MDJ Script/ Top Stories for October 3rd 

Publish Date:  October 3rd

Commercial:  

From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.  

Today is Friday, October 3rd and Happy Birthday to Stevie Ray Vaughn 

I’m Jessica Forkel and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 
Atlanta United, local officials cut ribbon on $25 million training facility expansion
Toastique brings gourmet toast and juices to east Cobb
Brian Snitker out as Braves' manager, will transition into advisory role

 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals 

 

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!  

 

BREAK: Ingles Markets 6 

 

STORY 1:  Atlanta United, local officials cut ribbon on $25 million training facility expansion 

This week, Atlanta United pulled back the curtain on a $25 million expansion to their Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, and let’s just say—it’s next level. 

The facility, now a sprawling 50,000 square feet, is the latest investment from owner Arthur Blank, bringing the total spend on the space to over $90 million. What’s new? A second gym for Atlanta United 2 and Academy players, a cutting-edge Emory Healthcare Studio (complete with podcast and video production spaces), and more than 100 workspaces for staff. 

Marietta Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin called the ribbon-cutting a celebration of progress.  

The timing couldn’t be better, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner. Atlanta United expects to host an international team at the facility during the tournament, and Tumlin is confident it’ll be the top pick.  

And they’re not done yet. Phase two is already in the works, with plans for hydrotherapy rooms, hyperbaric chambers, and expanded recovery spaces. The goal? To have it all ready before the World Cup kicks off. 

STORY 2:Toastique brings gourmet toast and juices to east Cobb 

Toastique has officially landed at the corner of Roswell and Johnson Ferry roads, bringing a fresh twist to the neighborhood’s food scene. Think gourmet toast, smoothies, and juices—but make it Instagram-worthy. 

Founded by former Division 1 cheerleader Brianna Keefe, Toastique started in D.C. back in 2018 and has since grown into a national sensation. Here in East Cobb, Rex and Leslie Sheridan are running the show. 

The menu? Packed with healthy, colorful options. Fan favorites include the Smoked Salmon toast (loaded with salmon, herbed cream cheese, and all the fixings), the Açai Smoothie Bowl, and the Avocado Smash. Rex, a pescatarian, swears by the Tomato Burrata toast—“It’s my go-to,” he says. 

The vibe inside matches the food: light, airy, and full of plants. There’s even a to-go fridge stocked with pressed juices and chia puddings, all made in-house. 

For Rex, this isn’t just a business—it’s personal. After years of health struggles, he discovered that better eating was the key to feeling better.  

Toastique is open daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 4250 Roswell Road. Stop by, snap a pic, and taste what all the buzz is about. 

 

STORY 3: Brian Snitker out as Braves' manager, will transition into advisory role 

 After months of whispers and speculation, Brian Snitker finally made it official: he’s stepping down as Atlanta Braves manager after the 2025 season. But don’t worry—he’s not going far. Starting in 2026, Snitker will take on an advisory role with the team, marking his 50th year with the Braves organization. 

At a press conference at Truist Park, the Braves announced Snitker’s transition and revealed he’ll be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame next year. The event was full of praise, gifts, and a lot of emotion. 

Snitker’s journey with the Braves is the stuff of baseball legend. Signed as a catcher in 1977, his playing career didn’t pan out, but Hank Aaron saw something in him and offered him a coaching job. From there, Snitker worked his way up, managing at nearly every level of the minors before taking over the big-league club in 2016. 

When he stepped in, the Braves were at rock bottom—the worst record in baseball. But under Snitker, they turned it around fast. Seven playoff appearances, six division titles, and a magical 2021 World Series win later, he’s cemented his legacy. 

Now, he’s looking forward to spending time with his family—his wife, Ronnie, their kids, and three grandkids.  

We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info.  

We’ll be right back. 

 

Break: TRUCK A PALOOZA 

STORY 4: Cobb County feels early impacts of federal government shutdown 

Cobb County is already feeling the ripple effects of the government shutdown, which kicked off at midnight when Congress failed to pass a budget. No funding, no updates—just ask Dobbins Air Reserve Base, whose website now greets visitors with a blunt message: “Due to the government shutdown, this website is not being updated.” Calls to their public affairs team? Crickets. 

National parks like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park are technically “closed,” but outdoor areas remain open. Bathrooms, though? Not so much. Visitors are being told to bring their own toilet paper—yes, really—and pack out their trash. 

Meanwhile, protesters from Indivisible Cobb gathered at Kennesaw Mountain, as they do every Wednesday, to advocate for park staff and future generations. Organizer Gail Von Gonten voiced concerns about unpaid workers and stalled maintenance.  

Statewide, the shutdown could impact over 110,000 federal workers in Georgia. While furloughed employees may qualify for unemployment benefits, they’ll have to repay those funds once back pay kicks in. It’s a mess, and for now, there’s no clear end in sight. 

