GDP Script/ Top Stories for Mar 20th
Publish Date: Mar 19th
From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast.
Today is Wednesday, March 20th, and Happy heavenly Birthday to TV host Fred Rodgers.
***03.20.24 – BIRTHDAY – FRED RODGERS***
I’m Bruce Jenkins and here are your top stories presented by Curiosity Lab Criterium.
Plus, my conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on Celiac’s disease.
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: CURIOSITY LAB BIKE RACE
STORY 1: Four People Accused of Smuggling Drugs Into Gwinnett County Jail
Four individuals, including two inmates of the Gwinnett County Jail, have been implicated in a scheme to smuggle drugs into the facility. The operation came to light following the discovery of methamphetamine during a standard cell inspection. The subsequent investigation by the Jail Intelligence Unit led to the uncovering of 10 small packets of methamphetamine, with a total weight of six grams, concealed within the jail.
Inmates David Isaias Wilson and Salathiel McKinney are believed to have coordinated the smuggling operation from inside the jail, utilizing external contacts. Willis McFadden, a truck driver, is accused of physically transporting the drugs onto jail premises for McKinney, while Dante Thompson is alleged to have acted as an intermediary, facilitating communication between McFadden and Wilson.
The four individuals now face a combined total of 11 felony charges in connection with the drug smuggling operation.
STORY 2: 'I’m Not Giving Up' — Georgia Gwinnett College Student Battling Rare Neurological Disease
Alejandro Hernandez, 20, diagnosed with Duchenne (Doo-shane) Muscular Dystrophy at age 6, actively confronts the challenges of this incurable disease. Alongside his family, Alejandro has participated in various initiatives to manage DMD, including joining workshops offered by Cure Duchenne. These workshops provide insights into care protocols, therapeutic advancements, and ongoing research, facilitating connections with other families dealing with DMD.
Alejandro is pursuing computer programming studies and engages in wheelchair power soccer. He advocates for a positive outlook among DMD patients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining hope. For detailed information on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, visit cureduchene.org.
STORY 3: Mountain View wrestler Finishes Season By Winning Cliff Ramos Perseverance Award
Mountain View High School senior Vy (Vee) Trinh, who has cerebral palsy, demonstrated exceptional perseverance by joining the wrestling team, challenging both medical predictions and personal limitations. Throughout a demanding season, Trinh's commitment remained unwavering, despite achieving limited victories in competition. His resilience and determination garnered respect from both his coach and teammates.
At the state championships, Trinh was honored with the FCA Wrestling Coach Cliff Ramos Wrestler of the Year Perseverance Award, recognizing his steadfast spirit. Exhibiting humility and gratitude, Trinh credits his achievements to the support of his team. As he prepares to graduate and pursue studies in cyber security, Trinh's journey stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of determination within the realm of competitive sports.
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We’ll be right back.
Break 2: TOM WAGES – GCPS
STORY 4: Suit alleging suppression of free speech met with skepticism at U.S. Supreme Court
Protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court as it reviewed allegations of government collusion with social media firms to restrict free speech. During the proceedings, justices displayed skepticism towards the lawsuit's foundations. The Biden administration argued against any First Amendment breaches, emphasizing the absence of evidence supporting claims of unconstitutional actions.
The lawsuit, brought forward by parties from Missouri and Louisiana alongside individual complainants, suggests that their online expressions were curtailed due to governmental influence. The administration posited that any content moderation was the result of social media platforms enforcing their own policies independently.
The justices explored the direct impact of alleged government involvement on the plaintiffs and considered the potential implications for public safety. A decision is anticipated, with the plaintiff’s expressing optimism regarding the outcome.
STORY 5: Athens Bookshop Files Federal Lawsuit Against Gwinnett Sheriff
Avid Bookshop, an independent bookstore located in Athens, has initiated a federal lawsuit against Gwinnett County Sheriff Keybo Taylor and Jail Commander Ben Haynes. The legal action arises from the rejection of books ordered for an inmate, which Avid attributes to a policy that only allows purchases from "authorized retailers," effectively excluding small, local bookstores.
This policy, according to Avid, infringes upon inmates' First Amendment rights and amounts to government censorship. The situation unfolded after Avid Bookshop's attempts to deliver books to an inmate were denied, even though the shipments adhered to the required packaging standards. The Sheriff's Office has defended its policy by highlighting concerns over potential contraband and currently restricts book shipments to those sourced from Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
Avid's legal representatives have criticized the policy as both vague and unconstitutional, arguing it unduly restricts inmates' access to a wider range of reading materials. While the Sheriff's Office maintains that the policy is a measure to ensure safety within the facility, it has chosen not to comment further due to the ongoing litigation.
We’ll be back in a moment.
Break 3: HENRY CO SHERIFFS
STORY 6: LEAH MCGRATH
And now here is my conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on celiacs disease.
***LEAH MCGRATH INERVIEW***
We’ll have final thoughts after this.
Break 4: INGLES 6 – ATL HEALTH FAIR
Signoff –
Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Gwinnett Daily Post 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, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at Gwinnettdailypost.com.
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