Georgia Today: Recent Episodes
Georgia Public Broadcasting
Each week on Georgia Today, host Steve Fennessy walks us through a compelling story from the week's news, through the eyes of the journalists who cover it.
On the Wednesday June 18th edition of Georgia Today: Voting in the Public Service Commission primaries come to a close, with low voter turnout; Job Corps students sue the US Department of Labor; and Senator Jon Ossoff criticizes the defunding of maintenance programs for military housing.
On the Tuesday, June 17 edition of Georgia Today: A journalist arrested in Georgia over the weekend could face deportation; the city of Atlanta updates its ordinance on protecting trees; and proposed federal cuts to Medicaid have some caregivers worried.
On the Monday, June 16 edition of Georgia Today: Saturday's national "No Kings" protests bring out demonstrators in many Georgia cities; Looming federal cuts could mean scaling back services in Georgia libraries; And the number of people diagnosed with dementia in the coming years is expected to double.
On the Friday, June 13 edition of Georgia Today: Weekend protests for so-called "No Kings Day" are planned across the nation; a Mexican citizen dies by suicide while in ICE custody in Georgia; federal budget cuts to the Job Corps program leave vulnerable young people wondering where they'll go next.
On the Thursday, June 12 edition of Georgia Today: A new study shows residents of two Georgia cities have above average levels of forever chemicals in their blood; More than 400 CDC employees have their jobs reinstated; And a new $3 billion development in Atlanta could mean the return of pro hockey.
On the Wednesday June 11th edition of Georgia Today: Protesters show out to demonstrate against the Trump administration's changes to CDC guidelines; The State Attorney General threatens domestic terrorism charges against future protesters who quote "earn it"; And the fight over who will pay for school security officers in Barrow County continues.
On the June 10 edition: The state Supreme Court strikes down changes to State Election Board rules; Georgia's getting new area code; and a look at the challenges Georgians with intellectual disabilities face when it comes to housing.
On the Monday, June 9 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Republicans wrap up their state convention in Dalton; the election for Georgia's Public Service Commission suffers from low voter turnout; how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations affect those with long-term complications.
On the Friday, June 6 edition of Georgia Today: The mayor of Savannah goes undercover with the Chatham County sheriff to catch scammers; courts hear a challenge to a Georgia law aimed at restricting childrens' social media use; and the city of Atlanta gears up to host six matches of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
On the Thursday June 5th edition of Georgia Today: Georgia tackles a backlog of Medicaid and SNAP applicants; Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has regrets about her vote for the so-called Big Beautfiul Bill; And wildlife officials try a new method for restoring oyster habitats near Sapelo Island.
On the Wednesday, June 4 edition of Georgia Today: An ICE processing center in Southeast Georgia more than doubles its capacity as part of a nationwide federal crackdown on immigration; Federal cuts to the Job Corps program affect at-risk youth in Atlanta; And we'll tell you how some rare photographs taken in space ended up in Columbus, Ga.
On the Tuesday, June 3 edition of Georgia Today: Allegations of inhumane conditions at Macon's Bibb County Jail sparks a debate about whether to build a new one; the Atlanta Motor speedway in Henry County is getting a new name; and the sheriff who responded to last years shooting at Apalachee High School is selected as Georgia Sheriff of the Year.
On the Monday, June 2 edition of Georgia Today: A federal list of so-called "sanctuary cities" that included Atlanta and Athens has disappeared; a Macon state senator has entered Georgia's lieutenant governor race; Fulton County is poised to generate a lot more solar power.
On the Friday, May 30 edition of Georgia Today: Four Georgia counties are among those labeled quote "sanctuary jurisdictions" by the Trump administration; the mayor of a Southwest Georgia town is arrested for alleged election interference; and Grammy award winner Jon Batiste addresses graduates at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
On the Thursday, May 29 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia loses billions of dollars in clean energy investments; SNAP recipients say they've lost $23 million dollars to theft; And the Columbus City Council fires city manager Isaiah Hugley.
On the Wednesday, May 28 edition of Georgia Today: How a false arrest could actually lead to a path to citizenship for a 19-year-old student; The Georgia Supreme Court upholds gun carry restrictions for people under 21; And U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams says she intends to expand the early childhood education program Head Start.
On the Tuesday, May 27 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Power pushes more fossil fuel use to accommodate data center growth; Investigators highlight the "disturbing" ways BioLab was storing dangerous chemicals; And a new painkiller could help patients avoid addiction to opioids.
On the Friday May 23rd edition of Georgia Today: Energy advocates warn President Trump's new spending bill could hurt Georgia's green energy industry; A scathing new report details problems with Augusta's VA healthcare system; And Momocon, this weekend in Atlanta, finds its economic strength in its diverse fanbase.
On the Thursday May 22nd edition of Georgia Today: A look at what the President's executive order on prescription drugs might mean for local retailers; This year might be a big one for hurricanes; And specialists across the state are paying special attention to the mental health concerns of new mothers.
On the Wednesday, May 21 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta housing authority is offering 20 years of property tax relief to seniors; an autonomous vehicle company is coming to Georgia; does the state's Public Service Commission actually consider what people say during public comment periods?
On the May 20 edition of Georgia Today: Macon police are investigating two recent shootings which claimed the lives of four people;tThe Savannah Pride Center trains city police on how to identify and respond to LGBTQ hate crimes; and in an Atlanta author's new memoir, she compares her story with that of legendary English novelist Virginia Woolf.
On the Monday, May 19 edition: Hundreds gather in Atlanta to protest what they call "the death of democracy"; Georgia Power freezes rates for three years; and Sen. Jon Ossoff targets corporate landlords who some tenants say treat them unfairly.
On the Friday, May 16 edition of Georgia Today: The BioLab plant in Conyers is closing; Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill hits a roadblock; and the parents of a Georgia woman lost in the California wilderness for weeks describe how they felt when they learned she was safe.
On the Thursday, May 15 edition of Georgia Today: Hundreds of protesters demand the release of a college student facing deportation; the U.S. Justice Department cancels grants to Georgia organizations related to crime prevention and victim services; and state leaders push more Georgia high schools to girls' flag football.
On the Wednesday, May 14 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Democrats say kids may go hungry because of Republican-proposed cuts to SNAP benefits; new data show a drop in crime in Atlanta; and President Trump's tariffs change the way one Georgia toy retailer is stocking her shelves.
On the Tuesday, May 13 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia college student remains in ICE custody, even though charges against her were dismissed; Morehouse College announces its next president; And a judge hears arguments over whether a conservative-led mass voter challenge intimidated voters of color.
On the Monday, May 12 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia climate scientists predict another busy hurricane season this year; Another Republican has entered the race for U.S. Senate; and Georgia Catholics honor the new Pope Leo XIV in Savannah.
On the May 9 edition: Relief is on the way for Georgia's timber industry; ICE detains a 19-year-old Georgia college student described as a "good soul"; and a new podcast profiles the 2000 double murder that shocked Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood and made national headlines.
On the Thursday, May 8 edition: Gov. Brian Kemp looks to upgrade the infrastructure for the state's 911 emergency hotline; some Georgia health care providers urge state and federal governments to take action against pollution; and today's the birthday of jazz pioneer Mary Lou Williams.
On the Wednesday, May 7 edition of Georgia Today: Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene remains noncommittal to a U.S. Senate run; a law designed to recruit teachers doesn't pan out; and the new Chair of the Georgia Democratic Party says health care will be a fundamental issue for his party going forward.
On the Tuesday, May 6 edition: The Atlanta City Council calls for stricter guidelines around high speed police chases; the accused Apalachee High School shooter appears in court; what Gov. Brian Kemp's decision not to run for senate could mean for the midterm elections.
On the May 5 edition: Kemp won't run for Senate next year; The Georgia Democratic Party elects a new leader; proposed Medicaid cuts could hurt children with asthma.
On the Friday, May 2 edition of Georgia Today: Democrats rally in one of Georgia's Republican strongholds, two incarcerated women sue the state over Georgia's cash bail law, and Coastal Georgia's sea turtle nesting season is officially underway.
On the Thursday May 1 edition of Georgia Today: Americorps volunteers across Georgia face layoffs from the Trump administration; the Georgia Alzheimers Association partners with state law enforcement for a new training initiative; and a Milledgeville farm hosts an exhibit of paintings by author Flannery O'Connor.
On the Wednesday, April 30 edition of Georgia Today: The Supreme Court could rule in a Georgia case of a botched FBI raid; Emory University details health effects of pollution in coastal Brunswick; and the Georgia Chamber reports on the trade war.
On the Tuesday, April 29 edition of Georgia Today: The city of Atlanta officially opens its public safety training center known as "Cop City"; A nonprofit for early childhood development is the latest to face possible federal budget cuts; And U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler visits Suwanee.
On the Monday April 28th edition of Georgia Today: Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms makes plans to run for governor; Governor Kemp signs several education bills into law; And public health research is the latest target of the federal government's efforts to reduce the national budget.
On the Friday, April 25 edition of Georgia Today: Savannah city officials draw up a new zoning district for affordable housing; a nonprofit unveils its "future vision" for Atlanta's Piedmont Park; and after a brief court battle, the federal government restores the legal status of dozens of international students.
On the Thursday, April 24 edition of Georgia Today: A federal judge hears the case of dozens of international students targeted for deportation by the Trump administration; a proposed greenspace over parts of the interstate in Atlanta finds a new source of funding; and the popular PBS program Antiques Roadshow heads to Savannah.
On the Wednesday, April 23 edition of Georgia Today: Democratic state senators announce legislation to protect U.S. Citizens from deportation; Athens state Sen. Bill Cowsert says he'll run for state attorney general. And a new study says air quality in Georgia has a lot of room for improvement.
On the April 22 edition: Kemp signs two new bills limiting lawsuits in Georgia; this could be a good year for Georgia crops; and will the imagined rail link for Atlanta's Beltline ever come to fruition?
On the April 21 edition: A victory in court for Georgia international students; Georgians react to Pope Francis' death; 10 counties will soon benefit from Healthy Start program.
On the Thursday April 17th edition of Georgia Today: A federal judge hears arguments over foreign students targeted for deportation allegedly without due process; Activists call for an end to high speed police chases after a fatal crash in Atlanta. And how language barriers can put older adults at risk in our healthcare system.
On the Wednesday April 16th edition of Georgia Today: Three people are arrested at a chaotic town hall meeting for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene; The Army restores the name of Fort Benning; And we speak with a Georgia doctor who says removing fluoride from drinking water, as some conservatives want, would be bad for children.
On the Tuesday, April 15 edition of Georgia Today: The head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta says consumers should get ready for higher prices; Self driving cars are coming to Atlanta, and 17 foreign college students sue the federal government for seemingly using their past interactions with police to make them vulnerable to deportation.
On the April 14 edition: Georgians have a little extra time to file taxes this year; a Macon hospital has special care program for pregnant or postpartum; a 100-year-old WWII vet receives France's highest honor.
On the Friday April 11th edition of Georgia Today: The daughter of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaks out against federal cuts to public housing; Southwest Georgia's Fort Gaines disbands its police department; And the city of Columbus celebrates the centennial of the Liberty Theatre.
On the Thursday, April 10 edition of Georgia Today: The family of a man who died in the Macon-Bibb County jail prepares a civil lawsuit; Gov. Brian Kemp considers a senate run in 2026; and the Masters Tournament tees off in Augusta.
On the Wednesday April 9th edition of Georgia Today: State lawmakers renew a tax credit helping children who age out of foster care; The University System of Georgia combines two schools; And a health expert says the federal government's message about vaccines is confusing.
On the Tuesday, April 8 edition of Georgia Today: OSHA says improperly stored chemicals sparked last year's fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers; the Georgia Chamber of Commerce tells its members to prepare for the effects of new tariffs enacted by the Trump administration; and a cold snap delays the start of this year's peanut crop in Georgia.
On the Monday, April 7 edition of Georgia Today: Activists gathered across Georgia as part of the nationwide "Hands Off" protests; it is Masters Week in Augusta; and Georgia shrimp farmers are praising President Trump's tariffs
On the April 4 edition: Authorities give details on Bartow County ICE raids; Rivian resumes new plant construction plans; Gov. Brian Kemp signs the 'religious freedom' bill into law
On the April 3 edition: Georgia lawmakers are working on new bills before it's too late; and a South Georgia woman's arrest and case following a miscarriage is in limbo.
On the Wednesday April 2nd edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's Dept. of Public Health faces federal funding cuts; A scientific study says a large portion of coastal Georgia is at risk of flooding in the next century; And a Georgia high school senior is one of the top scholarship earners in the history of the state.
On the Tuesday April 1st edition of Georgia Today: Georgia lawmakers give final passage to a bill aimed at increasing school safety; More layoffs at the Atlanta based CDC; And a new bill establishes mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl distribution. But some in the drug recovery community worry that won't help.
On the March 31 edition: U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams steps down as the chair of the state's Democratic Party; the U.S. attorney general orders dismissal of a lawsuit challenging election law in Georgia.
On the Friday March 28 edition of Georgia Today: IVF and tort reform bills pass the Georgia House; Savannah looks to create more affordable housing.
On the Thursday, March 27 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia lawmakers make another push to create the state's first national park; Hyundai opens a new electric vehicle plant in Bryan County; And it's opening day for the Atlanta Braves!
On the March 26 edition: Georgia Medicaid and SNAP could be affected by federal cuts; The Georgia House's bills on children and public safety; Georgia bridges get good marks in national infrastructure report.
On the Tuesday, March 25 edition of Georgia Today: A series of measles outbreaks in states including Georgia has health care providers concerned; the Georgia Legislature passes a bill banning cellphones from elementary and middle schools; and on what would have been Flannery O'Connor's 100th birthday, a tour lets visitors explore the celebrated author's childhood home in Savannah.
On March 24th edition: Ossoff holds a rally in Atlanta; Douglasville expands a children's behavior health facility; tariffs worry Georgia's brewing industry
On the Friday, March 21 edition of Georgia Today: Spending cuts from Trump's DOGE spark protests in Georgia; state lawmakers have just two weeks left to pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year; Decatur develops a plan to address the needs of the youth.
On the March 20 edition: Trump aims to dismantle the Department of Education; study shows AI helps predict which children will develop mental health issues; an Atlanta man held by the Taliban is released.
On March 19: The Georgia legislature OKs minimum wage for those with intellectual disabilities; U.S. Rep. Mike Collins is absent from a town hall in Athens; Savannah's Chatham County OKs a sales tax to fund school improvements.
On the March 18 edition: 41 counties hold special elections; The Georgia Dept. of Public Safety set work with ICE; and Macon opens a new music education center named for Otis Redding.
LISTEN: On the March 17 edition: Dangerous storms sweep through Georgia over the weekend; Georgians protest proposed cuts to the VA; and be wary of a growing scam.
From marching in Selma to serving as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. under President Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young has shaped history. Now 93, he looks back on his extraordinary life and the work still left to do. GPB's Pamela Kirkland sits down with Andrew Young in this bonus episode of Georgia Today.
On the Friday, March 14 edition of Georgia Today: The debate over lawsuit reform heats up at the state Capitol; a bill limiting liability for pesticide manufacturers passes the House; and Georgia Film Week celebrates contributors to the state's growing film industry.
On the March 13 edition of Georgia Today: The state government tries to crack down on so-called "sanctuary cities" and some cities and counties push back; a new study compares health care spending in Georgia to the leading causes of poor health and early death; And at age 93, civil rights leader Andrew Young says he has no plans of slowing down.
On the Wednesday, March 12 edition of Georgia Today: State lawmakers approve Georgia's fiscal budget for 2026; Georgia Democrats propose 6 new bills, including one that would raise the minimum wage in the state; and Senator Raphael Warnock answers questions from constituents at a virtual town hall.
On the Tuesday March 11th edition of Georgia Today: The months long search for an Atlanta teacher ends when his body is found in Lake Oconee; Atlanta residents gather to celebrate the opening of a new bike lane in the city; and Delta Air Lines lowers its first quarter earnings and revenue outlook for this year, amid growing economic uncertainty.
On the Monday, March 10 edition of Georgia Today: A new bill passed by the Georgia Senate targets a Savannah ordinance meant to curb gun theft; those convicted of trafficking fentanyl could soon receive mandatory minimum prison sentences; and a new bill seeks to support caregivers of seniors suffering from cognitive decline.
On the Friday, March 7 edition of Georgia Today: Yesterday was Crossover Day at the State Capitol. We'll tell you which bills failed, and which ones cleared the hurdle. Also, it's the anniversary of the event known Bloody Sunday, which galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. And how are warming temperatures affecting the length and intensity of allergy season?
LISTEN: On the March 6 edition of Georgia Today: Today is Crossover Day, an important deadline for Georgia's 2025 legislative session; Also, Employees at Atlanta's Center for Disease Control and Prevention are told to report back to work; And a lawsuit filed by 17 states seeks to remove gender dysphoria protections from a federal act related to schools.
On the Wednesday March 5 edition of Georgia Today: Senator Ossoff asks President Trump to reconsider closing Social Security offices; the Georgia Senate passed a bill that aims to protect quote “religious freedom” in the state; increased security for Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade
On the Tuesday March 4 edition of Georgia Today: Governor Brian Kemp's tort reform bill faces pushback from some survivors of violent crimes; the Georgia Senate reignites a debate over the banning of books deemed "harmful material" to minors; and the Georgia High School Basketball Finals begin tomorrow. We'll have a look at what's to come.
On the Monday, March 3 edition of Georgia Today: Demonstrators gather in Decatur to protest the closing of five Georgia Social Security offices; the city of Atlanta appoints a new interim inspector general; and as the USDA reconsiders food date labeling, experts offer solutions to prevent food waste.
On the Feb. 28 edition of Georgia Today: A pause on federal programs by the Trump administration could have big effects for some Georgia industries; Gov. Brian Kemp continues to follow through on his promise for tort reform; and Georgia music legends R.E.M. reunite briefly at the 40 Watt Club in Athens.
On the Feb. 27 edition: The Georgia Senate passes a midyear budget; Georgia Power could be barred from passing the cost of data centers onto customers; and an Atlanta school teaches the art of capoeira.
On the Wednesday, Feb. 28 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia cotton growers are projected to grow 21% less cotton this year; Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens delivers his annual State of the City business address; and Georgia lawmakers work to address a statewide teacher shortage.
On the Feb. 25 edition of Georgia Today: A bill branded as Georgia's version of DOGE passes the Senate; a new study tracks the ongoing health effects of last year's BioLab fire in Conyers; and a federal return-to-work order brings more traffic to Atlanta's roads.
On the Monday, Feb. 24 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Dept. of Public Health gets updated training and guidelines for rabies following a string of reported positive cases in Georgia; a federal judge moves forward efforts to address deadly conditions at Atlanta's Fulton County Jail; and five years after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, runners gather in Atlanta to honor his memory.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Feb. 21 edition of Georgia Today: A lawsuit challenging Georgia's near-ban on abortion is headed back to a trial court; Georgians express fear and outrage at congressional town halls; and a new exhibit at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon shines a new light on the lives of enslaved people.
On the Thursday, Feb. 20 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Democrats sound the alarm over possible cuts to Medicaid; lawmakers advance a measure that may make child care slightly more affordable; And as Postmaster Louis DeJoy prepares to step down, Sen. Jon Ossoff looks to the future of the post office.
On the Wednesday, Feb. 19 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia House Republicans consider ending Georgia's participating in a voter roll check that crosses state lines; Sen. Jon Ossoff seeks answers from DOGE about its access to veterans health information; and if you get a jury summons and don't show up, you may have to face a very disappointed Georgia judge.
On the Tuesday, Feb. 18 edition of Georgia Today: The Atlanta City Council redefines the authority of the city's Office of the Inspector General; a Georgia university collaborates with the U.S. Army on new battlefield technology; and a play previewed at an Atlanta MARTA Station uses comedy to reflect on immigration, identity and belonging.
