#RomeGA | AM 1180 Radio

September 25, 2026

Berry College Ranked No. 1 For Best Value And Undergraduate Teaching In South

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Berry College has earned top honors in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, including two No. 1 rankings among regional universities in the South.

The Rome college was ranked No. 1 for Best Value and No. 1 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. Berry also placed second overall among regional universities in the South, a category covering institutions across 13 states and territories.

Berry says its Best Value ranking reflects affordability efforts along with its LifeWorks program, which guarantees students up to eight semesters of paid, hands-on professional development experience. The college reports awarding more than $60 million in financial aid, with all undergraduate students receiving some form of financial assistance.

Berry’s undergraduate teaching recognition comes as the college maintains a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, which the school says allows for greater individual attention and mentoring.

Berry also received national recognition, ranking eighth in the country for service learning and remaining among the nation’s top 40 schools for first-year experience.

The rankings represent an improvement from previous years. In the 2024 U.S. News rankings, Berry was No. 2 for both Best Value and Undergraduate Teaching and fourth overall among regional universities in the South.

U.S. News says its rankings consider factors including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, graduate debt, earnings, faculty information and admissions data. Peer assessments from academics account for 20 percent of the methodology.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Longtime Georgia DNR Sergeant Ben Cunningham Dies Suddenly In Rome

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Georgia DNR Sergeant Ben Cunningham, who supervised Game Wardens serving Chattooga County and other parts of Northwest Georgia, died suddenly Thursday following a possible medical episode while on duty in Rome.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Plenty To Do Around Chattooga County And Northwest Georgia This Weekend

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The final weekend of September brings several events to Chattooga County, with antique farm equipment, outdoor activities and a community celebration all scheduled for Saturday. There are also several larger events just down the road in Floyd County.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Power Nearing Completion Of Major Battery Storage Project In Floyd County

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A major Georgia Power energy project in Northwest Georgia is nearing completion, with the company preparing to place a 57.5-megawatt battery storage facility in Floyd County into service later this year.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

AdventHealth Georgia Leader Named To State Rural Health Advisory Council

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An AdventHealth Georgia leader has been appointed to a statewide council that will help guide efforts to improve healthcare access in rural communities — including Chattooga County and other parts of Northwest Georgia.

September 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Northwest Georgia Employment Reaches Record High As Unemployment Edges Up

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Northwest Georgia’s unemployment rate unchanged at 5.6 percent, Rome Down

Northwest Georgia added workers during August, with both the regional labor force and the number of people employed reaching all-time highs, according to new figures from the Georgia Department of Labor.

September 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Rome Police Identify Pedestrian Killed In Shorter Avenue Crash

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A 70-year-old Rome woman was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by a vehicle on Shorter Avenue, according to the Rome Police Department

September 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Pirelli Announces $1.2 Billion Rome Expansion, 1,000 New Jobs Expected

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One of Northwest Georgia’s largest economic development announcements in recent years is coming to neighboring Floyd County, where Pirelli plans to invest approximately $1.2 billion in a major expansion of its Rome manufacturing operation.

September 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Blood Assurance Honors Dolly Parton With Special ‘9 To 5’ Donor Shirt

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Blood Assurance is combining country music and a lifesaving cause this week with a special tribute to Dolly Parton.

On Friday, September 25, anyone donating blood at a Blood Assurance donation center or participating mobile blood drive will receive an exclusive, one-day-only Dolly-inspired “9 to 5” T-shirt, while supplies last.

The shirt features a quote from Parton encouraging people to make a difference in the world around them. Blood Assurance says the promotion is intended to turn that spirit of goodwill into action by encouraging more people to donate blood.

Blood Assurance is particularly important to Northwest Georgia. The nonprofit is the primary supplier of blood and blood products for Atrium Health Floyd and AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, along with Cartersville Medical Center. The organization says it now needs more than 600 donors every day to supply its partner hospitals.

All blood types are needed. Appointments are encouraged but aren’t required. Donors can schedule an appointment through Blood Assurance or by calling 800-962-0628.

September 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC Seeking Culinary Arts Program Director And Instructor

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Georgia Northwestern Technical College is accepting applications for a Culinary Arts Program Director and Instructor based at the college’s Floyd County Campus.