Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate declined in September, with new figures showing the rate down two-tenths to 3.2%, according to Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes. “Unemployment in Georgia dropped across nearly every region in September,” Holmes said. “As we approach the end of the year, we’re staying focused on keeping workers ready, businesses strong, and opportunity growing across the state.”
Georgia’s economy is expected to remain under pressure heading into 2026, with the risk of recession nearly a coin toss, according to the 43rd annual forecast from the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. The report places the odds of a recession in Georgia at 49%, noting that the economy is struggling and could tip into a downturn with only a modest shock.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many Georgia households are bracing for a holiday meal that, while offering some relief on the centerpiece, continues to strain their budgets. Despite a welcome dip in wholesale turkey prices, the overall cost of putting together a traditional feast remains a significant balancing act for families across the state, squeezed by persistent inflation on many other grocery staples.