On the Monday, Feb. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp says the federal government needs some right-sizing. The NAACP praises Delta for keeping its DEI commitments; and demonstrators protest what they call President Trump's overreach.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Feb. 14 edition of Georgia Today: the Georgia Senate wants to force local governments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities; the Trump administration fires one-tenth of the employees at the Atlanta based CDC; and Georgia poet Tony Whedon has a new collection.
On the Thursday, Feb. 13 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Senate creates a tax holiday for guns, ammo and gun storage devices; Atlanta releases a new report on the economic impact of the city's nightlife industry; and a look at the impact of so-called insurance clawbacks.
On the Wednesday, Feb. 12 edition of Georgia Today: The father of the boy accused of the Apalachee High School shooting is granted bond; President Trump gets his first opportunity to appoint a federal judge in Georgia; and Savannah city officials put a new focus on public art.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Feb. 11 edition of Georgia Today: State officials lift a suspension on poultry sales following a nationwide bird flu outbreak; Georgia democrats look to increase funding for the state's public schools; and a conversation with historian Bennett Parten on how Georgia became home to the largest emancipation event in American history.
On the Monday, Feb. 10 edition of Georgia Today: Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene introduces legislation to abolish USAID; Sen. Jon Ossoff warns of a possible national security risk regarding YOUR data; And a new report highlights the way where you live in Georgia could determines your health.
On the Friday, Feb. 7 edition of Georgia Today: A furlough of some federal workers going into effect today could affect Georgia's peanut industry; and the state senate passes a bill banning transgender girls from school sports.
On the Thursday, Feb. 6 edition of Georgia Today: Hundreds of people show up to the state capitol to demonstrate against president Donald Trump; legal challenges from local public housing authorities could hurt the way landlords are held accountable under law; and Democratic state senators want Georgia voters to decide on abortion access.
On the Wednesday, Feb. 5 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia sheriff's offices get ready to work with federal immigration law enforcement; the Georgia prosecutor accused of meddling in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial has her remaining charge dismissed; and the Rockdale County fire chief is stepping down.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Feb. 4 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia business owners react to possible tariffs; the former Georgia prosecutor accused of meddling in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial has one charge dismissed; and House Speaker Jon Burns introduces new school safety legislation.
LSTEN: On the Monday, Feb. 2 edition of Georgia Today: Two years after the East Palestine derailment, Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern faces a new lawsuit; protesters gather to oppose immgration raids; and Jimmy Carter receives a posthumous Grammy award.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Jan. 31 edition of Georgia Today: Two Georgians are among those killed in the American Airlines plane collision in Washington, D.C.; Georgia Power submits its future plans to generate electricity to the state for approval; and a new biography tells the story of Athens music legends R.E.M.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Jan. 30 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp tackles tort reform; Jimmy Carter's mission to eradicate Guinea worm disease remains on track; and RFK Jr. faces opposition to his confirmation as head of the largest federal health agency from Sen. Raphael Warnock.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Jan. 29 edition of Georgia Today: President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act into law; State health officials confirm Georgia's first case of measles for 2025; and the Atlanta Dream signs WNBA superstar Brittney Griner.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Jan. 28 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia lawmakers react to federal immigration-related arrests in the state over the weekend; The chief justice of Georgia's Supreme Court delivers the annual State of the Judiciary address; And a new podcast focuses on treatment of protesters opposed to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Jan. 27 edition of Georgia Today: Immigrant advocacy groups in Georgia help their communities prepare for federal immigration sweeps; a student-led group offers help with ending mindless doom-scrolling; and 12 Georgia restaurants are nominated for the prestigious James Beard Awards.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Jan. 24 edition of Georgia Today: President Trump orders the release of classified documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr:; more than 100 dogs are on the road to recovery after being seized from a South Georgia puppy mill; and Gov. Kemp asks state lawmakers to approve millions of dollars in Hurricane Helene relief aid.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Jan. 23 edition of Georgia Today: An unhoused man died last week when city workers used construction equipment to clear the camp where he was living; the Laken Riley Act is on its way to becoming law; and CNN expects to lay off about 200 people.
On the Wednesday, Jan. 22 edition of Georgia Today: Snow falls across Georgia — in some areas, lots of it; bird flu spreads among the state's commercial poultry producers; and a former Braves outfielder falls short of gaining entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Jan. 21 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia braces for winter weather across the state; the trial begins for the former Georgia prosecutor accused of meddling in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial; and Savannah prepares for a curfew on late-night walking tours.
LISTEN: On the Jan. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Mixed reactions from Georgia politicians ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday; state officials address potential problems with Georgia's new health insurance marketplace rollout; and the revival of an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert tradition will commemorate Martin Luther King Day.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Jan. 16 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia state senator is arrested at the state capitol; the TSA says about 500 firearms were seized at Georgia airports last year; And protective orders are meant to shield survivors of domestic violence from further abuse, but many who start the process of getting one change their minds.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Jan. 15 edition of Georgia Today: Two voter advocacy groups founded by Stacey Abrams get hit with massive fines; flu and COVID cases are quickly rising; and Southern cookbook author Nathalie Dupree has died.
On the Tuesday, Jan. 14 edition of Georgia Today: State senators authorize an investigation into Fulton County DA Fani Willis; importers in Savannah brace themselves for new tariffs; and a new book profiles the rise of iconic rap duo Run the Jewels.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Jan. 13 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's 2025 legislative session gets underway. Savannah asks the public to help identify more historic buildings. And former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani is found in contempt of court.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Jan. 10 edition of Georgia Today: Barrow County Schools take new security measures after last year's deadly shooting; Gov. Brian Kemp recommends more funding to strengthen Georgia prisons; And Georgians wake up to a rare blanket of snow.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Jan. 9 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp issues a state of emergency as wintry weather approaches Georgia; House Speaker Jon Burns looks ahead to this year's legislative session; and six days of funeral services for Jimmy Carter conclude in his hometown of Plains.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Jan. 8 edition of Georgia Today: Four months after a deadly shooting, students and parents at Appalachee High School demand security improvements; Georgians prepare for snow, sleet and ice over the weekend; and a look at the environmental contributions of the late former President Jimmy Carter.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Jan. 7 edition of Georgia Today: U.S. House passes the Laken Riley Act; Ted Turner is hospitalized for pneumonia; and Georgia prepares for snow and ice.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Jan. 6 edition of Georgia Today: Mourners in Atlanta pay their respects to former President Jimmy Carter; a member of the Peanut Brigade reflects on her time spent with the Jimmy Carter presidential campaign; and those accused of crimes related to Jan. 6 four years ago wonder what comes next.
On the Friday, Jan. 3 edition of Georgia Today: The Fulton County Jail and the Justice Department reach an agreement; the founder of SCAD gets a Presidential Medal of Freedom; and a look at the musical life of former President Jimmy Carter.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Jan. 2 edition of Georgia Today: The man accused of a terrorist attack in New Orleans has Georgia connections. Hundreds gather to watch the demolition of a longstanding hotel in Macon. And civil rights leader Andrew Young remembers his friend, former President Jimmy Carter.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Dec. 31 edition of Georgia Today: We continue our remembrance of 39th president and Georgia native Jimmy Carter; a new law strengthens ties between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities; and NYE festivities scheduled for tonight in Georgia.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Dec. 30 edition of Georgia Today, we remember former President Jimmy Carter, who died yesterday in Plains, Ga., at the age of 100.
On the Friday Dec. 27 edition of Georgia Today: Judge rules that Georgia senators can subpoena DA Fani Willis over alleged misconduct in prosecuting President-elect Trump; a deadly explosion at a Tyson Foods plant in southwest Georgia; and the program empowering at-risk young people through farm work.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Dec. 26 edition of Georgia Today: More in-custody deaths than in any other year for the Georgia Department of Corrections; Georgia's peanut crops were significantly smaller than usual; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a step closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On the Wednesday Dec. 25 edition of Georgia Today: We're looking back at some arts and culture stories you may have missed in 2024. In this episode we hear from hip-hop legends Arrested Development, Braves pitcher Spencer Strider, comedian Heather McMahan, and more.
On the Tuesday Dec. 24 edition of Georgia Today: The Atlanta Falcons are providing support for high school girls' flag football programs, a UGA food specialist has holiday safety tips, and we'll look back at some of GPB's music and entertainment stories from 2024.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Dec. 23 edition of Georgia Today: Billions of dollars are headed for Hurricane Helene relief; the post office in Plains, Ga., will soon have a new name; and two iconic Christmas classics can be traced back to Savannah.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Dec. 20 edition of Georgia Today: A possible government shutdown could cause flight delays at Atlanta's airport; Atlanta United has a new coach; and, post-retirement, a Macon man finds a new calling as a bingo caller.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Dec. 19 edition of Georgia Today: Fulton County DA Fani Willis is out as lead prosecutor in the Donald Trump election interference case; Atlanta Amazon workers go on strike; and months after the BioLab chemical fire, Georgia residents grapple with its lasting effects.
On the Wednesday December 18th edition of Georgia Today: Farm workers get left out of Hurricane Helene relief efforts; Congressman David Scott loses a top committee position; And Basketball legend Shaquille O Neal gives to Georgia kids in need.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Dec. 17 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Democratic Party could be laying the groundwork for its party chair to step down; a former Georgia NFL player pleads not guilty to charges related to Jan. 6; and Atlanta journalist Neesha Powell-Ingabire writes her way back to her Geechee roots.
LISTEN: On the Dec. 16 edition of Georgia Today: The deadline to get a health care plan through the ACA is extended; the city of Dalton sues big companies over forever chemical contamination; and the Georgia High School Football championships are officially underway.
On the Friday December 13th edition of Georgia Today: Attorneys representing people killed or hurt at the Fulton County Jail filed a class action lawsuit. Syrians living in Georgia respond to the downfall of the brutal dictator Bashar al-Assad. And Georgia High school football championships are next week. We'll tell you what to expect for the rapidly growing sport of flag football.
On the Thursday December 12th edition of Georgia Today: State officials reevaluate the schools elligible for Georgia's private school voucher program; Georgia lawmakers consider pain management alternatives in order to address the opioid crisis; And Georgia's tackle and flag football championships are next week. We'll have a preview of what's to come.
LISTEN: On the Dec. 11 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers gather in Athens to talk priorities ahead of next year's legislative session; state officials are creating a special zone for oyster farming in Glynn County; and getting the famed Stuckey's brand "Unstuck;" we'll talk about the pecan log roll empire with its new CEO.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Dec. 10 edition of Georgia Today: A new report shows some Georgia hospitals aren't posting their prices as required by law; new legislation aims to ease the veterinarian shortage; and the Athens Rock Lobsters face another delay of their home opener.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Dec. 8 edition of Georgia Today: State officials take new steps to prevent Georgia SNAP fraud. The Fulton County sheriff responds to a scathing federal report on conditions at the county jail; and the Atlanta Braves are evaluating the field of available talent to boost their roster.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Dec. 6 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta's controversial police and fire training center is set to open this month; new audio sheds light on what happened in the early moments of the BioLab chemical fire; and Atlanta police join the manhunt for the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare's CEO.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Dec. 5 edition of Georgia Today: A teenager and two parents are indicted in a fatal drunk driving accident; the U.S. postmaster general faces questions over long delays; and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler is slated to serve as head of the Small Business Administration.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Dec. 4 edition of Georgia Today: Trump claims presidential immunity in his Georgia election interference case; the man convicted of killing a Georgia nursing student asks for a new trial; and Conyers residents push to revoke Biolab's business license after a toxic fire.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Dec. 3 edition of Georgia Today: Cities open warming centers as an arctic front brings freezing winds to Georgia; runoff elections in eleven Georgia counties settle races that were undecided last month; and a former CDC director talks about risks the agency faces in a second Trump administration.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Dec. 2 edition of Georgia Today: On this Cyber Monday, cybersecurity experts say it's getting harder to detect scams; Georgia releases a list of public schools whose students qualify for its private school scholarship program; and a former UGA player will coach the Chicago Bears.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Nov. 27 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Power customers may see their rates go up because of Hurricane Helene; the Biden administration puts a tariff on golf carts; and a Georgia high school band tunes up for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Nov. 26 edition of Georgia Today: The city of Atlanta agrees to settle a pollution lawsuit stemming from the construction of its police and fire training center; Georgia high schools use grant money to fund events about on-line safety; and electric automaker Rivian is getting a big loan from the Biden administration.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Nov. 25 edition of Georgia Today: New details on the BioLab fire that forced evacuations and shelter-in-place orders in Conyers; Medicare will no longer cover the cost of teleheath consultations; and Macon officials plan to use American Rescue Plan funds to help improve food access.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Nov. 22 edition of Georgia Today: The results of the 2024 presidential election are certified; the president of Spelman College is stepping down; and Atlanta United's winning streak delays the retirement of a soccer legend.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Nov. 21 edition of Georgia Today: The father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter enters a not guilty plea; a Georgia Senate subcommittee studies transgender students participating in school sports; and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr says he’s running for governor.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Nov. 20 edition of Georgia Today: The Venezuelan man accused of murdering nursing student Laken Riley is found guilty on all charges; a former Georgia poll worker is indicted for allegedly making a bomb threat; and Sen. Warnock calls on his fellow lawmakers to approve additional hurricane relief aid.
On the Tuesday, Nov. 19 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia appeals court has canceled a hearing in the state's election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump; State Election Board says no more rules; Athens-based author Rebecca McCarthy discusses her biography of Norman Maclean.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Nov. 18 edition of Georgia Today: A former NFL player is arrested in Savannah for charges related to Jan. 6; a look at how Georgia's state budget is shaping up ahead of the 2025 Legislative session; and enrollment in Georgia's medical cannabis registry reaches a new high.
On the Friday November 15th edition of Georgia Today: State leaders come closer to distributing funds from Georgia's six hundred million dollar opioid settlement; Prosecutors make their opening statements in the trial of the man accused of killing a UGA nursing student; And President elect Trump picks a former Georgia congressman for his cabinet.
On the Thursday November 14th edition of Georgia Today: The Justice Department says conditions at the Fulton County Jail are unconstitutional; Georgia house members choose their leaders. And timber farmers reach out for help after Hurricane Helene.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Nov. 13 edition of Georgia Today: A look at how President-elect Trump's proposed tariffs would impact the economy and your wallet; Georgia leaders invest in peer support centers to help those with behavioral health issues; and two Atlanta based humanitarian groups call for Israel to be held accountable for the crisis in Gaza.
On the Wednesday November 13th edition of Georgia Today: A look at how President-elect Trump's proposed tariffs would impact the economy and your wallet; Georgia leaders invest in peer support centers to help those with behavioral health issues; And two Atlanta based humanitarian groups call for Israel to be held accountable for the crisis in Gaza.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Nov. 12 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Democrats call for a new state party leader; the BIolab plant in Conyers partially reopens; and Kroger agrees to a settlement for its role in the opioid crisis.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Nov. 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia democrats look to recalibrate after Tuesday night's election; state lawmakers reconsider how to plan for natural disasters. and a new biography profiles the life and legacy of civil rights hero John Lewis.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Nov. 7 edition of Georgia Today: President-elect Donald Trump promised mass deportations. Does he have the resources to pull it off? Georgia could be closer than ever to having its first national park. And new research shows psilocybin therapy could help treat mental illness.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Nov. 6 edition of Georgia Today: Donald Trump has once again been elected president, winning Georgia in the process; a new report details just how much Georgia's timber industry lost from Hurricane Helene; and a trial date is set for the Georgia district attorney accused of interfering in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case.
LISTEN: On a special afternoon edition of Georgia Today for Wednesday, Nov. 6: Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the 2024 presidential race. But it wasn't the only race we followed. We'll tell you how Georgia candidates fared in the other races, including the congressional races, and give you dispatches from reporters across the state.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Nov. 5 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia voters cast their ballot on Election Day; polling places receive bomb threats; and Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus has died.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Nov. 4 edition of Georgia Today: The two major-party candidates spent the weekend making their final appeals to Georgia voters; the state's top election official says the state is ready for Election Day; and a new AI technology will help Vidalia onion farmers identify issues with their crops.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Nov. 1 edition of Georgia Today: It's the last day of early voting in Georgia, and more than half of active voters have already cast their ballot; witnesses of the fatal Sapelo Island dock collapse testify before the state Senate; and Atlanta rapper Young Thug pleads guilty, ending the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Oct. 13 edition of Georgia Today: New details on a suspected tuberculosis outbreak in Atlanta's Cobb County; an organization in South Georgia addresses the long-term effects of Hurricane Helene; and as abortions decrease in Georgia, how do those numbers illustrate a national trend?
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Oct. 30 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia voters continue to shatter early voting records; Gov. Brian Kemp extends the state of emergency for Hurricane Helene; and we'll hear the story of how Georgia's six-week abortion ban complicated a Savannah woman's pregnancy.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Oct. 29 edition of Georgia Today: Former president Donald Trump campaigns at Georgia Tech in Atlanta; a state law may be preventing farmers from getting Hurricane Helene relief; and the state prepares to launch its own new marketplace for health care plans.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Oct. 28 edition of Georgia Today: Former president Donald Trump makes two campaign stops in Georgia; a new poll suggests Vice President Kamala Harris has growing support among Black men; and what's causing a change in the migration patterns for monarch butterflies?
LISTEN: On the Oct. 25 edition of Georgia Today: Rockdale County residents deal with the lingering impact of the BioLab fire; Vice President Kamala Harris rallies in DeKalb County with the help of some high-profile supporters; and today is the last day for Georgians to request an absentee ballot.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Oct. 24 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Trump rallies in Duluth as election day draws near; the CDC is now recommending pneumonia vaccinations for people over 50; and what's the difference between a poll watcher and poll observer?
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Oct. 23 edition of Georgia Today: Two million people have cast ballots so far in Georgia's election; FEMA opens three more disaster recovery centers following this year's devastating tropical storm season; and Atlanta officials give an update on the project known as The Stitch.
On the Tuesday, Oct. 22 edition of Georgia Today: Black lawmakers are demanding answers for questions surrounding the dock collapse that killed seven people on Sapelo Island; state officials will investigate the death of a Macon man who died in Bibb County Jail; and a Georgia author's new collection of poetry explores grief.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Oct. 21 edition of Georgia Today: As Georgia breaks early voting records, officials say there is no voter fraud; protesters in Conyers call for the shutdown of a BioLab plant; and authorities have identified those killed by a dock collapse on Georgia's Sapelo Island.
On the Friday October 18th edition of Georgia Today: More than one million Georgians have already cast their ballots; Officials in Rockdale County say that all of the chemical product from the BioLabs fire is gone; And another manufacturer of electric vehicle parts is coming to Georgia.
On the Thursday October 17th edition of Georgia Today: A January 6th defendant from Savannah is found guilty on six federal charges; A Georgia congressman is calling for Rockdale County's BioLab plant to close; And WellStar announces plans to redevelop the Atlanta Medical Center's former campus.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, October 17th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, a January 6th defendant from Savannah is found guilty on six federal charges. A Georgia congressman is calling for Rockdale County's BioLab plant to close. And WellStar announces plans to redevelop the Atlanta Medical Center's former campus. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: A grand jury has indicted both a Georgia teenager and his father for charges related to the September 4th mass shooting at Appalachee High School in Winder, east of Atlanta. The Barrow County grand jury today charged 14 year old Colt Gray with a total of 55 counts, including murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children. His father, Colin Gray, faces 29 counts, including second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. Both are scheduled to enter their pleas formally at an arraignment on November 21st.
Story 2:
Peter Biello: A January 6th defendant from Savannah has been found guilty on six federal charges for his involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: Dominic Box was among the hundreds of supporters of then-President Donald Trump who violently stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, in an effort to block certification of Joe Biden's victory. Nearly two years after federal prosecutors first filed charges against Box, a former car salesman in Savannah, DC, federal Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, found him guilty in a ruling issued Monday. Box set opted for a bench trial rather than a trial by jury and also turned down a plea deal offered by prosecutors. His conviction includes two felony counts of civil disorder, plus four misdemeanors. Prosecutors dropped his most serious charge, obstruction of an official proceeding after the Supreme Court ruled the statute does not apply to January 6th defendants. Box could face several years in prison or be sent home for time already served in D.C. jail. Sentencing has not been scheduled. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Caption
Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated and others told to shelter in place after a fire at a chemical plant Sept. 29, 2024.
