SUMMARY: The U.S. Census Bureau has launched an experimental method to count new housing construction using satellite imagery, as announced on December 19. This approach replaces traditional data collection in selected areas, employing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to analyze satellite images. The technology can identify various construction stages and types of buildings, including single-family and multi-family homes. The method will complement conventional data from local government offices, enhancing accuracy in housing statistics. The experimental approach is currently applied in District 7, covering Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, which reported 14,100 new housing starts in November.

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SUMMARY: Georgia’s population grew by 116,646 residents from July 2023 to July 2024, ranking seventh in numeric growth and maintaining its position as the eighth most populous state with 11.2 million people. This increase was primarily due to international migration, adding 63,088 people. The net migration figure decreased to 88,409 from previous years. Births outnumbered deaths, with 125,502 births and 97,250 deaths reported. The U.S. Census Bureau noted a trend of more people moving to southern states. Texas led in growth with 562,941 new residents, followed by Florida with an increase of 467,347.

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SUMMARY: President Joe Biden signed the $895.2 billion Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 into law, benefiting American troops stationed in North Carolina. The bill includes pay raises, improved child care access, and $296 million for military projects. Junior enlisted servicemembers will receive a 14.5% raise, while others get 4.5%. Key projects include aircraft maintenance hangars, a Combat Arms Training Complex, and upgrades at Fort Liberty and Marine Corps bases. The bill also addresses restrictions on gender dysphoria treatments for military families, which Biden opposed.

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