COMMERCIAL:

From the Ingles Studio this is The Northwest Georgia News Podcast from the Rome News Tribune, Calhoun Times, Catoosa Walker News, and Polk County Standard.

Today is Wednesday, April 24th, and happy 81st birthday to Barbra Streisand

***04.24.24 – BIRTHDAY – BARBRA STREISAND***

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Northwest Georgia is talking about presented by Drake Realty.

1. Rome Man Accused of Threatening To Kill Child After Molesting Her
2. Georgia Getting $156 Million for Rooftop Solar
3. Kemp Signs Private School Vouchers Bill Along with Anavitarte's Social Media Restrictions

Plus, Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on bioengineered ingredients.

These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Northwest Georgia News podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!

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STORY 1: Rome Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Child After Molesting Her

Mark Paul Dawson Sr., a 30-year-old man from Rome, faces serious charges after allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl and threatening her life. The incident, which occurred in December 2022 on Doyle Road, led to Dawson's arrest on charges including felony child molestation, terroristic threats and acts, sexual battery to a child under 16, and cruelty to children in the first degree. The accusations detail Dawson's inappropriate actions towards the girl and his threat to harm her if she disclosed the incident. As of now, Dawson is held in Floyd County Jail without bond.

STORY 2: Georgia Getting $156 Million for Rooftop Solar

The Biden administration allocated $156 million on Earth Day to Capital Good Fund for expanding solar energy access in low-income communities across Atlanta, Decatur, and Savannah as part of the Solar for All program. This funding will enable the Georgia BRIGHT program to reach approximately 20,000 households over five years, creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Georgia BRIGHT offers various solar options to residents and organizations, including solar-plus-battery storage leases and power purchase agreements. The initiative aims to enhance workforce development, community solar projects, and facilitate repairs such as roof replacements, making solar energy more accessible and affordable for all communities.

STORY 3: Kemp Signs Private School Vouchers Bill Along With Anavitarte's Social Media Restrictions

Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 233 into law, implementing private-school vouchers worth up to $6,500 for students in the lowest-performing public schools. The bill aims to offer families more educational choices and break down barriers for students. Despite concerns about diverting funds from public schools, the legislation includes caps on voucher spending and eligibility based on family income. Opponents argue that the vouchers may not cover the cost of private schooling and could primarily benefit wealthier families. Additionally, Kemp signed Senate Bill 351, targeting cyberbullying and social media's negative impacts on teenagers, requiring social media companies to verify user ages and schools to adopt social media policies.

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Back in a moment

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STORY 4: GNTC Students Place at State FBLA Competition

Five Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students excelled at the Georgia Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate State Leadership Conference, earning spots in the national competition. Among them, Nancy Johnson and Brandon Wishon achieved first place in their respective events. Anna Cantrell, Josue Lopez, and Esther Johnson also secured top positions, showcasing their skills in various competitions. Mark Upton, the FBLA coordinator at GNTC, highlighted the importance of such competitions in preparing students for real-world challenges. Trish Wiggins, GNTC's director of Student Engagement, expressed pride in the students' accomplishments and expects them to represent the college and Georgia effectively at the national level. The Future Business Leaders of America provides opportunities for students to develop skills and pursue careers in business-related fields.

STORY 5: Bill To Regulate Hemp Products In Georgia Awaits Governor’s Signature

A bill regulating hemp products awaits Gov. Kemp's decision after passing in the legislative session. Sponsored by Sen. Sam Watson, it mandates testing and restricts sales to those 21 and older. Proponents see it as consumer protection, while opponents fear its potential impact. Dr. Lopez from the Georgia Poison Center warns of the dangers of Delta-8 and criticizes the bill for not addressing synthetic hemp derivatives. Concerns extend to the cannabis industry, which worries about increased regulation and law enforcement's reaction. Watson sees the bill as a first step, but Lopez calls for more comprehensive legislation to address loopholes and protect consumers.

STORY 7: Leah McGrath

And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath bioengineered ingredients.

***Leah McGrath Interview***

We’ll have closing comments after this.

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Sign off--

Thanks again for listening to today’s Northwest Georgia News podcast.  For more on these stories and other great content visit northwestgeorgianews.com. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast.

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