Credit: Rockdale County via X
Story 3:
Peter Biello: Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson is calling on the BioLab plant in Rockdale County to close. Johnson, whose district includes Conyers, where the facility is located, says the plant has become a threat to public health following a fire last month that released a plume of chemicals into the air. Johnson, along with other members of the Georgia congressional delegation, are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enhance federal oversight of facilities that store hazardous chemicals. He spoke with GPB's Pamela Kirkland.
Pamela Kirkland: I want to start by asking you what kinds of concerns are you hearing from residents in your district?
Hank Johnson: Well, primarily residents are concerned about their health and they're concerned about air quality, which could be in the air as a result of the chemical reaction that occurred at the bio lab plant that produced billowing plumes of smoke for many days. And that was something that people were breathing. And they have been concerned about the impact of breathing in concentrated amounts of chlorine and other gases that were in that plume of smoke rising from the facility.
Pamela Kirkland: And as far as the fire, what we know is that water got into the facility and interacted with a chemical called trichloroethylene associate, uric acid, which is also known as Tka and is used to make pool and spa products. Your office, along with other members of the Georgia delegation, are asking the EPA to regulate chemicals like TCA, which was a major part of the fire. Why is that? What are you hoping that the EPA can do?
Hank Johnson: Well, there needs to be enhanced federal oversight of facilities that manufacture and store hazardous chemicals, especially those with reactive properties like this t. C. C a when small amounts of it come into contact with water, it produces a chemical reaction that can lead to fire and definitely leads to smoke and pollutes our air and has the potential to pollute our water quality as well. And so we're calling upon the Environmental Protection Agency to enhance its oversight of facilities that manufacture and store these chemically reactive substances, especially when those facilities are located in communities where people live.
Pamela Kirkland: And you've represented this district for some time now. Rockdale County, back when this facility broke ground in the 1970s, is much different today than it was then. What would you hope is next?
Hank Johnson: Well, I hope that the people at Biolab will decide that they will not reopen this plant. They've got a lot of money invested out there. There are jobs associated with the plant, but this economic development is not worth the risk to public safety. And at the very minimum, we should have enhanced federal oversight, federal and state oversight of what's going on inside the buildings where these kinds of hazardous substances are being stored.
Pamela Kirkland: Congressman Hank Johnson represents the fourth Congressional District in Georgia. Thank you so much for speaking with me.
Hank Johnson: Thank you.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: A woman who helped four people escape from Macon's Bibb County jail a year ago has been sentenced to two years and five months in prison. A federal judge handed down the sentence for Janecia Green yesterday. The jailbreak set the stage for a much publicized three day manhunt that ended in all four inmates being captured. Green bought a mallet and a chisel from a home improvement store and gave them to an associate of one of the inmates to be smuggled into the jail. The tools then were used to make an opening in a wall through which the incarcerated people escaped. Of the four who escaped, Chavis Stokes and Marc Anderson pleaded guilty to escape charges in state court earlier this year and were sentenced to five years in prison. Johnifer Barnwell pleaded guilty in federal court, but it's unclear when his sentencing will be. And Joey Fournier was charged in state court, but it's unclear if his case will go to trial.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: The first lady of Minnesota, Gwen Walz, visited Metro Atlanta's Cobb County yesterday to drum up enthusiasm for the campaign of her husband and vice president Kamala Harris. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Sarah Kallis: Walz made two stops in Cobb County to pitch for support for the Harris/Walz campaign. She met with Democratic canvassers in Marietta and spoke about the importance of canvasing and phone banking. She also talked about abortion and IVF access. Former President Donald Trump has said he supports states making their own restrictions regarding abortion access and not a national ban. But critics say abortion restrictions can lead to legal gray area around IVF.
Gwen Walz: And I'm going to use my teacher voice right here. So listen up. Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance. Please mind your own business.
Sarah Kallis: Walz spoke the same day that Fox News aired Trump's Georgia town Hall focused on women voters. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Marietta.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: A Georgia judge has declared that seven new election rules recently passed by the state election board are, quote, illegal, unconstitutional and void. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas Cox issued the order yesterday. He says the rules are, quote, unsupported by Georgia's election code and that the board didn't have the authority to pass them. The rules that Cox invalidated include requiring the number of ballots be hand-counted after the close of polls, and two rules that had to do with the certification of election results. He ordered the board to immediately remove the rules and to inform all state and local election officials that the rules are void and not to be followed. The state election board is controlled by three Republicans, endorsed by former President Donald Trump. It has passed numerous rules in recent months, mostly dealing with the processes that happen after ballots are cast. Democratic Party organizations, local election officials and a group headed by a former Republican state lawmaker have filed at least a half dozen lawsuits over the rules. Democrats, voting rights groups and some legal experts have raised concerns that some rules could be used by Trump allies to delay or avoid certification or to cast doubt on results if he loses next month's presidential election to Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Earlier this week, Fulton County Judge Robert McBurney ruled the certification role of local election boards is mandatory, not discretionary, and must be done by the deadline set by law. That's 5 p.m. on the Monday after the election or the Tuesday of the Monday as a holiday, as it is this year.
Story 7:
Peter Biello: WellStar Health System says it plans to redevelop its former Atlanta Medical Center campus. The company today named a development partner for the hulking vacant site where a hospital closed in late 2022. Amir Farokhi represents the area on Atlanta's city council.
Amir Farokhi: Exciting step in the right direction. Obviously, the devil's in the details and we'll see what emerges over the coming months. But this site has enormous potential for housing, retail, office.
Peter Biello: The announcement didn't include investment amounts or timelines, details a WellStar spokesperson said were, quote, premature. The company's decision to close Atlanta Medical Center shocked the region and area health care systems are still adjusting to it two years later.
Caption
Student loan debt
Story 8:
Peter Biello: The Biden administration claims credit for having fought to reduce the burden of student loans by forgiving billions of dollars worth of debt. The administration also has made changes to the Public Service Loan forgiveness program, which allows certain borrowers forgiveness on the balance of their loan, provided they meet certain conditions like working for a nonprofit or the government. Let's turn now to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, who is here in Atlanta to talk about loan forgiveness, among other things. Welcome to the program, Secretary Cardona. Thank you.
Miguel Cardona: Peter. Good to be here again.
Peter Biello: So I understand you're here to announce a milestone for the public service loan program. Can you tell us about that?
Miguel Cardona: Sure. Yeah. You know, public service loan forgiveness was passed in 2007 in bipartisan fashion. So it says basically ten years. You work in public service, you pay your loans for ten years. You get loan forgiveness. The goal was to increase the number of young people going into public service because we saw there was a decline. So ten years out, you know, 2017, it was supposed to kick in. It was riddled with issues. I think there was an attempt to not have as many loans forgiven. Only 7000 people got it in four years. And we recognize when we came in, President Biden, Vice President Harris, were really serious about like, look, this was done in bipartisan fashion, good faith. We're dealing with an educator shortage. We're dealing with a nurse shortage. Fix this. So we did we looked at there were so many different little nuances that could have been corrected. They weren't a lot of things that were obstacles. So we started removing those obstacles, making it more borrower friendly, communicating better. And we're up to a million borrowers in this country in the last three and a half years that have gotten debt relief in public service, loan forgiveness, and we're proud of that. That's a major accomplishment and it's something that's going to keep going because those obstacles that were there, we removed them. So this is something that future generations could also benefit from.
Peter Biello: And in July, the Biden administration announced that it had eliminated $1.2 billion worth of debt through the Public Service loan forgiveness program. How are you measuring the impact of that?
Miguel Cardona: Well, you know, what we're doing is making sure we're communicating the message. Part of part of our strategy is really talking to mayors, talking to superintendents, talking to our leaders, governors, and saying there are people that are working in your offices right now that are eligible for debt relief that don't even know it. So we're getting out there. We're hearing stories we're able to track. Actually, we're releasing today the 50 state breakdown of how many people have gotten debt relief and what the total is. I know in Georgia there's close to $4 billion in public service loan forgiveness, 41,000 people in Georgia alone. So we know that those dollars are going back into the economy. We we assess--
Peter Biello: How do you know that? How do you know that, going back to the economy?
Miguel Cardona: Well, when we're talking to folks where they're buying homes for the first time, they're helping their children go to college, They're starting up small businesses. These dollars are going. I mean, it's, let's say five, $600 a month that these people no longer have to pay. So they're using those dollars to buy a home. There was one person that was talking about, you know, she got married 12 years ago and never went on a honeymoon. You know, these are people who are getting their lives back.
Peter Biello: You mentioned some problems with the public service loan forgiveness program. One of them was servicing. Right. The one of the servicers was having issues with sending correct bills or crediting borrowers with repayments that they made on time. The administration had made some changes with the servicing in the past few months. Can you talk a little bit about those changes and whether or not, you know, if they're working in improving the system?
Miguel Cardona: We tackled a lot of the underlying issues, the way things were being done, the way they were being processed, the way things were communicated. Issues with servicers that didn't have the right amount of accountability. We've increased that. You've seen over the last several years we find several servicers for providing poor services to borrowers who are holding them accountable. We're limiting contracting with them. If they don't do what they say they're going to do.
Peter Biello: Essentially withholding payment. If they're not doing what they're doing.
Miguel Cardona: Correct. And let me be very clear with you. This is not easy work, but it's important work to make it more user friendly. The user experience is something that has to be done well. We did similarly through the FHA. There was an overhaul in FHA because they weren't meeting our standards with Fafsa. So we made some major changes and we're seeing the fruit of that this year. We're doing the hard work that needs to get done, rolling up our sleeves, fixing systems that are broken, like the public service loan forgiveness program.
Peter Biello: You're also here in Georgia to talk about the Biden administration's efforts to invest in mental health of students and believe I have the number correct. You're investing $10 million in Gwinnett schools today and $50 million through the state of Georgia overall. Is that are those numbers we're sharing?
Miguel Cardona: Well, yeah, In Georgia, the total amount over five years is $51 million. 51 million. Yeah. And across the country for this year alone, $70 million. Look, I'm going to talk to you now as a as a parent, as a father and as a lifelong educator. I was a fourth grade teacher, school principal. We are not scratching the surface in providing the supports that our students need. If we go back to the model we had before the pandemic. Our students are in greater need when our youth mental health. Crisis. We're competing with the impacts of social media of of a lot of, you know, division in our country, let's be honest. So we need to make sure that we're providing the supports for our students so they could be academically at their best. President Biden, Vice President Harris, have committed not just in talk, but in dollars, providing more support for our students.
Peter Biello: It's difficult in normal circumstances for people outside the school system to sometimes find an appointment with a mental health care provider. So how realistic is it that you'll be able to find the people you need to actually fill the jobs you're saying you'll create?
Miguel Cardona: So what are we doing? We're investing in programs that help high school students see their future as a potential school counselor or a school social worker and go up a pathway. We're providing dollars for those pathway programs to expand.
Peter Biello: Social emotional learning is an important part of what the Biden administration and your Department of Education is is encouraging in schools. This is a polarizing issue. Some conservatives have said it's indoctrination. They say it's too far from the reading, writing, arithmetic, traditional education that schools they think should provide. Why do you think that's an important part to to include in today's schools?
Miguel Cardona: I would welcome anyone who thinks it's indoctrination to spend a week in a school. I really would. And, you know, that's, to me, more a symptom of politicization in schools. I have a background in education. I understand that if a student is unsure where they're sleeping at night, unsure where one of their parents are or is worried about the health and wellness of somebody in their family, they're not going to achieve reading, writing and arithmetic as well as they can if they're okay. You know, for those who want to call indoctrination, they really haven't spent a lot of time talking to educators who work with children. My focus is making sure all kids can read on grade level, high level math. I'm not content with where we are internationally, but let's follow the model of other countries that are successful. They make sure that the needs of the students are being met. Again, as a father and as an educator, that couldn't be farther from the truth.
Peter Biello: You're here in your official capacity as Department of Education with the Department of Education. So Hatch Act prohibits election questions. So not necessarily an election question, but a goals question, because a lot of the goals you've been talking about today are going to take years to accomplish. How confident are you that these goals are going to be met?
Miguel Cardona: Yeah. Well, you know, I appreciate your your disclaimer there and recognize in the Hatch Act, but the work that we're doing is what we know our schools need. We didn't come to Washington, D.C. to come up with a silver bullet on how to fix education and change it. And then when I leave, those changes go away. Now we're focusing on literacy and numeracy. We're focusing on mental health supports for students. We're focusing on increasing the highly qualified teachers in the classroom. When we give Georgia $50 million to provide mental health supports, those dollars are going to be there long after I'm gone. And there's consensus in the education sector. We need to support our students mental health better. And we're doing that.
Peter Biello: Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, thank you so much for speaking with me. Really appreciate it.
Miguel Cardona: Great to be with you, Peter. Thank you.
Peter Biello: And you can find a video of my full conversation with Secretary Cardona at GPB.org/news.
Peter Biello: That's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. There's always more to see at GPB.org/news. It's a great resource if you want to get caught up on all the Georgia News and if you want to stay updated through Georgia Today, the best thing to do is to subscribe to this podcast. When you do, we'll pop up automatically in your podcast feed every weekday afternoon. And if you've got feedback or a story idea, something we should know about. Send it to us by email. It goes to the whole team. The email address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Oct. 16 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Donald Trump hosts a rally in Cobb County; voters tell us why they decided to head to the polls; and Gullah-Geechee community members react to the cancellation of a referendum that would have had big consequences for Sapelo Island.
On the Tuesday, Oct. 15 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia voters turned out in record numbers today on this first day of early voting; a state judge rules that election officials are required to certify the results of the upcoming presidential race; and students in one of the school districts hit hardest by Hurricane Helene return to class.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Oct. 11 edition of Georgia Today: The man accused of killing UGA nursing student Laken Riley has his first court hearing; a new lawsuit from election officials in Muscogee County joins others challenging the State Election Board; and we talk with the recipient of this year's Georgia Author of the Year award about his winning book.
On the Thursday, Oct. 10 edition of Georgia Today: Congress is working on disaster relief for farmers; More Georgia counties have been added to FEMA's list of major disaster areas; The Carter Center celebrates World Mental Health Day today
Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, October 10th. I'm Orlando Montoya. On today's episode, a bipartisan group in Congress is looking to secure disaster relief funding for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene, 47 Georgia counties have been declared major disaster areas, and the Carter Center is highlighting World Mental Health Day today. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1
Orlando Montoya: The University of Georgia is putting its initial estimate of Hurricane Helene's damage to Georgia agriculture at $6 billion. GPB's Chase McGee has more on a bipartisan push in Congress to secure farmers more relief funding.
Chase McGee: Georgia's congressional delegation is leading a joint political effort to fund agricultural damages in the Southeast. Senator Jon Ossoff announced that he will work alongside Georgia Representative Austin Scott to seek financial compensation for self-reported damage, bypassing normal pathways through the USDA.
Jon Ossoff: This country is always better served, and Georgia is always better served when elected leaders in both parties put aside their partisan differences and do what's in the national interest and in our state's interest.
Chase McGee: For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee.
Orlando Montoya: More than 40 agriculture organizations in Georgia have announced a fundraising effort to support Georgia farmers affected by the storm. It's at SupportGeorgiaFarmers.org.
Story 2
Orlando Montoya: Meanwhile, Governor Brian Kemp has shed some light on how Georgia went from 11 counties initially declared major disaster areas following Hurricane Helene to 41 counties. Those decisions are made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, ultimately under the president's direction. While speaking in Savannah yesterday, Kemp said he told Joe Biden's chief of staff that the initial designated made it look like if you weren't in those 11 counties, you weren't hit hard.
Gov. Brian Kemp: I just said, look, you're creating kind of a political problem here. People feel like that no one cares about them. And I said, you're going to hear about that when you come down here. But they immediately got on that. They understood that. So they were very receptive to our lobbying, if you will.
Orlando Montoya: FEMA soon after increased the designation to 41 counties bringing millions of dollars in federal relief. It's now 47 counties with more to come possible.
Caption
Milton rapidly strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday and was forecast to become a Category 5 storm on a path toward Florida, threatening a dangerous storm surge in Tampa Bay and setting the stage for potential mass evacuations less than two weeks after a catastrophic Hurricane Helene swamped the coastline.
Credit: NOAA
Story 3
Orlando Montoya: Kemp is pledging to send National Guard troops and other state resources to Florida once recovery from Hurricane Milton begins there. GPB's Benjamin Payne has that story.
Benjamin Payne: Speaking in Savannah late Wednesday afternoon, Kemp said he expects Milton to have minimal impact on Georgia. Some 50,000 Georgians are still without power after Hurricane Helene hit two weeks ago. But Kemp said the state should be able to free up resources to help Florida with Milton.
Gov. Brian Kemp: Now, if we're needed here, we'll stay here, take care of our folks first. But with the amount of power we have coming back on, people's water coming back on, grocery stores opening back up, we've been able to pull back some of our guard resources so we can redeploy them if needed to Florida, we just have to wait and see what, if anything, they would request of us.
Benjamin Payne: Public schools in Savannah's Chatham County will hold classes online today because of Milton. Some other districts in southeast Georgia will be closed, including in Brunswick's Glynn County for GPB News I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Story 4
Orlando Montoya: A federal judge won't order Georgia elections officials to reopen voter registration because of disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene. At least for now. The judge said yesterday that three voting rights groups haven't yet done enough to prove the disruptions unfairly deprived people of the opportunity to register last week. Monday was Georgia's registration deadline. Another hearing on the matter was scheduled for today. State officials and the state Republican Party argue it would be a heavy burden on counties to order them to register more voters as they prepare for early in-person voting to begin on Tuesday. The plaintiffs, including Georgia's NAACP, say widespread power outages, county office closures, mail delivery suspensions and other issues kept people from registering.
Story 5
Orlando Montoya: Early in-person voting does start on Tuesday, and election officials in the state's most populated county are preparing for voters to cast ballots. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports Atlanta's Fulton County has made several changes since Georgia's contentious 2020 presidential election.
Amanda Andrews: Fulton's new election hub facility consolidates all Election Day vote counting and support operations under one roof. Officials are also preparing for a series of election rule changes, including a hand count of ballots. Fulton Director of Registration and Elections Nadine Williams, says they're also training additional poll workers.
Nadine Williams: Some people might fall off. We still have to recruit. You know, sometimes people sign up, then they go to training, decided this is not right, I don't want to do this. So, you know, we have a reserve list that we have to pull from.
Amanda Andrews: Early voters can check wait times on the Fulton Votes Mobile App. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.
Caption
Former President Bill Clinton speaks during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 21, 2024, in Chicago.
Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Story 6
Orlando Montoya: Former President Bill Clinton will campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia on Sunday as part of a bus tour through the Southeast. The location for Clinton's visit has not yet been announced, but campaign officials say he's targeting rural areas and will take a bus tour through eastern North Carolina as well. Former President Donald Trump visited Georgia earlier this month after Hurricane Helene. He'll return to the state for a National Rifle Association event in Savannah on October 22nd and heads to Duluth for a Turning Point PAC rally on October 23rd.
Story 7
Orlando Montoya: Embracing the arts, whether dance, music or visual, is one way to promote mental health and healing for the whole community. That's what the Carter Center is highlighting for World Mental Health Day today. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more.
Ellen Eldridge: The Carter Center's mental health program is collaborating with Emory University and its Carlos Museum for Atlanta's Healing Arts Week. Experts say embracing the arts, whether through dance, music or visual mediums, can promote good mental health for entire communities. Director Eve Byrd says mental health care is a human right.
Eve Byrd: Environments and communities that embrace mental health and wellbeing helps those without illness remain healthy and those with illness reach their recovery goals.