 

STORY 5:  Cherokee Heights Art Festival is Oct. 18 

Mark your calendars—on Oct. 18, the 17th Annual Cherokee Heights Arts Festival is taking over Freyer Drive NE (between Etowah and Chicasaw Drives) in Marietta from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission? Free. Parking? Also free. 

This charming neighborhood, a 1924 National Historic Register gem just a mile from Marietta Square, started as a small, invite-only art show among neighbors. In 2009, they decided to take it outside—and open it to everyone. Now, it’s a one-day celebration featuring over 40 local artists and makers. 

Expect everything from paintings and pottery to jewelry, baked goods, and even original books. Two music “stages” will keep the vibe lively with free performances all day, and kids can get crafty at an art station hosted by the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. 

Feeling hungry? Food and drinks will be available, and local nonprofits like CASA and MUST Ministries will also be there. 

For a sneak peek, check out the Cherokee Heights Arts Festival on Facebook or Instagram. 

 

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

 

Break: Ingles Markets 7 

 

Signoff-   

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal 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 mdjonline.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: 
www.ingles-markets.com
Truck-A-Palooza 2025

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for October 3rd&nbsp;
Publish Date:  October 3rd
Commercial:&nbsp;&nbsp;
From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. &nbsp;
Today is Friday, October 3rd and Happy Birthday to Stevie Ray Vaughn&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m Jessica Forkel and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>Atlanta United, local officials cut ribbon on $25 million training facility expansion</li>
<li>Toastique brings gourmet toast and juices to east Cobb</li>
<li>Brian Snitker out as Braves' manager, will transition into advisory role</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals&nbsp;
&nbsp;
All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! &nbsp;
&nbsp;
BREAK: Ingles Markets 6&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 1: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/atlanta-united-local-officials-cut-ribbon-on-25-million-training-facility-expansion/article_4a50394b-a430-4d77-a134-f86df7804c6e.html"> Atlanta United, local officials cut ribbon on $25 million training facility expansion</a>&nbsp;
This week, Atlanta United pulled back the curtain on a $25 million expansion to their Children&rsquo;s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta, and let&rsquo;s just say&mdash;it&rsquo;s next level.&nbsp;
The facility, now a sprawling 50,000 square feet, is the latest investment from owner Arthur Blank, bringing the total spend on the space to over $90 million. What&rsquo;s new? A second gym for Atlanta United 2 and Academy players, a cutting-edge Emory Healthcare Studio (complete with podcast and video production spaces), and more than 100 workspaces for staff.&nbsp;
Marietta Mayor Steve &ldquo;Thunder&rdquo; Tumlin called the ribbon-cutting a celebration of progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The timing couldn&rsquo;t be better, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner. Atlanta United expects to host an international team at the facility during the tournament, and Tumlin is confident it&rsquo;ll be the top pick.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And they&rsquo;re not done yet. Phase two is already in the works, with plans for hydrotherapy rooms, hyperbaric chambers, and expanded recovery spaces. The goal? To have it all ready before the World Cup kicks off.&nbsp;
STORY 2: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/toastique-brings-gourmet-toast-and-juices-to-east-cobb/article_26fcd8e7-5b8a-4946-8813-0455acbcf651.html">Toastique brings gourmet toast and juices to east Cobb</a>&nbsp;
Toastique has officially landed at the corner of Roswell and Johnson Ferry roads, bringing a fresh twist to the neighborhood&rsquo;s food scene. Think gourmet toast, smoothies, and juices&mdash;but make it Instagram-worthy.&nbsp;
Founded by former Division 1 cheerleader Brianna Keefe, Toastique started in D.C. back in 2018 and has since grown into a national sensation. Here in East Cobb, Rex and Leslie Sheridan are running the show.&nbsp;
The menu? Packed with healthy, colorful options. Fan favorites include the Smoked Salmon toast (loaded with salmon, herbed cream cheese, and all the fixings), the A&ccedil;ai Smoothie Bowl, and the Avocado Smash. Rex, a pescatarian, swears by the Tomato Burrata toast&mdash;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s my go-to,&rdquo; he says.&nbsp;
The vibe inside matches the food: light, airy, and full of plants. There&rsquo;s even a to-go fridge stocked with pressed juices and chia puddings, all made in-house.&nbsp;
For Rex, this isn&rsquo;t just a business&mdash;it&rsquo;s personal. After years of health struggles, he discovered that better eating was the key to feeling better.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Toastique is open daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 4250 Roswell Road. Stop by, snap a pic, and taste what all the buzz is about.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 3: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/sports/atlanta_braves/brian-snitker-out-as-braves-manager-will-transition-into-advisory-role/article_545bf86f-5e45-43df-9c1a-a304005938a2.html">Brian Snitker out as Braves' manager, will transition into advisory role</a>&nbsp;
 After months of whispers and speculation, Brian Snitker finally made it official: he&rsquo;s stepping down as Atlanta Braves manager after the 2025 season. But don&rsquo;t worry&mdash;he&rsquo;s not going far. Starting in 2026, Snitker will take on an advisory role with the team, marking his 50th year with the Braves organization.&nbsp;
