Contested elections due in Rome for first time in four years.Cagle to toss first pitch today. Business: New venue for Venue Dog. Longtime furniture store closes. High of 90; rain possible Thursday.

For more on these updates and for today's latest news, weather and sports updates, please see www.hometownheadlines.com:

 

The Buzz of Northwest Georgia -Politics: Both Rome City Commission, School Board to feature contested races Nov. 5 as qualifying continues. -What's next in state Senate 14 special election to replace Barry Loudermilk (the secretary of state joins us live at 7:40 a.m. on WRGA 1470 AM to discuss his options). -Casey at the ... mound? Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle tosses the first pitch at today's 10:30 a.m. Rome Braves' game. Business: -Venue Dog takes a bite out of Athens. -Stansell Furniture closing stores in Trion, LaFayette;second longtime local store to close this year. -New car wash seeks leadership team. -Cartersville chamber showcase discount about to end.   Weather -Outlook: Nothing but low 90s through Labor Day. -Your Ware Mechanical forecast: Click Dining -Tuesday's Public Health restaurant inspection scores for Floyd, Bartow counties. Today's latest jail reports

Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House Sports Report          Rome Braves -The Rome Braves pummel Savannah 14-1. -Today: 10:30 a.m. at State Mutual Stadium vs. Savannah.   John McClellan's high school picks -Some key games this Friday including Darlington and Cartersville as well as Rockmart and Cedartown. See who John picks.   Tickets to Berry College's first football game on sale today.   Berry hires assistant men's basketball coach.   Norman Arey's Norman's No-Nos season premiere this Friday: Is Norman on the Bulldog bandwagon this fall?

Your  Mechanical forecast: -Wednesday: Sunny, high of 90, low of 71. -Thursday: 20% rain chance, high of 92, low of 71. -Friday: 30% rain chance, high of 93, low of 71.

Hometown Headlines Radio Edition 7-9 a.m. weekdays. Listen live online -Please join our guests Wednesday including: -Secretary of State Brian Kemp on what's next in the race to replace Sen. Barry Loudermilk. -Chris Giddens on plans to form a LEGO Users Club in Rome; meeting Sept. 7 at Chick-Fil-A Dwarf House. -David Dundee of Tellus Science Museum on an upcoming comet fly by that could be one for the ages.