Ellen Eldridge: Byrd says. In addition, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum in Atlanta is celebrating World Mental Health Day with a new exhibit: Stand and Witness Time in the Art of Covid 19. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 8
Orlando Montoya: Delta Airlines says its third quarter earnings fell 26%, largely because of the fallout from a technology outage that caused several thousand canceled flights in July. It's the second straight quarter that Delta's profit has dropped from the same period last year. Delta said today that it expects to return to year over year earnings growth in the fourth quarter.
Story 9
Orlando Montoya: All right, Atlanta foodies, we now know when the Michelin guide will reveal its 2024 Atlanta dining guide. We learned this week that that will happen during a ceremony at the Georgia World Congress Center on Monday, October 28th. This year marks the city's second dining guide from the French tire company, which awards coveted stars, Bib Gourmands, and other distinctions to restaurants worldwide, including in Atlanta. In 2023, Michelin recognized 45 restaurants in the city of Atlanta, and within its perimeter, no restaurants were recognized by the guide last year outside of the perimeter. Sources indicate, however, that that might change with the 2024 guide. In addition to learning, if new restaurants achieve Michelin status of any kind, the ceremony also will reveal whether current restaurants in the guide have retained, leveled up or dropped out of the guide altogether.
And that's it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org/news and subscribe on this podcast to keep us current in your feed and send us feedback to GeorgiaToday@gpb.org.
I'm Orlando Montoya. I'll talk to you again tomorrow.
On the Wednesday October 9th edition of Georgia Today: FEMA works to clean up debris from Hurricane Helene as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida; A minor plane collision jars passengers at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport; And as part of Georgia Pre-K week, a former UGA Bulldog reads to children.
Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, October 9th. I'm Orlando Montoya. On today's episode, FEMA helps residents of Georgia clean up from Hurricane Helene. Even as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida. A minor plane collision last month jarred passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. We'll tell you what was behind the collision. And as part of Georgia Pre-K week, a former UGA Bulldawg and a former NFL player talks about children's literacy. Those stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Orlando Montoya: As Georgia continues to recover from Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton is bearing down on Florida. This busy hurricane season has put emergency services in the spotlight and no agency more than the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA to help answer some of the questions. We're going to speak now with Jaclyn Rothenberg, FEMA's public affairs director. Thanks so much for talking to me today.
Jaclyn Rothenberg: Thank you for having me.
Orlando Montoya: There seems to be some confusion about FEMA's specific role in Georgia for Hurricane Helene recovery. What are you responsible for? And talk about some of the things you're doing.
Jaclyn Rothenberg: Yeah. So FEMA is responsible for helping these communities recover following the disaster, things like debris removal. Helping people get access to our individual assistance program. I believe now there are about $50 million we've given out to nearly over 60,000 households. That's people that have applied for assistance from FEMA. And so our objective right now is to make sure we help reach as many people as possible, that they continue applying for more assistance from us by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
Orlando Montoya: And there are different types of financial aid that some people qualify for. Can you talk about immediate assistance? This is that $750 amount we've heard so much about.
Jaclyn Rothenberg: So I'm really glad you asked that question because you're right, there has been a lot of confusion about this program. The $750 is intended to be for immediate needs for people. That includes things like clothing or medicine, baby formula. FEMA's individual assistance program is quite broad and includes assistance for things like home repair. Our Serious Needs Assistance program, which is where people hear that $750 from, which is really the beginning of what you'll receive from FEMA and includes personal property assistance. If your roof is is damaged, if you have mold in your home. And so there's a variety of different options that you can qualify for if you apply for assistance from FEMA, that's by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.
Orlando Montoya: With electricity still out in some places as well as unreliable cell service. What's the best way for people to reach you?
Jaclyn Rothenberg: So the best way to reach us. So we have our disaster survivor assistance teams that are going into neighborhoods to sign people up for assistance if you're someone that doesn't have power. We also have our disaster recovery centers that are opening across the state and will make sure that you have that information so you can give out those addresses. Those are some of the best places for people to sign up for assistance from FEMA. We also have our disaster assistance.gov, as well as our hotline to help people sign up if they have access to a phone.
Orlando Montoya: Longer term, what kinds of assistance are available and who qualifies?
Jaclyn Rothenberg: Longer term, so we have our public assistance program. That's for the state to rebuild critical infrastructure or any of those bigger projects that were damaged, things like roads, bridges, schools. And then our individual assistance program. There is still time for people to apply for assistance from FEMA if you're in one of those areas. And so that's why it's really important that people apply as soon as possible to get you into the system.
Orlando Montoya: And finally, how is all of this straining your resources this hurricane season? Do you have what you need?
Jaclyn Rothenberg: FEMA does have what it needs in order to respond to both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. We have been funding the C.R. that was passed, gave FEMA additional funding to be able to respond to these two events. But in terms of staffing FEMA trains for this, we have a 24,000 strong workforce that is deploying into the field that is ready to manage both of these events. We have people, especially in the state of Florida, that have been helping the state recover from hurricanes Adelia and Ian and Debbie, as well as Helene, and they are also going to be supporting Hurricane Milton.
Orlando Montoya: Jacqueline Rothenberg, FEMA's public affairs director, thanks so much for talking to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Jaclyn Rothenberg: Thank you.
Caption
Savannah mayor Van Johnson
Credit: The Current
Story 2:
Orlando Montoya: As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida's Gulf Coast, Tropical storm warnings were issued on the Atlantic coast as far north as Savannah, about 200 miles from the projected path of the storm center on Georgia's coast. Storm surges of between 2 and 4ft could overrun some low lying roads and wind gusts of up to 45mph could break off large tree limbs and cause power outages. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson urged residents to prepare for what he called "a scary storm".
Van Johnson: We just did this and now we're back in this again. Then we look at our friends in Florida. Many of them are in Savannah and they don't know if they have a home to go back to.
Orlando Montoya: The Red Cross says all Florida travelers fleeing Hurricane Milton can find safety and shelter in Georgia evacuation centers. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more.
Ellen Eldridge: Those heading to Georgia can find safe locations to wait out whatever Milton brings, but they may need to go a little farther. Often, evacuees seek shelter in the Valdosta area close to Interstate 75 and just over the Florida border. But that area is still trying to recover from Hurricane Helene. Susan Lawler is with the Red Cross. She says people can find a place to stay using the Red Cross phone app that helped one Florida family get to Macon. They drove 18 hours and they were able to find the evacuation center on the app and they drove right there and she told her husband, We are leaving. Lawler says people without a smartphone can also find a place to stay by calling one 800 Red Cross. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 3:
Orlando Montoya: As Floridians prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says federal partners have had boots on the ground for weeks as they clean up damage from Hurricane Helene.
Deanne Criswell: Across all of the states that have been impacted by Helene, I have over 5200 federal responders. Remember, FEMA is just part of the team. And so that is from across the federal government, from all of our partners, supporting the response and the recovery efforts in all six states that were impacted.
Orlando Montoya: Criswell emphasized that FEMA and its partners are working alongside state and local governments to handle what she describes as an increase in the number of disasters. Volunteers also are working to help South Georgia residents. One campground run by the Methodist Church has become a staging ground for people offering assistance. The Reverend Jerry Hudsen is the director of Camp Tigert in Berrien County. He says many in his Valdosta congregation have been without power or water for nearly two weeks.
Jerry Hudsen: We had a real brief church service, but afterwards we passed out cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products and stuff like that to the community.
Orlando Montoya: Volunteers of all faiths have come from across the Southeast to provide relief supplies and help with cleanup, including debris removal.
Orlando Montoya: A Fulton County judge has dismissed a petition that would force Governor Brian Kemp to investigate three members of the state election board. GPB's Sarah Kallis has the latest.
Sarah Kallis: Fulton County Superior Court judge Ural Glanville dismissed the petition filed by state Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes. Her lawyers argued Kemp must hold a hearing to investigate Trump backed members of the board Janelle King, Rick Jeffries and Janice Johnston, who are accused by his own parks and others of ethics violations. The judge sided with Kemp's lawyers, who argued the governor is not obligated to act since formal charges have not been filed against the SEB members. But attorney for the petitioners, Wayne Kendall said,
Wayne Kendall: And we are going to be filing an immediate appeal because we think these board members are operating in a rogue manner that is unethical.
Sarah Kallis: Meanwhile, the state election board continues to meet as the presidential election nears. On Tuesday, board members voted to subpoena documents from Fulton County's 2020 presidential election, despite Attorney General Chris Carr saying the election is closed. Member Janet Johnson also proposed additional monitors for Fulton, even though the county favored a group proposed by former Secretary of State Attorney Ryan Germany and monitors from the Carter Center.
Sarah Kallis: The state election board will not support that team and will will not consider their findings valid when they present them. The board will meet again before the November election. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 4:
Orlando Montoya: Aviation safety officials have issued their preliminary report on a taxiway mishap last month at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Nearly 300 people were aboard two planes when that larger plane's right wing hit the smaller plane's tail, knocking the tail over and rotating the smaller plane by nine degrees. One crew member reported a minor injury, but otherwise no one was hurt in what passengers reported as a jarring experience. The National Transportation Safety Board report says the larger plane's pilot was looking away from the smaller plane's tail when the collision occurred.
Story 5:
Orlando Montoya: An environmental official for Metro Atlanta's Rockdale County collapsed and died at the state capitol yesterday after testifying at a hearing about the bio lab fire. Lawmakers say 62 year old soil and water Conservation District Supervisor Kenny Johnson complained of shortness of breath for collapsing and being rushed to a hospital. He just had spoken alongside other frustrated Rockdale County residents about the fire and its subsequent hazardous plume, which lingered over the community for a week. Stone Mountain State Representative Viola Davis remembered Johnson for his, quote, unwavering commitment to environmental justice.
Story 6:
Orlando Montoya: State environmental officials have approved permits for four wells to send 4 million gallons of water a day to the Hyundai plant, now producing electric vehicles in southeast Georgia. The permits, issued Monday by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division allow Bullock and Bryan counties to withdraw a total of about 6.6 million gallons of water per day from the region's underground water source, the Floridan aquifer. The wells have sparked intense pushback from local residents, farmers and environmental groups. The permits require the counties to create a fund to reimburse people whose nearby wells are affected by the new withdrawals. They also require the counties to stop using the wells after 25 years, during which time EPD officials expect the counties to find an alternative water source. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper blasted the agency for allowing, quote, industry to monopolize our limited, pristine groundwater.
Story 7:
Orlando Montoya: Many Georgia pre-K programs this week will welcome political leaders and local celebrities to read to children. As part of Georgia pre-K Week, a celebration of the state's pre-K program. One of those celebrities is Georgia resident and former NFL star Malcolm Mitchell. As a wide receiver for the New England Patriots, he helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2017. Before that, the Valdosta native had an award winning football career at the University of Georgia. But he says his biggest achievement is reading. Mitchell joins me in the studio now. Thanks for coming in.
Malcolm Mitchell: So happy to be here. Happy to share. Thank you for having me on.
Orlando Montoya: Now, you excelled at football early, but when did you realized that you were struggling with reading?
Malcolm Mitchell: Well, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I was born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia, home to the winningest high school football program in the country. So it's very easy to understand how I gravitated toward playing that sport in that type of environment. The consequences for growing up in a financially deprived community is that I did not always understand the importance of an education. The reason for that is that there are not many people walking around touting their academic accolades and how it empower their future. So there is just this disconnect between understanding how reading having an education can get me where I wanted to be at in life.
Orlando Montoya: Was it hard to tell people?
Malcolm Mitchell: Well, I don't think it's very popular to run around shouting that you struggle to read, especially with the athletic accolades that I possessed. I believe I was an all SCC freshman of the year. But having a hard time reading Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss.
Orlando Montoya: You talk about your moment with The Tell-Tale Heart, that that was a particular moment as well.
Malcolm Mitchell: Fair enough. I remember being in my English 1102 class, and I wish I could remember the professor because she did an expounding job. But there was this moment where we were asked to read aloud in class and popcorn reading style. For those who don't know, it's when one student reads a paragraph and has the option to call on any other student in the classroom to read a paragraph. And for someone who struggles to read, it's a nightmare. In fact, reliving those moments during this conversation is making me sweat. And there's one student who volunteered to read the entire passage. And when she began to read, I immediately felt inferior because I know I didn't possess that same ability. And as a competitor, I wanted to do something about it.
Orlando Montoya: What would you tell others in that situation now? People who might have problems reading, maybe they're in high school or earlier and they can't tell people, what would you tell them?
Malcolm Mitchell: I grew up in an environment where it was not uncommon for individuals to have. Only their mother or their grandmother or their aunt. I grew up in an environment where it wasn't uncommon for financial challenges to persist on a daily basis. I've also had the privilege of playing in a Super Bowl between. That wide range of perspective. I have concluded that reading being literate is the most self empowering tool a person could possess. I understand that it could be challenging. I understand that it can be difficult. I understand that you may not always understand its value because it is delayed gratification in a world that's full of immediate gratification. But if you struggle, I encourage you not to ignore that. Because whatever you want to accomplish, it is more likely to happen if you can read proficiently.
Orlando Montoya: You've written that you visited bookstores and libraries to help you learn. What books in particular helped you learn picture books?
Malcolm Mitchell: I love reading children's literature, and that's what inspired me to start writing and becoming a author myself.
Orlando Montoya: And you expressed your own voice in your first children's book, The Magician's Hat, while you were in college. That's right. Did you did this to challenge others? Did it also challenge yourself?
Malcolm Mitchell: 1,000%. When I became so inspired by books, transitioning to writing wasn't necessarily my fear. Understanding how to put together a sentence and the structure of literature was a challenge because I was not an avid reader. But the Magician's Hat became this opportunity for me to try to inspire others. How books had inspired me.
Orlando Montoya: And now your share. The Magic Foundation, encourages others. It's partnered with Georgia Literacy Council and others on Georgia Reads. What's that and how can people get involved?
Malcolm Mitchell: I'll start by sharing. At this point of my life, reading has trumped any. Athletic accolade that I possess. Even winning the Super Bowl share, the Magic Foundation was created to inspire kids to read. Since 2016, we've encouraged over a million students. Have participation, all 50 states and 16 other countries. One of our partnerships that we formed recently is with the Georgia Council on Literacy for the Georgia Reads campaign, and it's to publicly acknowledge communities that are making great efforts in increasing literacy rates amongst their their students. The campaign is really centered around creating a unified effort in the state of Georgia to amplify literacy resources, the literacy message as a whole, and get everybody on the same page, understanding that a person, a community, a city or a state cannot move forward if the people that are living within that state are not embracing reading as a tool to empower their future. I don't care how much technology is incorporated into our daily lives. Having the ability to read, to think critically and analyze information based on this skill set is one that goes unmatched.
Orlando Montoya: What kind of books do you like to read today?
Malcolm Mitchell: I read a picture book to my son, Oakley, every night. I read a lot of biographies now. And I read a lot of fiction. It's still reading that my creativity really blossoms if I am trying to extract some new emotion out of myself. I usually read. If I'm trying to think of new ideas, I usually read if I'm trying to find a sense of freedom in. All the challenges that the world has to offer on a daily basis, I read. So it's kind of encapsulated every aspect of my being at this point.
Orlando Montoya: Malcolm Mitchell, formerly of the New England Patriots and Super Bowl champion and an avid reader. Thank you for joining me today.
Malcolm Mitchell: I appreciate you, my friend. Thank you.
Orlando Montoya: And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. We'll continue to follow Hurricane Helene recovery and Hurricane Milton as it brings wind and rain to Florida and Georgia. Reminder, there's a lot of great information about storm resources at the federal and State Emergency Management Agency websites. Those are GEMA.Georgia.gov and DisasterAssistance.gov. Find more about these stories on Georgia Today at gpb.org/news. Always hit subscribe to this podcast if you haven't done so already. That'll help you to keep us current in your feed. Send us feedback to GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Orlando Montoya. I'll talk to you again tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
Tags: Atlanta Georgia Podcast news
On the Tuesday, October 8th edition of Georgia Today: GEMA response to Hurricane Milton; and Atlanta's pandas are headed home.
Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Tuesday, Oct. 8. I'm Orlando Montoya. With another hurricane headed towards the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency has been very busy. On this episode, we'll get a glimpse of how GEMA is helping Georgians while preparing for more evacuees from Florida, Georgia Power's answer to the crisis, and the emotional toll all of this is taking on some people. Plus, Atlanta's pandas are headed home. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Orlando Montoya: Officials in Florida are ordering many residents to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton. But parts of South Georgia, where they normally go, are still without power and water after Hurricane Helene. Georgia Emergency Management Agency director Chris Stallings is advising evacuees to avoid areas hit by Halloween, like Valdosta and others preparing for Milton impacts like Brunswick.
Chris Stallings: Make sure you get further north, not just for hospitality and room availability, but also so that you're completely out of the way of the storm. I'd hate for you to evacuate Florida only to come to Georgia and not get far enough north and you're impacted here.
Orlando Montoya: This hurricane season has been especially busy for GEMA. Tropical Storm Debby and then Hurricane Helene blew through the state in quick succession, slowing down applications for much-needed disaster relief. Stallings applauds the efforts of his partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Chris Stallings: They're in office with us right now. We've got a full team. There's about 40, maybe 45 members of FEMA downstairs right now that are working very hard to — to make sure we've got recovery efforts going on in Georgia.
Orlando Montoya: The head of FEMA says misinformation about the government's response to Helene is, quote, "absolutely the worst" she's ever seen. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell today said the rumors are hurting morale among responders and prompting people not to ask for help.
Deanne Criswell: This one is at a level that I honestly have never seen before. I anticipated some of this, but not not to the extent that we're seeing it.
Orlando Montoya: Some of the false claims are linked to comments made by former President Donald Trump and his supporters. FEMA has had rumor control pages in the past to deal with false websites and fraud.
Caption
Satellite image of Hurricane Milton on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
Credit: NOAA
Story 2:Orlando Montoya: Some interstate highways were jammed and many flights were canceled today, as travel between Georgia and Florida becomes increasingly difficult ahead of Hurricane Milton. The storm is expected to make landfall on Florida's west coast tomorrow. Georgia 511 this afternoon showed Interstate 75 northbound slow north of Valdosta, north of Macon and north of Atlanta. And the state of Georgia's Welcome Center at Valdosta was closed because of a plumbing issue. GPB's Grant Blankenship spoke with evacuees at a rest stop near Macon. Kelsey and Brant Yantzer left Tampa with their two daughters at 8 p.m. Monday and had made it to Macon by 1:30 p.m. today.
Kelsey Yantzer: Found a rest area. There's no hotels, but right after we got into Georgia around 5 a.m. and we slept for two hours. We're lucky we got a parking space. Like, people were parked wherever they could.
Orlando Montoya: Felicia Mendez says she also had been on the road since Monday. She's on her way to Nashville, Tenn., and is says she fared better than her friends during Halloween, but is taking no chances with Milton.
Felicia Mendez: I wasn't personally affected. I know people that were, who lost everything. Five feet of water in their homes, lost their cars, everything. So it's not a joke. Yeah, don't. And when they tell you to go, go.
Orlando Montoya: Adam Myers of Port Charlotte, Fla., was at the rest stop filling up his truck from a jerry can in the truck's bed. He said he saw many evacuees stranded looking for gas on Interstate 75.
Adam Myers: I saw a lot of cars that didn't get gas ahead of time and went out on the road. And then so you see them on the side of the road. You know, I started out, I'm going to say like 11:00 at night, and it was just nothing but like cars, like bouncing back and forth between each side of the road.
Orlando Montoya: About 7 million people are under evacuation orders in Florida. The Red Cross is opening shelters this afternoon in Albany, Cordele and Columbus, with a cluster of five in Middle Georgia, from Warner Robins north to Jackson. Flight tracking website FlightAware showed 55 flights, mostly to or from Florida, canceled at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport today.
Story 3:Orlando Montoya: Hundreds of lives lost and billions of dollars in damage. The emotional toll from Helene is weighing on many across the Southeast. In Valdosta, the state has set up resources to connect people with mental health services in the storm's wake. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports.
