Freezing rain now expected between 9 a.m.-noon Friday; winter storm watch continues. Local jobless rates climb in December. Regional Public Health dining scores. Business updates.

For these and today's latest headlines, please join us at www.bartowheadlines.com:

 

Winter storm watch: Tonight through Friday evening

-Best estimate on icing: Between 9 a.m.-noon Friday. Between 0.01 to 0.10 of an inch of ice. Slick roads possible.

-At issue: Getting buses to school might be OK Friday; the commute home could be an issue with Friday's high only expected to be in the upper 30s.

-Continuing updates all day on Hometown.

-Today: 20% rain chance, high of 46, low of 29.

 

December jobless rates turn upward

-Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk, Chattooga and the state see increases vs. November but mostly big drops vs. December 2012.

 

AJC: Barge paying the price for not being 'yes' man on charter schools: The AJC's Political Insider, Jim Galloway, takes a closer look at the financial pounding State Schools Superintendent John Barge is taking from Gov. Nathan Deal because Barge -- as an independent, elected constitutional officer -- opposed the charter school amendment on the November ballot.

 

Regional Public Health restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow, Gordon, Polk and Chattooga:
-Scores range from a low of 74 in Gordon County to straight "A" scores (95 or better) in Bartow County.

 

Latest local college sports updates.

-Click Hometown Sports

 

Latest jail reports.

 

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition, WRGA 1470 AM, 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online

-Please join our guests including:

-Tim Herrington of Floyd County Emergency Management on the potential for ice overnight.

-Pierre Howard of the Georgia Conservancy and what the former lieutenant governor has to say about the 411 Connector.