GDP Script/ Top Stories for October 30th Publish Date: October 30th PRE-ROLL: From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Thursday, October 30th and Happy birthday to Henry Winkler I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Walgreens and InCommunity partner to offer free vaccination clinics in Norcross A state representative steps down, creating another vacancy in the General Assembly Gwinnett senator to Kemp: Declare SNAP benefits emergency Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on carrots 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: Ingles Markets 9 STORY 1: Walgreens and InCommunity partner to offer free vaccination clinics in Norcross Walgreens and InCommunity are hosting free vaccination clinics around the metro area, including one this Friday in Norcross. No insurance? No problem. Everyone’s welcome—individuals, families, whoever needs it. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., head to the Gwinnett Academic Assist Program Training Center at 1600 Oakbrook Drive. Flu shots, COVID boosters, RSV, shingles, pneumonia—you name it, they’ve got it. Licensed Walgreens pharmacists will be there to handle it all. And yes, it’s completely free. If you’ve got Medicaid or insurance, they’ll process it, but it’s not required. Walk-ins are fine, or register online through Walgreens. Don’t miss it! STORY 2: A state representative steps down, creating another vacancy in the General Assembly Another Georgia lawmaker is stepping down, adding to the growing list of vacancies in the state legislature. Rep. Marcus Wiedower announced Tuesday he’s resigning after six years in the House. Why? His job at Hillpointe, a real estate development firm, is booming—13 states now, up from one when he started. “It’s bittersweet,” he said, explaining the travel demands would pull him away from the Capitol. Wiedower chaired the House Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. A special election will be held to fill his seat in District 121, along with three others left vacant by resignations and, tragically, a death. Politics never slows down. STORY 3: Gwinnett senator to Kemp: Declare SNAP benefits emergency State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, is urging Gov. Brian Kemp to step in and help Georgia families who are about to lose their SNAP benefits because of the federal government shutdown. The shutdown, which started Oct. 1, has left Congress at a standstill, and now the USDA says SNAP benefits won’t be issued after Nov. 1. For 1.4 million Georgians—kids, seniors, working families—that’s a crisis. “Food isn’t optional. We have a moral duty to act.” She said. She’s asking Kemp to declare a state of emergency and use Georgia’s $14.6 billion surplus to provide aid, pointing to similar actions in Virginia and Louisiana. Meanwhile, the blame game rages on. But for families relying on SNAP? The politics don’t matter. They just need food. 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: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 4: GDOT: Expect congestion near Netherworld on Halloween If you’re heading to Netherworld this Halloween, brace yourself—it’s not just the haunted house that’ll be packed. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is warning drivers to expect traffic nightmares around metro Atlanta’s Halloween hotspots, especially Friday and Saturday. Netherworld, Six Flags, Stone Mountain Park, The Battery, and even Little 5 Points? All on the list of places where traffic’s gonna crawl. GDOT says the worst congestion will hit Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. And don’t forget the neighborhoods. Trick-or-treaters will be out, so slow down, stay alert, and for the love of candy, don’t drive distracted—or worse, drunk. STORY 5: Helping Kids Shine: Former Athletes Bring KidStrong to Gwinnett to Boost Youth Confidence When Jordan and Shaun Wade moved to Atlanta, they were just looking for something—anything—that could help their 3-year-old son, Shiloh, come out of his shell. Confidence, they thought, was the key. Jordan, a former Team USA track star, and Shaun, an Ohio State football standout now with the Chicago Bears, tried a few programs. Nothing clicked. Then they found KidStrong in Alpharetta. KidStrong, a science-based program for kids (walking to age 11), focuses on emotional, mental, and physical growth. With over 160 locations nationwide, it’s helping 65,000 kids a week. And now, thanks to the Wades, it’s coming to Gwinnett County—Snellville in 2026, Lawrenceville in 2027. Though new to business, Jordan&rsquo
