Good morning, Gainesville.

Kroger will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:00 a.m. Oct.

2 at its renovated Royal Lakes store on Winder Highway in Flowery Branch to unveil two million dollars worth of updates, part of a $52.7 million investment in Hall County this year.

The state labor department reported that Hall County's unemployment rate edged up a tenth-percent to 2.8% in August while employed numbers hit 108,436 + total jobs grew by 300 from last month, even though the rate remains lower than the 3.1% recorded a year ago.

Gainesville City Schools announced that New Holland Leadership Academy fifth-grade teacher Marty Jones is the District Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027, recognizing his classroom excellence.

Brenau University was ranked among the South's top colleges for undergraduate teaching and recognized as one of the best workplaces, underscoring its commitment to quality education.

The drought now covers 99.7% of Georgia with small parts of Carroll and Haralson counties remaining drought-free.

Locally, conditions remain abnormally dry and Lake Lanier is down 0.2 ft from last week and 1 ft lower than at the start of the month.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture awarded 103 grants totaling $1.5M through its Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, including several for groups in Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin, Habersham, and Jackson counties—supporting low-cost pet care statewide, Ag Commish Tyler J Harper said.

Gaines parents Kathy and Ryan launched a local mental health push to honor their son Aden (a Chestatee High student who died by suicide in March), hoping the campaign will help prevent teen suicide and support families in Hall County.

Northeast Georgia Health System hired two heart surgeons to boost its cardiac programs after several departures.

Dr. Richard L. Harvey and Dr. David Langford join the team (NGHS provided photos) to strengthen patient care at the hospital.

A new housing proposal for a subdivision is emerging off Friendship Road near Ga.

347 in South Hall—local officials expect more details soon.

Last Thursday night, the Falcons defeated the Packers 35+14 in an exciting football game as local fans tuned into 97.5 Glory FM for live play-by-play coverage.