Jimmy Holbrook | AM 1180 Radio

March 1, 2026

Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bipartisan Bill to Remove Sales Tax on Diapers, Formula and Menstrual Products

Local News, Local News Items #BabyFormula, #BipartisanBill, #chattoogacounty, #CostOfLiving, #DiaperTax, #EconomicRelief, #FamilyCosts, #GeorgiaFamilies, #georgiageneralassembly, #georgiapolitics, #MenstrualProducts, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicPolicy, #RandyRobertson, #SalesTax, #StateLegislation, #TaxRelief, #WomenHealth, #wzqznews, georgia 0

A bipartisan measure moving through the Georgia General Assembly would eliminate the state’s 4% sales tax on diapers, baby formula, and menstrual products, classifying them as essential goods rather than taxable items. Supporters say the change would ease financial pressure on families, noting that while groceries and prescription drugs are already exempt in Georgia, diaper and feminine hygiene products are not.

Advocates point to long-term costs, with estimates showing the average woman spends about $18,000 on period products over her lifetime — plus roughly $1,000 in taxes. Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover diapers, and the Georgia Diaper Bank Coalition estimates ending the diaper tax could save families about $80 per child. Diaper banks statewide distribute more than 1.4 million diapers each year to families in need.

The effort is being led this session by Republican State Sen. Randy Robertson, who says the issue is about prioritizing families despite the potential loss of millions in state revenue. The bill must pass committee before heading to the Senate floor ahead of Crossover Day, and supporters say it has bipartisan backing. If approved, Georgia would join a growing number of states that have eliminated sales taxes on menstrual and baby care products.

March 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Jobless Claims Dip as U.S. Filings Tick Up; Northwest Georgia Watches Trend

Local News, Local News Items #CatoosaCounty, #chattoogacounty, #DadeCounty, #EconomicUpdate, #EmploymentUpdate, #FloydCounty, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfLabor, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaJobs, #GordonCounty, #JoblessClaims, #LaborMarket, #Layoffs, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #summervillega, #trionga, #UnemploymentClaims, #USDOL, #WalkerCounty, #Workforce, #wzqznews, georgia 0

New unemployment benefit filings in Georgia declined last week, a sign layoffs may be easing slightly statewide even as national claims moved higher. The U.S. Department of Labor reports Georgia initial claims fell to 3,979 for the week ending February 21, down from 4,293 the week before (a drop of 314).

Nationally, seasonally adjusted initial claims rose to 212,000, up 4,000 from the prior week, according to the same weekly report.

In the week’s state-by-state movement, Rhode Island posted the largest percentage jump (from 1,154 to 2,677, about +132%) while Michigan saw the biggest percentage drop (from 7,315 to 3,667, about -49.9%).

March 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Shorter University Nursing Program Awarded $200,000 Grant to Strengthen Operations and Christ-Centered Training

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The Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing at Shorter University has received a $200,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, providing a major boost for program operations and continued training of future nurses across Northwest Georgia and beyond.

March 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Highlands College and Kennesaw State University Expand Transfer Pathways

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Georgia Highlands College (GHC) and Kennesaw State University (KSU) are expanding their LINK partnership, a collaborative initiative to create seamless transfer pathways and expand academic opportunities for students.

February 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

President Trump to Visit Rome on Thursday

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February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Clay Fuller Campaign Hosting Meet-and-Greet in Summerville as Crowded GA-14 Special Election Nears

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A campaign meet-and-greet for Clay Fuller is set for Monday, February 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Jefferson’s, 10096 Commerce St., Summerville, with organizers saying no RSVP is needed and the public is invited to stop by and talk with the candidate.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

University of Georgia School of Medicine Granted Preliminary Accreditation

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The University of Georgia School of Medicine has reached a major milestone in its development, receiving preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the national accrediting body for medical education programs. This designation allows UGA to begin recruiting and admitting its inaugural class of medical students, with plans to start instruction in Fall 2026.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

3 Million Scratch-Off Winner Highlights Big Week for Georgia Lottery Payouts

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A North Georgia Lottery player is celebrating a life-changing win after claiming a $3 million top prize from a Georgia Lottery scratch-off ticket, one of several major payouts announced across the state in a single week. The win was part of a broader surge in lottery prizes, with players statewide collecting tens of millions of dollars from scratch-off and draw games.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

American Legion Post 129 Donates New U.S. Flags to Chattooga High School

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Chattooga High School is expressing its appreciation to the Chattooga County Memorial Home and American Legion Post 129 for the donation of two new United States flags, reinforcing a long-standing tradition of patriotism and respect on campus.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Jobless Claims Rise Last Week as U.S. Total Declines

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Initial unemployment filings in Georgia increased last week compared with the week before, according to new figures released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The state recorded 5,133 new jobless claims for the week ending February 7, up from 4,681 the prior week — a gain of 452 claims. Nationwide, initial unemployment claims fell to 227,000, down 5,000 from 232,000 the week before on a seasonally adjusted basis, signaling a modest improvement at the national level even as Georgia ticked upward.

Other states saw sharper swings. Virginia posted the largest percentage increase in weekly claims, rising 68.8%, while Missouri had the largest percentage drop, with new claims falling 43.5%.