 MDJ Script/ Top Stories for January 21st 

Publish Date:  January 21st 

 

Commercial:  

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

  

Today is Wednesday, January 21st and Happy Birthday to Jack Nicklaus 

 

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal 
Students shine at the Marietta City Schools district spelling bee
Atlanta mayor talks FIFA, housing, transit
Dog gained 57 pounds after rescue; owner now charged with animal cruelty

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 7 

STORY 1: Students shine at the Marietta City Schools district spelling bee 

  Seventh-grader Ella Grace Beard from Marietta Middle School clinched the top spot at the Marietta City Schools spelling bee on Friday, sealing her victory with the word “allergenic.” 

The competition was intense—10 students, each a champion from their school, battled it out for 26 rounds. Now, Ella Grace is headed to the Georgia District 2 spelling bee in Cherokee County. 

Her dad, Jason Beard, couldn’t be prouder. “She’s been studying like crazy—she even got a dictionary for Christmas last year,” he shared. 

Superintendent Grant Rivera, who handed out trophies to Ella Grace and runner-up Sreenika Arcot, called the spelling bee one of the most stressful events of the year.  

Jeff Hubbard, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, praised the event as a celebration of intelligence.  

Words like “archetype” and “tenement” challenged the spellers, but Ella Grace rose to the occasion. Now, she’s ready for the next round. 

STORY 2: Atlanta mayor talks FIFA, housing, transit 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens had a simple message at the Cobb Chamber luncheon: when Atlanta thrives, the whole region wins. Borrowing JFK’s famous line, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” Dickens made it clear that Atlanta’s success ripples far beyond city limits. 

Take the FIFA World Cup, for example. Starting in June, Atlanta will host eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the impact? It’ll stretch across the metro—Cobb County, Truist Park, Six Flags, Marietta Square.  

Through “Showcase Atlanta,” a leadership initiative chaired by Dickens, Arthur Blank, and UPS CEO Carol Tomé, the city plans to maximize the World Cup’s economic impact while spotlighting Atlanta’s culture and hospitality. And it’s not just about FIFA—Atlanta’s hosting the Super Bowl in 2028 and the NCAA Final Four in 2031. 

But Dickens didn’t shy away from challenges. With the metro population expected to grow by 1.8 million by 2050, he stressed the need for affordable housing and better transportation. “Teachers, first responders—they’re being priced out of the communities they serve. That’s a loss for all of us,” he said. 

And traffic? Atlanta’s infamous for it. Dickens wants to change that, starting with MARTA expansion into Cobb and Gwinnett. “We can’t keep doing this one-person-per-car thing forever,” he said. 

Dickens closed with a reminder: safety, health, opportunity—these aren’t partisan issues. “We all want thriving communities,” he said. “That’s something we can all agree on.” 

STORY 3: Dog gained 57 pounds after rescue; owner now charged with animal cruelty 

  Jordan Dean, 30, of Marietta, is facing an animal cruelty charge after what authorities describe as a heartbreaking case involving his Great Dane, Snoop. 

On Oct. 23, 2025, Dean reportedly brought Snoop to Cobb County Animal Services, claiming he’d found the dog as a stray near a Walgreens on Canton Road. But Snoop’s condition told a different story. Severely emaciated, his ribs and bones jutted out—no fat, barely any muscle. 

A cruelty exam scored Snoop at 1/9 on the body condition scale. He weighed just 50 pounds. After care, he reached 107 pounds with no medical issues causing the weight loss. 

Dean was arrested Jan. 5 and released the next day on a $10,000 bond. 

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 7 

 

STORY 4: Where the sidewalk ends: Mableton mayor talks SPLOST goals 

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens has his sights set on two big priorities: public safety and economic growth. And with the upcoming vote on a 1% special sales tax (SPLOST), he sees a chance to make it happen. 

If approved, the 2028 SPLOST would bring $97.6 million to Mableton—its first time creating its own project list since becoming a city in 2022. For Owens, it’s a defining moment.  

Top of the list? Sidewalks. “It’s the one thing everyone’s asking for,” Owens said, pointing to gaps along Veterans Memorial Highway and Nickajack Road. Parks, neighborhoods, and even businesses are disconnected, making walking unsafe—or impossible.  

But sidewalks are just the start. Owens envisions SPLOST funds going toward civic spaces, recreation centers, and even office parks to attract businesses. “You drive down Veterans Memorial, and it’s all shopping centers—no office buildings, no tech parks. That has to change,” he said. 

