The Georgia Department of Labor announced on Thursday that the unemployment rate for April 2025 was 3. 6%, the same as in March, and lower than the national rate. Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes noted that for 11 months, Georgia’s rate has remained at 3. 6%, showing strong collaboration between the state, businesses, and communities. Over the month, jobs increased by 3,700 to 4,983,200, with significant gains in accommodation, food services, and transportation. Job losses occurred in sectors like information and construction. Over the past year, health care and local government saw the most job growth, while declines were noted in administrative services and retail. The labor force decreased, with unemployment rising annually, and initial claims for unemployment benefits went up.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, May 15, 2025:

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Northwest Georgia  Residents can expect continued dry conditions and above-average temperatures through Friday as an upper-level ridge dominates the region’s weather pattern. The National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies today, with a high near 86 degrees and a southwest wind of 5 to 10 mph, potentially gusting up to 20 mph. The influence of the upper-level ridge will create a warm layer in the atmosphere, suppressing the development of thunderstorms. As a result, no thunderstorms are expected for Northwest Georgia today or tomorrow. Tonight, expect mostly cloudy skies with a low around 68 degrees. The southwest wind will diminish to around 5 mph, becoming calm in the evening. Gusts could still reach 15 mph. Friday will bring more of the same, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 87 degrees. Southwest winds will persist at 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 15 mph. However, a change is on the horizon. Friday night brings a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Skies will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 68 degrees and continued southwest winds around 5 mph, gusting to 15 mph. The chance of showers and thunderstorms continues into the weekend, with a 50 percent chance on Saturday and a 40 percent chance on Sunday. Temperatures will remain relatively mild, with highs in the mid-80s.

A Chattooga County man was arrested for driving under the influence last week after deputies discovered his vehicle in a ditch on Highway 48 near Menlo. According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on Tuesday, May 6th, regarding a vehicle located at 6465 Highway 48 near Pop’s Country Store. Upon arrival, deputies found the vehicle facing the roadway in a ditch. The driver, identified as Gilbert Eugene Laverne, was questioned by the responding deputy. The report states that there was no visible damage to the vehicle. The deputy initially inquired if Laverne needed assistance with a tow truck. During the conversation, the deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Laverne. Laverne reportedly admitted to consuming four alcoholic beverages at a bar in Rome approximately 45 minutes before. Following field sobriety tests, Laverne was placed under arrest and transported to the Chattooga County Jail. He faces charges of driving under the influence.

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in April were nearly $3. 73 billion, a decrease of $230. 4 million, or 5. 8%, from FY 2024, which totaled $3. 96 billion for the month.

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AdventHealth is excited to share that the AngioScreen bus will be available at AdventHealth Redmond on May 29, AdventHealth Gordon on June 11, and AdventHealth Murray on June 17. An AngioScreen is a noninvasive, 10-minute vascular screening designed to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke.

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill this week that changes how intellectual disability is treated in death penalty cases in Georgia. The new law requires a judge to determine whether a defendant is intellectually disabled during a pretrial hearing. Previously, a jury made this decision while also considering the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Georgia is issuing a warning to students regarding a surge in loan forgiveness scams targeting borrowers as federal student loan repayment is set to resume on May 5th. This comes after the Department of Education announced that debt collection would recommence and clarified that there would be no mass loan forgiveness program.

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House Republicans unveiled a proposal yesterday aimed at tightening eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), triggering immediate debate and highlighting partisan divisions, particularly within the Georgia congressional delegation.

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A lucky Georgia Lottery player in Cartersville is celebrating a monumental win after hitting the Fantasy 5 jackpot for a staggering $2,488,184. The winning ticket, purchased at Food City on Joe Frank Harris Parkway SE, matched all five numbers (06-12-22-26-27) in the May 9th drawing, marking the end of a 13-draw streak without a jackpot winner. This incredible win is the largest Fantasy 5 jackpot ever awarded since the game’s inception in 1994, eclipsing the previous record of $2,394,862 won by a Claxton player on September 17, 2020. “This is a life-changing win for someone in our community,” said a spokesperson for the Georgia Lottery. “We are thrilled to see another Georgian benefit from the games and contribute to the state’s education system.” Adding to the excitement, another player also scored big on May 9th, winning nearly $100,000 playing 50X The Money Quick Win. The Cartersville jackpot winner has 180 days to claim their prize. As with all Georgia Lottery games, proceeds from Powerball, Keno! and Diggi Games contribute significantly to Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship and other educational programs.