#RuralGeorgia | AM 1180 Radio

June 7, 2026

Producers Urged to Review USDA Screwworm Resources After Confirmed U.S. Case

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalHealth, #APHIS, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockProducers, #NCBA, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDA, #wzqznews 0

Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.

The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.

New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.

Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.

June 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Support For Farmers With New Resource Center As Trade Talks Continue

Local News, Local News Items #Agribusiness, #AgriculturalExports, #AgricultureNews, #ChinaTrade, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaFarming, #GeorgiaGrown, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #TylerHarper, #wzqznews 0

Georgia agriculture leaders are continuing efforts to strengthen the state’s farming industry through new business resources and expanded market opportunities.

May 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Rising Gas Prices Creating Financial Strain For Chattooga County Commuters

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #Commuters, #DailyCommute, #economy, #FloydCounty, #FuelPrices, #GasPrices, #georgianews, #Inflation, #LocalEconomy, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #RomeGA, #RuralGeorgia, #WalkerCounty, #Workforce, #WorkingFamilies, #wzqznews 0

High gasoline prices are continuing to put financial pressure on thousands of Chattooga County residents who travel outside the county each day for work.

May 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Native Named Chief Of Staff For Congressman Clay Fuller

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChiefOfStaff, #CongressmanClayFuller, #EconomicDevelopment, #floydcountyga, #georgiapolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicService, #RomeGA, #RuralGeorgia, #SpencerHogg, #wzqznews 0

Chattooga County native Spencer Hogg has been named chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Clay Fuller.

Hogg officially joined Congressman Fuller’s team on April 14th. He brings experience in economic development, government relations, and constituent service to the role.

Most recently, Hogg served as President and CEO of the Rome Floyd County Development Authority. He previously worked with the Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, serving as President and CEO, Vice President of Economic Development and Government Relations, and Economic Development Project Manager.

Hogg also has prior experience on Capitol Hill, having worked in the U.S. House of Representatives in the offices of Congressmen Tom Graves and Jody Hice.

In a statement to WZQZ News, Hogg said, “It’s the honor of a lifetime to join Rep. Clay Fuller as his Chief of Staff. Northwest Georgia raised me, and I look forward to fighting every day for the place I am proud to call home. I appreciate the chance to work for a Congressman that is committed to rural values and defending our communities.”

May 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Governor Kemp Signs Major Forestry Legislation Supporting Rural Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #agriculture, #CarbonCredits, #EconomicDevelopment, #ForestryIndustry, #ForestryJobs, #ForestryManufacturing, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaForestry, #georgiapolitics, #GovernorKemp, #HB134, #KeepGeorgiaForested, #May72026, #northwestgeorgia, #PrescribedBurning, #RuralGeorgia, #TimberIndustry, #WaterManagement, #WildfirePrevention, #WorkingForests, #wzqznews 0

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a major package of forestry and natural resources legislation Thursday at the Georgia Forestry Association headquarters in Forsyth, highlighting what industry leaders are calling a major boost for Georgia’s forestry economy and rural communities.

May 2, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Drought Driving Up Hay Prices for Farmers and Livestock Owners

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #agriculture, #CattleFarmers, #chattoogacounty, #DroughtImpact, #Farmers, #FarmingLife, #floydcountyga, #FoodSupply, #GeorgiaDrought, #HayPrices, #Livestock, #LocalAgriculture, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #WalkerCountyGA, #WeatherImpact, #wzqznews 0

Ongoing drought conditions across Georgia are creating challenges for farmers and livestock owners, with hay supplies tightening and prices climbing.

April 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Thursday – April 23, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #AgricultureNews, #chattoogacounty, #DisasterAssistance, #DroughtConditions, #DroughtRelief, #EconomicRelief, #EmergencyLoans, #FarmingCommunity, #FarmRelief, #FarmServiceAgency, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #LocalFarming, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDADisaster, #WeatherImpact, #wzqznews 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, April 23, 2026:

April 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

USDA Declares Drought Disaster, Includes Chattooga County In Assistance Area

Farmers in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia may soon see relief after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated 126 Georgia counties as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions.

April 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County TANF Job Opening Offers Temporary State Work Opportunity

Local News, Local News Items #ApplyNow, #CareerOpportunity, #chattooganews, #CommunityNews, #CountyNews, #CustomerServiceJobs, #DHSGeorgia, #EconomicOpportunity, #EmploymentOpportunity, #EmploymentSupport, #FamilySupportPrograms, #FullTimeJob, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfHumanServices, #GeorgiaEmployment, #GeorgiaJobs, #GovernmentJobs, #HiringInGeorgia, #JobOpening, #JobSeekers, #JobsForFamilies, #JobTraining, #LocalHiring, #LocalNews, #NorthGeorgiaJobs, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #OfficeJobs, #PublicAssistance, #PublicServiceJobs, #RegionalNews, #RuralGeorgia, #StateJobs, #summervillega, #TANFProgram, #TemporaryJob, #WorkforceDevelopment, #WorkforceNews, #WorkInGeorgia, #wzqznews 0

A job opening in Chattooga County is now being advertised through the Georgia Department of Human Services, but officials say applicants should understand this is not a standard public job posting.

April 12, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Fertilizer Price Spike Creating Challenges For Georgia Farmers This Spring

Local News, Local News Items #AgEconomy, #Agribusiness, #agriculture, #chattoogacounty, #CropCosts, #CropProduction, #economicimpact, #FarmingChallenges, #FarmLife, #FarmNews, #FarmUpdate, #FertilizerPrices, #FoodPrices, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaFarming, #LocalFarming, #northwestgeorgia, #PlantingSeason, #RuralGeorgia, #SpringPlanting, #wzqznews 0

As spring planting season gets underway, farmers across Georgia—including those in Northwest Georgia—are facing rising costs that are putting pressure on already tight budgets.