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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, December 30th, and happy 87th birthday to HOF pitcher Sandy Koufax.
***12.30.23 - BIRTHDAY - SANDY KOUFAX***
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: Motions To Overturn Conviction in 1985 Floyd County Death Penalty Case Still Pending
James Randall Rogers, a Floyd County man on death row since 1985 for the rape and murder of his 75-year-old neighbor Grace Perry, awaits a ruling on whether he'll be granted a new trial. His attorneys argue that pseudo-scientific evidence, including bite mark analysis, latent fingerprint analysis, and microscopic hair analysis, was used to convict him. The practices are now discredited, and experts have recanted their testimony. The defense contends the 1985 trial focused on debunked bite mark evidence, and a ruling is pending after a 2022 hearing. Rogers also seeks to challenge his legal representation and claims racial bias in jury selection.
STORY 2: Raffensperger Renews Call to End General Election Runoffs
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has renewed his call for the General Assembly to eliminate general election runoffs in the state, citing the upcoming presidential election and the desire to give families a break during the holiday season. Raffensperger argues that runoffs are unnecessary and costly, citing the example of U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who won both the 2022 general election and the subsequent runoff. Georgia is one of two states, along with Louisiana, that conducts general election runoffs, and Raffensperger urges lawmakers to revisit the issue in the upcoming legislative session.
STORY 3: Even With a Record Number of Jobs in November, Region Sees Rise in People Out of Work
In November, Rome, Georgia, posted a 2.8% jobless rate, down from the previous month and matching the numbers from a year ago. The region reported a record 45,400 jobs in November, reaching an all-time high for the month. However, the number of people listed as unemployed across Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk, and Chattooga counties rose in November compared to the same month in 2022. Approximately 4,060 people were listed as jobless, up 4.7% from November of the previous year. Some of the monthly job increases are attributed to the Christmas hiring season, especially in retail.
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STORY 4: New Congressional Map Solidifies Northwest Georgia as Republican Stronghold
Under the new voting map adopted by Georgia and pending review by a federal judge, Gordon County has been shifted out of Northwest Georgia's 14th Congressional District. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones ordered a redraw of the 2021 map to add a majority Black district, and the state lawmakers approved a new one in a December special session. The 14th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, now consists of Floyd, Polk, Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Whitfield, Catoosa, Murray, Paulding, and a portion of Cobb. The demographic changes in the districts show Northwest Georgia as a majority white Republican stronghold.
STORY 5: North Main Bridge Replacement to Impact Cedartown Traffic
The Georgia Department of Transportation has issued a notice to proceed with a nearly $3 million project to replace a short bridge over a tributary of Cedar Creek in Cedartown. The project, awarded to Williams Contracting Co., LLC, involves replacing the existing bridge with a new structure meeting current design standards, including new roadway approaches. The bridge, built in 1938 and widened in 1949, will be replaced with two 11-foot-wide travel lanes, a 14-foot center turn lane, curb and gutter, and sidewalks. The project is expected to affect driving patterns for most of next year, with completion scheduled by May 31, 2025.
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STORY 6: Judge Upholds New Georgia Congressional, Legislative Maps
U.S. District Judge Steve Jones upheld the new legislative and congressional maps drawn by Georgia lawmakers during a recent special session. In October, Jones had ordered a redrawing of the maps after voting rights and civil rights groups filed lawsuits, claiming the original maps violated the Voting Rights Act. The new maps were expected to result in Democrats gaining a seat in the congressional delegation and reducing Republican majorities in the state House and Senate. However, the judge's recent ruling stated that redistricting decisions made for partisan advantage do not alone violate the Voting Rights Act's Section 2.
STORY 7: Greene Lauds Local Police Response After Another Swatting Attempt
14th District Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reported an eighth swatting attempt at her Rome, Georgia, residence on Christmas morning, where a false report of a crime prompts emergency services to respond to the unsuspecting location. The call originated from a man in New York, claiming he shot his girlfriend at Greene's home. Rome police, recognizing Greene's address, contacted her security staff to confirm no emergency. This marks the eighth such attempt, with some originating from overseas numbers. Greene criticized the FBI on social media for not tracking down the responsible parties and plans to introduce legislation addressing swatting. No arrests have been made.
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