Ellen Eldridge: The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is providing mental health services for storm victims throughout Georgia Recovery Project. The federally funded program helps residents and first responders needing help, including hard-hit farmers. Agricultural communities in Georgia already struggle with higher rates of suicide. Kevin Tanner is the commissioner of the DBHDD. He is also encouraging people to call the 988 crisis line.
Kevin Tanner: Even if we're not able to know about someone's need, if they have access to a cellphone or a landline, they can call 988. And — and through that we can dispatch mobile crisis to them.
Ellen Eldridge: Tanner says support teams will be on the ground in the area for a few months and plan to monitor mental health longer term. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 4:Orlando Montoya: Georgia Power is extending and expanding customer assistance programs following Hurricane Helene. The company said yesterday it is suspending disconnections, waiving late fees and pausing collection activities for residential and business customers through at least Dec. 15. A Georgia Power official says the utility encourages residents to pay their bills on time to avoid falling behind, but is ready to support customers facing challenges. The company says it has restored power to 99% of impacted customers. About 7,000 Georgia Power customers, though, mostly in the Augusta area, remained without power as of Tuesday afternoon, 11 days after the storm hit. The situation in the state's rural areas, served mostly by electric membership cooperatives, is substantially worse. Georgia EMC, representing the cooperative, says 65,000 EMC customers, mostly in South Georgia, are still without power.
Story 5:Orlando Montoya: And finally on the storm, on this episode, Gov. Brian Kemp today did extend the state of emergency for counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. He said he did that today to ensure state resources remain available.
And you can always find the latest from our state officials on the storms by visiting GEMA.georgia.gov. And for our latest coverage about Helene — and now Milton — in Georgia, visit GPB.org/storms.
Caption
Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated and others told to shelter in place after a fire at a chemical plant Sept. 29, 2024.
Credit: Rockdale County via X
Story 6:Orlando Montoya: Residents of metro Atlanta's Rockdale County are voicing frustration over a week of shelter-in-place orders and business closures because of the BioLab fire. The plant making chlorine for pools caught fire on Sept. 29 and sent a chemical plume across the county and region for days. County Sheriff Melody Maddox was among residents who spoke today at a panel of lawmakers at the state capitol.
Melody Maddox: I would like to see our community protected. Compensate those residents that had to move, that have nowhere to go, that have no food. We're helping our other victims of Hurricane Helene. But what about the victims of this? I understand people want pools, but they need to find somewhere else to put that plant.
Orlando Montoya: The company says it's launching a call center to address compensation and other questions.
Story 7:Orlando Montoya: Georgia high school seniors posted a record graduation rate of 85% this year, up slightly from 84% in 2023. The State Department of Education said today the rate has increased 18 points since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation first required by federal law in 2011. The record high school graduation numbers are among several indicators of student success announced in recent weeks. The class of 2024 also beat the national average on the SAT and showed strong gains on the Georgia Milestones tests.
Credit: Allexa Ceballos/GPB News
Story 8:Orlando Montoya: After 25 years, Zoo Atlanta is saying goodbye to its giant pandas. The zoo's four pandas are set to depart this month and return to China, marking the end of a yearslong partnership with the zoo focused on species conservation. GPB's Sofi Gratas spoke to panda fans about what it means to be the fluffy bamboo-eating bears farewell.
Dana Grantham: Test. Test. Can you all hear me? That's much better.
Sofi Gratas: It's a Monday morning and Zoo interpreter Dana Grantham is collecting a group near the flamingos at the zoo's entrance. This is one of the final chances visitors have to sidestep the crowds and get a glimpse of the giant pandas.
Dana Grantham: And this is a cool time to come to the zoo and see what we call the morning routines.
Erin Adams: So probably a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity because they're leaving so soon. Yeah, we wanted to make sure that we got to do that.
Sofi Gratas:That's Erin Adams. It's not her first time at the zoo, but she says she doesn't remember taking notice of the pandas on previous visits. Yet her and husband Chris are decked out this morning in homemade T-shirts, black acrylic paint on white, made to look like a giant panda face.
Erin Adams: I'm also a twin, so I'm also drawn to the pandas because they're twin sister pandas. And I'm a twin sister.
Chris Adams: Nice little twinship.
Erin Adams: Twinship with the pandas.
Sofi Gratas: Zoo Atlanta got its first pandas in 1999, named Lun Lun and Yang Yang. They came on loan from the Chengdu Research Base in China, which is focused on species conservation through breeding. That's been largely successful in Atlanta. Lun Lun and Yang Yang bred seven cubs, including two sets of twins, while at the zoo. Since even pandas born abroad are considered Chinese property, most are already back at Chengdu. Twins, Ya Lun and Xi Lun and their mom and dad, now retired from breeding, are the last to be returned. Zoo interpreter Dana Grantham admits it's a loss.
Dana Grantham: I'm just going to say it. Yang Yang is my favorite animal in the whole universe. There. I've said it officially.
Sofi Gratas: Unfortunately for Grantham, Yang Yang doesn't make an appearance on this day in one of the two indoor enclosures set at a stable 65 degrees. But Mama Panda Lun Lun does. visitor Eddie Wiley watches as she gets comfortable like she's in her recliner.
Eddie Wiley: Yeah, behind the glass. I think they're the funniest creatures in the world. They're just really chill sitting, eating their bamboo.
Sofi Gratas: Meanwhile, 8-year-old panda Ya Lun kind of smiles at the group from behind the glass and tumbles around her enclosure.
Holly Burdette: It's just kind of like a feeling of awe when you look at them.
Sofi Gratas: Holly Burdette, whose family visits zoos across the country, remembers the public appearance of the first set of panda twins, born over a decade ago.
Holly Burdette: It was like I wanted my son to be able to see the pandas and to spend time with them. And even if he doesn't remember, he'll at least have the pictures of them.
Sofi Gratas: For years, these pandas have been an ambassador for their species. Along with millions of visitors have come millions of dollars for conservation and research, helping move the giant pandas from endangered to vulnerable. That's the legacy that Zoo interpreter Dana Grantham says she'll keep sharing even when the pandas are gone.
Dana Grantham: The thing I'm most frequently saying these days at the zoo is how proud I am of what we've done. Like, although I'm going to miss them, we've done amazing work and this was always the plan.
Sofi Gratas: She hopes whatever animal comes next can get the same attention and a chance at a similar success story. For GPB News, Sofi Gratas in Atlanta.
Orlando Montoya: The only time I ever made it to the Atlanta Zoo, the giant pandas were not out that day. They were hiding or otherwise unavailable. So I have not seen the giant pandas. And if you're like me, you only have a little bit of time left to go see them. Farewell to our panda friends. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to find out more about these stories, visit GPB.org/news. Hitting subscribe on this podcast helps us out, but it also helps you out as well. It will keep you current with us in your feed. If you have anything to suggest: stories or a correction, even, send that to us at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. We welcome feedback. I'm Orlando Montoya. I'll talk to you again tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
Tags: Atlanta Georgia podcast news hurricane pandas
LISTEN: On the Monday, Oct. 7 edition of Georgia Today: As Georgia residents picks up the pieces from Helene, another substantial hurricane is making its way to land; the state supreme court reinstates Georgia's controversial abortion ban; and the Georgia hemp industry deals with new regulations.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Oct. 4 episode of Georgia Today: President Biden visited Valdosta to survey storm damage; former President Trump and Gov. Brian Kemp toured storm damage near Augusta; The Savannah Bananas announced their 2025 tour which includes the home of the Atlanta Braves, Truist Park.
On the Thursday, Oct. 3rd episode of Georgia Today: The death toll continues to rise in the wake of Hurricane Helene; Voting rights groups are searching for eligible voters; the Braves' season is over
On the Wednesday, Oct. 2nd episode of Georgia Today: Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta and promised Federal funds for hurricane clean-up; there is a new hotline for persons affected by the chemical fire in Conyers; the Atlanta Braves lost the first Wildcard playoff game
On the Tuesday, Oct. 1st episode of Georgia Today: Attorney General Chris Carr plans to appeal the rollback of Georgia's abortion ban; A group of attorneys is filing a class action lawsuit in response to the chemical fire in Rockdale County; Celebrating President Jimmy Carter's 100th Birthday
On the Monday, Sept. 30 episode of Georgia Today: Georgia's abortion law has been struck down; a chemical fire in Rockdale County has residents sheltering in place; President Jimmy Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, joins the podcast in celebration of 100 years of Jimmy Carter
On the Friday, Sept. 27 episode of Georgia Today: Governor Brian Kemp confirmed deaths in Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Helene, We take a trip around the state and get updates from hard-hit communities. Plus, some good news: the Super Bowl is expected to return to Atlanta.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Sept. 26 episode of Georgia Today: President Biden officially approved the State of Georgia’s emergency declaration as Hurricane Helene bears down; Coca Cola ditches what it had claimed was a "permanent" new flavor; and despite a season full of injuries, the Braves' playoff hopes are still alive.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Sept. 25 edition of Georgia Today: The Red Cross is urging people to prepare to lose power as Hurricane Helene makes landfall; a new lawsuit seeks to overturn provisions of a voter registration law; and the SAT scores of Georgia students continue to beat the national average.
On the Tuesday, Sept. 24 edition of Georgia Today: A hurricane is headed towards Georgia; Apalachee High School officials are providing counselors, therapy dogs, and an increased police presence as students return to school; and dockworkers in Brunswick and Savannah will most likely go on strike next week.
Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Monday, Sept. 23. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, Appalachee High School students return to class three weeks after the shooting that claimed four lives. A Black voting rights group leads registration drives at three Georgia HBCUs. And some of Georgia's coastal communities get grants to help build more housing. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Caption
Community members and students gather around a flagpole on the Apalachee High School campus near Winder, Georgia, on Sept. 8, leaving flowers and messages to memorialize the four people killed in the Sept. 4 shooting there.
Credit: Andy Miller for KFF Health News
Story 1:Peter Biello: Students in Northeast Georgia's Winder return to Apalachee High School this morning, nearly three weeks after a gunman killed two students and two teachers there. GPB's Chase McGee has more.
Chase McGee: Rows of busses pulled into the school parking lot on Monday. Some of them painted with messages saying "Chee strong," a slogan repeated on billboards and posters around the county. Students weren't expected to open books. Instead, they had to familiarize themselves with the changed campus. J-Hall, the scene of this month's shooting, is now completely blocked off. The classes that met there will now meet in a county-owned building 4 miles away. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith says the community has shown strength and resiliency.
Jud Smith: The love that we give our kids and the love that we give our parents and our staff and teachers, it will always prevail over what happened.
Chase McGee: Students will get back to their classes on Tuesday. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee.
Story 2:Peter Biello: With just over a month before Election Day, presidential candidates continue to court Georgia voters. GPB's Sarah Kallis has the latest.
Sarah Kallis: Vice President Kamala Harris pitched her stance on abortion to a crowd in Cobb County Friday. The speech came days after a ProPublica story found a woman in Georgia died after delayed abortion care. Harris stood in front of signs that said "Trust Women" and slammed Trump's stances on abortion.
Kamala Harris: We're saying that we're going to create public policy that says that a doctor — a health care provider — will only kick in to give the care that somebody needs if they're about to die?
Sarah Kallis: Former President Trump is also reaching out to Georgia voters. He will hold a rally in Savannah on Tuesday. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 3:Peter Biello: A nonpartisan Black voting rights group held registration drives at three historically Black colleges and universities in South Georgia last week. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: Black Voters Matter took its bus tour to Albany State, Fort Valley State and Georgia's oldest public HBCU, Savannah State. That's where junior and Vidalia native Mya Bird registered to vote for what will be her first presidential election.
Mya Bird: As I've gotten older, I've started realizing like, okay, the presidential election involves our future, our lives and especially as college students, our funding and college.
Benjamin Payne: Melinee Calhoun is an organizer with Black Voters Matter.
Melinee Calhoun: When you're on campus, a lot of times students feel like, Well, I'm only here for school, but for those four years you're living in that community. There may be things in your community that you want to see change and your vote can make the difference.
Benjamin Payne: Georgia's voter registration deadline for the presidential election is Oct. 7. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne at Savannah State University.
Caption
HBCU
Story 4:Peter Biello: Georgia's HBCUs are flexing their political and economic muscle. A new report shows they have $1.6 billion in economic impact in the state. The United Negro College Fund this month detailed the jobs, student lifetime earnings and other financial windfalls that they create. The fund's CEO, Michael Lomax, called HBCUs "resilient institutions coming back, quote, "stronger than ever" following the pandemic.
Michael Lomax: These institutions do more to impact local economies than are really given — they're given credit for. Most of their students come from a geographic area near where the institution is located. And when they graduate, guess where they go? Back into the community that they came from.
Peter Biello: The report included Georgia's nine HBCUs, among others nationwide.
Story 5:Peter Biello: Coastal Georgia is the beneficiary of a fifth round of grants through Gov. Brian Kemp's Rural Workforce Housing Initiative. Brunswick and Chatham County will receive just under $5 million for infrastructure, supporting 129 housing units. The governor launched the program early last year during his annual State of the State address to the General Assembly. The grants are overseen by the One Georgia Authority. The city of Brunswick will get $2.5 million to build water, sewer, road and drainage improvements, which will enable dozens of homes to be built, and Chatham County's grant of $2.3 million will go towards infrastructure projects for both single and multifamily homes.
Story 6:Peter Biello: The Georgia Department of Public Health expects a 46% increase over the next decade in the number of Georgians diagnosed with dementia. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more.
Ellen Eldridge: Cognitive decline creates challenges for workers and employers. Nancy Treaster is from Duluth and hosts The Caregivers Journey, a podcast for dementia caregivers. She transitioned to part time work a decade ago when her husband developed dementia. She then fully retired when her father-in-law's Alzheimer's disease progressed.
Nancy Treaster: And I was 62 at the time anyway. So, you know, "work, it's fine. It's time to give up work." And that's really when I felt like I was doing giving up work because I was old enough to retire. But at the same time, I loved my job. I'd worked there 26 years, but at the same time it was time to give it up.
Ellen Eldridge: The Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association recommends training employers on the warning signs of dementia and the laws governing Americans with Disabilities Act. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 7:Peter Biello: Georgia's average gas price fell below $3 per gallon for the first time since January last week and continued to decline this week. Fueled by weak demand and lower crude prices, auto club AAA said today the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Georgia is now $2.94, down from $2.98 last week.
Caption
Opera
Story 8:Peter Biello: The Atlanta Opera plans to build a $45 million performing arts center on the city's popular bike and pedestrian trail, the Atlanta BeltLine. The opera said today the center will transform an existing clubhouse overlooking the historic Bobby Jones golf course in Northwest Atlanta. Construction on the project is expected to be complete by 2027.
Story 9:Peter Biello: In sports, the Atlanta Falcons had plenty of opportunities to beat Kansas City, but miscues and trouble converting on third down helped the Chiefs hold on for a narrow 22 to 17 victory yesterday. Atlanta lost starting center Drew Dolman to an ankle injury and starting right tackle Caleb McGary was sidelined with a knee injury. In baseball, Michael Harris II tripled, single and scored as the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 5 to 4 yesterday. The Braves are now two games behind the New York Mets for the third NL Wild Card, which makes the two-game series against the Mets this week important if the Braves want to play some October baseball. The Braves are off today, but expect to start Spencer Schwellenbach tomorrow against the Mets and Chris Sale on Wednesday.
And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. We appreciate you being there and listening to Georgia Today. Because you value this service, we hope that you'll support it with a gift in any amount, because everything you hear from GPB, whether it's on the air or in a podcast, is made possible by people just like you. Give at GPB.org, or call (800) 222-4788. If you want to learn more about any of the stories you heard on this podcast, visit GPB.org/news. We've also got new headlines there all the time, so check it out. And if you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet, do it now. That'll keep us current in your podcast feed. If you have feedback for us, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Friday September 20th edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Election Board passes a rule requiring a hand-count of ballots; Vice President Kamala Harris rallies voters in Atlanta; And hundreds of students across the state walk out to demonstrate for gun safety.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Friday, September 20th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, the Georgia Election Board passes a rule requiring a hand count of ballots. Vice President Kamala Harris rallies voters in Atlanta and hundreds of students across the state walk out to demonstrate for gun safety. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: The state election board passed arguably the most contentious of 11 new rules that it had been considering at a closely watched meeting today. The vote goes against the advice of Georgia's secretary of state, attorney general and local election officials. GPB's Grant Blankenship reports from the state capitol.
Grant Blankenship: A 3 to 2 largely party-line vote approved the rule, mandating a hand count of paper ballots at the close of polls at every poll site before the actual tabulation of votes or even before submitting them to county election heads. Many local elections directors who spoke before the vote, like Tate Hall of Cobb County, said they oppose the rule because its mere passage violates the federal National Voting Rights Act. By coming inside the 90 day quiet period before an election.
Tate Hall: Yesterday, Cobb County emailed just over 1000 ballots to our uniformed and overseas voters. First ballots are out the door. The election has officially begun.
Grant Blankenship: In a memo to the state election board, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said the hand count of ballot rule is not at all supported by state law. Carr said other proposed rules were likely an overstep of board authority, too. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Atlanta.
Caption
Kamala Harris
Story 2:
Peter Biello: For the first time since she ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to deliver a speech focused squarely on abortion rights. The speech is scheduled for this afternoon in Cobb County, north of Atlanta. And it comes as reports emerge of women dying in the wake of Georgia's abortion ban. It's part of a turn toward personal stories her campaign is focusing on. GPB's Chase McGee reports, last night, she rallied voters in an online event featuring Oprah Winfrey and guests from Georgia.
Chase McGee: Rally guests included a student shot and injured during a school shooting at Apalachee High School. A gunman opened fire in her ninth grade algebra class. Flanked by her parents, Natalie Griffith spoke with Harris about her injuries.
Kamala Harris: Where were you shot? Where were you physically shot?
Natalie Griffith. Right here on my shoulder and then around here. Right wrist.
Chase McGee: Harris says she plans to address gun violence with policy, saying that while she supports the Second Amendment, she also supports common sense legislation, including an assault weapons ban. Other guests included a Georgia mother who lost her daughter after delayed abortion care. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee.
Peter Biello: Meanwhile, Donald Trump's campaign is expected to announce a blitz of Trump Vance appearances next week, including a Savannah rally. The former president also is expected at the Georgia Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa on September 28th.
Story 3:
Peter Biello: Hundreds of students at dozens of schools across the state walked out of class this morning in solidarity with students at Northeast Georgia's Apalachee High School. The demonstrations were student led, but many were school sanctioned, so students did not leave their campuses. Students remembered the four people killed in the Apalachee High School shooting this month and urged political leaders to do more to curb gun violence. In Winder, the last of four funerals for the shooting victims drew hundreds of mourners. Community members gathered last night for a viewing at St Matthew's Catholic Church of 14 year old Christian Gabriel Angulo. And this afternoon, hundreds gathered in a standing room only service. Angulo is the last of four victims to be laid to rest, marking the end of a two week stretch of funerals and memorial services across northeast Georgia. Barrow County School officials say classes will resume at Apalachee High School on Tuesday.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: New hemp regulations are set to take effect October 1st, starting a week from Tuesday. Retailers will be prohibited from selling hemp products to anyone under the age of 21. The new law also imposes on manufacturers labeling, packaging and testing requirements. Hemp growers, manufacturers and retailers will have to obtain licenses and pay a licensing fee. Violators will be subject to criminal misdemeanor charges and civil penalties. The new law prohibits the sale of any hemp products containing more than the legal limit of 0.3% of THC, the psychoactive drug that gets users high. That means retail stores may continue to sell gummies, tinctures and nonalcoholic CBD beverages, but anything smokable and food products will no longer be permitted.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: Four children might not be breathing on their own if not for innovative technology. From Georgia Tech and pediatric cardiologists at Children's Health Care of Atlanta. But the support is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. And Atlanta is one of a handful of places nationwide to offer infants the surgery. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more.
Ellen Eldridge: Justice Altidor and her twin sister journey speak their own language.
