Top Stories for December 6th Publish Date: December 6th PRE-ROLL : SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Saturday, December 6th and Happy Birthday to Peter Buck from REM I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. Gwinnett Chamber Foundation honors small business leaders at inaugural Power of Impact Gala Lawmakers seek Lottery money for need-based college scholarships Applications for Jackson EMC Washington Youth Tour now open 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 Mall of Georgia STORY 1 : Gwinnett Chamber Foundation honors small business leaders at inaugural Power of Impact Gala The Gwinnett Chamber Foundation held its first-ever Power of Impact Gala on Dec. 3 at Bear’s Best Suwanee, bringing together over 130 business leaders to celebrate small business growth and mentorship. Award winners included Dr. William “Bill” Russell (Legacy Business Leader), Alicia Cole of Lillies Boutique (Certification Cohort Member), and Berthine Crèvecoeur West of Westbridge Solutions (Accelerator Cohort Member). The event also celebrated the 2025 Small Business Impact Institute graduates, seven of whom earned supply-chain certifications. STORY 2: Lawmakers seek Lottery money for need-based college scholarships Georgia’s public colleges hit record enrollment this fall, with over 382,000 students, but a bipartisan Senate committee says too many are still being left behind. The HOPE Scholarship, funded by the state lottery, has helped over 2 million students since 1993, but it’s merit-based—requiring a 3.0 GPA—and doesn’t account for financial need. For low-income students juggling work and school, losing HOPE often means dropping out entirely. The committee is pushing for a $126 million need-based aid program, funded by the lottery’s $1.7 billion reserves. But not everyone’s on board. Critics argue need-based aid feels like “social welfare,” despite warnings of a growing “brain drain” as students leave Georgia for better financial aid elsewhere. Gov. Brian Kemp praised HOPE’s legacy this week, but advocates say Georgia must do more to keep talented students in-state. STORY 3: Applications for Jackson EMC Washington Youth Tour now open Jackson EMC is now accepting applications for the 2026 Washington Youth Tour—a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip to D.C. from June 12-19. Four lucky high school sophomores or juniors from the Jackson EMC service area will be selected for this leadership experience. Who’s eligible? Students with strong grades, a passion for community service, and an interest in building connections. You can apply online at jacksonemc.com/wyt or be nominated by a teacher or counselor. Applications close Jan. 31, 2026. Finalists will interview on Feb. 16 with a panel of leaders. The trip includes visits to monuments, Smithsonian museums, Arlington Cemetery, and even a chance to meet Georgia’s congressional delegation. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back Break 2: Ingles Markets - DTL HOLIDAY STORY 4: Walmart launches drone delivery service in Georgia — including Loganville No, drones won’t be squeezing down your chimney, but if you live near one of six Walmart Supercenters around Atlanta, they might just drop a package on your lawn in time for Christmas. Walmart, teaming up with Wing, announced Wednesday that drone deliveries are now a thing in metro Atlanta—just in time for last-minute shoppers. Need wrapping paper? Holiday meal ingredients? A stocking stuffer you forgot? These 12-pound drones, zipping along at 60 mph, can deliver in five minutes if you’re within six miles. For now, Georgia’s drone-enabled Walmarts are in Conyers, Dallas, Hiram, Loganville, McDonough, and Woodstock. And while this is Atlanta’s first legal drone delivery service, drones have already been making, uh, less festive deliveries—state officials recently flagged them as a growing problem for smuggling contraband into prisons. Still, for holiday procrastinators, this tech could be a game-changer. Fewer delivery trucks on the road? That’s a win for everyone. STORY 5: ‘TIS THE SEASON: Your 2025 Guide To Tree Lightings And Holiday Celebrations In And Around Gwinnett County The holidays are in full swing, and there’s no shortage of festive fun around Gwinnett County. Here’s a quick rundown: **Suwanee’s Jolly Holly Days** (Dec. 8–9): Two days of crafts, live music, a pet parade, and Santa’s grand arrival. **Lilburn Holiday Parade** (Dec. 9): Floats, bands, and Christmas characters galore. **Dul