For Owens, the November vote is more than a tax—it’s a chance for Mableton residents to shape their city’s future.  

STORY 5:  Marietta Police paint vibrant interrogation room for child witnesses, victims 

  The Marietta Police Department has turned one of its interview rooms into something truly special—a space designed with kids in mind. 

Gone are the cold, blank walls. In their place? A vibrant, hand-painted mural that feels more like a storybook than a police station. It’s colorful, calming, and, most importantly, comforting—created to help children, especially those who’ve experienced trauma, feel a little less scared during tough conversations. 

Marietta High School art teachers Amanda Rudolph and Katherine Robinson, along with students from the National Art Honor Society, poured their hearts into this project.  

The department’s goal? To make sure every child feels protected and heard.  

Break:  

STORY 6: Mableton earns recognition as environmentally friendly city 

   Mableton just snagged some serious recognition for going green. Mayor Michael Owens and city council members accepted the Silver-level Green Communities certification from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). It’s a big deal—proof that the city’s making real moves to cut its environmental impact. 

How’d they do it? Think tree preservation ordinances, a community composting program, expanded recycling, and even switching to a 100% electric vehicle fleet. Practical stuff with long-term impact. 

The certification also boosts Mableton’s chances for state and federal grants, meaning more investment without raising taxes.  

The Green Communities program evaluates cities on their environmental performance, and Mableton’s efforts earned them a spot among metro Atlanta’s leaders. But the work doesn’t stop here—the certification lasts four years, and the city will need to keep proving its commitment to stay certified. 

STORY 7: Senate bill would hold down property tax increases that fund Georgia schools 

 Georgia lawmakers are back at it, debating how to handle property taxes—and this time, they’re eyeing a cap tied to inflation. A new bill from Senate Republicans would force all school systems to limit property tax hikes, even as rising home values push assessments higher. 

Here’s the twist: last year, 71% of Georgia’s school systems voted to reject a similar cap. Why? Because it slashes funding for education. If this bill passes, schools would lose the ability to tax property values that outpace inflation, leaving them scrambling to cover costs. 

Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, the bill’s sponsor, argues it’s about fairness.  

The bill would also impact city and county governments that opted out of last year’s cap. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones called it a priority, saying it’s about “putting more money back in Georgians’ pockets.” 

Meanwhile, other tax proposals are swirling at the Capitol—like eliminating income taxes or ending homestead property taxes altogether. Gov. Brian Kemp? He’s pushing for tax rebates and a slight income tax cut. 

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

Break: INGLES 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 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 

