Judge upholds key provision of Georgia elections overhaul

12/09/2025 10 min
Judge upholds key provision of Georgia elections overhaul

Listen "Judge upholds key provision of Georgia elections overhaul"

Episode Synopsis

CTL Script/ Top Stories of September 12th  Publish Date: September 12th     Pre-Roll:   From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast     Today is Friday, September 12th and Happy Birthday to Jesse Owens    I’m Peyton Spurlock and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Times Journal  Judge upholds key provision of Georgia elections overhaul Rootstock in downtown Woodstock is closing its doors Democratic candidate for governor leaving state Senate post Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food     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!     Commercial: Ingles Markets 3    STORY 1: Judge upholds key provision of Georgia elections overhaul    A federal judge upheld part of Georgia’s hotly debated 2022 election law, specifically the restrictions on third-party groups distributing absentee ballot applications.  In a 50-page ruling, U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee said the state had a “compelling interest” in reducing voter confusion and boosting confidence in elections. The law, passed in 2021 after Joe Biden flipped Georgia blue in 2020, also limits drop boxes, requires ID for absentee voting, and bans giving food or water to voters in line.  Voting rights groups aren’t backing down, calling the decision a blow to free speech.     STORY 2: Rootstock in downtown Woodstock is closing its doors    Rootstock, a downtown Woodstock favorite for eight years, is closing its doors on Sept. 28. The tapas and wine spot, known for its rooftop bar and live music, announced the bittersweet news on Facebook, thanking the community for its support.  “It’s with heavy hearts and deep gratitude that we say goodbye,” wrote owners Sean and Anna Daily.   The building, recently sold, will soon house Rreal Tacos, a Mexican restaurant set to open in March, bringing new flavors—and over 100 local jobs—to Woodstock.    STORY 3: Democratic candidate for governor leaving state Senate post    Georgia Democrats are down a state senator. Jason Esteves, announced Wednesday he’s stepping away from the Senate to focus fully on his run for governor in next year’s Democratic primary.  He’ll face tough competition: former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and ex-Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, both big names in the party.  During his three years in the Senate, Esteves pushed for affordable housing, better schools, and healthcare access. His campaign highlights include tax breaks for Atlanta seniors and helping block the Buckhead City movement.    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: Ingles Markets 3        STORY 4: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office asking for help finding missing teen   The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding 15-year-old Gladys Bautista, who hasn’t been seen since Tuesday morning, Sept. 9.  She was last spotted getting on the bus to Creekview High School. Gladys is 5’5”, weighs about 140 pounds, and is listed as a missing person in the GCIC/NCIC system.  If you’ve seen her or know anything—anything at all—please call CSO detectives at 770-929-0239, your local law enforcement, or 911.  Her family and the community are counting on every set of eyes to help bring her home.    STORY 5: Interim U.S. Attorney named official appointee   Theodore S. Hertzberg is officially Georgia’s new U.S. attorney for the Northern District, appointed Monday by federal judges.  Hertzberg had been filling the role on an interim basis since May, after U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi tapped him to step in. He took over from Richard Moultrie Jr., who briefly held the position after Ryan Buchanan resigned when Trump’s second term began.  With nearly a decade as an assistant U.S. attorney, Hertzberg’s prosecuted everything from gang leaders to gun traffickers. A New York native, he’s an Amherst and NYU Law grad who once clerked in Alabama.        And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on fast food       Commercial:       We’ll have closing comments after this.      COMMERCIAL: Ingles Markets 3     SIGN OFF –    Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Cherokee Tribune Ledger 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. about all our stories and get other great content at www.tribuneledgernews.com    Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.  Produced by the BG Podcast Network     Show Sponsors:  www.ingles-markets.com      #NewsPodcast #CurrentEvents #TopHeadlines #BreakingNews #PodcastDiscussion #PodcastNews #InDepthAnalysis #NewsAnalysis #PodcastTrending #WorldNews #LocalNews #GlobalNews #PodcastInsights #NewsBrief #PodcastUpdate #NewsRoundup #WeeklyNews #DailyNews #PodcastInterviews #HotTopics #PodcastOpinions #InvestigativeJournalism #BehindTheHeadlines #PodcastMedia #NewsStories #PodcastReports #JournalismMatters #PodcastPerspectives #NewsCommentary #PodcastListeners #NewsPodcastCommunity #NewsSource #PodcastCuration #WorldAffairs #PodcastUpdates #AudioNews #PodcastJournalism #EmergingStories #NewsFlash #PodcastConversations See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More episodes of the podcast Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast