GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 12/24 – Published Friday 12/21
Henssler: 15
From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc.
Today is Sunday, December 24th, and Happy heavenly Birthday to aviation pioneer Howard Hughes.
***12.24.23 - BIRTHDAY - HOWARD HUGHES***
I’m Keith Ippolito and here is your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty
We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast and If you want community, local, and statewide news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
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Story 1: Judge reviewing Georgia political maps pledges to render decision on lawfulness ‘very quickly’
Georgia's new congressional and legislative maps faced scrutiny in a court hearing presided over by federal Judge Steve Jones. The 2021 attempt at redrawing electoral maps was previously ruled non-compliant with the Voting Rights Act, leading to a special session for lawmakers to redraw them. At the hearing, Judge Jones expressed a focus on protecting the rights of Black voters. While the new maps include a new majority Black district, concerns were raised about the reshuffling of another majority minority district, impacting Democratic Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s constituency. The judge emphasized the need for a quick decision, considering the approaching election timeline.
Story 2: For Nitkowski, all roads lead back to Atlanta
Former MLB player C.J. Nitkowski has been announced as the newest member of the Atlanta Braves' television broadcast crew on Bally Sports South. Nitkowski will join play-by-play man Brandon Gaudin as the lead analyst, alongside Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and Jeff Francoeur. Nitkowski, who played for the Braves in 2004 and has called Atlanta home for nearly two decades, expressed excitement about returning to the team and the city. The opportunity arose as Francoeur decided to reduce his schedule, creating an unexpected opening for Nitkowski to join the broadcast team for the 2024 season.
Story 3: Cherokee County Firefighters Collect Over 8,000 Toys for Local Charities
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services in Georgia successfully collected over 8,000 toys and 75 bicycles during its annual toy drive. The toys were donated by community members at local fire stations and various events, including the March of the Toys Parade. The collected items were distributed to local charitable organizations, benefiting initiatives such as Toys for Tots and the Malon D. Mimms Boys and Girls Club. This year marked the 76th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign, which has provided toys to millions of children since its inception. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org and https://bgcma.org/club/mimms.
We’ll be right back
Break: ESOG — Cardinal Cleaners
Story 4: Local Jobs Reach an 'All-Time High' in November While Unemployment Claims Surge, Too
In November, Rome/Floyd County in Georgia reached a record-high employment with 45,400 people working, showing an increase of 1,500 positions from the same month last year. However, the first-time unemployment insurance numbers for November in the Northwest Georgia region present a contrasting picture. The number of applicants more than tripled in November, with Floyd County reporting 553 claims (a 254.4% increase from October), Bartow County with 636 claims (a 302% surge), Gordon County with 504 claims (up 300%), Polk County with 329 claims (up 171.8%), and Chattooga County with 340 claims (up 61.1%). The state of Georgia's November unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.4%. Despite the overall labor market growth, the surge in unemployment claims raises concerns, and the impact of the Summit Hill Foods' shutdown in Rome is being closely watched. As of Thursday, the Rome-Floyd Chamber had 58 job postings, while the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber had 34 openings, predominantly from Georgia Highlands College.
Story 5: Northwest Georgia Reports 3 COVID Deaths in the Past Week
In Northwest Georgia, there has been a notable increase in COVID-19 deaths, with three residents succumbing to the virus in the past week—marking the highest weekly death toll in three months. The affected counties include Bartow, Gordon, Polk, and Floyd. Floyd County reported 25 cases for the week, Bartow had 41, Gordon and Chattooga each reported five, and Polk recorded 16 cases. The total reported cases for the week stood at 92, consistent with the previous week. Meanwhile, Georgia witnessed a surge in new cases, reporting the highest number since mid-September (2,597) and 28 deaths. Northwest Georgia accounts for 1,492 of the state's total COVID-19 deaths. The Georgia Department of Public Health's free COVID-19 test site at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds will be closed on Christmas Day and Tuesday, Dec. 26, resuming regular hours on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
We’ll right back.
Breakl: Ingles 7
Story 6: Northwest Georgia Sees Drop in Gas Prices as Christmas Holiday Begins
Gas prices in Georgia are nearing some of the lowest levels in the past 12 months as Christmas approaches, and this trend is expected to continue through the New Year's weekend. The state's gas tax, which is around 31 cents per gallon, is now back in place after being temporarily suspended for several months by Governor Brian Kemp. As of Monday morning, local gas prices were as follows: Floyd at $2.74 a gallon, Bartow at $2.75, Gordon at $2.69, Polk at $2.71, Chattooga at $2.69, and the state average at $2.96. While the state average is 17 cents more than this time last year, prices are gradually decreasing, and it is anticipated that the national average will fall below $3 per gallon by the end of the year.
Story 7: Morgan County inmate dies by suicide
On December 12, a Morgan County Detention Center inmate, Jonathan Neil Bishop, was found dead in his cell, apparently by hanging, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The preliminary investigation suggests that Bishop's death was self-inflicted, with evidence indicating he used sheets or clothing as a ligature. Bishop, aged 41, had pleaded guilty on November 27, 2023, to multiple charges, including aggravated child molestation and child molestation, for which he was sentenced to life with 25 years to serve before probation eligibility. The tragic incident has impacted jail staff, who have undergone counseling, and Morgan County Sheriff Robert Markley expressed the seriousness of their responsibility to those in their care.
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Thanks again for listening to today’s Georgia News podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.
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