The Ray

06/04/2026

Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will install rumble strips at intersections across Southwest Minnesota to improve roadway safety and reduce serious crashes.

The project also includes updated signs and pavement markings designed to alert drivers approaching stop-controlled intersections, helping prevent lane departures and improving driver awareness on rural highways.

MnDOT News Release

06/04/2026

The Ray and Kia Georgia partnered to install 14 acres of native grasses and wildflowers around Kia’s West Point test track, demonstrating how natural infrastructure can strengthen industrial operations.

The project helps control erosion, improve stormwater management, reduce maintenance costs, and support long-term resilience while showcasing sustainable solutions that protect both infrastructure and surrounding ecosystems.

The Ray team is proud to highlight its recent collaboration with Kia Georgia at their West Point manufacturing facility,

06/03/2026

The roadside maintenance industry is increasingly adopting multifunction machines that can handle mowing, vegetation management, snow removal, sweeping, and other tasks with a single platform.

Manufacturers say these versatile machines improve operator visibility, enhance work-zone safety, reduce downtime, and help agencies maximize productivity while managing tight budgets and growing maintenance demands across transportation corridors.

Some recommendations that can significantly improve safety and performance in right-of-way conditions.

06/03/2026

Meet our Grants Manager, Alex Pate! We're so proud of your global leadership and accomplishments at The Ray.

⭐️ The World Affairs Council of Atlanta is proud to highlight Alex Pate, a remarkable 2026 Global Leadership Fellow. ⭐️

Alex Pate is a nonprofit professional with expertise in grants, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven impact. Originally from Athens, Georgia, she spent most of her career in Washington, D.C. and Virginia working in post-conflict recovery, landmine clearance, and foreign assistance with international NGOs and the U.S. Department of State. Now based in Atlanta, Alex is passionate about bringing that global experience home to build locally rooted, globally informed partnerships. She believes Atlanta is a rising force in social impact, powered by its creative energy, disruptive entrepreneurs, and visionary civic leadership. Through her work at The Ray, an Atlanta-based nonprofit with a bold vision, she hopes to connect ideas, people, and resources to power innovative, forward-thinking solutions.

06/03/2026

Cobb EMC has launched Solar Share, a new community solar program that allows members to support renewable energy without installing rooftop panels.

Participants can subscribe to a share of locally generated solar power, expanding access to clean energy while helping diversify Georgia’s energy portfolio and supporting a more sustainable electric grid. Cobb EMC continues to invest in solar projects and renewable energy initiatives across its service area.

Cobb EMC and Gas South announced today they have broken ground on a new community solar project, right off of I‑75 in Cherokee County, expanding access to locally generated clean energy for Cobb EMC members. Gas South is partnering with Cobb EMC to support the project as part of a shared commitmen...

06/03/2026

We are excited to welcome Rohan Bhatia to The Ray team as our new Transportation Research Intern!

Rohan is an Economics and Public Policy Analysis major at Emory University with a passion for transportation economics and advancing transportation solutions for the future. During his internship, he will support research on roadside pollinator habitats and installations, helping quantify the benefits and tradeoffs of these programs across our state partnerships.

Welcome to The Ray, Rohan!

06/02/2026

Composting and soil restoration advocates are highlighting the importance of healthy soil microbiomes in supporting biodiversity, water retention, and climate resilience.

New “Earth’s Digestive System” research emphasizes how microbes, fungi, and organic matter work together to regenerate ecosystems, improve nutrient cycles, and restore long-term environmental balance through sustainable land management.

Read the final installment of the series to trace the historical impact of human activity on soil biology and discover regenerative solutions.

06/01/2026

Hurricane Helene-damaged trees continue creating hazards across parts of Georgia and the Southeast, with weakened trunks and unstable roots still causing roadway blockages and vehicle damage months after the storm.

Officials are urging residents and drivers to remain cautious as cleanup and recovery efforts continue throughout impacted communities.

BURKE COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – More than a year after Hurricane Helene moved through the CSRA, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office says trees damaged by the storm are still creating concerns during severe w...

05/29/2026

North Carolina safety advocates are warning motorcycle riders about the dangers of speeding on state-maintained corridors around Raleigh, where high speeds, distracted driving, and unsafe lane changes continue to contribute to serious crashes.

Officials urge drivers and riders to stay alert, follow speed limits, and prioritize safe roadway behavior to reduce injuries.

CHARLOTTE, NC - May 21, 2026 - PRESSADVANTAGE - NC Car Accident Lawyers highlights critical safety data from Raleigh's federally funded Safe Streets for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan showing that speeding was involved in more than 54 percent of all fatal crashes in the city from 2019 to 2023,...

05/28/2026

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 3 recognized employees with Innovation Awards for developing creative, cost-effective solutions that improve roadway safety, efficiency, and infrastructure performance.

Honorees were celebrated for advancing new preservation methods, streamlining operations, and enhancing transportation services through teamwork and forward-thinking approaches that benefit communities and the traveling public across Pennsylvania.

Four of the region’s PennDOT team members have earned awards for their research and implementation of novel road microsurfacing techniques.