Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Athens recorded an unemployment rate of 4.2 percent in June, up nine-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 3.6 percent. “Georgia is where opportunities abound, and innovation thrives,” said Commissioner Bruce Thompson. “Every summer, our students and seasonal workers inject our workforce with a fresh wave of talent and energy. Although this may lead to a temporary rise in unemployment, their contributions are the driving force behind our businesses’ success and the engine propelling our economy forward ..read more

A million-dollar price tag no longer means lavish and luxurious living. In more than 200 U.S. cities, buyers will find a price tag of $1 million or more on the typical starter home, a new Zillow® analysis finds. The typical "starter home" — defined for this analysis as being among those in the lowest third of home values in a given region — is worth at least $1 million in 237 cities, the highest number of cities ever. Five years ago, there were only 84 such cities.   Nationwide, the typical starter home is worth $196,611, which is comfortably afford ..read more

J.P. Morgan Asset Management today released its 2024 Defined Contribution (DC) Plan Participant Survey, shedding light on the dynamic changes in retirement savings and the evolving expectations of plan participants. The survey reveals a notable shift, with participants increasingly seeking robust retirement income support and enhanced resources for financial wellness and education. This year's report also explores generational differences, revealing distinct preferences and behaviors across Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, while also highlighting the synergies be ..read more

 The Georgia National Fair is celebrating 35 years of magic with a special sale for the community, according to a press release.  For the fair's 35th anniversary, they are offering an exclusive 35-hour flash sale.  Read More At: 13WMAZ ..read more

The Cox Automotive forecast released today indicates that U.S. July new-vehicle sales will show some recovery from the widespread software outage that impacted sales and reporting last month. In July, the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), or sales pace, is expected to rise to 16.0 million, an upward rebound from last month's surprisingly low 15.3 million level. Last month, the sales pace had been forecast to finish much higher, but disruptions in dealership point-of-sale software programs at the end of June likely prevented some sales from being fully completed and reported. Those sales ..read more

Chinese electric truck startup Windrose plans to open a manufacturing plant for its fleet of semi-trucks in Georgia, according to Reuters. Windrose founder and CEO Wen Han told the news outlet last week it would build its first U.S. factory to assemble truck chassis and other Chinese-made vehicle parts into semi-trucks for the American market. Han did not say how much his company would invest in the U.S., and specifics around the planned factory were scant. Read More At: The Atlantic Journal-Constitution ..read more

Following a celebration to honor AT&T’s 50th Connected Learning Center (CLC) opening last week in Austin, Boys & Girls Clubs of America announces the opening of 40 technology spaces in Boys & Girls Clubs by 2027. As a part of AT&T’s $5 billion commitment to help 25 million people get and stay connected by 2030, the partners will join forces to equip 40 Boys & Girls Clubs with brand new Connected Learning Centers, making technology accessible for kids and teens in communities and neighborhoods across the nation. "Today, success inside the classroom requires access to on ..read more

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia recently received $1.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to create a native seed network for restoration projects in Georgia. During a visit to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in April, Joan Mooney, principal deputy assistant secretary for policy, management and budget for the U.S. Department of the Interior, highlighted the collaborative partnership between the botanical garden, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Southeastern Grasslands Institute ..read more

The experts at AirportParkingReservations.com surveyed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport passengers across to reveal where they’d love to travel in 2024 Florida and California ranked top, with 32% of respondents naming these as the most popular travel destination Hawaii ranked second with 26% of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Flyers opting for a vacation to the beautiful island As summer vacation gets underway, the team at AirportParkingReservations.com surveyed travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to find out where they’d ..read more

Employees are increasingly prioritizing overall wellness and benefits that enable them to help their families thrive. A new report by goBeyondProfit reveals widening gaps between what companies are currently offering and what employees are looking for in an employer ..read more