&nbsp;MDJ Script/&nbsp;Top Stories for&nbsp;January&nbsp;21st&nbsp;
Publish Date: &nbsp;January&nbsp;21st&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Commercial:&nbsp;&nbsp;
From the&nbsp;BG Ad Group&nbsp;Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. &nbsp;
 &nbsp;
Today is&nbsp;Wednesday,&nbsp;January&nbsp;21st&nbsp;and Happy Birthday to&nbsp;Jack Nicklaus&nbsp;
&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m&nbsp;Keith Ippolito&nbsp;and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by&nbsp;Times Journal&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>Students shine at the Marietta City Schools district spelling bee</li>
<li>Atlanta mayor talks FIFA, housing, transit</li>
<li>Dog gained 57 pounds after rescue; owner now charged with animal cruelty</li>
</ol>
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:&nbsp;INGLES&nbsp;7&nbsp;
STORY 1:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/students-shine-at-the-marietta-city-schools-district-spelling-bee/article_60604859-1c8d-44b4-a67b-d2e5ee0110fe.html">Students shine at the Marietta City Schools district spelling bee</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;Seventh-grader Ella Grace Beard from Marietta Middle School clinched the top spot at the Marietta City Schools spelling bee on Friday, sealing her victory with the word &ldquo;allergenic.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The competition was intense&mdash;10 students,&nbsp;each a&nbsp;champion from their school, battled it out for 26 rounds. Now, Ella Grace is headed to the Georgia District 2 spelling bee in Cherokee County.&nbsp;
Her dad, Jason Beard,&nbsp;couldn&rsquo;t&nbsp;be&nbsp;prouder. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s been studying like crazy&mdash;she even got a dictionary for Christmas last year,&rdquo; he shared.&nbsp;
Superintendent Grant Rivera, who handed out trophies to Ella Grace and runner-up Sreenika Arcot, called the spelling bee one of the most stressful events of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Jeff Hubbard, president of the Cobb County Association of Educators, praised the event as a celebration of intelligence.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Words like &ldquo;archetype&rdquo; and &ldquo;tenement&rdquo; challenged the spellers, but Ella Grace rose to the occasion. Now,&nbsp;she&rsquo;s&nbsp;ready for the next round.&nbsp;
STORY 2:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/atlanta-mayor-talks-fifa-housing-transit/article_d60b71c8-951e-4f6a-b3c0-9e7a488bf936.html">Atlanta mayor talks FIFA, housing, transit</a>&nbsp;
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens had a simple message at the Cobb Chamber luncheon: when Atlanta thrives, the whole region wins. Borrowing JFK&rsquo;s famous line, &ldquo;A rising tide lifts all boats,&rdquo; Dickens made it clear that Atlanta&rsquo;s success ripples far beyond city limits.&nbsp;
Take the FIFA World Cup, for example. Starting in June, Atlanta will host eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the impact?&nbsp;It&rsquo;ll&nbsp;stretch across the metro&mdash;Cobb County, Truist Park, Six Flags, Marietta Square.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Through &ldquo;Showcase Atlanta,&rdquo; a leadership initiative chaired by Dickens, Arthur Blank, and UPS CEO Carol Tom&eacute;, the city plans to maximize the World Cup&rsquo;s economic impact while spotlighting Atlanta&rsquo;s culture and hospitality. And&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;not just about FIFA&mdash;Atlanta&rsquo;s hosting the Super Bowl in 2028 and the NCAA Final Four in 2031.&nbsp;
But Dickens&nbsp;didn&rsquo;t&nbsp;shy away from challenges. With the metro population expected to grow by 1.8 million by 2050, he stressed the need for affordable housing and better transportation. &ldquo;Teachers, first responders&mdash;they&rsquo;re&nbsp;being priced out of the communities they serve.&nbsp;That&rsquo;s&nbsp;a loss for all of us,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
And traffic? Atlanta&rsquo;s infamous for it. Dickens wants to change that, starting with MARTA expansion into Cobb and Gwinnett. &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t keep doing this one-person-per-car thing forever,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
Dickens closed with a reminder: safety, health, opportunity&mdash;these&nbsp;aren&rsquo;t&nbsp;partisan issues. &ldquo;We all want thriving communities,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s something we can all agree on.&rdquo;&nbsp;
STORY 3:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/police_fire/dog-gained-57-pounds-after-rescue-owner-now-charged-with-animal-cruelty/article_d16a7aa9-2d59-47d8-85d0-74ae275321f2.html">Dog gained 57 pounds after rescue; owner now charged with animal cruelty</a>&nbsp;
  Jordan Dean, 30, of Marietta, is facing an animal cruelty charge after what authorities describe as a heartbreaking case involving his Great Dane, Snoop.&nbsp;
On Oct. 23, 2025, Dean&nbsp;reportedly brought&nbsp;Snoop to Cobb County Animal Services, claiming&nbsp;he&rsquo;d&nbsp;found the dog as a stray near a Walgreens on Canton Road. But Snoop&rsquo;s condition told a different story. Severely emaciated, his ribs and bones jutted out&mdash;no fat, barely any muscle.&nbsp;
A cruelty exam scored Snoop at 1/9 on the body condition scale. He weighed just 50 pounds. After care, he reached 107 pounds with no medical issues causing&nbsp;the weight&nbsp;loss.&nbsp;
Dean was arrested Jan. 5 and released the next day on a $10,000 bond.&nbsp;
We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;be right back.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break:&nbsp;INGLES&nbsp;7&nbsp;
&nbsp;
STORY 4:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/where-the-sidewalk-ends-mableton-mayor-talks-splost-goals/article_a4df5a14-0ccf-463d-af68-b18a666122a5.html">Where the sidewalk ends: Mableton mayor talks SPLOST goals</a>&nbsp;
Mableton Mayor Michael Owens has his sights set on two big priorities: public safety and economic growth. And with the upcoming vote on a 1% special sales tax (SPLOST), he sees a chance to make it happen.&nbsp;
