top of the 33 “leadership’’ positions eliminated earlier this month by Phoebe Putney, the dominant hospital system in southwest Georgia. The Albany-based system said the job reduction would lower operating costs by $10 million. Similar staffing cuts are occurring elsewhere in the state and nation.
Mon., September 23, 2013 5:00am
The U.S. Postal Service is planning to add a world-famous musician and Georgia native to its "Music Icons” Forever stamp series. Postal officials say the agency is releasing a stamp featuring Ray Charles, of Albany, on Monday along with one of the artists' previously unreleased songs.
Fri., September 6, 2013 8:00am
Teachers Union Pushes 180 Day Calendar
The president of one of Georgia's largest teachers unions is on the campaign trail. But she's not running for office. Calvine Rollins of the Georgia Educators Association is traveling to different parts of the state urging lawmakers to restore state funding for 180 days of school.
Fri., September 6, 2013 6:00am
Albany Post Office Gets Reprieve
Albany's downtown post office is expected to remain open after the U.S. Postal Service signed a year-lease. The U.S. Postal Service had proposed shutting down the Albany post office on Broad Avenue as it deals with severe financial challenges. Community leaders and residents had protested the move.
Fri., August 23, 2013 8:00am
Metal Thieves Target Car Batteries
Authorities say metal thieves are targeting auto batteries in Georgia. Thieves might be taking advantage of a loophole in the state's current law that does not treat batteries as a regulated metal. Albany police say they've seen a spike in car and truck battery thefts, and especially warn large fleet holders to safeguard their equipment.
Wed., June 12, 2013 5:00am
New Mental Health Center In Albany
State mental health officials have announced expanding service at an Albany facility is expected to create 20 new jobs in the area. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Frank Berry announced Monday that the department is investing $4.9 million to create a Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Dougherty County.
Fri., April 12, 2013 2:48pm
Albany Hospital Merger Fight Continues
The Federal Trade Commission filed a restraining order this week to try to stop any further merging of Albany’s Phoebe-Putney Memorial Hospital and the former Palmyra Medical Center.