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News & Brews Hall County

Grab your favorite brew and take a sip while hosts Shannon Casas & Stacey Smith guide you through what's happening in Hall County, Georgia. This is News & Brews. Each episode features the top 5 local stories of the week plus an interview with a Times journalist who takes you behind the scenes of a major or upcoming story, giving you the context, clarity and inside scoop you won’t get anywhere else.Join us as we spill the tea. ☕

  1. 26

    Sept. 15, 2025: Juvenile Court under the microscope

    Reporter Nick Watson joins us to discuss an audit being performed in Hall County's juvenile court and a lawsuit filed by an attorney who works in juvenile court. Plus, learn about a new hospice facility now under construction in North Hall and the departure of Good News at Noon homeless shelter’s executive director.  Read the top 3 stories.   Today will be our last episode for a while. If you’ve enjoyed News & Brews or have other thoughts on Times podcasts, please let us know at [email protected].   Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  2. 25

    Sept. 8, 2025: A moratorium on high-density housing

    Hall leaders hit the pause button that will slow high-density growth like apartments and even some subdivisions in Hall County for at least six months. On this episode, we break down what that means, how it will work and discuss the bigger picture of growth in Hall County. Plus, learn about a middle-of-the-night text message that spiraled into death threats and felony charges against a teen girl. Also, residents united against a gas station project in South Hall. Read the top stories. Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. Mentioned in this episode:Lucky Goat Coffee Co.Wake Up Your Luck, Hall County!Lucky Goat Coffee

  3. 24

    Sept. 1, 2025: Behind the headlines: The DOJ investigation involving Dr. Grunch

    Local neurosurgeon Dr. Betsy Grunch, a renowned doctor and social media influencer, is named in an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. On this episode, hear from the reporter who broke the story, what we know so far and peek behind the scenes at the work that goes into reporting a case like this. Latest story on investigation Our values The Top 3 stories last week: A new Kroger, a proposed $1.2 billion data center and a new location for a children’s museum. Read the top 3 stories.        Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. Mentioned in this episode:Lucky Goat Coffee Co.Wake Up Your Luck, Hall County!Lucky Goat Coffee

  4. 23

    Aug. 25, 2025: Local high schools, ranked

    The Top 3 stories last week: Tracking down rumors about new Trader Joe’s locations, why the city of Flowery Branch is buying land and how homeless people could get jobs with Hall County thanks to a new partnership. Plus, we talk with reporter Ben Anderson about recently published rankings of local high schools.Read the top 3 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. Mentioned in this episode:Lucky Goat Coffee Co.Wake Up Your Luck, Hall County!Lucky Goat Coffee

  5. 22

    Aug. 18, 2025: A sneak peek of Taken Too Soon

    The Top 3 stories last week: A new seafood restaurant, a family's story of the crash that killed their loved one, plus news about a discount store opening. Read the top 3 stories.      Taken Too Soon: The Holly Fox Strickland StorySign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. Mentioned in this episode:Lucky Goat Coffee Co.Wake Up Your Luck, Hall County!Lucky Goat Coffee

  6. 21

    Aug. 11, 2025: Big changes for Gainesville's Green Street

    The Top 3 stories last week: A wild car chase through Gainesville, absentee rates at local schools and the final settlement of the huge and disputed estate of the Walters family. Plus, we talk with reporter Jeff Gill about the latest on some major changes planned for Green Street in downtown Gainesville.Read the top 3 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  7. 20

    Aug. 4, 2025: Passport fraud, McDonalds and cellphones in schools

    The Top 3 stories last week: A passport fraud case with some big twists and turns, a man who owned 21 McDonalds locally and the latest on cellphone bans in schools. Plus, we talk with education reporter Ben Anderson about the first day of school.Read the top 3 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  8. 19

    July 28, 2025: Man accused of stabbing neighbor in wheelchair

    The Top 5 stories last week:  School starts this week for Hall kids. We've got information about new principals plus all the open houses happening. Plus, we've got news on murder charges, sentences in a drug case and a somewhat unique sentence for a woman accused in a fatal crash.Read the top 5 stories.     Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  9. 18

