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From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast from the Rome News Tribune, Calhoun Times, Catoosa Walker News, and Polk County Standard.
Today is Saturday, March 30th, and happy 86th birthday to actor Warren Beatty.
***03.30.24 – BIRTHDAY – WARREN BEATTY***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty.
These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
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STORY 1: Georgia Shields Execution Sights And Sounds From Public View When Carrying Out Lethal Injection
Willie James Pye was executed by lethal injection for a 1993 crime, but media access to the process was limited by state protocol, sparking controversy. The ACLU filed an emergency appeal challenging restrictions, including limited media witnesses and blocked audio during critical stages of execution. The Georgia Supreme Court denied the appeal, but the lawsuit continues. Critics argue the restrictions prevent transparency and accountability, especially in cases of potential complications or botched executions. Former media witnesses highlight past instances where access was restricted, emphasizing the public's right to know about capital punishment procedures.
STORY 2: Northwest Georgia Sees Drop in Jobless Rate
In February, Rome's unemployment rate dropped to 2.9%, surprising given Summit Mill Foods' recent layoffs. Floyd County had 1,390 jobless residents, down from 1,558 a year ago. Overall, the five-county area saw 10.1% fewer jobless individuals. Bartow, Gordon, Polk, and Chattooga counties also saw decreased unemployment rates. Rome/Floyd County's labor force decreased slightly, but initial unemployment claims dropped significantly. Across Northwest Georgia, the unemployment rate fell to 2.9%, with a record-high labor force. Initial claims decreased notably. Hiring opportunities were available, with job postings mainly in education and local government sectors.
STORY 3: Gaming Machine Gift Card Legislation Passes General Assembly
Legislation allowing gift cards for coin-operated amusement machine winners passed the Georgia Senate and House, heading to Gov. Brian Kemp's desk. The bill permits non-cash redemption gift cards redeemable statewide. It aims to curb illegal cash payouts, a longstanding issue in the industry. Amendments increase the state's revenue share, funneling $40 million annually to HOPE Scholarships and pre-K programs. However, opposition raised concerns about the bill's impact on Georgia Lottery funding for education, alleging it may reduce lottery sales. Critics argue COAMs exploit vulnerable communities, while proponents emphasize entertainment accessibility. Efforts to increase the state's revenue share were defeated to prevent industry detriment.
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STORY 4: Catoosa Receives ACCG Check for $63,555
On March 19, the Catoosa County Board of Commissioners received a check for $63,555, representing their share of a $5 million special cash distribution from the ACCG Group Self-Insurance Workers Compensation Fund (ACCG-GSIWCF). ACCG, Georgia’s county association, manages this fund, providing advocacy, leadership development, and insurance programs tailored to local government needs. The ACCG-GSIWCF, a nonprofit program serving Georgia counties' workers' compensation needs, distributed funds as a result of its strong financial position. This distribution follows a $4 million dividend returned statewide in January 2024, reducing members' annual premium costs by 14%. Since its inception in 1982, the program has authorized $124 million in dividends, cash distributions, and grants to participating members, earning trust from 167 counties and authorities statewide.
STORY 5: Gordon County Folk Artist Showcased at Georgia Visitor Center in Ringgold
Folk artist Will Linn's artwork is being showcased at the Georgia Visitor Information Center in Ringgold, celebrating the artistic talent of Calhoun and Gordon County. His featured piece, "Explore Georgia," depicts the state's unique attractions, including The ROCK Garden in Gordon County, inviting tourists to discover hidden gems. Linn recently won the Judges' Choice Award at the Gordon County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s 2023 Snowman Spectacular. Additional pieces from his collection are available for purchase at the Harris Arts Center’s Art Market in Calhoun and will be exhibited at Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden in Summerville starting May 4th, 2024.
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STORY 6: Georgia Tax Revenues Down Again in February
In February, Georgia's tax collections continued to decline, totaling over $2.03 billion, down 4.3% compared to last year. Year-to-date revenues increased by 1.1%, mainly due to the reinstated gasoline tax. However, excluding gas tax, collections dropped by 3.1%. Individual income taxes fell by 18.9%, while net sales tax collections rose by 3.2%. Corporate income tax receipts surged by 84.4%. Despite the deficit, Georgia isn't alarmed due to a $16 billion surplus. The fiscal 2025 budget increases spending by 11%. In local sales tax collections, Gordon County saw fluctuations but outperformed last year's numbers. Other municipalities also experienced increases in collections compared to February 2023.
STORY 7: Two Local Students to Attend Governor's Honors Program
Two local students, Alexa Acevedo from Rome High School and Thomas Patterson from Model High School, have been selected as finalists for the Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) this summer. They will attend the program at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro from June 16 to July 13. Additionally, three Floyd County Schools students were named alternates. GHP is a summer program for high school sophomores and juniors aimed at providing academic, cultural, and social enrichment. Over 4,000 students statewide were nominated, with approximately 650 finalists chosen to participate. The program, fully funded by the Georgia General Assembly, offers a diverse curriculum and various enrichment activities.
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Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast. For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.
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