Latest news, weather and high school sports for Albany and Southwest Georgia

Tuesday, January 29, 2013  States require those receiving unemployment to use bank cards laden with fees rather than depositing the benefits directly into a bank account, a consumer group reports.

Thursday, January 24, 2013  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the preliminary unemployment rate in the Southwest Georgia region rose to 9.2 percent in December, up five-tenths of a percentage point from 8.7 percent in November.

Thursday, December 27, 2012  The average number of people seeking unemployment benefits over the past month fell to the lowest level since March 2008, a sign that the job market is healing.

Wednesday, August 08, 2012  Like many areas across the country, Ben Hill County is facing a financial crunch. County commissioners have to take drastic measures to keep the county afloat.

Thursday, February 16, 2012  Updated with video; Georgia Governor Nathan Deal says he would entertain the idea of drug testing unemployment benefit recipients.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012  Congressional bargainers reach tentative deal on extending payroll tax cut, jobless benefits

Friday, December 23, 2011  Congress passes payroll tax cut, extends jobless benefits, amid House Republicans retreat

Thursday, December 22, 2011  Can't you all just get along? Americans grow frustrated by repeated congressional stalemates

Friday, December 17, 2010  A massive bipartisan tax package preventing a big New Year's Day tax hike for millions of Americans is on its way to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010  Senate approves legislation extending Bush tax cuts; House Democrats complain about estate tax.

Thursday, December 09, 2010  Rates on fixed mortgages rise for 4th straight week, could dampen refinancings and home sales.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010  Republicans prevailed on their biggest demand: continuing Bush administration tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, despite Obama's 2008 campaign promise to let them expire

Wednesday, December 01, 2010  Congress has not acted to extend federal unemployment benefits beyond this week, which means thousands of Georgians won’t be receiving unemployment benefits for much longer.

Friday, July 23, 2010  President Barack Obama has signed an extension of unemployment benefits for millions of long-term unemployed people, capping a hard-fought political fight with Republicans.

Thursday, July 22, 2010  A House vote today is expected to send President Barack Obama a long-sought measure to resume unemployment payments to millions of people whose benefits have lapsed.