Area News
Fuel Tax Suspension Results in May Net Tax Revenue Decline of 12.6%
The State of Georgia’s net tax revenue collections in May totaled $2.35 billion, for a decrease of $339.1 million, or 12.6%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled $2.69 billion for the month. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections for the period ending May 31 totaled $30.8 billion, for an increase of $344.6 million, or…
Read MoreCarr Indicts McDuffie County Man Accused of Trafficking Missing Teen
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that Jimmy Mance, 40, of Thomson, has been indicted and charged with the trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 17-year-old female in McDuffie County. The child was previously reported as missing and recovered in December 2025. The Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit took warrants against Mance on April 13, 2026.…
Read MoreGeorgia Surpasses 5 Million Jobs, Sets New Records in Labor Force and Employment
The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia jobs surpassed 5 million, reaching 5,002,400 in May. The state’s labor force also reached an all-time high of 5,470,704, while total employment set a new record at 5,283,862. The May unemployment rate fell to 3.4%, down from Georgia’s revised April rate of 3.5% and 0.9 percentage…
Read MoreTravis Tritt to Perform at Wild Adventures LIVE! Concert Series June 27
Wild Adventures Theme Park will continue its 2026 Wild Adventures LIVE! Concert Series on Saturday, May 30, with a performance by GRAMMY® Award-winning Country singer & Georgia native Travis Tritt, delivering a performance of chart-topping hit songs during a full lineup of live entertainment during the park’s 30th anniversary year and Celebrate America Festival powered by…
Read MoreWiregrass Student Wins Bronze at SkillsUSA National Championships
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College student Alexis Ramirez of Hahira earned a bronze medal in Dental Assisting at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) and National Championships, placing among the nation’s top competitors in her field. Ramirez qualified for the national competition after winning a gold medal in Dental Assisting at the Georgia…
Read MoreGeorgia launches new Work-Based Learning Diploma option for high school students entering high-demand careers
The Georgia Department of Education is launching a new Work-Based Learning Diploma, providing an additional pathway to a Georgia high school diploma for students who plan to directly enter high-demand careers right after graduation. The State Board of Education approved Superintendent Woods’ recommendation to update Georgia’s high school graduation requirements today, including the addition of the…
Read MoreSGMC Health Honors Booker-Orr with Safe Care Award
SGMC Health recognized Crisp Booker-Orr, Sleep Lab Technician at SGMC Health Smith Northview, as the latest recipient of the Safe Care Award for demonstrating exceptional awareness, quick thinking, and a strong commitment to patient safety. During a routine interaction, Booker-Orr recognized that a patient was experiencing a potentially serious medical concern requiring immediate attention. Understanding the urgency…
Read MoreGeorgia DJJ Graduates 48 New Correctional Officers
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) celebrated the graduation of 48 Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) cadets during a ceremony held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, Georgia, on May 29. This event marked the culmination of their training and the beginning of their new roles in various DJJ secure facilities…
Read MoreABAC highlights Spring 2026 academic achievements
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has announced the students who earned top academic honors for the Spring 2026 semester. Students are recognized for outstanding classroom performance across three achievement lists: the President’s Honor List, the Dean’s Honor List and the Distinguished Achievement List. The President’s Honor List, ABAC’s highest academic recognition, includes students who achieved a…
Read MoreRed Cross: Urgent need for donors to help keep blood supply stable
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types and those giving platelets are needed to keep a strong supply of lifesaving blood products on hospital shelves into the summer. As summer heat ramps up, so do people’s plans, which could lead…
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