Help may be on the way to thousands of Georgians looking for work. Longtime unemployed residents whose benefits have lapsed may now be able to get help.
The Georgia Department of Labor said that because the state's seasonal unemployment rate was in excess of 9 percent, the state's long term unemployed are eligible for additional benefits.
Jeff Johnson is among thousands of long term unemployed Georgians who saw emergency unemployment compensation run out, but he hopes that he can once again get assistance as he looks for work.
Johnson falls into a category of people the state calls the "tier 4" unemployed. With the state's unemployment rate drifting above that 9 percent number, those folks are once again eligible for benefits.
The state says the program will cover thousands of Georgians who have been out of work so long that they've exhausted all previous benefits.
"I had used all of my 99 weeks and it would be great to get 10 more weeks," said Johnson. "It will get me through the end of the year."
The Department of Labor says they began sending out notices this month to the 13,000 Georgians who might once again be eligible for benefits.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:25:16 GMT
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Authorities say more than a dozen people were injured in an accident involving a hotel shuttle bus near Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Friday morning.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:11:47 GMT
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
If you're hitting the road this weekend, you wont be alone. Plenty of drivers are expected to make use of the long Memorial Day weekend, both in and out of town.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:50:02 GMT
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. Authorities are reminding folks that there are some new laws on Georgia's waterways.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:21:22 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. During an emotional sentencing hearing on Friday morning, Parson's mother told the court she still doesn't believe he is the shooter.
