Four schools in the Walker County School System are being honored for academic excellence. Cherokee Ridge Elementary, Fairyland Elementary, Naomi Elementary, and LaFayette High School have earned the “Beating the Odds” designation from Georgia’s Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. The award recognizes schools that outperform others with similar student populations on the state’s College and Career Ready Performance Index. Walker County officials say they’re proud of the recognition and look forward to continued student success.
Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in May, down slightly from April’s 3.6%, and well below the national average. State Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes credits strong job growth and a business-friendly climate. Georgia added nearly 5,000 jobs last month, hitting a record high of 4.99 million jobs. Sectors seeing the most growth include health care, financial services, and government. Meanwhile, initial jobless claims fell to just over 19,000. Local data for Walker County will be released soon.
One of Georgia’s Public Service Commission races is headed to a runoff. In the District 3 Democratic primary, Keisha Waites will face Peter Hubbard on July 15, after no candidate received over 50% of the vote. Waites led with 47%, Hubbard followed with 32%, and Robert Jones was eliminated. The winner will face Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson in November. Meanwhile, District 2 Commissioner Tim Echols won the GOP primary and will face Democrat Alicia Johnson, who ran unopposed. PSC races were delayed from 2022 due to a lawsuit over voting rules.
A case of suspected theft in Ringgold has turned out to be a misunderstanding. Police say the man caught on camera taking a city flagpole earlier this month believed it was scrap metal. He returned it after realizing the mistake. Detectives interviewed the individual and determined there was insufficient probable cause to file charges. With no evidence of criminal intent, the case is now closed, according to the department’s official statement.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation will close I-24 West near Exit 183 in Chattanooga from 9 p.m. tonight through 6 a.m. Monday, June 23, for interchange construction. Westbound traffic will be detoured via North Terrace and Germantown Road, with additional lane reductions tonight. A new I-24 West ramp near Marlboro Avenue will open permanently. TDOT urges drivers to seek alternate routes, expect delays, and follow posted detours.
Honda is recalling more than 259,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a potential brake defect. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says some brake pedal pins weren’t properly secured, which could make it harder for drivers to stop safely. Models affected include 2021 to 2025 Acura TLX, 2023 to 2025 Acura MDX, and 2023 to 2025 Honda Pilot. A warning light may appear, and drivers might feel abnormal brake response. Owners will be notified by mail and can get repairs at authorized dealers. For details, visit nhtsa.gov.