Top Stories for September 23rd
Publish Date: September 23rd
From The BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Tuesday, September 23rd and Happy Birthday to Ray Charles
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by 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 and subscribe!
Break 1: Kia MOG
STORY 1: Gwinnett's Public Safety Festival set for Sept. 27
So, here’s the deal: the 16th annual Public Safety Fall Festival is happening September 27, and honestly, it sounds like a blast. Coolray Field’s the spot—10 a.m. to 2 p.m., if you’re marking your calendar.
It’s not just another festival. It’s a chance to actually meet the folks who keep Gwinnett running—police, fire, EMS, even the sheriff’s office. Ever wanted to climb inside a SWAT truck? Or see a fire engine up close? Yeah, they’ve got that.
Oh, and the Peach State Rodeo is back! Cops on motorcycles doing wild stunts? Yes, please. Food trucks, face painting, giveaways—what’s not to love?
STORY 2: Duluth native Riona Harris returns to Gas South Arena as part of Disney On Ice's 'Jump In!' show
Riona Harris is coming home. Duluth’s own, now 24, is about to skate onto the Gas South Arena stage—not as a kid at halftime, but as a pro. Disney on Ice’s “Jump In!” kicks off Thursday, Sept. 25, and she’s in it. Eight shows. Big deal? Oh, absolutely.
Riona’s been skating since she was 8, dreaming of this moment since a Disney show she saw with her mom. Now? She’s living it. Polar bears, flying donkeys, Moana villagers—she’s all in.
Catch her while you can.
STORY 3: Immigration board orders Mario Guevara's deportation
Mario Guevara’s life is hanging by a thread. A journalist, a father, a Gwinnett County resident—he’s now sitting in an ICE detention center, facing deportation to El Salvador. Why? For doing his job. For reporting on immigration raids.
He’s been in custody since June, after being arrested while covering a protest. Charges? Dropped. But ICE swooped in, digging up a 13-year-old immigration case. His lawyers say he’s here legally, on a work permit, with a path to residency. ICE says otherwise.
The ACLU calls it retaliation. Journalism groups agree. And now? He could be deported any day.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
STORY 4: It's that time again — Ghost Tours back in Lawrenceville
Downtown Lawrenceville’s about to get spooky—like, lanterns, ghosts, and bawdy songs kind of spooky. Aurora Theatre’s Haunted Happenings 2025 kicks off Sept. 19 and runs through Nov. 1, and honestly? There’s something for everyone.
The Ghost Tour? A 90-minute stroll through the historic Square, packed with eerie tales and paranormal vibes. Feeling braver? The Haunted Cemetery Tour dives into one of the Southeast’s oldest graveyards—chilling stories included.
For the grown-ups, there’s Brews & Boos (Oct. 3–30). Drinks, bawdy humor, and haunted history. Enough said.
Oh, and don’t miss the Halloween Magic Show (Oct. 18) or the hilariously ridiculous 0.5K Fun Run (Oct. 11).
STORY 5: Lawmakers urged to expedite move to new voting system
Lawmakers looking to shake up Georgia’s voting system got an earful Thursday. The message? Hurry up—and don’t forget the money.
Here’s the deal: a new law, pushed by Republicans, bans the QR codes used by voting machines to record votes. Starting July 1, poll workers need a new system. But what is it? No one knows yet. And, surprise, there’s no funding either.
Election officials are stressed.
Meanwhile, experts like UC Berkeley’s Philip Stark are calling for hand-marked ballots—cheaper, safer, and easier to audit. Georgia’s current system? Touchscreens, QR codes, and digital records. Stark says it’s flawed.
Public opinion? All over the place. Some trust the system, others don’t. One speaker even forgot her point after four hours of debate.
Next hearing? Oct. 2 in Covington. Stay tuned.
STORY 6: Real work to find new GCPS superintendent begins
The hunt for Gwinnett County’s next superintendent is in full swing, and, wow, it’s a process. Alma Advisory Group, the firm leading the search, says they’re listening—like, really listening.
There’s a survey online (already 1,400+ responses), and community meetings are happening all over. They’re casual, no-pressure events with translators, childcare, and even a “come late, it’s fine” vibe. People are showing up, sharing what they want: honesty, transparency, someone who can unite a divided board.
The job’s huge. Gwinnett’s the biggest, most diverse district in Georgia. No pressure, right?
STORY 7: SEC Pipeline: Gwinnett Sending 7 Seniors to Top Softball Conference
Every October, when the Georgia state softball tournaments roll into Columbus, Gwinnett County shows up—loud and proud. It’s not just a presence; it’s dominance. Last year? Five of the eight Class 6A teams were from Gwinnett. Add in private schools and other classifications, and the numbers are staggering.
And it’s not just state titles. Gwinnett’s pipeline to the SEC is unreal. Nine former players are already on SEC rosters, and next year? Seven more seniors are heading to powerhouse programs like LSU, Florida, and Texas A&M.
The county’s investment in youth sports, the coaching, the rivalries—it’s all created a softball factory.
And now, the SEC is reaping the rewards.
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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