GDP Script/ Top Stories for June 28th Publish Date: June 28th From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Friday, June 28th and Happy 49th Birthday to actor Toby Maguire. ***06.28.24 – BIRTHDAY – TOBEY MACGUIRE*** I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. Gwinnett police: People in moving van were not trafficking victimsOusted Gwinnett School Board Member Criticizes Runoff SystemBiden, Trump swap barbs in no-holds barred debate All of this and more is coming up on the Gwinnett Daily Post podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen daily and subscribe! Break 1: MOG STORY 1: Gwinnett police: People in moving van were not trafficking victims A viral video on social media this week showed people inside a Budget Rental moving van, sparking concerns of human trafficking as the original poster claimed they were tied up. The incident occurred on Interstate 85 north from midtown Atlanta until Gwinnett police intervened. However, Gwinnett County Police Sergeant Collin Flynn clarified that the individuals were not trafficking victims but were two families relocating with their belongings. They were healthy and not in distress, heading from Alabama to Maryland for new job opportunities. Despite no evidence of trafficking, police cited the driver for Georgia's seat belt law violation as the occupants were riding in the van without seat belts. The group was safely dropped off to find an alternate means to continue their journey to Maryland. STORY 2: Ousted Gwinnett School Board Member Criticizes Runoff System Karen Watkins, Vice Chairman of the Gwinnett County school board, has decided not to seek a recount after narrowly losing to Rachel Stone in last week's runoff election. Stone won by 17 votes, securing less than a 0.5% margin over Watkins. Although Watkins could have requested a recount under state law, she opted not to, criticizing Georgia's runoff election system instead. Watkins highlighted concerns that requiring candidates to surpass 50% of the vote in a runoff can suppress voter turnout and dilute the impact of voters. In the primary election, Watkins led with 41.8% of the vote, leading to the runoff with Stone who garnered 30.6%. The runoff saw significantly lower turnout compared to the primary, with only 3,719 votes cast. Watkins' campaign labeled the runoff system as voter suppression, emphasizing its costliness and potential to diminish voter participation. STORY 3: Biden, Trump swap barbs in no-holds barred debate In Atlanta, a 90-minute presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, moderated by CNN with no live audience, aimed for civility with microphones turned off when not speaking. Despite this, both candidates traded accusations, blaming each other for inflation and trading personal attacks. Trump faced legal challenges, including indictments in Georgia and a recent New York conviction. He attributed these to Biden targeting him politically. Biden criticized Trump's inaction during the Capitol riot and highlighted Trump's legal troubles and personal scandals. Both called for the other's imprisonment, Trump for legal issues and Biden for immigration policies. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back. Break 2: TOM WAGES STORY 4: Lawrenceville names new dog park for former Police K-9 Lawrenceville has dedicated HYRO Park in memory of K9 Officer Hyro, who served the police department from 2016 until his passing in July 2023. The 0.41-acre urban dog park, set to open on August 9, honors Hyro's service in law enforcement, where he contributed to 233 missions, resulting in 87 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of drugs. The park, under construction next to Lawrenceville Lawn, aims to unite the community through dog-friendly activities. City officials, including Hyro's handler Officer Sean O'Brien, unveiled a plaque during the dedication ceremony, emphasizing Hyro's legacy of "Love Loyalty Obedience." STORY 5: GET OUT THERE: 5 things to do this weekend in Gwinnett County—June 28-30 Welcome to the weekend! We've curated a list of five exciting events happening right in your area. Whether you're into live music, family fun, horticulture, or comedy, we've got something for you. First up, get ready to rock out with Guardians of the Jukebox this Saturday at 7 p.m. at Peachtree Corners Town Center. Enjoy a free '80s music experience and bring some delicious food from local restaurants to the Town Green. Check out more details at peachtreecornersga.gov. For the train enthusiasts, don't miss Model Railroad Days at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth. Happening Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., it's a family-friendly event with model train layouts, train rides, and sales. Learn more at train-museum.org. If you’re...
