7 more NW Georgia deaths; record-high daily positive tests in Floyd, region, state. Polk Schools going virtual next week; updates from other systems. State Rep. Trey Kelley indicted on reckless conduct count. Downtown Rome businesses have mask questions.

Today's first headlines:

• It gets worse: 7 deaths in NW Georgia posted Thursday. A record 374 positive tests in a day (106 in Floyd) here. All-time high of 6,176 new cases in Georgia. 100 patients in Rome hospitals.
• Polk Schools move to distance learning next week. 484 quarantines at Floyd Schools, up 34 on Thursday. Rome: 333 with no new positives. Cartersville: 3 positive students, 21 quarantined. 2 more staffers at Berry.
• House Majority Whip Trey Kelley of Cedartown indicted on reckless conduct charge following fatal bike-vehicle accident in September 2019.
• Downtown Development Authority seeks clarity over Rome's expanded face covering ordinance -- and COVID's potential impact. Eidson announces resignation.

Also today:

• Buzz: Watch via live stream this Sunday's 37th Annual Festival of Lessons & Carols from Darlington. Chattanooga Technology Council awards scholarships to 2 GNTC students. Development authority meets Tuesday.
• Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Mid 60s today and Saturday, a little cooler Sunday. On-and-off rain through Monday; half-inch total.
• Obituaries: Mr. Charles Kindel "Ken" Wayne Gresham; Mr. Christopher Pirkle Fryer; William Earl Jenkins; Mrs. Blanche E. Ruston, 103; Christopher Alan Watson; Mrs. Nadine Smith Whitefield, Mr. Kevin Mark Woodall; Mrs. Emily Darden Woods.
• Dining: Public Health restaurant inspection scores, Tuesday-Saturday.
• Crimewatch: Updates on area arrests.

Truett's Chick-Fil-A Sports Report:

High schools:

• GHSA on COVID, players, contact tracing.
• John McClellan's high school playoff picks: Big tests tonight for Cartersville, Calhoun, Cedartown as playoffs continue. McClellan
• Later tonight: All the scores.

Colleges:

• SEC, ESPN, ABC sign 10-year TV coverage pact.
• Georgia Tech vs. Pitt updates. Next: At Miami, Dec. 19. Georgia Tech.
• Georgia: At Missouri, noon, SEC Network. Georgia
• Alabama: At Arkansas, noon, ESPN. Alabama.
• Other SEC game times, networks on Saturday; one canceled by COVID.

Falcons

• Falcons (4-8) at Chargers, 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Fox, 92.9 FM The Game