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March 25, 2026

Absentee Ballots for April 7th Runoff Election Available Until March 27

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Voters in Chattooga County will be asked to return to the polls on April 7, 2026 to vote in two runoff elections. The runoffs were a result of no candidate getting more than 50% of the vote in the Special Election for the Georgia 53rd Senate District and the 14th U.S. Congressional District races.

March 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Fuller, Harris Clash Ahead of April 7 Runoff in Georgia’s 14th District

Local News, Local News Items #April72026, #chattoogacounty, #ClayFuller, #CongressionalRace, #EconomicPolicy, #Election2026, #GA14, #georgiapolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #RunoffElection, #ShawnHarris, #TrumpEndorsement, #USHouse, #votingrights, #wzqznews 0

Voters in Northwest Georgia are set for a high-stakes runoff election on April 7, as Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris compete to fill the seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene in the 14th Congressional District.

March 23, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bills Focused on Child Welfare and Abuse Protections

Local News, Local News Items #AbusePrevention, #AutismAwareness, #AutismSupport, #BudgetOversight, #ChildAdvocacy, #ChildProtection, #ChildWelfare, #CommunitySupport, #FamilyJusticeCenters, #FosterCare, #GeorgiaLegislature, #georgiapolitics, #GovernmentOversight, #HumanServices, #JusticeForSurvivors, #MentalHealth, #PublicPolicy, #SocialServices, #StateGovernment, #SupportFosterYouth, #SurvivorRights, #VictimAdvocacy, #wzqznews, #YouthServices, georgia 0

Georgia lawmakers are moving forward with several bills this session aimed at improving child welfare services, supporting foster children with autism and related disorders, and strengthening legal protections for victims of abuse.

March 19, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Update Released on Health of State Senate Candidate Lanny Thomas

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An update has been released on the health and campaign status of Republican State Senate candidate and former Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas following a recent medical emergency.

March 18, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Tax Rebate Bill Heads To Governor Kemp

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Georgia lawmakers have approved House Bill 1000, a measure that would provide a one-time state income tax rebate for eligible taxpayers, and the bill is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp for his signature.

Under the proposal, taxpayers who filed timely Georgia income tax returns for both the 2024 and 2025 tax years would qualify for the rebate. The bill sets the rebate at $250 for single filers or married people filing separately, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for married couples filing jointly.

The rebate would be funded using part of the state’s budget surplus, which lawmakers say currently stands at around $14 billion.

If signed into law, the measure would mark another round of tax relief for Georgia residents, continuing a series of rebates issued by the state in recent years as lawmakers return surplus revenue to taxpayers.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Democratic State Senate District 53 candidate Jack Zibluk Suspends Campaign

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Democratic State Senate District 53 candidate Jack Zibluk has announced he is suspending campaign activities following the recent medical emergency involving his opponent, Republican candidate Lanny Thomas.

March 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

State Senate Candidate and former Mayor of Trion Lanny Thomas Undergoes Emergency Surgery

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Lanny Thomas, Republican candidate for Georgia State Senate District 53 and former mayor of the Town of Trion, has undergone emergency surgery after what his family described as a sudden and unexpected medical emergency. He is currently recovering in the hospital.

A statement released by the Thomas family says prayers and well wishes are appreciated as he continues his recovery. Before surgery, Thomas spoke with his family and expressed his determination to return to the campaign as soon as possible.

The statement says he remains committed to serving Northwest Georgia and providing honest and effective representation. Updates on his condition are expected to be shared as they become available.

Thomas, along with Democrat Jack Zibluck are on the ballot in a runoff election for State Senate District 53 on April 7.

March 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Voters Return to the Polls for Special Election Runoff – April 7

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Voters in the 53rd Georgia State Senate District and the 14th U.S. Congressional District will return to the polls for a runoff election that will be held on April 7th.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia State Senator Resigns To Focus On Lieutenant Governor Campaign

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A Georgia state senator has stepped down from office to focus on her campaign for lieutenant governor.

Democratic Sen. Nabilah Parkes, who represented part of Gwinnett County, announced her resignation in a public statement Friday. Parkes first launched a campaign for Georgia insurance and fire safety commissioner in January before shifting to the lieutenant governor’s race on March 5.

Parkes now joins state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and Richard Wright in the Democratic field for lieutenant governor. In her resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp, Parkes sharply criticized the Georgia Legislature, calling it “a place where good ideas go to die and where extremists continue to attack our freedoms.” Georgia’s primary election is scheduled for May 19.

March 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Hufstetler Pushes Housing Bills Aimed at Lowering Costs for Georgia Families

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State Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, says rising housing costs are one of the biggest threats facing Georgia families and argues that lawmakers must act to protect homeownership opportunities across the state.