Justice Altidor: speaking twin language
Ellen Eldridge: The four year olds might not have been speaking at all without an experimental surgery to keep Justice's airway from collapsing when she was an infant, their mother, Emanuela Altidor, says she knew justice had a heart condition before she gave birth to the twins.
Emanuela Altidor: Well, they knew she had the double aortic arch. They just didn't know how severe it was until she was born. And then they were on standby. By the grace of God, to take her a whisk her away.
Ellen Eldridge: Because of the advanced knowledge of Justice's heart issue, doctors rushed her to the neonatal intensive care unit before mom could even say hello and hold her baby.
Emanuela Altidor: After I did recovery. I was able to see her and she was intubated and she stayed that way all the way, so she got the surgery. Then four months later.
Ellen Eldridge: Doctor Kevin Maher is a pediatric cardiologist with Children's Health Care of Atlanta. He says infant heart issues also often come with weak trachea airways not strong enough for babies to breathe. Maher says in his hospital, these are some of the most common issues they see in neonatal intensive care, but there aren't great treatments available.
Dr. Kevin Maher: You know, we've had these kids that can spend, you know, their entire life with a breathing tube. And the moment you would take out those breathing tube, the airways would collapse and they would go immediately go into respiratory arrest.
Ellen Eldridge: Now, a team of Georgia Tech engineers have developed a custom 3D printed splint to support the newborn airway. Think of it as a cast on the baby's own trachea. But Stronger Children's is one of only five hospitals in the nation offering the surgery. And while the procedure waits for full FDA approval, every single surgery has to wait for its own go ahead from the agency so far. Justice is the fourth patient at children's approved for the supportive device. The medical team submitted Justice's case to the FDA for approval, which they got in October 2020 amid the Covid 19 pandemic.
Emanuela Altidor: We're recording in the hospital. For the most part. They were, allowing me to go back and forth because I did have journeys still, here and needed to care for her as well.
Ellen Eldridge: Justice could eat and breathe on her own just a few weeks after surgery, and she was discharged from the hospital. The Altidore family recently celebrated the twins fourth birthday in the Bahamas. The family is back home now, preparing for back to school with a math skills board game.
Emanuela Altidor: Zero! Okay.
Ellen Eldridge: There is no after surgery. The device just dissolves in the throat over time. And aside from the scars, all Justice knows about the surgery are the stories she hears.
Emanuela Altidor: You had a surgery, right?
Justice Altidor: Yes. Since I was a baby, I have had a surgery.
Emanuela Altidor: After she first came out the surgery, you can feel the plastic in her chest. Now, it's just. It's just a flat surface. You wouldn't even know that she has something done with your scars from your surgery,.
Justice Altidor: Mr. Potato!
Emanuela Altidor: Oh, you're being silly.
Ellen Eldridge: Altidor says she can only imagine what Justice's life could have been.
Emanuela Altidor: Well, mommy's so happy you had your surgery, because now you can say stuff like "Mr. Potato!".
Ellen Eldridge: Dr. Maher says a fifth use of the 3D airway at children's is being planned, pending the okay of the surgery from the FDA. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: Addiction care providers have been invited to apply for part of George's share of settlements with major opioid manufacturers. There are a lot of ways that money could be spent. People in active addiction and those closest to them have some ideas about how, as GPB's Sofi Gratas reports.
Chandler Seklecki: Yo yo yo, what up though?
Sofi Gratas: It's past sundown and Chandler Seklecki and Sydney Mckee have pulled into a laundromat parking lot in Augusta
Person: Hi.
Sofi Gratas: Their job: to distribute supplies that aid in safe drug use.
Person: I put it in here?
Sofi Gratas: One of their regulars brings them a plastic red bin of used needles and dumps it into the sharps container that Chandler and Sydney drive around with. Sydney goes to the trunk of the car to grab new needles.
Chandler Seklecki: It's gonna be 200.
Sydney McKee: They all longs?
Chandler Seklecki: Yeah.
Sofi Gratas: This exchange has been legal since 2019, when Georgia passed a syringe service program law to help prevent the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. It's an example of what's called harm reduction. But Chandler and Sydney's clients don't just get needles. They also get clean cookers. cotton used to filter injected drugs, condoms and water. There's also plenty of Narcan used to reverse overdoses.
People: Oh, word. Yeah. Tourniquets!
Chandler Seklecki: It's like Christmas, right?
Person: Right!
Sofi Gratas: The hope is all this stuff will keep these women and their friends from dying. Over five years, more people have overdosed from opioids here in Richmond County than in any other county within Region 2, a boundary created for opioid settlement fund distribution that also includes Macon and Athens. The idea is that projects in this community and others like it could get grants from court settlements to tackle the opioid epidemic. Harm reduction worker Sydney McKee says it's vital during this process that people directly affected are heard.
Sydney McKee: When you want an expert's opinion, you go to the expert. And the experts are the users. So they have to be included in these big decisions.
Sofi Gratas: That's how Richmond County's needle exchange started. About 50,000 needles are distributed here every year, largely thanks to Chandler Seklecki. He's lost count of the times he's been revived by Narcan.
Chandler Seklecki: I've absolutely stopped breathing in a lot of these hotels.
Sofi Gratas: Now he's in recovery.
Chandler Seklecki: Being an IV user for 20 plus years myself, the fact of the matter is, you are going to inject drugs with whatever utensils you've got — like, whatever gear you've got your hands on. It's — it's going to happen.
Sofi Gratas: Even if that gear is unsafe. So with donations from other users, he started ordering needles online and handing them out.
Chandler Seklecki: If I didn't do something about it, nobody else would.
Sofi Gratas: Today, the supplies Chandler and Sidney hand out are paid for by the Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition. They hope if the larger organization applies for funds, that it will trickle down to pay for more of the work they do. Some see this work as the first step in helping someone in addiction. Others worry harm reduction prolongs drug use. But though it doesn't happen often, Chandler and Sydney do connect people to addiction treatment, too. We pull into a motel to meet Robbie and Sara. We're not using their last names. By now, the sharps container is almost halfway full.
Sarah: This helps a lot because it gives us a way to stay clean, to stay scar-free.
Sofi Gratas: Sarah is what harm reductionist would call a secondary. Someone who both benefits personally from a needle exchange but also shares with others.
Sarah: And that's the rule. Like, if we give somebody, a couple bags or whatever, we're like, hey, don't sell these. Don't do nothing else with these other than give them to people that need them.
Sofi Gratas: But sometimes there's not enough to go around. Sarah remembers a recent call she got about an active overdose.
Sarah: My homegirls are like, "Oh my God, he's dead, he's dead, he's dead! We need Narcan. We need Narcan." I was like, "Robbie. Narcan. Run."
Sofi Gratas: He ran a mile away to the motel managed by April.
April: How are you?
Sofi Gratas: She says six people have overdosed here since December.
April: I should be handing room keys with a thing of Narcan.
Sofi Gratas: April thinks money should fund more harm reduction.
April: You'd probably see a lot less deaths.
Sofi Gratas: But also:
April: Another step in the right direction would be to open a clinic close by.
Sofi Gratas: There's one rehab center in Augusta and two centers that offer medication for opioid use disorder. But April says they're too expensive and not where the users are. Plus, there's no recovery center where people through rehab can maintain sobriety and where people like her or even first responders can find Narcan easily.
April: Where the deputies can go 2 miles up the road and say "We ran out of Narcan. The city hasn't given us any. We need more."
Sofi Gratas: So far, that job — flooding the streets with Narcan and safe supplies — has largely fallen on the users and those who care about them.
Chandler Seklecki: Robbie, I love you.
Person: Love you, man.
April: Appreciate it, brother.
Sofi Gratas: For GPB News, I'm Sofi Gratas in Augusta.
Story 7:
Peter Biello: Wilderness Outfitters and paddling enthusiasts told state lawmakers today that billions of outdoor recreation dollars are at stake with a new law addressing property and fishing rights. The House Study Committee on Navigable Streams is tasked with defining which Georgia rivers and streams are navigable and thus open to fishing and paddling and which are off limits. The committee met today at Northeast Georgia's Unicorn State Park near Helen, as it works to implement a property and fishing rights bill signed into law earlier this year.
Story 8:
Peter Biello: Georgia has surpassed 100,000 electric vehicle registrations. The State Department of Revenue confirmed the number this week. Frank Morris of Clean Cities Georgia says Georgia's charging network and the price and range of electric vehicles are all improving.
Frank Morris: We're a large state, so 100,000 vehicles doesn't sound like a lot. But if you go back a few years ago, you know the numbers were in the 20,000. So we are making progress.
Peter Biello: 100,000 represents about 1% of total vehicle registrations in Georgia.
Story 9:
Peter Biello: In sports, the Atlanta Dream have clinched a spot in the WNBA playoffs after a 78 to 67 win over the New York Liberty last night. The Dreams Tina Charles had a record night finishing ten points and ten rebounds to break the league records for both career rebounds and double doubles. The Dream and the Liberty will play again Sunday in the first round of the post-season in New York. And in baseball, the Braves kick off a three game series against the Marlins in Miami tonight. This comes after a 15 to 3 win in Cincinnati yesterday. The Braves remain two games behind the Mets who occupy the last National League wild card spot. Five home games remain for the Braves, and two of those are against the Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.
Peter Biello: That's it. Thanks so much for listening to Georgia Today. Because you value this podcast and because you value other things you get from GPB, perhaps Morning Edition or All Things Considered. We ask you to support it with a gift during our fall fun drive. 10 or 15 bucks a month or a one time gift of $100 and you'll be supporting everything you hear on GPB, whether it's through the air, through the website or podcasts like this one. Give at GPB.org or call (800) 222-4788. And thanks so much. If you want to catch the latest news any time, visit GPB.org/news. And remember to subscribe to this podcast. We will be back in your podcast feed Monday afternoon. If you've got feedback sent to us by email, the address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. Have a great weekend.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Sept. 19 edition of Georgia Today: Sen. Jon Ossoff pushes legislation that he says will help fix the Postal Service; the State Election Board is set to vote on more rule changes ahead of the November election; and a Braves fan favorite is hanging up his cleats for good.
On the Wednesday, Sept. 18 edition of Georgia Today: A trio of bail fund administrators have the money laundering charges against them dropped; candidates for Chatham County district attorney clash at a forum in Savannah; and the Atlanta Botanical Garden celebrates the blooming of four rare African corpse flowers.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, Sept. 18. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, a trio of bail fund administrators have the money laundering charges against them dropped. Candidates for Chatham County District Attorney clash at a forum in Savannah. And the Atlanta Botanical Garden celebrates the blooming of four rare African corpse flowers. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Peter Biello: State prosecutors have dropped some charges against three people indicted in connection with protests against a police and firefighter training center being built in Atlanta. The three were charged with money laundering and charity fraud as part of a sweeping prosecution against 61 activists. Marlon Kautz, Adele Maclean and Savannah Patterson coordinated legal aid for those arrested. Civil rights groups called their indictment a heavy-handed effort to silence a political movement. It's unclear why the state attorney general's office dropped the charges, but they and 58 others still face racketeering charges. Meanwhile, city officials expect the training center to open in December.
Story 2:Peter Biello: The two candidates for district attorney in Savannah's Chatham County clashed over their experiences but agreed on Georgia's abortion ban in a forum this week. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: Democratic incumbent Shalena Cook Jones told a new program she began since taking office in 2021.
Shalena Cook Jones: We've started a conviction integrity unit and a cold case unit and have successfully prosecuted 20-year-old cases. I'm proud of that, because what that shows is that we never give up on justice.
Benjamin Payne: She criticized Republican challenger Andre Pretorius, who serves as an assistant DA in Effingham County for only being experienced in prosecuting misdemeanors. Pretorius criticized Cook Jones for dismissing many backlogged cases.
Andre Pretorius: I didn't want to run for DA, but now, when I heard what was going on in that office and I worried about the safety of my kids and the amount of mass shootings that happened, I want to be able to take my kids downtown.
Benjamin Payne: Both candidates said they would not prosecute cases under Georgia's six-week abortion ban. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Story 3:Peter Biello: Global food and agriculture firm Cargill has chosen an Atlanta technology hub as the location for a new office expected to employ about 400 people. The company said in June that it would establish a new tech and engineering center in Atlanta. Cargill confirmed today that it's subleasing space in Georgia Tech's Technology Square.
Caption
Maya Peters-Greno uses a small brush to clean the grime away from a recently recovered headstone in the Penfield African American Cemetery in Greene County.
Credit: Grant Blankenship/GPB News
Story 4:Peter Biello: A relatively newly remembered burial ground yields more questions than answers as universities pieced together missing links in the history of Georgia's enslaved populations. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more on the effort.
Grant Blankenship: Cicadas sing above a grove of magnolias and hardwoods as Maya Peters-Greno kneels over a small tombstone and cleans it. It was only a month ago when Peters-Greno, a history graduate student at the University of Georgia, first saw this headstone and dozens of others in the woods around her.
Maya Peters-Greno: We were just like — we didn't even know what to say. Like, just our jaws were, like.
Grant Blankenship: The understory is filled with royal blue pin flags' color complement to the deep green of the trees, each flag marking a spot where ground-penetrating radar indicated a forgotten grave. But that's not the part that left Peters-Greno speechless.
Maya Peters-Greno: Well, I mean, first of all, that the wall — like, the cemetery wall was built so late, I think. Because they said it was like 1940s, 1950s.
Grant Blankenship: What does it suggest to you that that wall was built so late?
Maya Peters-Greno: Oh, so much hatred, I think.
Grant Blankenship: The wall is low and red brick, separating the dead. On one side, a well-kept white cemetery where many of the founding generation of Macon's Mercer University and their kin rest. On the other, the graves of African-Americans dating back to the 1830s. The existence of this space was forgotten and unknown to people at Mercer, and even to those who grew up in nearby Greensboro until just a few years ago, when a white groundskeeper elected to pass the knowledge on before he died. Around the same time, a Mercer alumnus studying history in the Scotland graduate school found records describing how the then-Mercer Institute was likely built by enslaved labor.
Spencer Roberts: Right. We have a sign-in sheet. I've got spare parts and stuff.
Grant Blankenship: Spencer Roberts leads digital initiatives at Emory's Pitts Theological Library and coordinates these volunteer cleanup days. He says he's here partly because Penfield might provide a model for Emory as it looks at its own history on its Oxford campus. Roberts says workers in Penfield are beginning to put a number on the burials in this 4-acre site.
Spencer Roberts: We think there are about 1,500.
Grant Blankenship: That's the high estimate. But over 1,000 burials have now been documented but unexplained.
Spencer Roberts: The numbers are just too high here to really explain that number of people.
Grant Blankenship: So why are so many people buried here? Beginning in the 1830s, Mercer Institute was where the leaders of Georgia's white-hot plantation economy educated their sons. Mercer historian Doug Thompson says planners also loaned enslaved labor to the school.
Doug Thompson: We have, through Census data in the 1850s, a recognition that there was a large enslaved population in Penfield. The cemetery is a confirmation of that.
Grant Blankenship: Spencer Roberts suspects when enslaved people from the nearby plantations died, planters saw burying them on tillable land as bad business, so they might have thought:
Spencer Roberts: This land is not useful because it's too hilly. So let's all use that to bury the folks that we have enslaved in our plantations, which would make this a communal enslaved persons' burial ground, which is a unique thing. They don't have many of those throughout the South.
Grant Blankenship: Mercer's Doug Thompson says burials continued here after slavery ended. They stopped in the 1950s after the wall went up.
Doug Thompson: So part of what we're having to work through is who made it go up.
Grant Blankenship: The effect seems clear for generations of Mercer University students, who annually day-trip here for what's still called the Penfield pilgrimage.
Doug Thompson: We stopped learning about the economic system that was undergirding the development of Penfield, which was slavery.
Grant Blankenship: You forget, which makes every grave found and tombstone cleaned...
Maya Peters-Greno: That's, like, so much better.
Grant Blankenship: ...an act of remembering. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Penfield.
Credit: Pamela Kirkland
Story 5:Peter Biello: The Atlanta Botanical Garden celebrated the blooming of not one but four rare African corpse flowers earlier this month. If you blinked, you might have missed it. And researchers don't know when we might see something like this again. GPB's Pamela Kirkland has this audio postcard from the brief but spectacular event.
Derek Pinson: So this is the tropical Rotunda support.
Pamela Kirkland: Derek Pinson is a tropical horticulturist here at the Botanical Garden. He takes me through a maze of misters, plants and flowers.
Derek Pinson: This space is meant to emulate an immersive experience in a rainforest. You might have noticed the sounds here. We have phantasmo poison frogs. They're not poisonous in captivity. They're the ones you can hear. Like, the kind of trill sound. Being able to experience the chorus of frogs. It's very cool. Carmine is an alligator snapping turtle. You see him back there?
Pamela Kirkland: Hi Carmine!
Derek Pinson: Yeah. Visitors love him.
Pamela Kirkland: While there's something to see in every square inch of the Fuqua Conservatory, it's the smell that the visitors here today are hoping for.
Visitor: I didn't smell it, but the way he's explaining things, I'm, like, "fascinating!"
Pamela Kirkland: That smell they're looking for? The signature scent of rotting flesh coming off of the rare African corpse flower to attract the flies that pollinate it.
Derek Pinson: Botanical name is aristolochia goldieana. It does not bloom very often at all. It's a very rare thing.
Pamela Kirkland: The stench really only lasts the first day, according to Pinson. The plant even looks like flesh with bright purple veining along the leaves.
Derek Pinson: We've had a few visitors coming through who are looking for the full experience. Of course, I would be, too.
Visitor: Isn't that beautiful?
Visitor: So bizarre.
Derek Pinson: So it has a vining habit. It grows as high in the canopy as it can get to take advantage of the sunlight. And then it flowers at ground level because that's where its pollinators hang out.
Pamela Kirkland: Visitors here like Julia Jones wanted to make sure they didn't miss their chance to see it.
Julia Jones: Yeah, I was scared that it was going to die off before I got to see it. I came back in town last night and I was trying to get some friends to come, but they had other stuff going on. Like, this is really important to see.
Pamela Kirkland: The blooms only lasted about a week. As for the next time we might see the African corpse flower...
Derek Pinson: There is a possibility that it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this. We — we don't really know exactly what conditions came together and just the right way to cause it to bloom.
Pamela Kirkland: But Pinson hopes marvels like this one keep a curious public coming back for more.
Derek Pinson: For anyone who's curious at all, or even anyone who's new to the plant world completely. Sometimes this is all it takes. Something that's just so fascinating and eye catching and rare like this to sort of open your eyes to the fascinating qualities of all the plants around us.
Pamela Kirkland: For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland in Atlanta.
Story 6:Peter Biello: Former President Jimmy Carter's upcoming 100th birthday brought together a star-studded roster of celebrities and dignitaries in Atlanta last night. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Sarah Kallis: Artists and community leaders praised Carter's legacy inside and outside of the White House as they walked the red carpet at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Bernice King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter, spoke at the event as well.
Bernice King: His incredible work around peace and justice and equality and being very fervent in that and grounded in his faith and leading this nation I think is remarkable and worthy of continuing to be honored. And we're glad he's still with us.
Sarah Kallis: A celebratory concert followed the red carpet. The B-52's, India.Arie and others performed. Carter is set to become the first U.S. president to reach 100 years of age on his birthday Oct. 1. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 7:Peter Biello: In college football: UGA all-American guard Tate Ratledge underwent tightrope surgery on his sprained left ankle on Monday and is expected to miss a handful of games. Ratledge, a senior from Rome, Ga., was hurt in the second quarter of the team's 13 to 12 victory at Kentucky last Saturday. Tightrope surgery involves an orthopedic implant that is used to stabilize an ankle after injury. The procedure typically has a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks.
In golf, fans can get more of the Masters Tournament in April 2025. The Masters and CBS said yesterday they are expanding weekend coverage of the tournament by five hours, bringing the total hours of live coverage to 23. The Masters Tournament is held every year in April in Augusta, Ga.
