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July 8, 2026

Georgia Lottery Players Score Big Holiday Weekend Wins

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Several Georgia Lottery players had a winning holiday weekend as jackpot games continued to climb across the state.

Monday’s Powerball jackpot rose to an estimated $416 million, while tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is estimated at $576 million.

Among the weekend winners, a Stone Mountain player won $50,000 in the July 1 Powerball drawing, while a Brunswick player won $100,000 in the July 4 Powerball drawing after the Power Play multiplier doubled the prize.

An Albany player also hit a $290,307 Fantasy 5 jackpot on July 2 through the Georgia Lottery mobile app.

Other big wins included $250,000 for a Jasper player on a Diggi Game, $10,000 prizes in Kennesaw and Douglas, and two $7,500 Millionaire for Life prizes sold in Woodstock and Bonaire.

Georgia Lottery officials remind Mega Millions and Powerball winners they have 180 days from the drawing date to claim prizes. Proceeds from Georgia Lottery games benefit education across the state.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Agriculture Officials Urge Vigilance for New World Screwworm Despite No Confirmed Cases in State

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture is urging livestock producers, veterinarians and pet owners to remain alert for signs of the destructive New World Screwworm, even though no cases have been confirmed in Georgia.

July 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

ARC Report Shows Most Northwest Georgia Counties Hold Stable Economic Status

Local News, Local News Items #AppalachianRegionalCommission, #ARC, #CatoosaCounty, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityDevelopment, #DadeCountyGA, #EconomicDevelopment, #floydcountyga, #georgianews, #GordonCountyGA, #northwestgeorgia, #WalkerCountyGA, #WhitfieldCounty, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

A newly released report from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) shows that most counties across Northwest Georgia continue to maintain stable economic classifications, although a handful of counties remain among the region’s most economically challenged. The designations are used by ARC to help determine grant eligibility and investment priorities for economic and community development projects throughout Appalachia.

July 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Study Estimates Chattooga Residents Spent $114,000 on OnlyFans During 2025

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A new study estimates that residents of Chattooga County spent approximately $114,000 on OnlyFans subscriptions during 2025, making it one of five Northwest Georgia counties included in the analysis. The report was conducted by OnlyGuider, an independent search engine that indexes creators on the subscription-based platform.

July 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Atlanta Developer Files Lawsuit Over Chattooga County Project, Claims $89 Million Development Was Undermined by $1 Land Transfer

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Courthouse

An Atlanta developer has filed a lawsuit in Chattooga County Superior Court alleging that an $89 million residential development on Little Sand Mountain was derailed after the 736-acre property at the center of the project was transferred to another nonprofit organization for $1 without his knowledge.

July 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

15 People Killed on Georgia Roads During Independence Day Holiday Travel Period

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The Georgia Department of Public Safety says 15 people lost their lives in traffic crashes across Georgia during the 2026 Independence Day holiday travel period, underscoring the dangers of one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Launches “Safe at Home” Program to Protect Survivors of Domestic Violence and Other Crimes

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A new statewide program is now available to help protect the privacy and safety of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other qualifying crimes in Georgia.

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Historic Homes of Georgia’s First Black Female State Representative to Be Preserved in Atlanta

Local News, Local News Items #AtlantaGA, #BlackHistory, #ChattoogaInfo, #CivilRights, #FultonCounty, #georgiageneralassembly, #GeorgiaHistory, #georgianews, #GraceTownsHamilton, #HistoricPreservation, #NationalParkService, #PreserveBlackAtlanta, #statenews, #VineCity, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, NAACP 0

The homes of Grace Towns Hamilton, the first Black woman elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, and her father, George Towns, will be preserved as historic landmarks through a new multi-million-dollar restoration project in Atlanta’s Vine City neighborhood.

Preserve Black Atlanta is leading the effort with approximately $2.3 million in funding from a National Park Service grant and Atlanta’s Westside Tax Allocation District. Fulton County commissioners approved a portion of the local funding in June, allowing the project to move forward.

Grace Towns Hamilton made history in 1965 when she became the first Black woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly. She served in the Georgia House for nearly 20 years and is credited with helping expand political opportunities for Black Georgians during the Civil Rights era. Historians also recognize her as the first Black woman elected to state office anywhere in the South.

Her father, George Towns, was a professor at Atlanta University and helped found the Niagara Movement in 1905, an organization that laid the groundwork for the creation of the NAACP.

Project leaders say the restored homes will become public historic sites while also contributing to neighborhood revitalization. Restoration work is expected to take about two years once permitting is complete.

WABE

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

New Georgia Law Expands Medical Cannabis Access for Patients

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Thousands of Georgians may now have easier access to medical cannabis under a new state law that took effect July 1, marking the largest expansion of Georgia’s medical cannabis program since it was created.

July 5, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Families Paying Hundreds More Each Year for Electricity Than Six Years Ago

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Georgia households are paying significantly more to keep the lights on than they were just six years ago, as a series of rate increases and higher energy costs continue to push electric bills upward.