GA News Podcast – East Metro for Sunday, 10/13– Published Friday 10/10 PRE-ROLL: Ingles Markets (Roasting Vegetables) 7 From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to your Georgia News Podcast. This podcast features stories compiled from the publications of Times Journal Inc. Today is Sunday, October 13th and Happy birthday to the late Eddie Matthews ***10.13.24 – BIRTHDAY – EDDIE MATTHEWS*** I’m Peyton Spurlock and here is your top stories Georgia is talking about, presented by Drake Realty 1. Georgians still feeling impacts of Helene as Milton brushes by 2. Judge rules Kemp doesn't have to investigate State Election Board members 3. Georgia Board Seeks Clearer Rules for Mass Voter Challenges We’ll have these stories and more, coming up on your Georgia News Podcast and If you want community, local, and statewide news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! Commercial: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Geoff) Story 1: Georgians still feeling impacts of Helene as Milton brushes by In Georgia, about 50,000 electric customers remain without power following Hurricane Helene, which caused 34 deaths and significant damage, particularly in rural areas. As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, many evacuees are heading to Georgia, filling hotels and increasing traffic. Governor Brian Kemp noted available accommodations in cities like Albany and Atlanta, and state parks are open to RVs. Milton is expected to bring rain and winds to southeastern Georgia, with potential flash flooding in six counties. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is advocating for federal disaster relief for Georgia farmers, citing significant agricultural losses from Helene. Story 2: Judge rules Kemp doesn't have to investigate State Election Board members A Fulton County Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit aiming to compel Governor Brian Kemp to hold an administrative hearing on removing three State Election Board members. The judge agreed with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's opinion that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing. The lawsuit, filed by State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes and others, challenged rule changes by the board's Republican members, which could delay or refuse election result certification. Democrats fear these changes could favor Trump in the upcoming election. Fair Fight's CEO criticized the ruling as a setback for voter accountability. Story 3: Georgia Board Seeks Clearer Rules For Mass Voter Challenges Georgia State Election Board officials plan to request clearer guidelines from lawmakers for maintaining accurate voter lists, following debates over mass voter challenges. The board seeks to make it harder for county election boards to dismiss these challenges without investigation. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election begins soon, with mock precincts set up in Floyd County for practice. The board's Executive Director, Mike Coan, noted that counties are dismissing challenges due to fear of lawsuits. The controversy stems from efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. A lawsuit to force Governor Kemp to investigate board members was dismissed. We’ll be right back Break: Wheeler’s funeral ( Story 4: Atlanta Dream, Bria Janelle Host Girls Basketball Clinic The second annual Atlanta Dream x Bria Janelle Foundation Girls Skills Clinic will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Newton High School. Sponsored by Emory Healthcare, this free clinic is open to girls in grades three through eight and runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The event aims to empower young girls by teaching basketball skills, featuring talks from Atlanta Dream staff, and offering a Q&A session on self-confidence and goal-setting. Parents must stay on-site and complete a waiver for participation. Registration is available online. Janelle, the clinic's organizer, focuses on youth empowerment and community development. Story 5: Holly Springs Town Center Parking Deck in Final Development Phase The Holly Springs Town Center parking deck is nearing completion, with the City Council approving a $861,309.90 change order for final work, including earthwork and wall construction. An additional $82,353 was approved for plumbing services and $10,323 for storm drains. These costs are covered by the Urban Redevelopment Agency Series 2023 bond. The three-level, 323-space parking deck is the first structure on the northern site and is expected to be finished this year. Future development phases include an amphitheater and new city hall, currently in the design phase with construction bids anticipated soon. We’ll be right back. Break: Render Apartments (07.11.24 RENDER APARTMENTS_REV_FINAL) Story 6: Rockdale Extends Virtual Learning Through Oct. 18 Rockdale County students will continue virtual learning until Friday, Oct. 18, due to a shelter-in-place advisory following the BioLab chemical fire. Originally set to return on Oct. 10, the advisory affects about half of the schools within a 2-mile radius of ...
