Top Stories for August 5th
Publish Date: August 5th
From The BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Tuesday, August 5th and Happy Birthday to Neil Armstrong
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 Tech program helps fill critical need for respiratory therapists
Now more than ever, respiratory therapists are essential—hospitals, clinics, assisted-living facilities, you name it. They’re the ones keeping people breathing, literally. And Gwinnett Tech’s Respiratory Care program? It’s leading the charge.
In just 14 months, students can earn an associate degree and step into a field where demand is sky-high. The program’s no joke—12-hour clinical shifts, classroom work, and prepping for national board exams. Grueling? Sure. But worth it.
The accolades speak volumes: national awards, a 100% credentialing success rate, and partnerships with top hospitals.
Classes start in January. Ready to make a difference?
STORY 2: Mercer Earns Commitment from Hebron Christian's Devon Caldwell
Hebron Christian’s Devon Caldwell is heading to Mercer University, making his commitment official on Sunday. And honestly? Mercer’s getting a star.
Last season, Caldwell was unstoppable—1,458 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns, plus 12 catches for 121 yards and another score. Oh, and did we mention he helped lead Hebron to its first-ever state championship? Yeah, no big deal.
But here’s the kicker: the guy’s not just a beast on the field. He’s rocking a 4.4 GPA. How does he even sleep? Mercer’s not just getting an athlete—they’re getting a leader, a workhorse, and, let’s be real, probably a future team captain.
STORY 3: School is back in session for Buford, Gwinnett students
August is here, and with it comes the bittersweet end of summer break. Sure, the heat’s still relentless, but for kids in Gwinnett County and Buford, it’s back to the grind—school’s in session. Buford students kicked things off Friday, while Gwinnett students headed back on Monday.
This year, safety’s a big focus. Gwinnett’s adding weapons detection systems and more resource officers, while Buford’s enforcing clear book bags—no stickers allowed.
Meanwhile, schools are getting upgrades: new labs, fresh roofs, and even a cafeteria makeover. Oh, and 15 schools have new principals.
Drivers? Slow down. School zones are watching.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
STORY 4: William Byron saves fuel to the max in suspenseful NASCAR Cup win at Iowa
Chaos, cautions, and a whole lot of fuel-saving magic. That’s how William Byron snagged his second win of the season Sunday at the Iowa Corn 350. Seriously, 144 laps on one tank? At a track where 100 laps is the norm? Unreal.
Byron held off Chase Briscoe, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney in a nail-biter finish, crossing the line 1.192 seconds ahead. His No. 24 Chevy? It ran dry during the burnout—talk about cutting it close.
Seven cautions in the final stage helped Byron stretch his fuel, while Briscoe and Keselowski couldn’t quite catch him.
Next up? Watkins Glen. The Playoff race is heating up.
In 2014, Gwinnett County Public Schools snagged its second Broad Prize for Urban Education—a big deal, recognizing schools that lift up low-income and minority students. Only Gwinnett and Houston, Texas, have won it twice. But that was then.
Since those glory days, Gwinnett’s changed—more people, more diversity, and a political shift that flipped the school board from Republican to Democratic control. With new leadership came new policies, and, well, growing pains.
Critics point to leadership turnover (two fired superintendents in four years), discipline issues, and lagging reading scores. Supporters? They say the system’s evolving, not crumbling.
Interim Superintendent Al Taylor is trying to steady the ship. “Stability doesn’t mean stagnation,” he says.
The challenges are real—teacher retention, class sizes, absenteeism—but the board insists students remain the focus.
School starts this week. The work continues.
STORY 6: Eli White homers twice as Braves take checkered flag in Speedway Classic
Eli White? Man, he was on fire. Two homers—two!—to push the Braves past the Reds, 4-2, in this wild Speedway Classic at Bristol. Baseball at a racetrack? Sure, why not. The game actually started Saturday but got paused—bottom of the first, no less. Sunday? Clear skies, no drama, just baseball. Oh, and history: first MLB game in Tennessee.
Crowd? Supposedly 91,000 tickets sold, but Sunday’s turnout? Let’s just say it wasn’t packed.
White crushed a three-run bomb in the fifth, then a solo shot in the seventh. Six homers this season now. Hurston Waldrep, fresh from Triple-A, snagged the win. His MLB debut? Solid—5 2/3 innings, one run. Raisel Iglesias? Nails in the ninth for save #14.
The Reds? They had chances—loaded the bases in the eighth—but couldn’t cash in.
STORY 7: ART BEAT: Norcross Gallery and Studio's 'Drawing Attention' attracts regional exhibiting artists
Gwinnett’s arts scene? It’s more than just local flair—it’s a magnet, pulling in folks from all over. And the stories behind the art? They’re what make it sing. Take Haiqi Carr, for example. Born in Shanghai, she carried her love of art halfway across the world. But it wasn’t until she landed in Atlanta—thanks to her husband’s job—that she finally gave herself permission to dive in.
“I’d spent my life checking boxes—daughter, wife, mom. Art? That was for later,” she said. “Then one day, I just… started.”
Fast forward: her charcoal portrait, Yamaguchi, is now in Norcross Gallery’s “Drawing Attention” exhibit. It’s a nod to Yamaguchi Momoe, a Japanese icon from Carr’s childhood. “Her smile—it’s pure nostalgia for me,” Carr shared.
The exhibit runs through Aug. 23. Go see it. Seriously.
We’ll have closing comments after this.
Break 4: Ingles Markets
Signoff –
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