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April 18, 2026

Four Georgia State Troopers Fired Following Misconduct Investigation

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Four Georgia State Troopers have been terminated following an internal investigation into misconduct involving personal injury claims, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

In a statement released by the agency, officials said the investigation began after information surfaced in January 2026 indicating that several troopers were filing personal injury claims tied to incidents stemming from vehicle pursuits.

The Department’s Office of Professional Standards conducted a review and found that the troopers had submitted numerous crash and incident reports to an attorney. That attorney then sought monetary settlements on their behalf from individuals involved in pursuits that had been initiated by the troopers.

Officials determined that the manner in which the claims were made violated department policy and ethical standards. As a result, all four troopers involved were dismissed.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety emphasized that the actions of those individuals do not reflect the agency as a whole, noting its commitment to professionalism, accountability, and maintaining public trust.

The investigation has concluded, and no additional details about the individuals involved have been released.

April 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sonny Perdue Announces Retirement As Head Of Georgia University System

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University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue has announced he will retire from his role leading the state’s public colleges and universities.

April 4, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Approve Income Tax Cuts As Property Tax Plan Falls Short

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Georgia lawmakers have approved a plan to cut the state’s income tax rate, but a broader effort to overhaul property taxes fell short before the end of the legislative session.

March 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Invasive Hornets Pose Growing Threat In Georgia, Officials Urge Residents To Be Alert

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Georgia officials are continuing to warn residents about the growing threat posed by the invasive yellow-legged hornet, a species that can create serious problems for honeybees, agriculture, and the environment.

March 15, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Power Seeks Nearly $912 Million From Customers For Storm Recovery Costs

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Georgia Power is asking state regulators to approve a plan that would charge customers $912 million over the next four years to recover costs tied to Hurricane Helene and other major storms. The proposal, filed with the Georgia Public Service Commission, would add about $4.42 per month to the typical residential bill based on 1,000 kilowatt-hours of usage, with higher-use households likely paying more.

March 13, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Discusses Fuel Tax Suspension Amid Rising Fuel Prices

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As fuel prices continue to rise amid fighting in Iran, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says he is not ready to suspend the state gas tax just yet.

Kemp told reporters Tuesday that previous gas tax suspensions were “targeted and strategic,” and he does not want to overreact to what could end up being a short-term spike in prices.

The latest jump in fuel costs follows military strikes in Iran on February 28 involving U.S. and Israeli forces, which pushed oil prices sharply higher.

Kemp noted that oil briefly climbed to around $115 a barrel before falling back to about $90 a barrel. He also said the United States is producing record levels of oil and gas, which he believes provides strong long-term energy security even while prices remain vulnerable to global events.

The governor said he plans to keep watching the markets for several more days before making any decision on whether to suspend the gas tax.

Kemp has taken that step three times before. In 2022, he suspended the gas tax as prices climbed during the war in Ukraine. In 2023, he again suspended the tax as inflation hit a 40-year high. In 2024, Kemp suspended the gas tax in response to Hurricane Helene.

For now, Georgia drivers will have to wait and see whether the recent rise in gas prices becomes severe enough to prompt another temporary tax break.

March 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Lawmakers Race Against the Clock on Crossover Day

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Georgia lawmakers worked down to the final hours on Crossover Day, one of the most important deadlines of the legislative session, as they rushed to move bills through the House and Senate before time ran out.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

University of Georgia School of Medicine Granted Preliminary Accreditation

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The University of Georgia School of Medicine has reached a major milestone in its development, receiving preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the national accrediting body for medical education programs. This designation allows UGA to begin recruiting and admitting its inaugural class of medical students, with plans to start instruction in Fall 2026.

February 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

3 Million Scratch-Off Winner Highlights Big Week for Georgia Lottery Payouts

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A North Georgia Lottery player is celebrating a life-changing win after claiming a $3 million top prize from a Georgia Lottery scratch-off ticket, one of several major payouts announced across the state in a single week. The win was part of a broader surge in lottery prizes, with players statewide collecting tens of millions of dollars from scratch-off and draw games.

January 30, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Northwest Georgia Unemployment Drops to 3.1 Percent as Workforce Reaches Record High

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The Georgia Department of Labor released new employment numbers Thursday showing continued improvement in Northwest Georgia’s job market. Georgia Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes said December saw more Georgians working and unemployment declining across every region of the state, adding that the focus in 2026 will remain on connecting workers to in-demand careers and helping businesses find the talent they need.

In Northwest Georgia, the unemployment rate fell eight-tenths of a percent over the month to 3.1 percent, down from 3.6 percent one year ago. The labor force increased by 885 over the month and by 3,180 over the year, reaching an all-time high of 459,957. Employment also reached a record high, rising by 4,207 over the month and 5,363 over the year to 445,548. Initial unemployment claims increased to 7,613, up 5,227 from the previous month and 568 higher than one year ago.