    July 21, 2025: A mom accused of kidnapping her kid

    The Top 5 stories last week: A missing frog, industrial expansion in northeast Hall, a Buford mother charged with kidnapping, an update on the wrong man arrested for a stabbing and the new Hall school tax rate.Read the top 5 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  10. 17

    July 14, 2025: Family injured in boat explosion and new apartments

    The Top 5 stories last week: New apartments going up in midland Gainesville, remembering the lives of a couple killed in a car crash and news of a former coach now facing serious charges. Plus, an update on the barbecue restaurant that failed its kitchen inspection and the latest on the family injured in a boat explosion on Lake Lanier.Read the top 5 stories.      Go Fund Me for family injured in boat explosionSign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  11. 16

    July 7, 2025: A whole lot of meth and cucumbers

    The Top 3 stories last week: A whole lot of meth found in a truck full of cucumbers, a new development off 985 in Oakwood and a case of the wrong guy getting arrested for a stabbing.Read the top 3 stories.      Hall County recycling guideSign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other free newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  12. 15

    June 30, 2025: Police crash, fireball in the sky and new laws

    The Top 5 stories last week: A couple of really interesting court cases including ongoing drug activity in Lula and one with a police officer involved in a crash. Plus, a fireball seen falling from the sky in North Georgia, plans for a big, new courthouse and a local Mega Millions winner.Read the top 5 stories.     Get a list of places to see fireworks for the Fourth Reporter Ben Anderson joins us to talk about new laws taking effect July 1 in Georgia, including several that affect K-12 education.Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  13. 14

    June 23, 2025: Books-A-Million moving, Equality Fest and Kubota grand opening

    The Top 5 stories last week: Books-A-Million moving, a barbecue restaurant that failed its inspection, a new equality festival coming to Gainesville and a new program at Brenau to fill teacher shortages. Plus, which are the most dangerous intersections in Hall County?Read the top 5 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  14. 13

    June 16, 2025: A new Pickleball complex & INK is moving

    The Top 5 stories last week: An upcoming election, a new pickleball court coming to Hall, the trial of a Clermont man accused of a hit-and-run, a Johnson High soccer player's goals of playing abroad and the new location for INK.Read the top 5 stories.  Help Rogelio Chase His Soccer Dream in Spain.Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  15. 12

    June 9, 2025: Cameras to catch drivers passing stopped school bus

    The Top 5 stories last week: State tax refunds coming your way, the quality of your tap water, a new restaurant on the Gainesville square, a man found in the roadway and a crime report involving a shooting and drugs. Read the top 5 stories. Plus, hear from reporter Ben Anderson about new cameras being installed on Hall school buses that will catch drivers passing stopped school buses illegally.     Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  16. 11

    June 2, 2025: An investigative journalism fund

    The Top 5 stories last week: : News about a restaurant that failed its health inspection, a new facility for medical rehabilitation and the outcome of the case against a Branch House Tavern owner who had been accused of hitting someone with a patio umbrella at the restaurant. Plus, tragic news about a Buford family vacationing in Destin and a homeless person who was found dead in Gainesville.Read the top 5 stories.     Hall Journalism Fund: Become a donor Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  17. 10

    May 26, 2025: Lake Lanier, Whataburger and Roland Stanley

    The Top 5 stories last week: News about Lake Lanier, World Language Academy, a new Whataburger and tastemaker and trendsetter Roland Stanley.Read the top 5 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  18. 9

    May 19, 2025: Doughnuts, Indian food and a murder trial

    The Top 5 stories last week: A new doughnut place, a new Indian and Pakistani grocery store, a new law requiring inclusive playgrounds, a fascinating local murder trial and a UNG resolution about DEI.Read the top 5 stories.If you missed it: Here's the Q&A with the new NGHS CEO that we spoke about recently on the podcast.Hall Journalism Fund: Learn how you can help expand investigative journalism in our community. Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  19. 8

    May 12, 2025: Little Italy again and updates to breaking stories

    The Top 5 stories last week: A couple of crazy crashes, one restaurant that might be on TV, one restaurant opening, plus some bizarre developments in a shooting.Read the top 5 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  20. 7

    May 5, 2025: Some crazy crashes and lawsuits

    Cinco de Mayo: 5 places to get authentic tacos in Hall County The Top 5 stories last week: A couple of crazy crashes, a couple of huge lawsuits and the latest on that building going up just off the square. Plus, we talk with reporter Jeff Gill about the incoming top leader at Northeast Georgia Health System. Read the top 5 stories.      Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans so you have full access to local news in Gainesville and Hall County. 

