Georgia Northwestern Technical College has selected three students as its finalists for the 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL), according to GOAL program coordinator Trish Wiggins. The finalists are Brittney Elrod of Ringgold (Business Management, Catoosa County Campus, nominated by Dr. Dwight Watt), Latasha Fluker of Rome (Marketing Management, Floyd County Campus, nominated by Mark Upton), and Noelia Sargento of Rossville (Business Management, Walker County Campus, nominated by Tracy Gentry).
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R–Armuchee) says the Georgia House returned to Atlanta on January 12 to open the 2026 legislative session, beginning the second regular session of the 158th General Assembly. Lumsden noted the week included recognition of the newly restored House Chamber and adoption of the session calendar, with the 40-day session scheduled to end April 2, known as Sine Die. He also highlighted Governor Brian Kemp’s priorities shared at the Georgia Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast, including transportation spending proposals, a one-time natural gas infrastructure fund, and a Homeless Response Grant tied to preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. Lumsden said Kemp’s final State of the State Address focused on tax relief, cost-of-living issues, education and workforce training, school safety, and public safety priorities, including efforts to combat human trafficking and gang-related crime. The week concluded with a Celebration of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Lumsden said lawmakers returned after the holiday for “budget week,” when agencies outline funding needs to appropriations committees. You can see the complete legislative report below:
Georgia lawmakers have introduced a new bill that would expand the state’s restrictions on student cell phone use, potentially banning personal devices in high schools statewide.
Governor Brian Kemp delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues event earlier this week, outlining what he described as his top legislative and budget priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session.
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) has unveiled the Georgia House of Representatives’ policy agenda for the 2026 Legislative Session, saying the chamber will focus on affordability and quality of life for families across the state while continuing work tied to recent tax cuts, insurance-cost efforts, education initiatives and healthcare investments.
Educators in Chattooga County are turning to creative solutions to improve literacy and encourage a love of reading among students, especially in a rural community with limited access to services.
Chattooga County Schools will begin following an updated personal electronic device policy when students return to class on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in response to Georgia’s new Distraction-Free Education Act (HB 340).
Here are some of the top stories from WZQZ Radio and our website at www.chattoogainfo.com for 2025, highlighting major legal battles, elections, public safety issues, education news, and political developments that shaped the year in Chattooga County.
The Chattooga County Chamber is shining a spotlight on the Leadership Chattooga Class of 2025, recognizing a group of local professionals who represent a wide range of organizations serving Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia.
Chattooga County Schools will hold its annual Educators Conference on Monday, December 8, at Chattooga High School from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The conference is a dedicated day of professional learning focused on strengthening classroom instruction, supporting educator growth, and improving student outcomes across the district.
