georgia | AM 1180 Radio

June 10, 2026

Georgia Drivers Saved Nearly $200 Million During Temporary Gas Tax Suspension

Local News, Local News Items #atlanta, #FuelTax, #GasPrices, #GasTax, #GeorgiaDrivers, #GeorgiaEconomy, #georgianews, #GovernorBrianKemp, #MotorFuelTax, #RoadFunding, #StateRevenue, #TaxRelief, #transportation, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia motorists saved an estimated $188 million during a temporary suspension of the state’s motor fuel tax that ended June 2, according to newly released state revenue figures.

The tax relief measure, approved earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp and state lawmakers, temporarily reduced the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel for consumers across Georgia. The suspension was intended to help offset higher fuel costs and provide financial relief to families and businesses.

State officials reported that fuel tax collections dropped significantly during the period the tax break was in effect, contributing to lower overall revenue from motor fuel taxes. Despite the decline in fuel tax collections, Georgia’s broader revenue picture remained stable due to strong collections from other tax sources.

The savings translated into lower prices at the pump for drivers statewide, with the average motorist paying several cents less per gallon during the suspension. State leaders have frequently used temporary fuel tax suspensions in recent years as a way to provide relief during periods of elevated fuel prices or economic uncertainty.

With the tax break now expired, Georgia’s full motor fuel tax rate has returned, meaning drivers are once again paying the standard state tax on gasoline and diesel purchases.

Supporters of the measure say it delivered meaningful savings to Georgia households, while critics note the temporary suspension also reduced transportation-related revenues that help fund road and infrastructure projects.

June 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Fuel Tax Suspension Contributes to Drop in Georgia’s May Tax Revenue

Local News, Local News Items #briankemp, #chattoogacounty, #economy, #FuelTax, #GasTax, #GeorgiaDrivers, #georgiagasprices, #GeorgiaTaxes, #June2026, #MotorFuelTax, #northwestgeorgia, #StateRevenue, #TaxRevenue, #TransportationFunding, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia’s temporary suspension of the state motor fuel tax contributed to a significant decline in tax collections during May, according to state revenue figures.

State officials reported that net tax revenues for May declined by 12.6 percent compared to the same month a year ago. The decrease comes after Georgia suspended its motor fuel excise tax for part of May in an effort to provide relief to drivers facing higher fuel costs. The suspension remained in effect through June 2.

The gas tax holiday temporarily removed Georgia’s fuel excise tax, which currently amounts to about 33 cents per gallon on gasoline. State leaders said the suspension was intended to help offset rising fuel prices and reduce costs for consumers at the pump.

While the suspension provided relief for motorists, it also reduced one of the state’s major sources of transportation-related revenue. The tax is normally collected at the wholesale level and helps fund transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Georgia.

The gas tax suspension officially expired on June 3, and state officials have indicated it will not be extended. As a result, motorists across Georgia may continue to see fuel prices fluctuate throughout the summer as the tax returns and market conditions evolve.

June 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Total Solar Eclipse Set for August, But Not Visible in Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #Astronomy, #AstronomyNews, #August2026, #chattoogacounty, #Eclipse2026, #northwestgeorgia, #ScienceNews, #Skywatching, #SolarEclipse, #SolarEclipse2026, #Space, #SpaceNews, #TotalSolarEclipse, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Skywatchers around the world are preparing for a rare celestial event this summer as a total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur on August 12, 2026, the first total solar eclipse visible anywhere on Earth in more than two years.

June 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

4-Foot Invasive Lizard Spotted In Georgia, Wildlife Officials Urge Action

Local News, Local News Items #ArgentineTegu, #conservation, #environment, #georgiadnr, #georgiawildlife, #InvasiveSpecies, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorNews, #PublicSafety, #Reptiles, #SouthGeorgia, #Tegu, #Wildlife, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia wildlife officials are warning residents about an invasive lizard species that is spreading across parts of the state and threatening native wildlife.

June 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

FBI Offers Reward As Manhunt Continues For Escaped Georgia Inmate

Local News, Local News Items #ArthurLeeCofield, #AtlantaGA, #CrimeNews, #EscapedInmate, #FBI, #FederalPrison, #FraudCase, #georgianews, #IdentityTheft, #JesupGA, #LawEnforcement, #Manhunt, #PublicSafety, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Federal authorities are continuing their search for a Georgia inmate accused of orchestrating an $11 million fraud scheme from behind bars after he escaped from a federal prison camp in south Georgia.

May 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Labor Force, Employment Reach All-Time Highs in April

Local News, Local News Items #BusinessNews, #chattoogacounty, #EconomicDevelopment, #EconomicNews, #Employment, #EmploymentNews, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfLabor, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaJobs, #georgianews, #GeorgiaWorkforce, #HealthcareJobs, #Hiring, #JobsReport, #LaborForce, #LaborMarket, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #statenews, #summervillega, #UnemploymentRate, #Workforce, #WorkforceDevelopment, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the state reached new all-time highs in both labor force participation and total employment during April, while Georgia’s unemployment rate remained well below the national average.

May 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Tax Collections Increase Again in April

Local News, Local News Items #briankemp, #BusinessNews, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfRevenue, #GeorgiaEconomy, #georgianews, #GeorgiaTaxes, #northwestgeorgia, #StateEconomy, #TaxCollections, #TaxRevenue, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia’s tax collections continued to climb in April, according to newly released state revenue figures, reflecting continued growth in sales tax and corporate tax revenues statewide.

May 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Gov. Kemp Signs New Bills Supporting Georgia Law Enforcement

Local News, Local News Items #BackTheBlue, #briankemp, #georgianews, #georgiapolitics, #LawEnforcement, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #PublicSafetyBills, #RiosLaw, #StatePolitics, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Governor Brian Kemp signed multiple pieces of legislation this week aimed at strengthening public safety and supporting law enforcement officers across Georgia during a ceremony following the annual Public Safety Memorial Ceremony in Forsyth.

May 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Begins Issuing Special Tax Refunds

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfRevenue, #georgianews, #GeorgiaTaxpayers, #GeorgiaTaxRefund, #GovernorBrianKemp, #HB1000, #IncomeTax, #northwestgeorgia, #StateBudget, #SurplusTaxRefund, #TaxRefund, #wzqznews, georgia 0

Georgia taxpayers could soon see extra money coming their way.

Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Revenue announced Monday that the state has started issuing one-time special tax refunds authorized under House Bill 1000 during the 2026 legislative session.

The refund will return more than $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers. It is the fourth special refund of its kind under Governor Kemp, following similar refunds issued in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

Most eligible taxpayers who filed both their 2024 and 2025 Georgia income tax returns before the deadline can expect to receive their refund in the coming weeks.

Refund amounts are capped at $250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately, $375 for head of household filers, and $500 for married couples filing jointly.

To qualify, taxpayers must have filed both required returns, paid into the system, and not owe the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Taxpayers can check eligibility through the Surplus Tax Refund Eligibility Tool on the Georgia Tax Center website.

April 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sonny Perdue Announces Retirement As Head Of Georgia University System

Local News, Local News Items #BoardOfRegents, #CollegeSystem, #EducationNews, #GeorgiaColleges, #georgiapolitics, #highereducation, #PublicService, #SonnyPerdue, #statenews, #UniversitySystemOfGeorgia, #wzqznews, georgia 0

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue has announced he will retire from his role leading the state’s public colleges and universities.