GDP Script/ Top Stories for September 13th Publish Date: September 13th PRE-ROLL: From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Saturday, September 13th and Happy Birthday to Joni Sledge I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. Health insurance changes coming to Georgia Paraglider hospitalized after crash at Barrow County Airport Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff Foundation team up for makeover at Lilburn Middle School 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 : Health insurance changes coming to Georgia Brace yourselves, Georgia. Health-care advocates are sounding the alarm: insurance rates on the government marketplace are set to spike next year. Why? Insurers blame federal budget cuts and the end of COVID-era tax credits, according to Anthony Wright of Families USA. And who’s hit hardest? Folks without job-based coverage—think restaurant servers, gig workers, barbers, plumbers, and other self-employed Georgians. The numbers are grim. KFF says half a million could lose coverage, while Georgians for a Healthy Future estimates 340,000, with rates jumping 75%. STORY 2: Paraglider hospitalized after crash at Barrow County Airport A paraglider crashed at Barrow County Airport in Winder on Thursday afternoon and was rushed to the hospital, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office. Details? Pretty scarce. Deputies and firefighters got the call around 1:04 p.m. about the crash. When they arrived, the man was breathing but unresponsive—scary stuff. He’s now in the hospital, and the FAA is stepping in to investigate what went wrong. Sheriff Jud Smith praised the quick-thinking citizen who called 911, saying their actions helped first responders get there fast. STORY 3: Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff Foundation team up for makeover at Lilburn Middle School Lilburn Middle School just got a serious upgrade, thanks to Peach Bowl, Inc. and the College Football Playoff Foundation. As part of their Extra Yard Makeover initiative, the school’s STEM lab was completely renovated—and unveiled Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Students and teachers got their first look at the revamped space, and let’s just say, jaws dropped. The $200,000 partnership has already transformed eight schools, including Hope Hill Elementary and North Clayton Middle. Oh, and one lucky teacher? Surprised with $1,000 for classroom projects. 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 9 STORY 4: Hussey Gay Bell expands Duluth architectural studio with addition of Victor Rodriguez Hussey Gay Bell has welcomed Victor Rodriguez as a project manager in its Duluth office, and it sounds like they’ve landed a pro. Rodriguez, who calls Duluth home, brings nearly 10 years of experience in architectural design, project management, and permitting. He’s got a knack for navigating codes, reviewing shop drawings, and keeping clients happy—basically, the guy knows his stuff. A Kennesaw State grad with additional training in project and practice management, Rodriguez is set to make waves in the firm’s seven core markets, from healthcare to transportation. Founded in 1958, Hussey Gay Bell now operates eight offices across the Southeast. STORY 5: Valdosta State president leaving for California post Valdosta State University President Richard Carvajal is heading west. Come January 20, he’ll take the helm at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, leaving behind nearly a decade of leadership at VSU. Carvajal stepped in during a rocky time in 2017—he was the seventh president in just eight years—and brought much-needed stability. Under his watch, VSU hit milestones: record graduate enrollment, campus renovations, and a $39 million performing arts center in progress. Break 3: STORY 6: Buford woman wins Mrs. America crown Growing up in tiny Glennville, Georgia, Paige Ewing (née Armstrong) dabbled in pageants—Junior Miss Tattnall County, Miss Pinewood Christian Academy, even Miss Georgia Onion (yes, that’s a thing). At 18, she won Miss Tattnall County and competed in Miss Georgia, but after that? She figured her pageant days were over. Life moved on. Fast forward to this summer: Paige, now a wife, mom, business owner, and grief coach, was crowned Mrs. Georgia. Then, in August, she took the national title—Mrs. America. STORY 7: GET OUT THERE: 5 things to do this weekend in Gwinnett County — Sept. 12-14 Travis Tritt in Buford When: Saturday, 6 p.m. Where: Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway NE, Buford Country music icon Travis Tritt hits Buford this Saturday
