As students across Georgia prepare to head back to class, some families will have a little more flexibility this year—thanks to the state’s new Georgia Promise Scholarship program. In Northwest Georgia, 120 students have been approved for the scholarship, including 4 in Walker County. The program offers more than $6,000 per student, spread across four payments during the school year. That money can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational services. To qualify, students must live in zones served by public schools ranked in the bottom 25 percent statewide in academic performance. Statewide, more than 8,000 students have been approved so far, following tens of thousands of applications submitted by families. Here’s a look at local numbers: Whitfield County leads the region with 64 students, followed by Murray County with 34, Catoosa with 12, Dade County with 6, and Walker County with 4. The Georgia Promise Scholarship is part of a broader push by lawmakers to expand school choice and address persistent education challenges across the state.
Northwest Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene says she won’t run for governor in Georgia in 2026, putting an end to her flirtation with the race in a long social media post saying she is turned off by a political “good ole boy” system and alleging that it was endangering Republican control of the state. Greene said she would focus on the northwest Georgia congressional seat that she has held since 2020 but left open the door for a future run.
After days under a heat advisory, relief is finally on the way. Walker County is seeing a gradual break from the intense heat, with temperatures today and tomorrow dropping just enough to bring us out of advisory range. Still, it won’t feel like fall just yet—highs will remain in the low 90s, with “feels like” temps reaching into the upper 90s. Forecasters say spotty showers and storms are likely to continue, with heavy rainfall being the biggest concern. But the weekend could bring the kind of weather many have been waiting for. Highs will fall dramatically into the low 80s, offering a much-needed break from the recent swelter. Rain chances remain in the forecast for both Saturday and Sunday, but overall, the cooler temps should bring some welcome relief across the region. Check out Discover Walker dot com this afternoon and get Patrick Core’s extended weather forecast and discussion.
The 3A Pre-Season Softball Coaches Poll is out. The LaFayette Lady Ramblers are ranked fifth in the statewide poll. Heritage is ranked number one. Cherokee Bluff, Monroe Area and Pickens also join LaFayette in the top five. The Lady Ramblers will host North Murray today in a pre-season scrimmage. First pitch is set for 5:30pm.