  21. 6

    April, 28, 2025: The latest film production that came to town

    The Top 5 stories last week: A pedestrian killed in downtown, several threats at local schools, accusations about a stranger trying to abduct a middle schooler, at least one commissioner who wants to slow down development and a new Publix. Plus, we talk about tracking down the film crew that was in Gainesville last week and included Zach Braff of Scrubs fame.   Read the top 5 stories.     Watch the behind-the-scenes video of the "Clean Hands" film crew.Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans. 

  22. 5

    April, 21, 2025: That big, new building on Bradford Street just off the square

    The Top 5 stories last week: An expanded slow no wake zone on Lanier, 2 restaurant announcements, a child cruelty case involving a woman and a 2-year-old, a new Hall solicitor general and a threat at a local university. Read the top 5 stories.     Volunteer resource: Court-Appointed Special Advocate Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans. 

  23. 4

    April, 14, 2025: A Gainesville 13-year-old wins big in Augusta

    The Top 5 stories last week: Gainesville’s got its very own 13-year-old division winner of the Drive, Chip and Putt, NGHS gets an online wait time indicator, a lawsuit where a Gainesville homebuilding company accuses an ex-employee of taking $14M in trade secrets, a glamping site proposal on Lake Lanier is reviewed and an inside look at a local family’s once in a lifetime trip to Disney. Read the top 5 stories.    The Times Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza: Register Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans. 

  24. 3

    April 7, 2025: Bridging Hope expansion and rebranding

    The Top 5 stories last week: A list of 17 restaurants new in 2024 and reporting on discipline data in local school systems. Plus, a man named Speedy Gonzalez is accused of shoplifting at several area Walmarts, a high school coach is charged with DUI and a gas station and restaurant plan is proposed in South Hall. Read the top 5 stories.  Local resource: Bridging Hope Thompson Bridge Road dead zone explainer Sign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters. If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans. 

  25. 2

    March 31, 2025: A ban on cellphones in schools

    The Top 5 stories last week: A ban on cellphones in schools, a Hulu project filming around the lake and a proposal for a counseling and retreat center. Plus, get news on two lawsuits.Read the top 5 stories. Local resource: J's Place Recovery CenterUpdate: Hall County Schools concludes investigation into baseball coach who shoved teen into wall; sheriff’s office report reveals new detailsSign up to get News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters.If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans.

  26. 1

    March 24, 2025: A woman accused of murdering her boyfriend

    The Top 5 stories this week: Local schools on a lowest-performing schools list, a proposed lakeside luxury resort, a new timeline for the Sardis Road connector and a school coach put on leave. Plus, a man and his son face charges involving the same girl.Read the top 5 stories. Local resource: Children’s Center for Hope and Healing: Fighting childhood sexual abuse through therapy, prevention and awareness for 40 yearsSign up to News Alerts in your inbox or any of our other newsletters.If you're not a subscriber, check out our plans.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Grab your favorite brew and take a sip while hosts Shannon Casas & Stacey Smith guide you through what's happening in Hall County, Georgia. This is News & Brews. Each episode features the top 5 local stories of the week plus an interview with a Times journalist who takes you behind the scenes of a major or upcoming story, giving you the context, clarity and inside scoop you won’t get anywhere else.Join us as we spill the tea. ☕

HOSTED BY

Gainesville Times

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does News & Brews Hall County have?

News & Brews Hall County currently has 26 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is News & Brews Hall County about?

Grab your favorite brew and take a sip while hosts Shannon Casas & Stacey Smith guide you through what's happening in Hall County, Georgia. This is News & Brews. Each episode features the top 5 local stories of the week plus an interview with a Times journalist who takes you behind the scenes of a...

How often does News & Brews Hall County release new episodes?

News & Brews Hall County has 26 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to News & Brews Hall County on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts News & Brews Hall County?

News & Brews Hall County is created and hosted by Gainesville Times.
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