Jobs Hit New Record

The state labor department reported record employment and labor force numbers for the ninth straight month in September, with 5.3 million employed and a labor force of 5.5 million workers.

Initial jobless claims fell to 15,874, the lowest since April 1974.

The statewide jobless rate ticked up to 3.3% from 3.2% in August, below the national rate of 4.2% and down from 3.4% a year earlier. As of August, the Gainesville area reported the lowest jobless rate among the state’s metro areas at 2.8%, with metro Atlanta’s rate at 3.4%.

The job gains extended to health care, local government, and manufacturing. At a Dalton rally Friday, President Trump highlighted planned investments by UCB, Pirelli, and Hyundai as signs of Georgia’s manufacturing growth. The biggest job losses over the past year came in federal government (8,800), professional and technical services (8,600), and construction (4,900).

  Thyroid Cancer Rates Under Study

A University of North Georgia epidemiologist launched new research into why several northeast Georgia counties report some of the state’s highest thyroid cancer rates.

Rates in Union, Lumpkin, Hall, White, Habersham, and Rabun counties have run about double or higher than the national average over the past decade.

North Georgia epidemiologist Neal Lin’s research will examine year-by-year trends, types of thyroid cancer, and whether diagnoses cluster in particular communities.

Researchers have suggested environmental causes as a possible explanation, though no single factor has been linked to the elevated rates.

Gas Prices Dip Again

Georgia’s average gas price fell to $3.73 a gallon as of this weekend, down 8 cents from a week earlier and 56 cents below the national average of $4.29.

Albany reported the lowest metro average at $3.57 a gallon, while Savannah was the most expensive at $3.83. You can check the latest gas prices in your area here.

Diesel prices averaged $5.73 as of Monday, down from a record $6.35 a month ago.

This month, Gov. Brian Kemp extended the suspension of the state’s per-gallon taxes on gas (33.3 cents) and diesel (37.3 cents) through Nov. 5 and waived penalties for using dyed diesel on roads.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Fort Stewart: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson of Fort Stewart was identified as the airman who died in a rappelling accident before Saturday’s UTSA-Navy football game in Texas. (More)

➤ Macon: Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. for President Trump’s Republican rally Saturday. The venue remains unannounced. Trump is expected to address the rally at 7 p.m. (More)

➤ Atlanta: Former President Barack Obama will join U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and governor nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms at an Oct. 28 rally for Democrats. The venue remains unannounced. (More)

➤ Moultrie: The Sunbelt Ag Expo opens today, offering students and families hands-on activities, educational competitions, and livestock demonstrations. (More)

➤ Augusta: The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area secured a $750,000 federal grant to restore the historic Mother Trinity CME Church, bringing total grant funding to $2.25 million. (More)

➤ Savannah: Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus will mark the 30th anniversary of its Celebrate Together tradition from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. (More)

➤ Monroe County: A 58-year-old St. Louis man died Saturday on I-75 after a tire came off a southbound truck’s trailer, crossed into northbound traffic, and struck two vehicles. (More)

Enjoy reading The Georgia Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family.✈️

➤ The Atlanta Falcons signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton and released Cooper Rush, who started the season’s first two games. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was released from Grady Memorial Hospital and rejoined the team in the locker room following his injury in Sunday’s game. (More)

➤ Georgia Southern’s rifle team beat West Virginia 4,740-4,738 for the program’s first win over a No. 1-ranked team. (More)

➤ Christian Mays of Northeast Mississippi Community College, the nation’s No. 1 junior college defensive lineman per 247Sports, switched his commitment to Georgia from Tennessee. (More)

➤ The Atlanta Dream defeated Golden State 79-65 in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night in San Francisco, with both teams again leaving the court for the national anthem. (More | Video)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NFL | NHL | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Don’t Lose Your Precious Photos and Videos! ThePhotoStick OMNI makes protecting your favorite memories effortless! Simply plug it in, click GO, and automatically find, organize, and back up thousands of photos and videos. Compatible with phones, tablets, and computers, it eliminates complicated backups and monthly cloud fees. Protect your memories today! Get ThePhotoStick OMNI Here >>

➤ Florida-based Novineer, which makes generative design software for product engineers, won the $475,000 Startup Showcase Live investment prize at last week’s Venture Atlanta conference. (More)

➤ The Home Depot became the Atlanta Hawks’ official home improvement partner in a multiyear deal that includes Fan Zone naming rights and a skilled-trades career program with Atlanta Public Schools. (More)

➤ Raising Cane’s opened its first Macon restaurant, hiring more than 100 local crew members and donating $2,000 to All About Animals Rescue. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Keep Every Meal Hot and Delicious! Tired of food getting cold before everyone finishes eating? The Urban Cooks Heating Mat helps keep your favorite dishes warm and ready to serve. Perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, and parties, this convenient warming mat makes entertaining easier and mealtime more enjoyable. Get Yours Today >>

Flying together with our sponsor

More accounts, managers, and investment choices do not always add up to a cohesive retirement strategy. Investors with $1 million or more may benefit from stepping back to consider how each decision fits their goals, time frame, and full financial picture. The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income examines risk, inflation, portfolio coordination, withdrawals, and investment income sources. Download the guide and schedule a conversation with a financial professional to talk about your plan.

➤ The Georgia-Carolina State Fair is underway in Augusta, part of the state’s busy lineup of fairs and fall festivals that run into next month. (See Guide)

➤ Historic Athens Porchfest marked its eighth year Sunday, turning front porches in seven neighborhoods into stages for a free day of live music presented by Cafe Racer. (More)

➤ Breast cancer survivors toured Savannah by trolley Monday, stopping at The Olde Pink House, Leopold’s Ice Cream, and City Hall during the Paint the Town Pink campaign. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Hot cacao vs Green Tea… Which of these hot drinks was proven in a study boost stem cells by 220% in 30 days?  Billionaires drop 6 figures on stem cell therapy, but this hot drink costs 50 cents a day and boosts anti-aging stem cells improving heart health, blood pressure, and longevity.

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ The million-dollar retirement dream is shrinking, and the biggest threat isn’t the one most retirees expect. (Listen Now)

➤ Ukrainian drone operators completed a frontline medical evacuation that had never been done before. (Hear Details)

➤ A National Guard member was shot after troops stepped in to break up a late-night street fight in Washington, D.C. (Hear Story)

Have you traveled out to see the fall colors yet?

1. Yes
2. Planning a trip
3. Not going this year

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you ride the Georgia Wheel at this year’s fair in Perry?

1. Didn’t go: 96%
2. Skipped it: 2%
3. Yes, it was OK: 1%
4. Yes, loved it: 1%

Which state park is the highest at 3,640 feet?

Show me the answer