georgia | AM 1180 Radio

July 9, 2026

Governor Kemp Leads Economic Development Mission to Scotland and Ireland

Local News, Local News Items #briankemp, #BusinessNews, #ChattoogaInfo, #EconomicDevelopment, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfEconomicDevelopment, #GeorgiaEconomy, #HyundaiMotorGroup, #internationaltrade, #Ireland, #jobs, #KerryGroup, #northwestgeorgia, #Scotland, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an international economic development mission this week to Scotland and Ireland, where they are meeting with business leaders and government officials to strengthen relationships and encourage additional investment in Georgia.

The delegation includes representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and will meet with executives from Hyundai Motor Group, whose investments in Georgia represent the largest economic development project in state history. The Governor is also scheduled to meet with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and visit several companies with operations in Georgia.

Among the companies participating are Kerry Group, which operates food-processing facilities in Rome and Calhoun, along with CRH, Kingspan Group, Mallaghan, and Smurfit Westrock. The delegation will also tour the Georgia Southern University Wexford Campus to promote educational and economic partnerships between Georgia and Ireland.

Governor Kemp said the trip is focused on creating new jobs and expanding opportunities for hardworking Georgians through continued international investment.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Wednesday – July 8, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #arrestreport, #chattoogacounty, #chattoogacountysheriff, #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #WednesdayJuly82026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, July 8, 2026:

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Ossoff, Warnock Renew Push to Stop Planned Service Cuts at Eisenhower Army Medical Center

Local News, Local News Items #AugustaGA, #Congress, #DefenseHealthAgency, #EisenhowerArmyMedicalCenter, #FortGordon, #healthcare, #JonOssoff, #July72026, #MilitaryFamilies, #MilitaryHealthcare, #RaphaelWarnock, #ServiceMembers, #TuesdayJuly72026, #veterans, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are again urging the Defense Health Agency to abandon plans to significantly reduce services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, warning the proposal could negatively affect thousands of active-duty servicemembers, veterans, military families and civilian employees.

In a letter to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Keith Bass, the senators expressed concern over the agency’s plan to eliminate all inpatient services and transition the hospital into an ambulatory care center. The proposal would also convert the facility’s emergency department into an urgent care center. The lawmakers said the Defense Health Agency has not provided a clear plan explaining how patients would continue receiving care or how the changes would affect the surrounding healthcare system.

Ossoff and Warnock wrote that reducing services without a comprehensive transition plan could create confusion and make it more difficult for servicemembers, their families and veterans to access the care they need. They urged the agency to halt implementation of the plan, withdraw its congressional notification and provide additional information before moving forward.

The senators noted that Eisenhower Army Medical Center serves an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 active-duty servicemembers, retirees, military families and Department of Defense civilians in the Central Savannah River Area. Senator Ossoff first began pressing the Defense Health Agency for answers about the proposed reductions last year and has continued to oppose the changes

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Publix Recalls Frozen Blueberries Sold in Georgia After E. coli Illnesses Reported

Local News, Local News Items #Blueberries, #ConsumerAlert, #EColi, #FoodRecall, #FoodSafety, #georgianews, #GreenWise, #HealthAlert, #July72026, #Publix, #Recall, #TuesdayJuly72026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Publix customers in Georgia are being urged to check their freezers after the grocery chain recalled a specific lot of frozen blueberries linked to 12 confirmed cases of E. coli illness.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Met with OpenAI Leaders as Georgia Pursues AI Growth

Local News, Local News Items #ArtificialIntelligence, #briankemp, #DataCenters, #EconomicDevelopment, #Energy, #georgiapower, #July72026, #OpenAI, #StateGovernment, #Technology, #TuesdayJuly72026, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Governor Brian Kemp recently met privately with executives from OpenAI and Georgia Power as state leaders continue exploring Georgia’s role in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry. According to documents obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act, the meeting took place on June 11 at the State Capitol, although neither the Governor’s Office nor OpenAI disclosed what was discussed.

July 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

CDC Investigating Multi-State Parasite Outbreak Linked to Severe Diarrhea

Local News, Local News Items #CDC, #ChattoogaInfo, #Cyclospora, #Cyclosporiasis, #FoodborneIllness, #FoodSafety, #FreshProduce, #GeorgiaHealth, #HealthAlert, #LocalNews, #PublicHealth, #SummerHealth, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of a foodborne parasite that has sickened at least 145 people across the United States, including cases in Georgia.

July 3, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia State Patrol Seeks Public Votes in National ‘Best Looking Patrol Car’ Contest

Local News, Local News Items #AAST, #BestLookingPatrolCar, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfPublicSafety, #GeorgiaStatePatrol, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PeachState, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #SupportGeorgia, #VoteGeorgia, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is asking Georgians to help the Georgia State Patrol bring home a national title by voting in the 2026 American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best Looking Patrol Car Contest.

Voting is now underway, and the annual contest features patrol vehicles from state law enforcement agencies across the country. Supporters can cast one vote for Georgia’s entry through July 10.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety is also encouraging residents to like and share the contest announcement on social media and invite friends and family to participate. Officials say every vote helps showcase the pride, professionalism, and tradition of the Georgia State Patrol on a national stage.

To vote, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026bestlookingcruiser

July 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia’s Bald Eagle Population Continues Strong Growth, DNR Survey Finds

Local News, Local News Items #BaldEagle, #BirdsOfPrey, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #conservation, #EndangeredSpecies, #georgiadnr, #GeorgiaOutdoors, #georgiawildlife, #LocalNews, #Nature, #northwestgeorgia, #ProtectedSpecies, #WildlifeConservation, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Georgia’s bald eagle population continues to thrive, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ annual nesting survey, which found nesting success well above long-term averages despite surveying fewer areas than usual this year.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Why Are Georgia Power Bills Still So High Despite a Fuel Rate Cut?

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ConsumerNews, #ElectricBills, #Electricity, #EnergyCosts, #EnergyEfficiency, #georgiapower, #georgiapsc, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #PowerBills, #SummerHeat, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Many Georgia Power customers may have noticed that electric bills remain high this summer, even though the utility recently lowered the fuel portion of its rates.

According to WABE, the biggest reason is increased summer electricity use. As temperatures climb, air conditioners run longer and harder, driving up the amount of electricity households consume. At the same time, Georgia Power’s higher seasonal summer rates take effect, meaning customers pay more for electricity during the months when demand is greatest.

Although the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a reduction in Georgia Power’s fuel costs that lowered the average residential bill by about $4 per month beginning in June, those savings are often outweighed by increased air conditioning use and higher summer rates.

Georgia Power recommends several ways to reduce bills, including raising the thermostat by one degree, using a programmable thermostat, replacing HVAC filters regularly, sealing air leaks around doors and windows, and taking advantage of free home energy audits and available rebates for energy-efficient improvements. Consumer advocates also encourage customers to carefully review optional billing plans before switching, as some may cost more over time depending on energy usage.

June 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Inmate Accused of Posing as Deputy in Phone Scam

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #CrimeNews, #DoolyStatePrison, #FlaglerCounty, #FraudAlert, #LawEnforcement, #LocalNews, #PalmCoast, #PhoneScam, #PublicSafety, #ScamAlert, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YourHometownRadioStation, georgia 0

Authorities in Florida say a Georgia prison inmate has admitted to posing as a sheriff’s deputy in a phone scam that stole money from a Palm Coast, Florida resident.