Here's what's trending in politics in Georgia and around the nation on Friday.
1. Companies building wall prototypes
Four companies have been awarded contracts to construct prototypes of the wall President Donald Trump has promised to build along this country's southern border. Each company has proposed a concrete wall, according to the Department of Homeland Security. According to DHS officials, contracts for walls not made of concrete are expected to be announced next week.
2. Ban on travel to North Korea
American citizens are now banned from traveling to North Korea, the U.S. State Department has announced. According to Reuters, the ban was issued over concerns about the arrest and jailing of Americans who travel to the country.
3. NAFTA negotiations resume
Representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet Friday to work on a revised version of the North American Free Trade Agreement – NAFTA. The agreement, signed 23 years ago, lifted most of the tariffs on goods traded between the three countries, The New York Times is reporting. In 2016, exports from Georgia exceeded $35.5 billion, with 16.5 percent of those exports going to Canada. Ten percent went to Mexico.
4. Going ahead with nuclear reactors
The Atlanta-based Southern Company announced Thursday that it will continue the construction of two nuclear reactors at the Vogtle plant. Georgia Power expects Vogtle Unit 3 will reach commercial operation in November 2021 and Unit 4 in November 2022, according to a press release from the Southern Company.
5. Trump donates own money to Harvey relief fund
President Trump has pledged to donate $1 million of his own money to a fund to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, Jamie Dupree reports.
6. New distilleries law goes into effect at midnight Friday
At midnight on Friday, Georgia's 14 distilleries will be able to sell their wares to customers from their tasting rooms. Senate Bill 85 becomes law on Friday and allows those making spirits to sell up to three 750 ml bottles, cocktails, and unlimited full-ounce samples. Patrons no longer have to purchase a tour of the facility to be able to sample the product.
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