GDP Script/ Top Stories for October 25th
Publish Date: October 25th
PRE-ROLL:
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, October 25th and Happy Birthday to Bobby Knight
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe!
Break 1: KIA MOG
STORY 1: Georgia Gwinnett College to host Preview Day on Nov. 8
Thinking about becoming a Grizzly? Georgia Gwinnett College is rolling out the welcome mat for future students and their families on Nov. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for Preview Day.
What’s on tap? A little bit of everything. You’ll meet professors, chat with current students, and explore over 45 academic programs. There’s a guided campus tour (yes, they’ll show you the dorms), plus a peek into GGC’s buzzing student life—clubs, events, and all the support you didn’t know you needed.
Ready to check it out? Register at www.ggc.edu/PreviewDays.
STORY 2: Midway magic: Netherworld delivers the ultimate Halloween experience
Sure, it’s football season. And the leaves are doing their thing. But let’s be real—it’s spooky season, and there’s no better place to dive into the chills than Netherworld Haunted House in Stone Mountain.
This year’s frights? “Monsters Attack!” and the double feature “Oblivion: Return of the Mangler, Featuring Grendel’s Feast.” Terrifying, right? But the real chaos? The Midway. Between haunts, you’ll find food, games, photo ops, and maybe even a monster or two lurking around.
“The Midway is where the energy really explodes,” said co-founder Billy Messina. Think nachos, creepy drinks, escape rooms, and the House of Creeps Monster Museum.
Tickets? Grab ’em early at fearworld.com.
STORY 3: New principals named at Gwin Oaks Elementary and Jordan Middle School
Two Gwinnett schools are getting new leaders, the district announced last week.
At its Oct. 16 meeting, the Gwinnett County Board of Education approved Wendy C. McDonald as the new principal of Gwin Oaks Elementary, replacing Dr. Craig Barlow, who’s retiring. McDonald, currently an assistant principal at Trickum Middle, started her career in Louisiana before joining GCPS in 2005. She’s got degrees in political science, early childhood education, and literacy—all from UGA.
Over at Jordan Middle, Alex “Hunter” McRae will take the reins from Melissa M. Miller, who’s moving to Bay Creek Middle. McRae, a GCPS veteran since 2000, has a background in music education and leadership.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
Big news for Gwinnett schools! Jackson Elementary, Mountain Park Elementary, Paul Duke STEM High, and Trip Elementary have been named 2025 Distinguished Schools by the Georgia Department of Education. What does that mean? They’re in the top 5% of Title I schools statewide, based on ELA and math scores. Pretty impressive, right?
And there’s more—Arcado Elementary snagged the 2025 Title I Reward School honor, recognizing the top 5% of schools making the biggest improvements over two years.
Each school gets a certificate, a flag, and a shot at a national award.
STORY 5: Contested mayoral races top ballots in three cities
This fall’s municipal elections are heating up, especially in three cities with contested mayoral races. While most ballots focus on city council seats, Loganville, Braselton, and Sugar Hill voters have some big decisions to make.
In Loganville, it’s an open race—Mayor Skip Baliles is retiring. Voters will choose between City Councilman Branden Whitfield and local business owner John Soesbe to take the reins.
Braselton’s Mayor Kurt Ward is up against two challengers: Michael Cronic, a former school board chair, and Brandon Reed, founder of ReeDesign MFG.
Over in Sugar Hill, Mayor Brandon Hembree faces watchdog Amber Chambers in his first re-election bid.
Meanwhile, Dacula, Grayson, and Norcross mayors are cruising to re-election unopposed.
STORY 6: Lawrenceville City Council races come ahead of big annexation vote
Lawrenceville’s city council races are in the spotlight this year—and not just because it’s the county seat. There’s also a big annexation vote looming in May that could add 19,000 new residents to the city. The leaders elected in November? They’ll be the ones managing that growth if it happens.
Incumbents Austin Thompson (Post 3) and Marlene Taylor Crawford (Post 4) are both seeking re-election, but they’ve got challengers. Thompson faces former FOX 5 reporter Randy Travis, while Crawford is up against Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office Major Bryant Harris.
Thompson, an engineer and small business consultant, is focused on economic growth, affordable housing, and making Lawrenceville a “city of the future.” He’s all-in on the annexation, saying it’ll bring character and opportunity to the city.
Travis, meanwhile, is leaning on his decades of local visibility and says he’ll focus on traffic, taxes, and expanding the city’s tax base without burdening current residents. He’s also committed to explaining the annexation’s benefits to those in the proposed area.
In the Post 4 race, Crawford, a school counselor and longtime community advocate, is pushing for equity across all neighborhoods—no more blight in one area and prosperity in another. She supports the annexation but stresses the need to expand services thoughtfully.
Harris, with a deep background in law enforcement, is prioritizing safety, youth programs, and traffic solutions. He’s for the annexation too but says the city must ensure new residents get the same quality of services current ones enjoy.
With so much at stake, these races are ones to watch.
STORY 7: Gwinnett Counselor named Georgia School Counselor of the Year
Crews Middle School’s Shayla Thompson just got some well-deserved applause—she’s been named Georgia School Counselor of the Year by the Georgia School Counselor Association.
“I’m beyond grateful,” Thompson said. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about the incredible leaders, colleagues, and students who’ve supported me every step of the way. I couldn’t do this without them.”
The surprise announcement came with flowers, a banner, and a visit from GSCA President Gabrielle Brundidge. Principal Cindy Moffett called Thompson’s work “inspiring,” adding, “She makes every student feel seen and valued.”
Thompson, who’s also the 2025 GCPS Middle School Counselor of the Year, said, “Everything I do is for the students.”
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: Ingles Markets
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post 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.gwinnettdailypost.com
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