Gwinnett Daily Post PodcastPiedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia | You Can Now Use a Digital Driver’s License to Buy Beer, Cigarettes in Georgia | Musical Events, Attractions to Get Into the Magical Spirit of the Holiday Season
Top Stories for November 29th
Publish Date: November 29th
PRE-ROLL: SUGAR HILL ICE SKATING
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, November 29th and Happy Birthday to Vin Scully
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
- Piedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia
- You can now use a digital driver’s license to buy beer, cigarettes in Georgia
- Musical events, attractions to get into the magical spirit of the holiday season
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: Piedmont Oncology Opens Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, First of Its Kind in Georgia
Piedmont Oncology just opened Georgia’s first Early Detection Pancreatic Cancer Clinic, and honestly, it’s a big deal. Pancreatic cancer is brutal—13% five-year survival rate, no screening test, vague symptoms that sneak up on you. But this clinic? It’s here to change that.
Dr. Andrew Page, the clinic’s medical director, says early detection is everything. “Education about risk factors is critical,” he explained. The clinic will focus on genetic counseling, research collaborations with NIH and Mayo Clinic, and, hopefully, developing a much-needed screening test.
None of this would’ve happened without donors like Purple Pansies. Their support is saving lives.
STORY 2: You can now use a digital driver’s license to buy beer, cigarettes in Georgia
Big news for Georgians: you can now use a digital driver’s license to buy alcohol, tobacco, and other age-restricted items. Yep, your phone just got even more useful.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) announced the update Monday, calling it a “major step forward” in modernizing IDs. But here’s the catch: it’s up to individual businesses to accept them. No guarantees.
Oh, and don’t try using a screenshot—doesn’t count. Retailers need a special mDL reader to scan the license, and staff still have to verify your age. Progress? Sure. Perfect? Not quite yet.
STORY 3: Musical events, attractions to get into the magical spirit of the holiday season
It’s that time again—holiday magic is everywhere, and Atlanta’s got no shortage of ways to celebrate. From concerts to tree lightings, here’s what’s happening:
Holiday Shows at the FOX Theatre:
- Lauren Daigle’s Behold Christmas Tour (Dec. 4): Grammy-winning magic.
- Christmas Together (Dec. 6): Amy Grant, Cece Winans, and Michael W. Smith.
- A Drummer Boy Christmas (Dec. 8): for King + Country’s festive storytelling.
- Elf the Musical (Dec. 16–20): Buddy’s heartwarming journey.
- Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (Dec. 23–24): Ballet meets acrobatics.
Festive Attractions:
- Stone Mountain’s Flight to the North Pole (Nov. 8–Jan. 4): Help Santa save Christmas.
- Garden of Lights (Nov. 15–Jan. 11): Stroll through dazzling displays.
- Georgia Aquarium Holidays (Nov. 14–Jan. 2): Twinkling lights, Santa, and sea life.
Don’t miss these great events!
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: Student loan change could drain nurse pipeline, Ga. dean warns
Nursing is no longer considered a “professional degree” by the U.S. Department of Education, and nurses are, understandably, furious.
The change, tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, means nursing students can’t access the $200,000 loan cap reserved for professional programs. Instead, they’re stuck with a $100,000 limit—less than what many need to cover tuition.
Linda McCauley, dean of Emory’s Nursing School, didn’t hold back: “In a time when we desperately need more nurses, why make it harder? It feels like they didn’t think this through.”
The fallout? Fewer nurses, more debt, and a lot of frustration.
STORY 5: Flight delays: Here are your rights when flying over the holidays in 2025
Stuck at the airport? Here’s a tip: if your flight’s delayed more than three hours (domestic) or six hours (international), you’ve got rights. Travel expert Katy Nastro says airlines must offer a refund or rebook you—your choice.
But here’s the catch: no double-dipping. You can’t get both. And meal vouchers? Only if the delay’s the airline’s fault, like staffing or mechanical issues. Hotels? Depends on the airline.
The Department of Transportation even published a guide for what airlines owe you. Pro tip: screenshots of your license don’t count for ID.
Break 3: BUFORD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
STORY 6: Forsyth school board approves use of same alarm system in place at Apalachee High School
Forsyth County schools are stepping up safety with a $2.4 million Centegix alarm system, approved by the Board of Education this week.
You’ve probably heard of these “panic alarms”—they’re the same system credited with the quick response during the tragic Apalachee High School shooting last year. Teachers and staff wear a button they can press in emergencies, instantly alerting law enforcement without fumbling for a phone.
The system also includes color-coded strobe lights for visual alerts, ensuring ADA compliance. The first year’s cost? $420,000, with the rest spread over five years. Safety, it seems, is getting an upgrade.
STORY 7: Recall alert: Honda recalls 256K vehicles for loss of power software error
Honda’s recalling over 256,000 vehicles—specifically 2023–2025 Accord Hybrids—because of a software glitch that could cause the car to lose power mid-drive. Not ideal, right?
The issue? The integrated control module’s CPU might reset itself while you’re cruising along. Dealers will fix it for free, though, so there’s that.
Honda says owners will get a heads-up by mail starting Jan. 5, but if you’re the impatient type (or just worried), you can call them at 888-234-2138. Oh, and if you’re curious, the recall number is TN2. Stay safe out there!
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: THE SUGAR HILL HOLIDAY
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.gwinnettdailypost.com
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Produced by the BG Podcast Network
Show Sponsors:
NewsPodcast, CurrentEvents, TopHeadlines, BreakingNews, PodcastDiscussion, PodcastNews, InDepthAnalysis, NewsAnalysis, PodcastTrending, WorldNews, LocalNews, GlobalNews, PodcastInsights, NewsBrief, PodcastUpdate, NewsRoundup, WeeklyNews, DailyNews, PodcastInterviews, HotTopics, PodcastOpinions, InvestigativeJournalism, BehindTheHeadlines, PodcastMedia, NewsStories, PodcastReports, JournalismMatters, PodcastPerspectives, NewsCommentary, PodcastListeners, NewsPodcastCommunity, NewsSource, PodcastCuration, WorldAffairs, PodcastUpdates, AudioNews, PodcastJournalism, EmergingStories, NewsFlash, PodcastConversations