And in baseball: Michael Harris II and Matt Olson homered for Atlanta but the Braves blew a four-run lead in a costly 6 to 5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds yesterday. Pierce Johnson and Jesse Chavez struggled as Atlanta dropped its third consecutive game. In all, the Braves left 14 runners on base. And with the loss, the Braves fell two games behind the New York Mets for the third NL wildcard. In other words, if the regular season ended today, the Braves start the offseason while others advance to the playoffs. The Braves face the Reds again tonight in Cincinnati.
Peter Biello: And that's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. Because you listen to this podcast, we ask you to also consider supporting it. Public media is brought to you because of you — listeners like you making contributions to GPB, which is a nonprofit and mission-driven. We want to make sure you're informed about your community, and we can only do that with your help. So make a gift at GPB.org in any amount, maybe 5 or 10 bucks a month as a GPB Sustainer. You can give ia GPB.org or call (800) 222-4788. And thanks so much for supporting GPB. If you want to catch the latest news, you could always check our website, GPB.org/news. And make sure you subscribe to this podcast. When you do, we'll pop up in your feed automatically tomorrow. Feedback is always welcome. You can send it by email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Tuesday, Sept. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Kamala Harris says that Donald Trump's policies played a role in a Georgia woman's death; vice president hopeful Tim Walz made a stop in Macon today; and the American factory making one of the most common antibiotics is at risk of shutting down.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Tuesday, Sept. 17. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, Vice President Kamala Harris says that Donald Trump's abortion policies played a role in a Georgia woman's death. Vice presidential hopeful Tim Walz campaigns in Macon. And the American factory making one of the most common antibiotics is at risk of shutting down. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Peter Biello: Vice President Kamala Harris says Donald Trump's role in undoing national abortion rights is to blame for a Georgia woman's death. Amber Thurman died after waiting 20 hours for a hospital to treat complications from an abortion pill. Her death in 2022, first reported by ProPublica yesterday, is the first publicly reported instance of a woman dying from delayed care. Harris and other Democrats are likely to talk about it in speeches and campaign ads as the election approaches.
Story 2:Peter Biello: Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz kicked off a Democratic campaign swing through two battleground states, Georgia and North Carolina, with a stop in Macon today. GPB's Grant Blankenship was there.
Grant Blankenship: Walz first spoke to local Democratic Party volunteers who are working the phones for the campaign, then visited H&H, Macon's legendary soul food restaurant. At the call center, he addressed the second thwarted attempt on the life of Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Tim Walz: We don't solve our differences in this country with violence. We condemn it in all its forms. We solve our differences at the ballot box.
Grant Blankenship: And he challenged his opponent J.D. Vance's statement that school shootings like the one at Appalachee High School in Barrow County are, quote, "a fact of life."
Tim Walz: That is not just a fact of life, people. That is not just a fact of life. And as Donald Trump would know, this violence across the country has got to end. Gun violence has got to end.
Grant Blankenship: Walz reminded volunteers that the path to presidential victory once again runs through Georgia, which he called a privilege for the state. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.
Story 3:Peter Biello: The only American factory making the generic version of the antibiotic amoxicillin is at risk of shutting down. This comes ahead of a season where flu and viruses typically go up. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more.
Ellen Eldridge: U.S. Antibiotics says it can't compete with China on generic drug costs. They're now asking for federal government to support them by purchasing the drug produced here in the U.S. for their own stockpiles. CEO Rick Jackson says access to lifesaving medication is crucial to public health.
Rick Jackson: We're not asking the federal government to subsidize us or give us money. We're asking them to simply purchase what they're purchasing now from us. They are buying a product for the stockpile and the Army and armed services.
Ellen Eldridge: The Food and Drug Administration currently lists amoxicillin in its database of drugs experiencing a shortage. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 4:Peter Biello: In a rare bipartisan consensus about Georgia's election process, both Republicans and Democrats agree that persistent mail delivery delays in the state could cost voters who use absentee ballots their chance to be counted on Election Day this November. Georgia's county election officers joined several dozen of their counterparts from across the nation this month who are raising serious concerns about the U.S. Postal Service's ability to properly deliver absentee ballots on time for the Nov. 5 general election. The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors sent a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that listed a range of complaints about Postal Service processing facilities, inadequate staff training, as well as potentially lost and delayed election mail that could put eligible voters at risk of having their registration canceled or absentee ballots not delivered to local elections offices in time to have the votes counted. Meanwhile, the mail delivery delays are attracting scrutiny from a bipartisan group of Georgia's congressional delegation. Several Republican Georgia members of Congress, including Reps. Andrew Clyde, Mike Collins and Austin Scott, have requested updated information from DeJoy to explain mail delays. Georgia Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff also have asked DeJoy how his organization plans to resolve the problems that caused Georgia to be ranked last in the Postal Service's 2024 quarterly performance report in June.
Story 5:Peter Biello: State energy regulators have approved Georgia Power's plan to buy about 80 megawatts of electricity generated by burning wood chips. The Georgia Public Service Commission voted 4 to 1 today in favor of the company's proposal. Project supporters say more biomass in Georgia Power's energy mix will give a needed boost to the state's forest industry. Project opponents call it a polluting, expensive and unreliable plan that would cost far more than its value to the industry.
Story 6:Peter Biello: Today, scientists have lots of great tools to help them understand how kids brains develop as they grow. But what happens when these tools weren't built with all kids in mind? GPB's Sofi Gratas has more from Macon, where there are ongoing efforts to address this problem. And a quick programing note. This segment has aired before, but we felt it was worth another listen for you. Here's Sofi.
Sofi Gratas: At a Mercer University lab, students are watching each other's brains at work.
Grace Gasaway: You have to make sure that it's equidistanced from, like, this point right here.
Sofi Gratas: Grace Gasaway works on fitting a functional near infrared spectroscopy cap — fNIRS, for short — onto another classmate's head. It looks like a swim cap covered in empty spools of thread. Once on, the cap allows Gasaway and her classmates to see a 3D image of Parth Patel's brain.
Grace Gasaway: Do these hurt?
Parth Patel: No, those don't hurt.
Sofi Gratas: Each empty spool is actually a detector measuring brain activity through an infrared light signal. The signals are read on a computer.
Grace Gasaway: The green indicates that the signal is good and the red indicates, obviously, the signal is bad.
Sofi Gratas: But there's a problem. Patel's hair is really dark and really thick.
Grace Gasaway: I would check these seven in the back here.
Sofi Gratas: On the screen, there's lots of red and yellow, indicating a poor connection with his scalp.
Grace Gasaway: Obviously it's not a good detector because there's all this hair in the way. And this is what takes a while.
Sofi Gratas: It takes moving that hair one detector at a time to get a good connection. While these kids are in college, fNIRS is optimized to study brain activity in younger subjects, says neuroscientist Anastasia Kerr-German, who runs the research happening here.
Anastasia Kerr-German: We can't stick a kid in an fMRI scanner in a wakeful state until they're a healthy 6 or 7 years old, because they won't sit for it.
Sofi Gratas: But by that time, researchers may have missed a crucial window for understanding how things like ADHD and autism develop. fNIRS has helped reach those younger kids, but Kerr-German says:
Anastasia Kerr-German: Now we've found that you can't use it with any little kid that has any kind of hairstyle outside of flat, straight hair.
Sofi Gratas: The hair most white kids have. This is why this cutting-edge research has so far largely left out Black and brown kids. That could reinforce prejudices in children's mental health. For example, white boys are more likely than others to be diagnosed with ADHD. A diagnosis can lead to support. Meanwhile, Black boys more often get labeled with behavioral issues for which they may be punished. German wants to see these trends change, so she's creating a more inclusive type of fNIRS cap.
Anastasia Kerr-German: The lowest-hanging fruit, in our opinion, is to address the disparities, based on race in this technology. We're going to actually do this down lower...
Sofi Gratas: For now, the prototype involves flexible plastic used to weave fNIRs detectors onto a participant's head. It's affordable to recreate, and Kerr-German hopes this model gets approved for use across the country.
Anastasia Kerr-German: Let her hair rest on top.
Sofi Gratas: But student Alexandria Shells, also working in the lab, says it will take more than just fixing the tech. Shells is Black and recognizes mistrust runs deep.
Alexandria Shells: We're very protective, I think — as we should be; a lot of harm has been done to our community, especially coming from research institutions. And so I think our biggest goal with this project is, like, helping build trust.
Sofi Gratas: At the Child Development Center at Central Georgia Technical College, Kerr-German has been welcomed to start building that trust. She moves around a classroom of preschoolers.
Anastasia Kerr-German: That's one popsicle and two popsicles.
Sofi Gratas: Playing with them.
Anastasia Kerr-German: That's right, three popsicles! Good job!
Sofi Gratas: But also watching for any signs that a kid may need extra support. She'll share what she sees with parents in the hopes that information can help a child succeed.
Anastasia Kerr-German: We also, hopefully will be building bridges to where these communities want to then come be a part of research.
Sofi Gratas: It's a first step, she says. But a big one. For GPB News, I'm Sofi Gratas.
Story 7:Peter Biello: Gov. Brian Kemp has signed an order allowing state schools to pay athletes directly for name, image and likeness deals. The move comes as athletic conferences nationwide battle in court over the issue of college players getting paid. Kemp says his order puts Georgia's student athletes on a level playing field with those in other states. It also says no state funds can be used to pay student athletes.
Story 8:Peter Biello: Georgia broke tourism records last year for the second year in a row. Gov. Brian Kemp announced the numbers in Atlanta at his annual tourism conference today. Georgia domestic and international visitors rose by 5 million in 2023 to a record 171 million. The industry supported more than 463,000 jobs of more than 20,000 jobs over the previous year.
Peter Biello: And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. And if you want to learn more about any of these stories or catch the latest news, visit GPB.org/news. And remember to subscribe to this podcast. This is a great way to stay on top of all things that are happening in Georgia. And if you subscribe, we will pop up automatically in your podcast feed tomorrow. And if you've got feedback or a story idea that we should be pursuing, let us know by email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Monday, Sept. 16 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia schools use a new technology to enable a swift response in active shooter situations; a subcommittee by Sen. Jon Ossoff looks into Georgia's abortion ban; and a new study explores what is driving up the rate of childhood obesity in the state.
Orlando Montoya: Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Monday, Sept. 16. I'm Orlando Montoya. On today's episode, Georgia schools use a new technology to enable a swift response in active shooter situations. A subcommittee by Sen. Jon Ossoff looks into Georgia's abortion ban, and a new report explores what's driving up the rate of childhood obesity in the state. Those stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Orlando Montoya: Apalachee High School now has a return to class plan following the shooting that killed two students and two teachers there on Sept. 4. The school's principal says the return will be phased in starting Sept. 23. Other schools in the district went back to class on September 10th. Winder resident Sonya Turner has two daughters at Apalachee High School.
Sonya Turner: And there's a lot of those students in that high school that want to go back. They want to overcome this and go back and be strong. But then on the flip side, you have students who can't even eat. So there's not a one size fits all.
Orlando Montoya: She says she expects the return to be more about healing than instruction.
Story 2:Orlando Montoya: A teacher who survived the shooting is thanking first responders, family members and others for their support in his recovery. David Phoenix was shot twice on Sept. 4 and said in a statement posted on Facebook yesterday that that day will be, quote, "forever etched in his memory." He was released from the hospital on Friday.
Story 3:Orlando Montoya: Law enforcement officials are praising new technology used by Barrow County schools for enabling a swift response to the shooting. That crisis alert system includes a wearable badge with a button that, when pressed, will summon security. And other schools in Georgia are using this technology as well. Gwinnett County Schools chief of police Tony Lockard spoke with GPB's Peter Biello about the technology.
Peter Biello: So schools in Gwinnett County use these badges, which are made by a company called Centegix. Can you tell me a little bit about what stood out to you about this company's system when you selected it?
Tony Lockard: What we were looking at was the timeliness of the responses; that it actually populates to the administration or district-level individuals or our officers receiving the alerts. Also, the functionality, how user friendly is it, and so forth. And also given feedback again from our faculty and staff.
Peter Biello: Tell us more about how it works. It's a wearable badge for teachers and staff, not for students. What happens when they press the button or how does the button work?
Tony Lockard: So the way the technology works is it's a badge. If you think of something the size of a credit card and it can be on a lanyard around your neck, in a little sleeve. I'll use this example. You could have a teacher that goes to use the restroom and walks into a public restroom at the school and finds a student lying on the ground, possibly experiencing a seizure or something like that. They can push the button on the badge three times and we say it's a three-button push, which is indicative of "I need help." One, two, three: I need help. And then what will happen: inside the school, it'll send an alert. That — that three-button push will hit one of the beacons that's very close proximity, like in the bathroom. It'll hit the beacon. It'll send a signal to individuals designated inside each school. This is commonly administrators and school nurse and also the school resource officers. They'll get an alert.
Peter Biello: Not only does it send an alert, but it actually sends location information. So you have instant information about what's happening and where in the school that is happening?
Tony Lockard: That is correct, Peter. It's actually, it'll — it'll send a, like a map overlay of the school letting us know where that where that sensor is, is, is hitting. And then if the administrator is not at their desktop, if they're out walking around in the school, it will also send them an alert to their phone. So then they also — they have multiple ways of receiving that alert.
Peter Biello: And can you tell us a little bit about how the Centegix system would enable teachers and staff to call for a lockdown?
Tony Lockard: It is — it's basically a force multiplier, and I'll use that same scenario. A teacher, a staff member walking into the parking lot and they possibly see some suspicious activity. It could be that they see an individual taking a gun out of a car. They do an eight-button push. It'll automatically put the school into a hard lockdown. And inside, what will happen, the beacons, they will turn red. They'll start like a, almost like a, like a police light, like a red light circling — a strobe. And then also what we've integrated is with our PA system. So it'll make an announcement. We don't want a teacher, if they see something suspicious, that they have to "Well, let me get my cellphone and call 911. Or do I call the front office? Do I call the principal?" It's additional eyes and ears in all of our schools that help keep our schools safe.
Peter Biello: Well, Gwinnett County Schools chief of police, Tony Lockard, thank you so much for speaking with me. Really do appreciate it.
Tony Lockard: Thank you so much, Peter.
Story 4:Orlando Montoya: Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and his Democratic opponent are both campaigning in Georgia today. Vance is expected to rally conservative evangelicals at the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual dinner tonight in metro Atlanta's Cobb County. And Democrat Tim Walz is expected to arrive in Macon tonight and give remarks there tomorrow morning before traveling to Atlanta later in the day.
Caption
Abortion
Story 5:Orlando Montoya: Georgia's abortion ban came under fire at a U.S. Senate hearing today. Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff led a subcommittee looking into the ban. MacKenzie Kulik testified about her pregnancy. She said it was non-viable because of a genetic condition and didn't meet the ban's requirements for an exception.
MacKenzie Kulik: If I had not been able to travel out of state, I would have been forced to carry a non-viable pregnancy until the baby died in utero, or I would have developed an infection that threatened my health enough to qualify for an intervention, or I would have had to deliver a baby only to watch her suffer.
Orlando Montoya: She received an abortion in North Carolina. Ossoff scheduled the hearing less than two months before an election in which abortion remains a key issue.
Story 6:Orlando Montoya: A new report from Trust for America's Health shows barriers to nutritious food and physical activity are driving up rates of obesity in Georgia communities, especially among children. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more on that story.
Ellen Eldridge: A decade ago, no state reported an obesity rate of more than 35%. But now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are 23, including Georgia. J. Nadine Gracia is president and CEO of TFAH. She says many people view obesity as an individual problem and not a public health problem.
J. Nadine Gracia: Many factors contribute to obesity, not only simply individual behavior, but assuring that really the types of structures and conditions exist in communities that make healthy eating and physical activity accessible and affordable to everyone.
Ellen Eldridge: Other challenges include access to health care, high rates of poverty and housing insecurity. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 7:Orlando Montoya: The family of Ahmaud Arbery is waiting for stalled court proceedings to resume in the case of a former Georgia prosecutor accused of interfering with the police investigation into his killing. A grand jury indicted former district Attorney Jackie Johnson on misconduct charges in September 2021. Now, three years later, the judge overseeing the case acknowledges that it's moving at a snail's pace. But senior Judge John Turner says delays have been unavoidable. One of Johnson's attorneys also is defending Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose racketeering and gang conspiracy trial has dragged into 19 months. Johnson is accused of trying to protect Arbery's shooter and his father, who were later convicted of murder. Johnson has denied wrongdoing.
Story 8:Orlando Montoya: State lawmakers will begin hearings this week looking into the role private water systems should play in meeting Georgia's demands for growth. The issue heated up in this year's General Assembly when lawmakers voted largely along party lines to allow private utilities to provide water where public systems couldn't get up and running quickly. The law was aimed at the massive Hyundai Electric vehicle manufacturing plant being built west of Savannah.
Story 9:Orlando Montoya: Oglethorpe Power is asking for rezoning variance and other special use permits to build a $2 billion natural gas-fired electric plant in middle Georgia's Monroe County. The nonprofit utility announced its intentions to build the plant earlier this year. Last week, the county submitted plans to the State Department of Community Affairs detailing its water, wastewater and other development impacts.
Story 10:Orlando Montoya: And notable figures in politics, film and music are set to take the stage tomorrow for a concert celebrating Jimmy Carter's centennial. The former president remains at home in Plains, where he's been under hospice care since February 2023. The concert will be recorded for broadcast on his 100th birthday, Oct. 1. Among the performers, Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, both country music legends, spoke to GPB last week.
Carlene Carter: If it lifts up one soul just a little more, we are doing our job as musicians, and he was doing his job as president by introducing music into the White House in a way it had not been before, which connected him to a whole generation of people that adore him. And I am in that generation.
Orlando Montoya: The concert will take place at Atlanta's historic Fox Theater, and its broadcast special will air on GPB-TV on Oct. 1.
Orlando Montoya: And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, including an extended conversation with Carlene Carter and Angelique Kidjo about their performance and Jimmy Carter's impact on music, go to GPB.org/news. You'll find all of our GPB reports there in one place. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, do that now. It helps you to keep us current in your feed. And send us feedback. We'd love to know what you have to say about our podcast. Email us at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Orlando Montoya. We will be back again with more Georgia Today tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Friday September 13th edition of Georgia Today: The killing of four people at Apalachee High School last week raises legal questions about parential responsibility; A judge dismisses four counts in the election interference case against Donald Trump; And the Georgia State election board faces more challenges.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Friday, September 13th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, the killing of four people at Apalachee High School last week raises legal questions about parental responsibility. A judge dismisses three counts in the election interference case against Donald Trump and others. And the Georgia State Election Board faces more challenges. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: More details are emerging about last week's killing of two students and two teachers at Appalachee High School. Investigators said yesterday the alleged gunman, 14-year-old Colt Gray, carried a semiautomatic assault rifle to school hidden in his backpack. He's been charged as an adult with four counts of murder. Authorities also have charged his father, Cullen Gray, with murder and other crimes based on gross negligence. It's only the second time in the U.S. that such charges have been made against a parent. The first time was in Michigan, where a school shooter's parent was sentenced to ten years in prison earlier this year. The case has raised legal questions about parental responsibility, gun laws and other issues. To help us sort them out. We called Emory University School of Law professor John Acevedo. He spoke with GPB's Orlando Montoya.
Orlando Montoya: It's a well-established principle that sons are not responsible for the sins of their father. How is the father in this case responsible, allegedly for the sins of the son?
John Acevedo: Yeah, that's quite an interesting point to raise. We generally don't like liability, tort liability or especially criminal liability for the actions of the others. I think what makes these cases stand out a bit is that both in Michigan and here in Georgia, the parents actually gave the guns to the eventual shooter.
Orlando Montoya: Is there a law against that?
John Acevedo: So it's interesting. And I think this is what really makes it a fascinating case. There really is no law we can point to that the parent broke. Georgia does not have a secure firearms law. The second also allows you to give guns to persons of almost any age. But there's been a long-standing rule in criminal law that you cannot aid and abet a crime. And now the issue becomes how much knowledge does a parent need to have had that the child might do something like the school shooting to be criminally liable. And that's going to be very fascinating to see. The grand jury may not hold those charges. You know, find them true bill, as the phrase goes, that is that they should go forward. And, of course, a 12-person jury may not convict this father. So it's very fascinating as we go forward to see if folks have the stomach to hold parents liable.
