EAST METRO Top Stories for January 17th 

Publish Date: January 17th 

    

Commercial: Morgan Medical  

From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to The Community Podcast. This Podcast brings you the top stories from the Rockdale-Newton Citizen and the Morgan Citizen.   

Today is Friday, January 17th and Happy birthday to James Earl Jones  

***01.17.25 - BIRTHDAY – JAMES EARL JONES*** 

I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty  
General Assembly kicks off 2025 session 
Madison City Councilman Resigns To Run For County Commissioner 
JaNice Van Ness Sworn in to ARC Board 

 

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting 

  

These stories and more are coming up in today’s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties! Please like, follow, and subscribe. 

  

BREAK: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Geoff) 

STORY 1:   General Assembly kicks off 2025 session 

The Georgia General Assembly began its 2025 session with ceremonial proceedings and minimal legislative activity. House Speaker Jon Burns was re-elected, emphasizing a focus on tax cuts, immigration control, and infrastructure investment. In the Senate, John Kennedy was unanimously re-elected president pro tempore. The session saw 18 new House members and four new Senate freshmen sworn in, while Sen. David Lucas marked his 50th session. The week includes Governor Brian Kemp's priority outline at the Eggs and Issues breakfast and his State of the State address. The session's 40-day schedule was set, concluding on April 4, with Crossover Day on March 6. 

STORY 2:     Madison City Councilman Resigns To Run For County Commissioner 

Madison City Councilman Ed Latham resigned from his District 3 seat to run for the Morgan County Commissioner District 1 seat in a special election on March 18. Latham's resignation was due to moving out of the district. The District 1 seat is vacant following Commissioner Donald Harris's death. Qualifying for the County seat runs from January 15-17, while the Madison District 3 seat election will also occur on March 18, with qualifying from January 22-24. Voter registration closes on February 17, with early voting from February 24 to March 14. Polls open on March 18, with a potential runoff on April 15. 

STORY 3:  JaNice Van Ness Sworn in to ARC Board 

 The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) welcomed two new board members: JaNice Van Ness, Rockdale County Commission chair, and Alieka Anderson-Henry, Clayton County Commission chair. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will join later. The 41-member board, including county commission chairs, Atlanta's mayor, and other officials, oversees regional planning to enhance quality of life in metro Atlanta. ARC Board Chair Andre Dickens emphasized the importance of new perspectives in regional decision-making. The ARC, serving 11 counties and 77 cities, aims to foster thriving communities through collaborative planning and investments. 

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: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME (08.08.24 WHEELER OBITS_FINAL) 

STORY 4:  Odil To Open 2025 Season At Madison Artist Guild 

Georgia artist Barbara Odil opens the 2025 season at MAGallery with "Branching Out," a mixed media sculpture exhibition highlighting nature and decay. The opening reception is on January 24, featuring a Meet & Greet with Odil, catering by Harvest & Honey, and music by MaCayla Hodges. Sponsored by REU Architects, the exhibition runs from January 23 to March 8, with pieces available for sale. Odil's work transforms decayed wood into art, depicting scenes like dancing owls and Roman goddesses. MAGallery, located in Madison, offers rotating exhibitions and supports local artists through the Madison Artists Guild. 

STORY 5:    Newton County to honor MLK with celebration Jan. 19 

The 40th Annual King Holiday Observance in Covington will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on January 19 at Newton High School. Attorney Gerald Griggs, Georgia NAACP president, will be the keynote speaker. Griggs, a prominent community activist and lawyer, has been recognized for his contributions to social justice. The event will also present the annual MLK awards, including the I Have a Dream Award for community service, the Trailblazer Award for long-term impact, and Young Dreamer Awards for students promoting peace and unity. These awards honor individuals fostering positive change in Newton County. 

 

We’ll be back in a moment   

 

Break: Ingles Markets 2 

 

And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting  

*** INGLES ASK LEAH 3 BUDGETING*** 

We’ll have closing comments after this.  

Break: 11.12.24 MORGAN MEDICAL NOV_FINAL 

 

Signoff-    

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Community 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 https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/  and https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/ 

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 


www.drakerealty.com 


www.wheelerfuneralhome.com 


morganmedical.org 

 

