MDJ Script/ Top Stories for January 14th 

Publish Date:  January 14th 

Commercial:  

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

Today is Wednesday, January 14th and Happy Birthday to Dave Grohl 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 

1. East Cobb protest calls to end ICE after deadly shooting
2. Interstate lane closure advisory for the I-285/I-20 West Interchange project
3. ‘Ready to work for it’: Miss Cobb County 2026 looks toward Miss Georgia competition

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 5 

STORY 1: East Cobb protest calls to end ICE after deadly shooting 

  The intersection of Johnson Ferry and Roswell roads buzzed with energy Sunday afternoon as over 150 protesters gathered for the “ICE Out for Good” rally, part of a nationwide movement calling for the abolition of ICE. 

Chants of “No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” echoed across the streets, accompanied by honking horns and waves from passing cars. Protesters held handmade signs with messages like “Melt ICE,” “Justice for Renee,” and “Keep Orwell fiction.” 

The rally followed the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman, by an ICE agent during an immigration operation. Protesters, led by Indivisible Cobb, called out what they described as ICE’s unchecked violence. “This is about justice,” said Susan Lopez of Smyrna. “ICE is overstepping, and it’s time to hold them accountable.” 

Not everyone agreed. Terry Frost, a lone counter-protester, stood silently with a Trump campaign flag, voicing his support for ICE. “I can’t stand with people defending criminals,” he said. 

The protest remained peaceful, with no arrests reported. 

STORY 2: Interstate lane closure advisory for the I-285/I-20 West Interchange project 

 Heads up, drivers: weather permitting, GDOT contractors will be closing lanes around the I-285/I-20 West Interchange for a major reconstruction project. Expect delays, lane shifts, and some frustration—so plan ahead. 

The project? Widening ramps, adding collector-distributor lanes, and improving traffic flow. But first, the closures: 

• I-285 Northbound: Cascade to Bolton, nightly Jan. 12-16. Single-lane closures start at 9 p.m., double-lane closures at 11 p.m. 

• I-285 Southbound: Hollowell to MLK Jr. Drive, same deal. 

• I-20 Westbound: Anderson to Riverside, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. 

• I-20 Eastbound: Riverside to I-285, alternating lane closures. 

Flagging operations and pacing will also hit nearby roads. Check 511ga.org for updates, and drive safe! 

STORY 3: ‘Ready to work for it’: Miss Cobb County 2026 looks toward Miss Georgia competition 

  For Dominique Verville, crowned Miss Cobb County 2026 last August, life’s best moments often sit just past fear. 

“Fear shows up when something matters,” the 23-year-old from Kennesaw told the Kiwanis Club of Marietta on Thursday. “It doesn’t mean you’re unprepared—it means you’re standing at the edge of growth.” 

A graduate of Auburn University with degrees in aviation management and finance, Verville is a classically trained dancer, a licensed pilot, and now an aviation insurance underwriter. But her heart? It’s in service. 

Through her nonprofit, Hearts for Heroes, she supports veterans transitioning to civilian life, delivering supplies and reading her children’s book, Dear Soldier, to students. 

“The crown isn’t about me,” she said. “It’s about serving others.” 

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: INGLES 5 

STORY 4: Mableton swears in new councilmembers, elects mayor pro tem 

The Mableton City Council kicked off the year with a packed agenda—and a little drama. 

New council members Cassandra Brown and Michael McNeely were sworn in, while Debora Herndon, reelected unopposed, will take her oath later this month. Then came the vote for mayor pro tem. 

After a 3-3 tie between Ron Davis and Keisha Jeffcoat, McNeely flipped his vote in a second round, giving Davis the role with a 4-2 majority. “Big shoes to fill,” Davis said, “but I’m ready to make this city the best it can be.” 

The council also approved Mableton’s participation in HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program, partnering with Cobb County to fund affordable housing, infrastructure upgrades, and economic development. 

STORY 5:  Wood you believe it? New art exhibits open in Marietta 

  Two fresh exhibitions are taking over the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art and they couldn’t be more different. Downstairs, “Georgia Wood Artists” showcases 50 stunning woodworks from 39 Georgia artists—everything from bowls to mandolins to abstract sculptures. Upstairs? Lawrenceville painter Maya Perez-Lugones makes her solo debut with a series of bold, surreal bathroom scenes. 

“It’s like night and day,” said museum director Sally Macaulay. “Every piece evokes something different. I love hearing what people feel.” 

Perez-Lugones’ work, inspired by light bouncing off bathroom surfaces, explores ego and compulsion. Meanwhile, the wood exhibit highlights craftsmanship, from whittling to woodturning. 

Tickets are $10; kids under 6 get in free. 

Break:  

STORY 6: Braves re-sign reliever Tyler Kinley 

   The Braves are keeping their bullpen busy this offseason, signing right-hander Tyler Kinley to a $3 million deal for 2026, with a $5.5 million club option for 2027 (or a $1.25 million buyout). 

Kinley, 34, was lights-out last season—5-0 with a ridiculous 0.72 ERA in just 25 innings after being traded from Colorado in July. Not bad, right? 

This move follows Atlanta’s other bullpen splashes: a $45 million deal for Robert Suarez and a $16 million re-signing of closer Raisel Iglesias. 

STORY 7: Health inspection follow-up brings big change for Hoboken Cafe 

 The Hoboken Café on Whitlock Avenue, a local favorite for Italian eats, bounced back this week after a rough health inspection in December. The follow-up? A shiny 97 out of 100—an “A” for food safety excellence. 

Back in December, though, things weren’t so great. The café scored a 69, just one point above a failing grade. Violations included raw meat stored above ready-to-eat foods, cooling and reheating issues, and sanitizer buckets with way too much solution. 

The last inspection found just one issue—improper cooling for stuffed peppers, which was fixed on the spot. Management says everything’s been addressed. 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: INGLES 5 

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 www.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