Top Stories for November 11th Publish Date: November 11th From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Tuesday, November 11th and Happy Birthday to George Patton I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by KIA Mall of Georgia. Wildwoods: AGLOW returns to Fernbank on Nov. 14 Flights trimmed at Atlanta and other major airports as government shutdown drags on Thousands show up for Sheriff's Thanksgiving Food Giveaway 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 GA STORY 1 : Wildwoods: AGLOW returns to Fernbank on Nov. 14 Fernbank’s “Museum Nights” are back, and with them comes the enchanting after-dark experience, WildWoods: AGLOW , starting mid-November. From Nov. 14 to Feb. 28, select nights will transform the woods into a glowing wonderland—think illuminated sculptures, dreamy soundscapes, and projections that bring Georgia’s nocturnal wildlife to life. Picture this: giant glowing mushrooms, fluttering dragonflies, and even a swarm of bats lighting up the boardwalk. There’s an interactive tulip poplar pod, too—because why not? Guests can also explore exhibits, sip cocktails, and catch Museum Alive on the Giant Screen. Heads up: some nights are adults-only. Details at FernbankMuseum.org/AGLOW. STORY 2: Flights trimmed at Atlanta and other major airports as government shutdown drags on Airlines are cutting flights in and out of Atlanta, thanks to a federal mandate tied to the government shutdown. The FAA, citing “strain” on air traffic controllers—who’ve been working unpaid for over five weeks—ordered domestic flight reductions to keep things safe. “We’re seeing stress in the system,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Safety comes first.” On Friday, Hartsfield-Jackson and 39 other major airports saw a 4% cut in flights, ramping up to 10%. Airlines like Delta and United are offering refunds or free rescheduling, but the chaos is real. Thanksgiving travel? Buckle up. STORY 3: Thousands show up for Sheriff's Thanksgiving Food Giveaway The line of cars on Sugarloaf Parkway—stretching over a mile in both directions—said it all. Sheriff Keybo Taylor’s Thanksgiving Food Giveaway always draws a crowd, but this year? It was something else. With furloughs and SNAP cuts from the government shutdown, the need was painfully clear. Families waited for hours, even after making it into the fairgrounds. The plan was to feed 3,000 families, but turnout blew past that. “It speaks to the need,” said Taylor Atwater, the Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. Volunteers—300 of them, from high school athletes to local businesses—loaded cars with turkeys, produce, dry goods, and even Lunchables. “This is for everyone,” said Austin Smith from the outreach team. Sheriff Taylor summed it up: “When we stand together, we bridge the gap.” 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 STORY 4: Georgia economy suffers from lack of financial aid for low-income students, advocates argue Here’s a tough truth: Georgia is one of only two states that doesn’t offer financial aid to college students based on need. Instead, there’s HOPE—a lottery-funded scholarship tied to high school grades. But if your GPA slips in college? It’s gone. That’s exactly what happened to Jordan Winfrey, a Kennesaw State junior studying nursing. She lost HOPE after struggling with chemistry and now works 30 hours a week to make up for it. “If I could work less, I’d focus more on school,” she said. Advocates argue this policy fuels student debt, dropouts, and even a “brain drain” as students leave Georgia for better aid elsewhere. STORY 5: GAC Grad Davis Mills Leads Big Texans Rally over Jaguars Greater Atlanta Christian alum Davis Mills pulled off a stunner Sunday, leading the Houston Texans to a wild 36-29 comeback win over the Jaguars after trailing by 19 late in the third quarter. Mills, stepping in for C.J. Stroud, threw for 292 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick, but it was his legs that sealed the deal—a 14-yard scramble on third-and-goal with just 30 seconds left. Oh, and Houston wasn’t done. Will Anderson Jr. scooped up a fumble and took it 32 yards to the house as time expired. Break 3: Sugar Hill Skating Rink Final STORY 6: Georgia officials say partial SNAP benefits coming this week Georgia families worried about losing SNAP benefits during the federal shutdown are getting a bit of relief this week. The Georgia Department of Human Services announced Sunday that partial SNAP payouts are starting. Families who usu
