A Crawford County man is facing state and federal charges after a multi-agency investigation into alleged illegal dog fighting led to the rescue of 23 dogs and the seizure of firearms and suspected illegal drugs.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development, giving county officials time to study the issue and determine whether additional local regulations are needed before such facilities are considered.
The Georgia Department of Corrections and communities across Northwest Georgia are mourning the unexpected death of Hays State Prison Warden Joshua Jones, who passed away on July 4, 2026, at the age of 39.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper has officially proclaimed July 2026 as Georgia Grown Watermelon Month, recognizing one of the state’s most recognizable crops and the farmers who produce it.
The announcement highlights Georgia’s position as the nation’s leading watermelon-producing state, with growers harvesting more than 200 million pounds of watermelons each year. The crop is a key part of Georgia’s agriculture industry, which contributes more than $100 billion annually to the state’s economy.
“Georgia’s watermelon growers are among the hardest-working farmers in the nation,” Harper said in announcing the proclamation. He encouraged consumers to support local agriculture by purchasing Georgia Grown watermelons throughout the summer season.
Watermelons are typically harvested across Georgia from June through August, making July one of the peak months for fresh, locally grown fruit. Georgia’s warm climate and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions, helping the state consistently rank first in national watermelon production.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says buying Georgia Grown products supports farm families, strengthens local communities, and helps sustain one of the state’s largest industries. Consumers can identify locally grown produce by looking for the Georgia Grown logo at grocery stores, farmers markets, and roadside stands.
Commissioner Harper said the month-long recognition celebrates both the quality of Georgia-grown watermelons and the important role agriculture continues to play in the state’s economy.
The Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to move forward with an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s largest electricity customers—including data centers—are paying their fair share of fuel costs or shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers.
Two of the three suspects accused of stealing several iPads from the Walmart in Trion are now in custody, while law enforcement continues searching for a third suspect.
According to Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader, store employees attempted to stop the three men as they left the store Friday after they were suspected of shoplifting multiple iPads. The suspects fled before deputies arrived.
One suspect was initially apprehended Friday. Sheriff Schrader later announced that a second suspect has now been taken into custody, leaving one suspect still at large.
Authorities said the remaining suspect was last seen wearing green and black shorts with a black shirt. Sheriff Schrader has released a surveillance image of the suspect and is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators believe the suspects may also be connected to other shoplifting incidents in Michigan and Dalton, Georgia.
The investigation remains active, and additional charges or arrests may be forthcoming.
Anyone with information on the remaining suspect is encouraged to contact the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, July 11, 2026:
Motorists traveling across Georgia and the Southeast next week can expect to see a much stronger law enforcement presence as the annual Operation Southern Slow Down campaign gets underway.
Kevin Godfrey and Lacey Gilreath with Godfrey’s Tree Service have organized a GoFundMe campaign to help a Trion family whose home was heavily damaged during severe storms on July 4, 2026.
Georgia’s net tax collections fell in June, but the state still ended Fiscal Year 2026 slightly ahead of the previous year.
According to the Governor’s Office, June net tax revenue totaled nearly $2.95 billion, down $215.1 million, or 6.8 percent, compared to June of last year. However, year-to-date collections through June 30 totaled $33.75 billion, an increase of $129.5 million, or 0.4 percent, over Fiscal Year 2025.
State officials say the monthly comparison was heavily affected by Georgia’s motor fuel excise tax suspension, which began March 20 and remained in effect until June 3. Without the motor fuel tax impact, June revenues were down only 0.6 percent, while full-year collections were up nearly 1.6 percent.
Individual income tax collections were down 6.7 percent in June, while sales tax collections increased 6.8 percent and corporate income tax collections rose 7 percent. Motor fuel tax collections dropped 98.5 percent, reflecting the temporary suspension ordered by Governor Brian Kemp.
Motor vehicle tag and title fees and title ad valorem tax collections were also down compared to June 2025.