Georgia Jobless Claims Dip as U.S. Filings Tick Up; Northwest Georgia Watches Trend

New unemployment benefit filings in Georgia declined last week, a sign layoffs may be easing slightly statewide even as national claims moved higher. The U.S. Department of Labor reports Georgia initial claims fell to 3,979 for the week ending February 21, down from 4,293 the week before (a drop of 314).

Nationally, seasonally adjusted initial claims rose to 212,000, up 4,000 from the prior week, according to the same weekly report.

In the week’s state-by-state movement, Rhode Island posted the largest percentage jump (from 1,154 to 2,677, about +132%) while Michigan saw the biggest percentage drop (from 7,315 to 3,667, about -49.9%).

Shorter University Nursing Program Awarded $200,000 Grant to Strengthen Operations and Christ-Centered Training

 The Ben and Ollie Brady School of Nursing at Shorter University has received a $200,000 grant from the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation, providing a major boost for program operations and continued training of future nurses across Northwest Georgia and beyond.

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Georgia Highlands College and Kennesaw State University Expand Transfer Pathways

Georgia Highlands College (GHC) and Kennesaw State University (KSU) are expanding their LINK partnership, a collaborative initiative to create seamless transfer pathways and expand academic opportunities for students.

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Low Clouds and Fog Give Way to Warm Weekend in Chattooga County; Cooler Start to Week Before Big Warm-Up Returns

Chattooga County and the rest of Northwest Georgia are waking up to low clouds and patchy dense fog this Saturday morning, but brighter skies and unseasonably warm temperatures are on the way.

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Berry College Music Brings Spring Concert Series

The Berry College music department is set to deliver a spring lineup of performances designed to connect with the Rome community through music that highlights culture, representation, and shared experiences.

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Rain Today and Tonight With A Dry and Mild Week Ahead

Widespread showers and a few isolated thunderstorms will continue across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today and into tonight as a cold front tracks south through the region. Early activity has included occasional lightning, but storms have remained scattered and disorganized with no strong or organized severe threat showing up in the near-term pattern.

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Chattooga County Students From Trion and Summerville Earn Spring 2026 Gene Haas Scholarships at GNTC

(From left) Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC; Bart Jenkins, program director and instructor of Precision Machining and Manufacturing at GNTC; Mayahuel Yaoapoqa, scholarship recipient; and Jon Minyard, Haas sales engineer, pose for a photo in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing lab at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome.

Two Chattooga County residents—one from Trion and the other from Summerville—are being recognized for academic excellence and career potential in advanced manufacturing.

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Atrium Health Floyd Lifts Temporary Masking and Visitor Restrictions

Atrium Health Floyd has lifted the temporary masking and visitor restrictions that had been in place since December, citing a steady decline in respiratory illness cases among patients and staff.

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Mild Temperatures and Rain Chances Ahead for Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia

Residents across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia can expect average to slightly above-average temperatures to continue through the weekend, along with several opportunities for rainfall and a few thunderstorms heading into Thursday and Friday.

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Rome Police Investigating After Woman Struck and Killed by Train Behind Rome Kroger

The Rome Police Department is investigating a deadly incident that happened Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after a person was struck by a train behind the Rome Kroger.

According to Floyd County Coroner Gene Proctor, the deceased is a female, and her body is being sent to the GBI Crime Lab.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and no additional details are being released at this time.

Authorities are reminding the public to use extreme caution around railroad tracks. Trains can be quieter than expected, move faster than they appear, and require a long distance to stop.