MDJ Script/ Top Stories for November 12th
Publish Date: November 12th
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From the BG Ad Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Today is Wednesday, November 12th and Happy Birthday to Al Michaels
I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal
All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!
BREAK: INGLES 7
STORY 1: Cobb, Marietta teaching excellence pays off — in horsepower
This week, two of Cobb County’s best teachers got the surprise of a lifetime—a brand-new car to drive for a year.
In a tradition that never gets old, the Cobb Chamber, with help from Voyles Automotive Group, handed out free one-year car leases at their monthly luncheon. Hailey Howdyshell, a first-grade teacher at Hickory Hill Elementary, drove off in a sleek Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, while Amanda Dillard, a special ed teacher at Pope High, snagged a Kia Telluride.
Other honorees? Caleb Garrett (Compton Elementary) got a Honda Passport, and Lakeisha Gray (Betty Gray Middle) scored a Jeep Wrangler. Teachers, you deserve it.
STORY 2: Nathan Deal calls for civility, bipartisanship
Former Gov. Nathan Deal didn’t hold back this week when he spoke to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, urging lawmakers to ditch the shouting matches and rediscover bipartisanship.
In a candid chat with Superior Plumbing CEO Jay Cunningham, Deal reflected on how politics has changed—and not for the better. “It used to be you had to prove you could govern,” he said. “Now, it’s just about who yells the loudest and raises the most money.”
Deal, who led Georgia from 2011 to 2019, highlighted his bipartisan work on criminal justice reform, calling it “the right thing,” not a political win.
Before wrapping up, Deal shared a personal project: his children’s book, Veto the Governor’s Cat, inspired by his late wife, Sandra. “Kids listen to animals more than adults sometimes,” he joked. The book teaches lessons on courage, patience, and embracing differences.
Cunningham called Deal “a man of humility and integrity,” thanking him for his service to Georgia.
STORY 3: GMDT’s The Nutcracker will be Thanksgiving weekend
The Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre is bringing the magic of The Nutcracker back to Marietta this holiday season, with performances Nov. 28-30 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre.
Picture this: the Stahlbaum family’s festive party, a mysterious magician stirring up chaos, toy soldiers battling giant mice, and a journey through a snowy forest to the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets. It’s everything you love about the holidays, wrapped in one enchanting ballet.
This year’s cast features dancers as young as seven alongside high school seniors, plus guest artists Alex Gonzaga, Raul Peinado, and D Patton White.
Tickets start at $25—grab yours at georgiametrodance.org!
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.
We’ll be right back.
Break: STRAND THEATRE
STORY 4: Smyrna man accused of DUI after crash leaves driver seriously injured
Eriberto Cante, 25, of Smyrna, is facing serious charges after a crash on Oct. 12 at the intersection of Church Street and N. Marietta Parkway. Police say Cante, driving a blue 2003 Toyota Rav4, ran a red light and was hit on the passenger side by another car with the right of way. The collision, caught on Cobb County’s Real Time Crime Center cameras, left a man unconscious with a brain bleed and fractured ribs.
Officers reported smelling alcohol on Cante, who admitted to drinking five Modelo beers earlier. His blood alcohol level? A staggering .234. He also didn’t have a valid license.
Cante was arrested Oct. 24 and released three days later on a $15,000 bond.
STORY 5: Pro women's soccer team could be headquartered in Marietta
Arthur Blank, the billionaire behind Atlanta United and the Falcons, is reportedly bringing an NWSL expansion team to Atlanta, according to The Athletic. The price tag? A record $165 million. The team, set to debut after the 2026 season, will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, just like Blank’s other teams.
But will it call Marietta home? Atlanta United’s $90 million training facility on Franklin Gateway seems like a natural fit. With six fields, a podcast studio, and plans for hydrotherapy rooms, it’s already top-notch. Plus, Blank owns extra land nearby—plenty of room to grow.
Marietta Councilman Johnny Walker is hopeful. “It’d be a win-win,” he said.
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STORY 6: Mayor Tumlin reelected as Cobb County certifies tight race
It’s official: Steve “Thunder” Tumlin will stay Marietta’s mayor, edging out challenger Sam Foster by just 89 votes. The Cobb County Board of Elections certified the Nov. 4 results Monday, locking in Tumlin’s 50.3% to Foster’s 49.7%. Close? Absolutely.
Turnout was low—just 24.9% of Cobb’s 565,686 eligible voters showed up. Most voted on Election Day, but Acting Elections Director Michael D’Itri noted a few hiccups: abandoned ballots, long lines at Thompson Community Center, and a handful of discrepancies. “It was a tough day,” D’Itri admitted, but praised poll workers for pulling it off.
Runoffs for Marietta City Council Wards 3 and 5 are set for Dec. 2. Early voting starts Nov. 22.
STORY 7: Braves complete coaching staff, retain Hyers, Perez
The Atlanta Braves shook up their coaching staff Tuesday, announcing a mix of familiar faces and fresh hires for Walt Weiss’ first year at the helm. Tim Hyers is back as hitting coach for his second season, and Eddie Perez—yes, the 1999 NLCS MVP—is returning for his 37th year with the organization. That’s loyalty.
New faces? Tommy Watkins takes over as third base coach after years with the Twins, Dustin Garneau steps in as catching coach, and Darnell Coles joins as assistant hitting coach, bringing over a decade of experience. Tony Diaz rounds out the group as a major league coach.
Oh, and Tony Mansolino, originally hired as third base coach, will now serve as Weiss’ bench coach. Big moves all around.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break: INGLES 7
Signoff-
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.mdjonline.com
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