Appellate court takes up mass voter eligibility challenges

Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast

CTL Script/ Top Stories of May 16th

Publish Date: May 16th

 

Pre-Roll:

From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast 

Today is Friday, May 16th and Happy Birthday to Pierce Brosnan

I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Times Journal

1. Appellate court takes up mass voter eligibility challenges
2. Kaitlyn Lawrence Wins Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship
3. The Circuit in Downtown Woodstock Seeking New Vendor

Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on grass-fed beef

We’ll have all this and more coming up on the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast, and if you’re looking for Community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! 

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STORY 1: Appellate court takes up mass voter eligibility challenges

A federal appeals court heard arguments Tuesday on whether True the Vote’s mass voter challenges in Georgia in 2020, targeting nearly 365,000 voters, were intended to intimidate minority voters. Fair Fight, a voting rights group, argued the challenges were frivolous and aimed at discouraging voters, particularly Black voters, ahead of key Senate runoffs. True the Vote denied intimidation claims, stating their actions were legitimate. Judges questioned the intent, noting none of the challenges succeeded, while a lower court previously ruled in True the Vote’s favor but criticized their methods as "reckless."

STORY 2: Kaitlyn Lawrence Wins Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Kaitlyn Lawrence, a 2025 Cherokee High School graduate, has won the Judy Johnson Memorial Scholarship, a $500 award honoring a dedicated CCSD School Nutrition employee. Lawrence, a scholar-athlete and active community member, plans to study biochemistry with a minor in criminal justice at Lee University. She excelled in academics, sports, and extracurriculars, including lacrosse, flag football, drumline, National Honor Society, and her church’s youth group, while also working part-time.

STORY 3: The Circuit in Downtown Woodstock Seeking New Vendor

The Circuit at Chattahoochee Technical College's Woodstock campus is seeking a new vendor for its café space as Circle of Friends' Circuit Café closes on May 15. Founders Diane and Glenn Keen are consolidating operations at their Hickory Flat location, Flourish Café. Cherokee Office of Economic Development President Heath Tippens praised Circle of Friends' success and invited new coffee vendors to consider launching at The Circuit, a coworking and innovation space for entrepreneurs and the community. The café offers an opportunity for small businesses to grow in a supportive environment.

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Break:

STORY 4: Woodstock Considering $86.2M Budget

The Woodstock City Council is reviewing an $86.2 million proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, a $5 million increase from 2025. The budget prioritizes infrastructure, parks, trails, and public safety, including 12 new firefighter positions and a fire captain training officer. It also includes a 2% cost-of-living raise for employees, a 4% water rate increase, and $27 million for parks projects, with $18.3 million allocated to Little River Park. Key SPLOST projects include road improvements, trail extensions, and public safety vehicle replacements. The council will discuss and vote on the budget in upcoming meetings.

STORY 5: Trump Justice Department names new interim U.S attorney

Theodore S. Hertzberg has been appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Hertzberg, a seasoned prosecutor, has served nearly a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney, handling cases involving violent crime, drug trafficking, and fraud. He previously worked in Savannah and Atlanta, prosecuting gang leaders and other dangerous offenders. A graduate of Amherst College and NYU School of Law, Hertzberg succeeds Richard Moultrie Jr., who served in an acting capacity after Ryan Buchanan’s resignation.

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And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on grass fed beef

We’ll have closing comments after this. 

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SIGN OFF –  

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