(WXIA) -- Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate fell seven-tenths of a point in September.

Last month's rate was 7.3 percent, well below August's 8.0 percent. The unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in September 2013.

Fulton County's unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in September.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said there were nearly 20,000 fewer unemployed people in Atlanta last month, and companies reported fewer layoffs. Industries that added jobs in September include government; education and health services; construction; and trade and transportation.

Metro Athens had Georgia's lowest unemployment rate in September, at 5.7 percent. The Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region had the highest, at 9.5 percent.

ATLANTA -- The street art decorating the Krog Street Tunnel is a thing of the past. It's been covered with gray paint.

A group of approximately one hundred people gathered with spray cans and roller brushes around 10 p.m. Wednesday night in protest. In less than an hour they covered every inch of street art that has made the tunnel an iconic piece of Atlanta for years.

They did not want the colorful designs along Krog Street walls to serve as a backdrop for the Krog Masquerade.

That masquerade ball is scheduled for Saturday night when the Krog Street Tunnel will host up to 2000 people celebrating the Halloween season, paying $50-$100 a ticket to attend.

The protest organizer said the "whitewashing" of the tunnel walls was a way of removing their decor from the event.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. -- Fulton County registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on Saturday and Sunday for the next two weekends.

During the weekend of Oct. 18 -19, seven Fulton County locations will be open for early voting.

During the weekend of Oct. 25 – 26, 19 Fulton County locations will be open for early voting.

Fulton County is offering more weekend voting opportunities than any other Georgia County. Residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the early voting period, including weekend voting.

“We hope that our expanded dates and locations for early voting will encourage more Fulton County registered voters to cast their ballots,” said Richard L. Barron, Director of the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections. "Voting early reduces lines on Election Day and is more convenient for voters."

Fulton County Early Voting Locations

Monday, October 13 - Friday, October 31