#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations 

EAST METRO Top Stories for January 17th&nbsp;
Publish Date: January 17th&nbsp;
   &nbsp;
Commercial: Morgan Medical&nbsp;&nbsp;
From the Ingles Studio, Welcome to The Community Podcast. This Podcast brings you the top stories from the Rockdale-Newton Citizen and the Morgan Citizen.  &nbsp;
Today is Friday, January 17th and Happy birthday to James Earl Jones&nbsp;&nbsp;
***01.17.25 - BIRTHDAY &ndash; JAMES EARL JONES***&nbsp;
I&rsquo;m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Drake Realty&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ol>
<li>General Assembly kicks off 2025 session&nbsp;</li>
<li>Madison City Councilman Resigns To Run For County Commissioner&nbsp;</li>
<li>JaNice Van Ness Sworn in to ARC Board&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
These stories and more are coming up in today&rsquo;s edition of the Community Podcast for Rockdale, Newton, and Morgan Counties! Please like, follow, and subscribe.&nbsp;
 &nbsp;
BREAK: DRAKE (Drake Realty (Geoff)&nbsp;
STORY 1:&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/general-assembly-kicks-off-2025-session/article_80fc7560-d1df-11ef-8c65-db93ad0b2e3b.html">General Assembly kicks off 2025 session</a>&nbsp;
The Georgia General Assembly began its 2025 session with ceremonial proceedings and minimal legislative activity. House Speaker Jon Burns was re-elected, emphasizing a focus on tax cuts, immigration control, and infrastructure investment. In the Senate, John Kennedy was unanimously re-elected president pro tempore. The session saw 18 new House members and four new Senate freshmen sworn in, while Sen. David Lucas marked his 50th session. The week includes Governor Brian Kemp's priority outline at the Eggs and Issues breakfast and his State of the State address. The session's 40-day schedule was set, concluding on April 4, with Crossover Day on March 6.&nbsp;
STORY 2:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/madison-city-councilman-resigns-to-run-for-county-commissioner/article_097470e2-d293-11ef-8aa7-6f4c04690750.html">Madison City Councilman Resigns To Run For County Commissioner</a>&nbsp;
Madison City Councilman Ed Latham resigned from his District 3 seat to run for the Morgan County Commissioner District 1 seat in a special election on March 18. Latham's resignation was due to moving out of the district. The District 1 seat is vacant following Commissioner Donald Harris's death. Qualifying for the County seat runs from January 15-17, while the Madison District 3 seat election will also occur on March 18, with qualifying from January 22-24. Voter registration closes on February 17, with early voting from February 24 to March 14. Polls open on March 18, with a potential runoff on April 15.&nbsp;
STORY 3:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/janice-van-ness-sworn-in-to-arc-board/article_4ad01d6a-d1bd-11ef-8953-3f0256b0242b.html">JaNice Van Ness Sworn in to ARC Board</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) welcomed two new board members: JaNice Van Ness, Rockdale County Commission chair, and Alieka Anderson-Henry, Clayton County Commission chair. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson will join later. The 41-member board, including county commission chairs, Atlanta's mayor, and other officials, oversees regional planning to enhance quality of life in metro Atlanta. ARC Board Chair Andre Dickens emphasized the importance of new perspectives in regional decision-making. The ARC, serving 11 counties and 77 cities, aims to foster thriving communities through collaborative planning and investments.&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 be right back  &nbsp;
 &nbsp;
Break: WHEELER FUNERAL HOME (08.08.24 WHEELER OBITS_FINAL)&nbsp;
STORY 4:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/odil-to-open-2025-season-at-madison-artist-guild/article_e52e4584-d286-11ef-ae35-13e31307f4e7.html">Odil To Open 2025 Season At Madison Artist Guild</a>&nbsp;
Georgia artist Barbara Odil opens the 2025 season at MAGallery with "Branching Out," a mixed media sculpture exhibition highlighting nature and decay. The opening reception is on January 24, featuring a Meet &amp; Greet with Odil, catering by Harvest &amp; Honey, and music by MaCayla Hodges. Sponsored by REU Architects, the exhibition runs from January 23 to March 8, with pieces available for sale. Odil's work transforms decayed wood into art, depicting scenes like dancing owls and Roman goddesses. MAGallery, located in Madison, offers rotating exhibitions and supports local artists through the Madison Artists Guild.&nbsp;
STORY 5:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/newton-county-to-honor-mlk-with-celebration-jan-19/article_688b6f8e-d29f-11ef-ba3e-47007d335ee4.html">Newton County to honor MLK with celebration Jan. 19</a>&nbsp;
The 40th Annual King Holiday Observance in Covington will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on January 19 at Newton High School. Attorney Gerald Griggs, Georgia NAACP president, will be the keynote speaker. Griggs, a prominent community activist and lawyer, has been recognized for his contributions to social justice. The event will also present the annual MLK awards, including the I Have a Dream Award for community service, the Trailblazer Award for long-term impact, and Young Dreamer Awards for students promoting peace and unity. These awards honor individuals fostering positive change in Newton County.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll be back in a moment  &nbsp;
&nbsp;
Break: Ingles Markets 2&nbsp;
&nbsp;
And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on budgeting&nbsp;&nbsp;
*** INGLES ASK LEAH 3 BUDGETING***&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll have closing comments after this. &nbsp;
Break: 11.12.24 MORGAN MEDICAL NOV_FINAL&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Signoff-   &nbsp;
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today&rsquo;s Community 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 <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/">https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/">https://www.morgancountycitizen.com/news/</a>&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 data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.ingles-markets.com/">www.ingles-markets.com</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">
<a href="http://www.drakerealty.com/">www.drakerealty.com</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">
<a href="https://www.wheelerfuneralhome.com/">www.wheelerfuneralhome.com</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="●" data-font="Calibri" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[65533,0],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;●&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">
<a href="https://morganmedical.org/">morganmedical.org</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
#NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations&nbsp;

Bringing you the top stories from the Morgan County Citizen and the Rockdale Newton Citizen