GDP Script/ Top Stories for February 22nd Publish Date: February 22nd PRE-ROLL: GCPS From the BG AD Group Studio Welcome to the Gwinnett Daily Post Podcast. Today is Saturday, February 22nd and Happy Birthday to Sparky Anderson. ***02.22.25 - BIRTHDAY – SPARKY ANDERSON*** I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are your top stories presented by Gwinnett KIA Mall of Georgia. Hudgens Center Hosting Pair of Exhibits Through April Senate confirms Loeffler to run U.S. Small Business Administration Duracell R&D headquarters coming to Atlanta 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: 07.14.22 KIA MOG STORY 1: Hudgens Center Hosting Pair of Exhibits Through April The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning in Duluth is hosting two exhibitions through April. The 10th annual “Stand in Ansel Adams’ Footsteps” juried competition, featuring 133 black-and-white nature photos, runs until April 26, celebrating the iconic landscape photographer. “Pause, Reflect, Prepare,” showcasing figurative sculptures by Decatur artist Jess Self, continues through April 19. Self’s work incorporates materials like wax, wool, and wood, reflecting her expertise in sculpture. Both exhibits highlight the center’s mission to connect art lovers and learners. Visit the Hudgens Center on Sugarloaf Parkway for more details. STORY 2: Senate confirms Loeffler to run U.S. Small Business Administration Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., has been confirmed as director of the federal Small Business Administration in a 52-46 Senate vote. Loeffler, previously appointed to the Senate in 2020 by Gov. Brian Kemp, lost her seat to Democrat Raphael Warnock in 2021. A former CEO and co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, she is married to Jeff Sprecher, CEO of Intercontinental Exchange. A Trump loyalist, Loeffler supported efforts to challenge Georgia’s 2020 election results. She also founded Greater Georgia to boost GOP voter registration. Loeffler joins other Georgians in key federal roles under Trump’s second term. STORY 3: Duracell R&D headquarters coming to Atlanta Duracell will establish its Global Research and Development Headquarters in Atlanta, investing $56 million and creating 110 jobs. The facility will be located near Georgia Tech’s Midtown campus at Science Square, a hub for innovation. Duracell, which already operates facilities in LaGrange and Fairburn, aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in battery technology. Gov. Brian Kemp highlighted Georgia’s appeal to innovative companies due to its research institutions, logistics network, and pro-business environment. The project was supported by state and local economic development partners. 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: RINGLING BROS_FINAL STORY 4: UPDATE: Argument Leads To Deadly Shooting At Lawrenceville Area McDonald's A workplace dispute turned deadly Wednesday in the parking lot of a Lawrenceville McDonald’s, leaving 43-year-old Donald Stewart dead and his boss, 40-year-old Michael Todd, in custody. Gwinnett police reported the incident occurred on Sugarloaf Parkway just before noon. Stewart was shot in the back and later died at a hospital. Todd remained at the scene and was arrested, facing charges including malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault. The argument between the co-workers escalated into the fatal shooting. STORY 5: House panel approves easing burden of proof of intellectual disability in capital cases A Georgia House committee advanced House Bill 123, which aims to ease the process for death penalty defendants to claim intellectual disability as a defense. The bill would lower the burden of proof from “beyond a reasonable doubt” to “preponderance of the evidence” and separate the determination of intellectual disability from the trial’s guilt phase. Advocates argue this reduces the risk of executing individuals with intellectual disabilities, aligning Georgia with other states. Critics, including a district attorney, warn it could complicate seeking the death penalty. The bill now moves to the House Rules Committee for a floor vote. Break 3: GCPS STORY 6: Officials Release Sketch To Help Identify Missing Remains Found In Gwinnett County Lawrenceville Police released a sketch to identify human remains found near Georgia Highway 316 and Duluth Highway on Feb. 10. Construction workers discovered a human skull near Northside Gwinnett Hospital, but no other remains were located. Forensic experts determined the skull belonged to a Caucasian man aged 35 to 70. A sketch by a Georgia Bureau of Investigation artist depicts what the man may have looked like. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the ...