At a press conference at Truist Park, the Braves announced Snitker&rsquo;s transition and revealed he&rsquo;ll be inducted into the team&rsquo;s Hall of Fame next year. The event was full of praise, gifts, and a lot of emotion.&nbsp;
Snitker&rsquo;s journey with the Braves is the stuff of baseball legend. Signed as a catcher in 1977, his playing career didn&rsquo;t pan out, but Hank Aaron saw something in him and offered him a coaching job. From there, Snitker worked his way up, managing at nearly every level of the minors before taking over the big-league club in 2016.&nbsp;
When he stepped in, the Braves were at rock bottom&mdash;the worst record in baseball. But under Snitker, they turned it around fast. Seven playoff appearances, six division titles, and a magical 2021 World Series win later, he&rsquo;s cemented his legacy.&nbsp;
Now, he&rsquo;s looking forward to spending time with his family&mdash;his wife, Ronnie, their kids, and three grandkids.&nbsp;&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. &nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll be right back.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break: TRUCK A PALOOZA&nbsp;
STORY 4: <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/cobb-county-feels-early-impacts-of-federal-government-shutdown/article_1adaf5a7-4782-4df2-9dfe-a6954fb8275e.html">Cobb County feels early impacts of federal government shutdown</a>&nbsp;
Cobb County is already feeling the ripple effects of the government shutdown, which kicked off at midnight when Congress failed to pass a budget. No funding, no updates&mdash;just ask Dobbins Air Reserve Base, whose website now greets visitors with a blunt message: &ldquo;Due to the government shutdown, this website is not being updated.&rdquo; Calls to their public affairs team? Crickets.&nbsp;
National parks like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield Park are technically &ldquo;closed,&rdquo; but outdoor areas remain open. Bathrooms, though? Not so much. Visitors are being told to bring their own toilet paper&mdash;yes, really&mdash;and pack out their trash.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, protesters from Indivisible Cobb gathered at Kennesaw Mountain, as they do every Wednesday, to advocate for park staff and future generations. Organizer Gail Von Gonten voiced concerns about unpaid workers and stalled maintenance.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Statewide, the shutdown could impact over 110,000 federal workers in Georgia. While furloughed employees may qualify for unemployment benefits, they&rsquo;ll have to repay those funds once back pay kicks in. It&rsquo;s a mess, and for now, there&rsquo;s no clear end in sight.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 5:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/lifestyle/cherokee-heights-art-festival-is-oct-18/article_ea8fccd9-5a2e-4c36-aeb5-956cc752834f.html">Cherokee Heights Art Festival is Oct. 18</a>&nbsp;
Mark your calendars&mdash;on Oct. 18, the 17th Annual Cherokee Heights Arts Festival is taking over Freyer Drive NE (between Etowah and Chicasaw Drives) in Marietta from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission? Free. Parking? Also free.&nbsp;
This charming neighborhood, a 1924 National Historic Register gem just a mile from Marietta Square, started as a small, invite-only art show among neighbors. In 2009, they decided to take it outside&mdash;and open it to everyone. Now, it&rsquo;s a one-day celebration featuring over 40 local artists and makers.&nbsp;
Expect everything from paintings and pottery to jewelry, baked goods, and even original books. Two music &ldquo;stages&rdquo; will keep the vibe lively with free performances all day, and kids can get crafty at an art station hosted by the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art.&nbsp;
Feeling hungry? Food and drinks will be available, and local nonprofits like CASA and MUST Ministries will also be there.&nbsp;
For a sneak peek, check out the Cherokee Heights Arts Festival on Facebook or Instagram.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on cereals&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break: Ingles Markets 7&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Signoff-  &nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;s Marietta Daily Journal 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 mdjonline.com&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">Produced by the BG Podcast Network</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
Show Sponsors:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">www.ingles-markets.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cobbcounty.gov/safety-village/news/truck-palooza-2025-saturday-october-4th">Truck-A-Palooza 2025</a></li>
</ul>

Get the news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County with the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.

Marietta Daily Journal - https://www.mdjonline.com 

Cobb Life Magazine - www.cobblifemagazine.com 

 

 

 

This podcast is produced by BG Ad Group

 

For advertising inquiries, please email j.southerland@bgadgroup.com

For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/

Get the news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County with the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast.
Marietta Daily Journal - <a href="https://www.mdjonline.com">https://www.mdjonline.com </a>
Cobb Life Magazine - <a href="http://www.cobblifemagazine.com">www.cobblifemagazine.com </a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
This podcast is produced by BG Ad Group
&nbsp;
For advertising inquiries, please email <a href="mailto:j.southerland@bgadgroup.com">j.southerland@bgadgroup.com</a>
For more information be sure to visit <a href="https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/">https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/</a>

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