In Episode 78 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with newly elected Covington City Councilman Dwayne Turner to talk about his background in the military, law enforcement, HOA leadership, and public service. Turner shares what led him to run for office and how he is adjusting to the realities of serving on city council during a season of major public discussion and rapid growth.

The conversation covers some of Covington’s biggest current issues, including infrastructure, stormwater fees, taxes, fireworks, the tattoo shop vote on the square, and the importance of transparency in local government. Throughout the episode, Turner returns to the ideas that shaped his campaign and now define his service: listening to constituents, protecting Covington’s traditions, and working toward a stronger future for the city and for Newton County as a whole.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)

Newton County growth debates hit a new level in Episode 72 as District 5 Commissioner LeAnne Long returns to The Town Square Podcast to unpack the “good, bad, and ugly” of 2025—especially around data centers, annexations, and citizen trust. Long explains how her blunt communication style and relentless Facebook engagement have helped wake up residents who felt shut out of decisions impacting their neighborhoods.

The conversation dives into why transparency and early communication matter, how annexation timelines work, what happened with the Falconwood and Elks Club Road proposals (voted down by Covington City Council on January 20, 2026), and why data centers have become the buzzword of the year. Long argues she’s not anti-growth—she’s pro-balance, pro-process, and pro “no surprises” government.

(Listen now at TheTownSquarePodcast.com or watch on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.)