MDJ Script/ Top Stories for May 16th Publish Date: May 16th Commercial: From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. Today is Friday, May 16th and Happy Birthday to Pierce Brosnan I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal Kennesaw State students protest losing Black Studies program Cobb Commuter Routes Consolidated, Free Cumberland Loop Cut Second Annual Paws Fest is May 17-18 Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on grass-fed beef All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! BREAK: TOP TECH MECHANICAL STORY 1: Kennesaw State students protest losing Black Studies program Dozens of Kennesaw State University students protested outside the University System of Georgia offices against the termination of KSU's Black Studies degree program, citing it as a setback for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. The university attributed the decision to declining enrollment, but critics argue the process lacked transparency and undercounted students. Demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans emphasizing the importance of diversity. The Board of Regents, which oversees such decisions, has not addressed the issue in its upcoming meeting. DEI programs face increasing opposition at state and federal levels, including legislative efforts in Georgia to defund them. STORY 2: Cobb Commuter Routes Consolidated, Free Cumberland Loop Cut Cobb County will eliminate the free Green Circulator bus loop near The Battery and consolidate three commuter routes (100, 101, 102) into the regional 484 Xpress route due to reduced ridership and the failure of a proposed transit tax. Ridership on commuter routes has dropped 81% since 2019, prompting cost-saving measures. The changes will save over $1.1 million annually, with funds redirected to other transit needs, including the 2025 All-Star Game. The county’s deal with ATL adds seven trips to the 484 route, covering most of the same stops, though the Marietta Transfer Center will no longer be included. STORY 3: Second Annual Paws Fest is May 17-18 The Avenue of West Cobb will host its second annual Paws Fest on May 17-18, featuring exciting DockDogs canine competitions like Big Air Wave, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. Events begin at 10 a.m. each day, with finals on May 18 at 4:30 p.m. The festival also includes pet-friendly vendors, interactive booths, grooming services, and giveaways, such as doggy ice cream treats from Bark Street Petopia. For details, visit avenuewestcobb.com. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. Break: Ingles Markets 6 STORY 4: ‘A True Blessing’: New Pantry at Dunleith Fights Child Hunger Dunleith Elementary School in Marietta has opened a new food pantry, thanks to MUST Ministries and Kroger, to combat child hunger. Serving 50 families monthly, the pantry provides nonperishable food, produce, meat, diapers, and hygiene products. As a Title I school, 90% of Dunleith students receive free or reduced lunches, highlighting the need. This pantry is the fourth opened through a $207,000 Kroger-MUST partnership, which has established 18 pantries across Cobb and Cherokee counties. The initiative aims to reduce food insecurity, allowing students to focus on learning while addressing Kroger’s mission of “zero hunger, zero waste.” STORY 5: Marietta School Board Applauds Staff Support in Tentative Budget Approval The Marietta Board of Education tentatively approved a $167 million fiscal 2026 budget, a 5% increase from last year, focusing on staff raises and maintaining a flat 17.97 millage rate. The budget includes an average 3.3% raise for employees, with some reaching 6.4%, and allocates over 90% of the increase to salaries and benefits. Key allocations include $3.65 million for raises, $770,000 for new staff, and $2.6 million for insurance premium hikes. Public hearings are set for June 10 and 17, with a final vote on June 17. Additional approvals include funding for math programs, HR software, and school security. Break: And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on grass-fed beef We’ll have closing comments after this. Break: TIDWELL TREES Signoff- Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal 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 mdjonline.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and...
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