Gwinnett Daily Post PodcastRising Costs for Insurance, With Reports of Refusals to Pay Claims, Could Spur Legislation | Georgia DOT Suspends Lane Closures for the Holidays | Grayson Man Gets 80-Year Prison Sentence for Robbery-Turned-Murder
Top Stories for December 27th
Publish Date: December 27th
PRE-ROLL: Sugar Hill Ice Skating
From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Saturday, December 27th and Happy Birthday to Mick Jones
I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia.
- Rising costs for insurance, with reports of refusals to pay claims, could spur legislation
- Georgia DOT suspends lane closures for the holidays
- Grayson man gets 80-year prison sentence for robbery-turned-murder
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: Rising costs for insurance, with reports of refusals to pay claims, could spur legislation
Insurance costs are climbing, and people are fed up. Policyholders say they’re paying more for less—claims denied, delays dragging on for months. Meanwhile, insurers aren’t exactly thrilled with Georgia either. The state ranked dead last in profitability for insurance companies last year.
“Less competition means higher prices,” said Robert Hoyt from UGA’s Terry College of Business.
At a final hearing in Gwinnett, lawmakers heard it all: auto repair shops battling insurers, marathoners denied prosthetics, and frustrated customers paying out of pocket.
Rep. Matt Reeves says change is coming. “We’ll be looking at prices, profits, and penalties. It’s overdue.”
STORY 2: Georgia DOT suspends lane closures for the holidays
With the holidays here, there’s a little gift from GDOT: no lane closures on major roads, interstates, or near shopping spots. From Dec. 23 at 6 a.m. to Dec. 28 at 10 p.m., and again Dec. 31 at 5 a.m. to Jan. 2 at 5 a.m., you’ll get a smoother ride.
But don’t zone out—crews might still be working, and emergencies? Yeah, those closures can still happen.
Stay sharp, watch for signs, and be extra careful near work zones. Need updates? Check the 511GA app or GDOT’s website. Safe travels, and happy holidays!
STORY 3: Grayson man gets 80-year prison sentence for robbery-turned-murder
A 20-year-old from Grayson, known on the streets as “Draino,” will spend the rest of his life—and then some—behind bars. Adrian Synclare Johnson was convicted last Friday on nearly two dozen charges, including murder and racketeering, for his role in the February killing of 24-year-old Gerryon Ceasor during a botched drug robbery.
The sentence? Two life terms (one without parole) plus 20 years. “Gang violence won’t be tolerated,” said DA Patsy Austin-Gatson.
Prosecutors say Johnson and six others planned to rob Ceasor of his Draco pistol. Shots were fired. Ceasor didn’t survive. The others await trial.
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We’ll be right back
Break 2: Ingles Markets
STORY 4: Polar Vortex Is Strengthening: What It Means For GA Winter Temps
Georgia’s Christmas forecast? It was warm. And, according to The Weather Channel, this unseasonably toasty trend is sticking around through March.
Why? A strong polar vortex. Sounds intense, right? But here’s the twist: the stronger it is, the less it messes with us. Instead of icy blasts, we’re looking at above-average temps across the South, especially in February.
Meanwhile, the North gets the cold and wet. La Niña vibes, basically—warm down here, chilly up there. So, enjoy the sunshine, Georgia. Winter’s taking it easy.
STORY 5: Georgia swears in its youngest state representative
At just 21, Ali’s already making waves. Youngest lawmaker in Georgia’s history? Check. Youngest Democratic state rep in the country? Also check. But he’s quick to brush off the titles. “First and foremost, I’m a brother, a son, and your neighbor,” he says.
Ali’s story mirrors his district’s—immigrant parents, humble beginnings, and a relentless climb. “We went from eating white rice every night to owning a home,” he recalls. That shaped him.
His journey into politics started young, sparked by threats to his community’s mosque. Now, he’s building bridges, lowering costs, and proving age doesn’t define leadership.
We’ll be right back.
Break 3: DTL HOLIDAY INTERVIEW - Lorraine Green
STORY 6: Metro Atlanta man accused of cheating people out of almost $1 million by selling bogus UGA tickets
A 43-year-old Alpharetta man, Matthew Neet, is accused of pulling off a nearly $1 million scam that targeted college football fans and investors. Fake tickets, bogus investments—he allegedly promised it all, but delivered nothing.
Prosecutors say Neet offered hard-to-get UGA football tickets (think Alabama, Texas matchups) and pitched timberland projects in Costa Rica. The catch? None of it was real. Instead, he pocketed $943,000 from over two dozen victims.
Neet’s been charged with wire fraud and waived indictment. The FBI’s still digging, and prosecutors are ready to take him on.
STORY 7: ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ cast member Kandi Burruss stars in ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway
Kandi Burruss is taking her talents to Broadway. Yep, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star and Grammy-winning artist joined the cast of & Juliet on Dec. 11 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in New York. She’s stepping into the role for a limited run through March 8, 2026, following TikTok sensation Cheryl Porter.
The show? A playful twist on Romeo & Juliet—what if Juliet didn’t, you know, end it all over Romeo?
Burruss, a 14-season RHOA veteran, adds this to her packed résumé: singer, songwriter, producer, restaurateur, and now Broadway star.
We’ll have closing comments after this
Break 4: GCPS Hiring
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
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