GDP Script/ Top Stories for August 9th
Publish Date: August 9th
PRE-ROLL:
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, August 9th and Happy Heavenly Birthday to Whitney Houston
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
1. Middle school teachers can apply for Jackson EMC's Bright Ideas grants
2. Mass shooting wounds five soldiers at Fort Stewart
3. New exhibits, learning spaces part of $27 million makeover at Fernbank Museum
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: 07.14.22 KIA MOG
STORY 1: Middle school teachers can apply for Jackson EMC's Bright Ideas grants
Jackson EMC is now taking applications for its Bright Ideas grant program, offering up to $2,000 to help middle school teachers bring their most creative classroom projects to life.
Got an idea for hands-on science experiments? A wild literacy adventure? Maybe a tech-art mashup? If you’re a state-certified teacher for grades 6–8 in Jackson EMC’s service area, this is your chance to make it happen.
Applications are due by Sept. 8 at jacksonemc.com/brightideas.
Since 2015, over $621,000 has funded projects that spark curiosity and creativity.
STORY 2: Mass shooting wounds five soldiers at Fort Stewart
Chaos unfolded Wednesday morning at Fort Stewart, just southwest of Savannah, when five soldiers were shot in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area.
The alleged shooter, Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, was apprehended by 11:35 a.m., thanks to nearby soldiers who tackled him before law enforcement arrived. Radford, assigned to the combat team, used a personal handgun—not military-issued. How he got it on base? Still under investigation.
The five injured soldiers were treated on-site, then taken to Winn Army Community Hospital. Two were later transferred to Savannah’s Memorial Health, the region’s only Level 1 trauma center. All are stable and expected to recover.
Gov. Brian Kemp and Georgia’s senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, offered prayers and support for the victims and their families.
The base went into lockdown within minutes, though it was lifted an hour later, except for the combat team complex. Investigators are still piecing together a motive.
STORY 3: New exhibits, learning spaces part of $27 million makeover at Fernbank Museum
Fernbank Museum in Atlanta is gearing up for some big changes—$27 million worth, to be exact. Announced Tuesday, the museum’s ambitious capital campaign promises to “revolutionize” how visitors experience science, nature, and history.
What’s coming? A massive new permanent exhibit, Changing Earth, will explore our planet’s dynamic systems. It’ll be Fernbank’s largest exhibit ever. There’s also a new temporary gallery for rotating exhibits, an interactive Orkin Discovery Zone for hands-on science fun, and an expanded Star Gallery with fresh content about the cosmos.
Thanks to major donors like the Rollins and Woodruff Foundations, these projects will roll out over the next few years, with Changing Earth set to debut in 2027.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles 4
STORY 4: Souto Foods opens expanded facility in Gwinnett
Souto Foods just cut the ribbon on its newly expanded facility in Gwinnett, marking a big step forward for the local food distributor. Located at 5030 Sugarloaf Parkway in unincorporated Lawrenceville, the expansion represents a $28 million investment and promises 70 new jobs.
“This is about growth, people, and the future,” said Kimberly George, Senior VP at Alex Lee, during the Aug. 1 ceremony.
The facility, part of the Sugarloaf Logistics Hub, is transforming the former Cisco campus into a bustling center for food distribution. Founded in 2010, Souto Foods specializes in Latin American and Caribbean products, cementing its role in Gwinnett’s international business scene.
STORY 5: Falcons' Jalon Walker Returns After Minor Setback
Falcons rookie Jalon Walker is back in action at Flowery Branch, shaking off a hamstring hiccup that sidelined him for a few days. The 21-year-old, a former Georgia standout and the 15th overall pick, is already turning heads again.
Known for his versatility at Georgia, Walker’s starting as an edge rusher in Atlanta. “We’re focusing on his strengths first,” said head coach Raheem Morris. “Once he’s comfortable, we’ll expand his role.”
Walker and fellow first-rounder James Pearce Jr. are building chemistry, hoping to anchor a defense that’s long overdue for a resurgence.
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STORY 6: Author Jacinta Howard to discuss 'When Forty Blooms' at Snellville library
Jacinta Howard, Atlanta-based author and culture journalist, will chat about her latest book, When Forty Blooms, on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Snellville branch of the Gwinnett County Library. She’ll be joined by moderator Brianna A. Peppins.
Howard’s no stranger to storytelling—her work’s been everywhere: Eater, Atlanta Magazine, Shondaland, and even LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells. Oh, and that piece she wrote about Magic City’s chicken wings? It snagged her a 2022 ASME nomination.
She’s penned multiple series, including The Prototype and Love Always. Peppins, a Spelman grad, is the author of Briarcliff Prep.
STORY 7: Gwinnett transportation officials want to bring microtransit to Duluth area
On-demand microtransit might soon hit parts of Duluth, Gwinnett Place, and Sugarloaf by late 2026—if the funding comes through. Gwinnett County’s transportation team pitched a $400,000 budget request to a citizens review committee last week, aiming to launch a 15-square-mile “Central Business District” zone. Think of it as a crescent-shaped hub connecting downtown Duluth, Sugarloaf Mills, Gwinnett Place Mall, and more.
The service? Simple. Book a ride via app for $3, and get to work, school, the doctor, or even the park.
We’ll have closing comments after this
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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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