If approved, the 2028 SPLOST would bring $97.6 million to Mableton&mdash;its first time creating its own project list since becoming a city in 2022. For Owens,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;a defining moment.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Top of the list? Sidewalks. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s the one thing everyone&rsquo;s asking for,&rdquo; Owens said, pointing to gaps along Veterans Memorial Highway and&nbsp;Nickajack&nbsp;Road. Parks, neighborhoods, and even businesses are disconnected, making walking unsafe&mdash;or impossible.&nbsp;&nbsp;
But sidewalks are just the start. Owens envisions SPLOST funds going toward civic spaces, recreation centers, and even office parks to attract businesses. &ldquo;You drive down Veterans Memorial, and&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;all shopping centers&mdash;no office buildings, no tech parks. That&nbsp;has to&nbsp;change,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
For Owens, the November vote is more than a tax&mdash;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;a chance for Mableton residents to shape their city&rsquo;s future.&nbsp;&nbsp;
STORY 5:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/marietta-police-paint-vibrant-interrogation-room-for-child-witnesses-victims/article_87e99884-4461-4a61-b30b-ebbdf50e96a5.html">Marietta Police paint vibrant interrogation room for child witnesses, victims</a>&nbsp;
  The Marietta Police Department has turned one of its interview rooms into something truly special&mdash;a space designed with kids in mind.&nbsp;
Gone are the cold, blank walls. In their place? A vibrant, hand-painted mural that feels more like a storybook than a police station.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;colorful, calming, and, most importantly, comforting&mdash;created to help children, especially those&nbsp;who&rsquo;ve&nbsp;experienced trauma, feel a little less scared during tough conversations.&nbsp;
Marietta High School art teachers Amanda Rudolph and Katherine Robinson, along with students from the National Art Honor Society, poured their hearts into this project.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The department&rsquo;s goal? To make sure every child feels protected and heard.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Break:&nbsp;&nbsp;
STORY 6:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/news/local/mableton-earns-recognition-as-environmentally-friendly-city/article_591e61f2-6e91-4ae9-95da-19c16cbbdb77.html">Mableton earns recognition as environmentally friendly city</a>&nbsp;
   Mableton just snagged some serious recognition for going green. Mayor Michael Owens and city council members accepted the Silver-level Green Communities certification from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;a big deal&mdash;proof that the city&rsquo;s making real moves to cut its environmental impact.&nbsp;
How&rsquo;d&nbsp;they&nbsp;do it? Think tree preservation ordinances, a community composting program, expanded recycling, and even switching to a 100% electric vehicle fleet. Practical stuff with long-term impact.&nbsp;
The certification also boosts Mableton&rsquo;s chances for state and federal grants, meaning more investment without raising taxes.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Green Communities program evaluates cities on their environmental performance, and Mableton&rsquo;s efforts earned them a spot among metro Atlanta&rsquo;s leaders. But the work&nbsp;doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;stop here&mdash;the certification lasts four years, and the city will need to keep proving its commitment to stay certified.&nbsp;
STORY&nbsp;7:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mdjonline.com/state/senate-bill-would-hold-down-property-tax-increases-that-fund-georgia-schools/article_0add435a-5778-55c1-aa71-9521151d7e39.html">Senate bill would hold down property tax increases that fund Georgia schools</a>&nbsp;
 Georgia lawmakers are back at it, debating how to handle property taxes&mdash;and this time,&nbsp;they&rsquo;re&nbsp;eyeing a cap tied to inflation. A new bill from Senate Republicans would force all school systems to limit property tax hikes, even as rising home values push assessments higher.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s&nbsp;the twist: last year, 71% of Georgia&rsquo;s school systems voted to reject a similar cap. Why? Because it slashes funding for education. If this bill passes, schools&nbsp;would&nbsp;lose the ability to tax property values that outpace inflation, leaving them scrambling to cover costs.&nbsp;
Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, the bill&rsquo;s sponsor, argues&nbsp;it&rsquo;s about&nbsp;fairness.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The bill would also&nbsp;impact&nbsp;city and county governments that opted out of last year&rsquo;s cap. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones called it a priority, saying&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;about &ldquo;putting more money back in Georgians&rsquo; pockets.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Meanwhile, other tax proposals are swirling at the Capitol&mdash;like&nbsp;eliminating&nbsp;income taxes or ending homestead property taxes altogether. Gov. Brian Kemp?&nbsp;He&rsquo;s&nbsp;pushing for tax rebates and a slight income tax cut.&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll&nbsp;have closing comments after this.&nbsp;
Break:&nbsp;INGLES&nbsp;7&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Signoff-  &nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;s&nbsp;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&nbsp;
Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling&nbsp;great stories&nbsp;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&nbsp;your Google&nbsp;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>&nbsp;</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>
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This podcast is produced by BG Ad Group
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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>

Marietta Daily Journal Podcast

Students shine at the Marietta City Schools district spelling bee | Atlanta mayor talks FIFA, housing, transit | Dog gained 57 pounds after rescue; owner now charged with animal cruelty