COMMERCIAL:  

From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast from the Rome News Tribune, Calhoun Times, Catoosa Walker News, and Polk County Standard. 

Today is Wednesday, December 4th and happy birthday to Jelly Roll 

***12.04.24 - BIRTHDAY – JELLY ROLL*** 

I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty. 

1.  Humane Society Dedicates Spay-Neuter Clinic 
2. Floyd Schools’ Online Program Offers Flexibility, Demands Discipline 
3. Buc-ee's In Calhoun Gets Boost With New Mercedes EV Chargers 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food  

These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

Commercial: Drake Realty (Northwest Georgia) 

STORY 1:   Humane Society Dedicates Spay-Neuter Clinic 

The Cedartown-Polk County Humane Society dedicated its spay and neuter clinic on Nov. 21 in memory of Judge Dan Peace Winn, following a generous donation from the Winn family. Named The Winn Clinic, it has performed over 2,600 spay-neuter procedures in under a year, with 85% serving Polk County animals. Led by veterinarians Laura Burch and Dan Pate, the clinic currently operates by appointment on Wednesdays and Fridays, with plans to add a third day to meet demand. Praised for its community impact, the clinic represents a decade-long vision, made possible by donations, volunteers, and unwavering local support. 

STORY 2:Floyd Schools’ Online Program Offers Flexibility, Demands Discipline 

Floyd County Schools has refined its Virtual Academy, offering an online learning option for 8th- through 12th-grade students who thrive in a self-paced, flexible environment. Led by Principal Celena Arrington and instructor Jonathan Ingram, the academy provides core and elective classes, dual enrollment, and AP course access, with in-person visits required for standardized tests. Lessons from the pandemic showed virtual learning isn’t for everyone, as many students struggled with grades and credits. To ensure success, the academy now uses a rigorous application and counselor evaluation process, targeting motivated learners ready for independent study. 

STORY 3:  Buc-ee's In Calhoun Gets Boost With New Mercedes EV Chargers 

Motorists can now quickly charge their electric vehicles at the new Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging station at Buc-ees in Calhoun, equipped with 10 CCS-compatible 400 kW chargers. These high-speed ports work with most EVs, excluding Tesla models, though adaptors are available. Mercedes plans to add Tesla-compatible cables soon. The company is expanding its network with partnerships like Buc-ees, Starbucks, and Simon Malls, aiming to build 2,500 charging ports nationwide by 2027. With efforts focused on reliability and speed, the Calhoun site marks a step toward enhancing public EV charging convenience. 

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STORY 4: Georgia Lawmakers Call for Balanced Approach to AI 

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence has recommended legislation that balances innovation with safeguards to protect privacy, fairness, and transparency. Key focuses include tackling AI-generated deep fakes through transparency and labeling requirements, as well as adopting a data privacy law. The committee also urged state agencies, cities, counties, and schools to create comprehensive AI plans and explore AI use in emergency response and healthcare. Legislative goals for 2025 include updating laws on AI, boosting tax incentives for AI-driven projects, and establishing a state board for ongoing AI oversight. The effort is seen as a continuous process to manage rapidly evolving technology. 

STORY 5:     Rome Faces Tight 2025 Budget Amid Rising Costs for Public Safety Pay 

Rome’s financial team is navigating a tighter 2025 budget due to higher-than-expected costs from employee insurance claims and recent pay raises, particularly for police and fire services. These expenses have reduced the general fund balance by $3.5 million. While the city’s fund balance can temporarily offset the shortfall, Finance Director Toni Rhinehart stresses the importance of conservative planning to sustain finances long-term. Key revenue sources like sales tax, property tax, and insurance premiums tax are crucial in narrowing budget gaps, with hopes that recent growth trends will continue. Final budget drafts will be presented to the City Commission on Dec. 9. 

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And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food  

*** INGLES 3 FAST FOOD (INTERVIEW)*** 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

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Sign off-- 

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Northwest Georgia News Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.northwestgeorgianews.com 

Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

Produced by the BG Podcast Network 

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