Orlando Montoya: You said there's no law that the parents broke. So what law is the father actually charged with?
John Acevedo: So it's interesting to clarify. What I meant was we don't have a law that says it's illegal to give a minor a gun or it's illegal to not secure your guns so that a minor individual can get hold of them. But we do have a law in Georgia on the books that says if you act in a negligent manner, you can be charged with the deaths that occur from that. So I think the best analogy for your listeners is imagine if a parent gave a minor child, a 14 year old alcohol and the keys to the car and the child then tried to drive and hit a bicyclist or a pedestrian. We would probably charge that father with negligent homicide. They gave the alcohol and the car keys to a 14 year old. This is similar to that you gave the gun to a 14 year old who you again, apparently they're claiming, this hasn't been proven yet, but who the D.A. claims was known to be unstable and fascinated with guns. So that's the idea. That's always been that negligence in behavior.
Orlando Montoya: I want to go back to the interaction in 2023 between the police, the father and the son. The police visited their house and questioned them about alleged threats to the school. What's the legal standard by which the police could have intervened at that time?
John Acevedo: So this was threats made against the son's middle school. It was suspected it was made by Colt Gray. And the center would have been probable cause. So the police needed probable cause that he made the threats to the school and they clearly didn't have it or they would have arrested him or charged him and nothing became of that. So they really lacked that probable cause. And probable cause is fairly low. It's beyond mere suspicion. That is, you have some factual basis, and they couldn't find a factual basis. He denied it. It was made on the Internet anonymously. They couldn't tie the account to him, and therefore there really was nothing they could go on.
Orlando Montoya: How far could the legal system take parental responsibility? I can think of drug offenses, any number of crimes that you could hold parents accountable for. Does this apply to all crimes or just big, heinous crimes like these to the school shootings we've been talking about in Michigan and Georgia?
John Acevedo: We have seen parents charged in drug deaths, in alcohol related deaths. So in many ways, it's a revival. A lot of these cases were back in the 80s and 90s where parents had gave birth to children who were addicted to drugs or where parents who did drugs, their children got hold of them and then died. So we've seen these types of cases before, just never with guns. And that's the big step we're moving up from. Items that the parents are intentionally giving the children which are known to cause harm to a gun, which, if used responsibly, won't cause harm. You can imagine most children who own guns use them for hunting, target practice and never really go shooting when those mass shootings are so shocking because they're so rare. We feel like they're occurring every day. And they may be occurring more frequently than we want, but if we look at your average gun owner, your average gun owner isn't killing people. And I think that's the leap forward here as opposed to cocaine or heroin, for example, which tends to kill a lot of people.
Orlando Montoya: And is it legal for children to own guns?
John Acevedo: It is. So it depends on the state. In most states, the child will not be the official title holder of the gun. The parent will be. And it's going to depend on the type of gun. So, for example, black powder guns tend to be unregulated. Anyone from the Boy Scouts, you tend to learn on black powder or .22s, and that's because those can be possessed easily by children. Shotguns in most states are not regulated at 12 or sold at Walmart. Is that the shotgun? We don't really track the serial numbers of those guns like those. And guns like AR. Handguns. Not black powder, but regular bullet handguns, those we track and those you'll see. It's a huge kind of mess of laws across states and jurisdictions. Some states will allow children at 14 to own guns, some at 16, some at 18 at adulthood. So it really varies by state and it causes mass confusion for that. And it will be interesting to see how that plays into the jurors’ minds. In many ways, we can think of the rust case where gun owners were far more offended by the actions of Alec Baldwin than non-gun owners, because for a gun owner, you kind of were taught very early on you don't aim a gun at someone who pull the trigger. We really should never do it. But if you're going to, you need to personally make sure that it is not loaded, which he failed to do. And similarly, in Michigan, a lot of the folks who were in favor of the prosecution were actually gun owners who felt these parents acted irresponsibly. And were giving all gun owners kind of a bad name. So it will be very interesting to see how this plays out in Georgia as we go forward.
Peter Biello: That was Emory University School of Law professor John Acevedo, speaking with GPB's Orlando Montoya.
Story 2:
Peter Biello: Funeral services are being held this weekend for a student and a teacher killed in the shooting. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service for 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn tomorrow in Jefferson and for a funeral service for Cristina Irimie tomorrow in Buford. A celebration of life for Richard Aspinwall was held last Sunday, and a funeral service for 14-year-old Christian Angulo is next Friday. For all of the latest updates on the Apalachee High School shooting, visit GPB.org/news.
Caption
Georgia Lt. Gov. candidate Burt Jones participates in a Republican primary debate, May 3, 2022, in Atlanta. A Georgia state agency said Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, that it will name a special prosecutor to consider whether Jones, the state's Republican lieutenant governor, should face criminal charges after former president Donald Trump and 18 of his allies were indicted Monday, Aug. 14, for working to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.
Credit: AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, Pool, File
Story 3:
Peter Biello: Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones will not face criminal prosecution in Georgia's 2020 election interference case. The head of Georgia's prosecuting Attorney's Council said today that after five months investigating Jones, the lieutenant governor's role in the case doesn't warrant further investigation or charges. The council’s Pete Skandalakis was assigned to look into the matter after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was barred from prosecuting Jones. As part of her election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: Georgia Military College cut the ribbon on a new leadership center in Milledgeville yesterday. Former Defense Secretary General James Mattis spoke at the event. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Sarah Kallis: Mattis spoke to students at Georgia Military College about the importance of leadership and democracy during a keynote address following the official opening. He said the new center provides an important learning opportunity.
James Mattis: This is a democracy. This is all hands-on deck. Democracy is not a spectator sport. We all participate. How can you participate if you haven't been given the tools? So these are the tools.
Sarah Kallis: Mattis served as defense secretary in President Trump's Cabinet from 2017 to 2019. He has not endorsed Trump's presidential bid and did not comment on either candidate. The leadership center houses a theater and classrooms. The school will also host a leadership speaker series in the new building. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Milledgeville.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: A Savannah developer has come to an agreement with the owners of two historic Jewish cemeteries to build a new hotel nearby. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: The Mordechai Sheftall Cemetery in the Levi Sheftall Cemetery were founded in the mid-1700s and serve as the resting place of many of Georgia's first Jewish residents, including the highest-ranking Jewish officer in the Colonial Army. Soon, a new hotel would be built next door with the blessing of the cemetery's owners. The developer agreed to several terms, including a courtyard buffer, new historical plaques to educate hotel guests and no balconies overlooking the cemeteries. Speaking after a related zoning amendment, unanimously approved by Savannah City Council alderwoman Estella Shabazz applauded the six-month long negotiations.
Estella Shabazz: This is a very good model of how good government can happen. Good business can happen, and good development can take place.
Benjamin Payne: The cemetery's owners will also be allowed to actively monitor construction of the hotel. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: Metro Atlanta's public transit agency is rolling out a new bus with a design honoring the late Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports, MARTA unveiled the bus at an event in College Park yesterday.
Amanda Andrews: The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has been celebrating civil rights icons with a series of special busses over the past year. As part of the effort to honor John Lewis. Organizers also held a voter registration drive for Fulton and Clayton counties. Detria Everson is the CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation. She says this bus is a rolling monument to the Freedom Riders who helped integrate busses in the South.
Detria Everson: It reminds us that the fight for freedom is not finished and there's still work to be done. There's still paths to touch. There's still minds to change. And yes, there's still laws to be rewritten.
Amanda Andrews: MARTA says upcoming bus designs will recognize Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery, Evelyn Gibson Lowery, and Ambassador Andrew Young. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.
Story 7:
Peter Biello: The U.S. Postal Service is rolling out thousands of new vehicles to replace some that have been in service for more than three decades. The rollout started in Athens last month. USPS says it will be a five-year process to put these next generation delivery vehicles into service across the country. Avis Stonum delivers mail in Athens. She says she's excited about the upgrades.
Avis Stonum: You can tell that they didn't have appearance in mind. They had safety. They had the way we maneuver. They thought everything through.
Peter Biello: The new trucks also feature something common in most cars for more than six decades, but lacking in mail trucks, air conditioning. Within a few years, the USPS fleet is expected to expand to 60,000, with most of these vehicles being electric models.
Story 8:
Peter Biello: Macon-Bibb County and the Muskogee nation of Oklahoma have announced another step in their ongoing efforts to reconnect Macon with the nation descended from people forced out of the region in the 19th century. With the aid of Muskogee language experts, a number of street signs in downtown Macon will be changed to include their Muskogee names. Muskogee Nation principal Chief David Hill spoke at the signs unveiling.
David Hill: I hope when people see that Muskogee language on 104 signs, they'll be changed this fall, that they know that they are seeing some of the first languages ever being carried by the wind, through the trees here.
Peter Biello: The announcement comes at the start of Macon's annual Okmulgee Indigenous Celebration.
Caption
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks in the Fulton County Government Center during a news conference, Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, in Atlanta. Donald Trump and several allies have been indicted in Georgia over efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state.
Credit: AP Photo/John Bazemore
Story 9:
Peter Biello: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defied a subpoena from the state Senate committee investigating her today. Senators on the panel say Willis has a legal obligation to show up, but Willis disagrees. A legal battle over the issue is imminent. Committee chair Athens State Senator Republican Bill Cowsert said the panel's legal team is prepared to take the question of subpoena power to court. The panel can't criminally charge Willis despite investigating allegations of misconduct tied to her election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others. Committee members barred public and press access in the room and adjacent hallway during a private briefing with their lawyers after they adjourned. The Democratic panel member, Augusta State Senator Harold Jones, says the panel is, quote, continuing to waste time.
Story 10:
Peter Biello: The judge overseeing Georgia's election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others has dismissed three counts in the indictment. In an order yesterday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee said the charges lie beyond the state's jurisdiction. That includes two counts brought against Trump. At issue are two counts having to do with the filing of a document with the federal court in Atlanta. The document declared that Trump had won the state of Georgia, and the 16 Republicans who signed it were, quote, the duly elected and qualified electors from the state. The third count charges Trump and lawyer John Eastman with filing false documents.
Story 11:
Peter Biello: The last of 76 defendants in a massive South Georgia drug trafficking organization has been convicted on all charges after a two-day trial. The U.S. Justice Department said yesterday that the conviction of 36-year-old Blake Screen represents a milestone in the case dubbed Operation Ghost Busted. It was the largest ever indictment in the federal court's southern district of Georgia. It involved a conspiracy that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl and other drugs in and around Glynn County. Of the other 75 original defendants in the case. Seventy have been sentenced to prison terms and four are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty. One defendant died while awaiting trial.
Story 12:
Peter Biello: The Republican controlled state election board is now being challenged from both sides of the aisle. A Georgia based advocacy group headed by former state representative Republican Scott Turner filed suit against the board in Fulton County on Wednesday. The group Eternal Vigilance Action wants to block rules changes the board approved in recent weeks, allowing local election officials to delay certification of election results if they suspect fraud. The lawsuit alleges the board violated the state law by overstepping its authority. The GOP lawsuit comes after a similar legal challenge filed by the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Georgia last month.
Story 13:
Peter Biello: The Sundance Film Festival won't be coming to Atlanta. The Sundance Institute earlier this year named Atlanta as one of six cities in contention to host the prestigious festival beginning in 2027. City officials made their pitch, hoping Atlanta's status as a film production hub and other factors would lead to a major economic windfall. But yesterday, the institute narrowed its list to three finalists: Boulder, Colorado. Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah.
Story 14:
Peter Biello: The University System of Georgia awarded more than 76,000 degrees during the last fiscal year, system Chancellor Sonny Perdue said yesterday. That's up nearly 2% over fiscal year 2023 and a new record. USG credits a decade long increase in degree completion to several factors. They include the system joining a national program, Complete College America, that prioritizes degree completion, and a website Georgia Degrees Pay that provides data on student success and college affordability.
Caption
Uber
Story 15:
Peter Biello: Get ready for driverless Ubers in Atlanta. The California based rideshare giant said today its expanding its partnership with self-driving vehicle company Waymo to include Georgia's capital and Austin, Texas, starting early next year. Driverless Ubers have been available in Phoenix since last year. Waymo also operates its own self-driving ride shares in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The company has been testing its driverless vehicles in Atlanta since April. Auto Club AAA said in March that more than 90% of Americans surveyed expressed fear or uncertainty about autonomous vehicles. Once Atlanta self-driving Ubers become available, if you don't want one, Uber says, you can set that preference in the app.
Story 16:
Peter Biello: In sports, the Atlanta Braves will welcome two Grammy Award winning Atlanta music icons to start their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow. Usher will throw the first pitch and Jermaine Dupri will start the game by shouting play ball. The Braves begin a four-game series at Truist Park against the Dodgers tonight. And in Columbus, more than 2,000 people have signed petitions asking its Braves AA franchise to reconsider its name change. The team said last week that it's changing its name from the Braves to the Clingstones, a reference to a peach variety grown primarily in California. Georgia peaches are grown mostly in middle Georgia, not west Georgia. Petition organizers say they're not against the change, but just want a name with the Columbus Connection. Team owners say they're proud of the Clingstones name and have heard, quote, positive excitement about it since its debut.
Peter Biello: And that's a wrap on this episode of Georgia Today. We do appreciate you tuning in and we hope you'll come back after the weekend. We'll have more stories from the great state of Georgia in your podcast feed on Monday afternoon. And the best way to get it is to subscribe to it that way will pop up automatically. If you've got feedback, we would love to hear from you. Send us your story ideas, your suggestions for improvement. The email address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you next week.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Thursday September 12th edition of Georgia Today: Georgia state lawmakers say they will consider new gun policies next session; Some schools boost precautions following threats made on social media; And preservationists, say several buildings in Macon are in need of what they call "intensive care".
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, September 12th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, Georgia state lawmakers say they will consider new gun policies next session. Some schools boost precautions following threats made on social media. And preservationists say several buildings in Macon are in need of what they call "intensive care". These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: Georgia's state House speaker says lawmakers will consider new policies next year after a school shooting killed four people at Northeast Georgia's Apalachee High School. The changes could include increasing student access to mental health care, encouraging people to store guns safely, and information sharing among schools, police and health professionals. But Republican Jon Burns' proposals today stop short of Democratic demands. They include universal background checks and a mandate to safely lock up guns, as well as a red flag law that would allow the state to temporarily take guns from someone in crisis.
Story 2:
Peter Biello: Threats made on social media continue to rattle Georgia schools. Atlanta public schools were under heightened security today, and several Atlanta private schools also received warnings about potential violence. APS sent out an alert to parents about the unspecified threats last night. In northwest Georgia's Rome, the police chief, Denise Downer-McKinney, addressed parents' concerns about a high school lockdown last week.
Denise Downer-McKinney: These threats are not a joke. And we've got to let our children know that they are not a joke and that we have no tolerance for anyone threatening to harm our students, faculty or staff.
Peter Biello: The threats in Atlanta prompted some parents to keep their children out of school for the day.
Story 3:
Peter Biello: Norfolk Southern has fired its CEO for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. The departure ends two years of on-the-job turmoil for CEO Alan Shaw and comes days after the company's board announced it was investigating his alleged ethical lapses. Shaw was leading the Atlanta-based railroad last year when one of its trains derailed, causing the country's worst railroad disaster in the last decade. Norfolk Southern said yesterday its chief financial officer, Mark George, has taken over as CEO.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: Current and former residents of public housing developments in Georgia are demanding improved living conditions. As GPB's Sofi Gratas reports, many of them showed up at the Atlanta headquarters of the Department of Housing and Urban Development last week.
Sofi Gratas: Diana Brown, a caregiver from Albany, says she's been asking for years that HUD addressed poor conditions, including mold, faulty amenities and overall disrepair affecting senior residents at an apartment complex run by the county housing authority. So far, she says, nothing has changed.
Diana Brown: So what happened now? We up here hold them accountable.
Crowd demonstration: What do we want? Action! When do we want it? Now!
Sofi Gratas: Brown was part of a small group to rally outside HUD offices. Others, former tenants of Atlanta's Forest Cove, condemned for poor conditions, say it's been near impossible to find housing in the city as Georgia's affordable housing crisis continues. Meanwhile, a new law went into effect this summer mandating Georgia landlords keep housing, quote, fit for human habitation. Bambi Hayes Brown, also from Albany, says she and others will keep advocating for the hundreds of tenants waiting on inspections.
Bambi Hayes-Brown: When you don't have stable housing or healthy housing. It affects all other factors. It affects health, it affects education, it affects jobs.
Sofi Gratas: For GPB News, I'm Sofi Gratas in Atlanta.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: Historical preservationists in Macon have announced their annual list of important buildings in need of intensive care. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.
Grant Blankenship: The preservation group Historic Macon calls their list the Fading Five and four buildings have rolled over from last year. They include a former bank with art deco details, a World War II era Quonset Hut turned nightclub where a teenaged Otis Redding once performed, and an old dentist office at the heart of Cotton Avenue, Macon's black business district during segregation. New for this year is the Hillyer-Kernaghan House, designed by renowned architect Neil Reed and one time home of the founding director of the Atlanta Reserve Bank. Nathan Lott is the executive director of historic Macon. He says caring for the city's constructed history is vital for its health.
Nathan Lott: Macon Bibb cannot prosper if our older neighborhoods at the heart of our city are in decline.
Grant Blankenship: Historic Macon seeks investors or even buyers with whom to collaborate in saving the buildings on their Fading Five list. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: State court judges have disqualified presidential candidates Cornell West and Claudia De la Cruz from running for president in Georgia. In a ruling yesterday, the judges said the pair's electors didn't file the proper paperwork, even if their names remain on ballots. Spokespersons for West and De la Cruz said they would appeal the decision to the Georgia Supreme Court.
Story 7:
Peter Biello: Ratepayers and advocacy groups spoke out today against the Georgia Power proposal to use more biomass to generate energy. The State Public Service Commission is considering Georgia Power's application to add 80MW of biomass fuel generation in the next couple of years. Biomass is energy produced from plant or animal waste. Mature trees are a common source of biomass fuel. At a meeting of the PSC's energy committee, opponents describe biomass as an expensive source of pollution. Retired physician Eric Mintz says soot from burning biomass can trigger asthma, heart attacks, strokes and death.
Eric Mintz: Biomass plants produce electricity and deadly air pollution. Solar power plants produce only electricity on health grounds alone. The choice is clear.
Peter Biello: The biomass projects were included in Georgia Power's 2022 Integrated Resource Plan, which requires Georgia Power to seek bids to develop up to 140MW of biomass.
Story 8:
Peter Biello: Award winning Georgian novelist, journalist and publisher Tina McElroy Ansa has died. The coroner in southeast Georgia's Glynn County confirmed she died on Tuesday. Numerous social media posts mourning her passing circulated yesterday. One shared by Savannah writer Wanda Lloyd showed a smiling answer at the Savannah rally for Vice President Kamala Harris two weeks ago. Respected in literary circles Ansa wrote more than ten books and contributed to numerous publications in broadcast media. She was known for her writings profound sense of place, often focusing on the African American experience in the South. Born in Macon and first published in Atlanta, she made Saint Simons Island on Georgia's coast, her home since 1978. No cause of death has been reported. Tina McElroy Ansa was 74 years old.
Caption
Isley Phillips, 18, chases her brother Noah, 19, and his racoon-tail hat as part of their traditional Racoon Dance, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Macon, Ga. The teenagers are members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and performed at the 30th annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration at the Ocmulgee Mounds.
Credit: AP Photo/Michael Warren
Story 9:
Peter Biello: The annual Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration is taking place this week in Macon. The event is centered around the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park and represents a homecoming for citizens of the Muskogee nation of Oklahoma. Art, film and theater are now a large part of the celebration to this year that includes a one woman play by Cherokee attorney and playwright Mary Katherine Nagle. GPB's Grant Blankenship spoke with Nagle about her production.
Grant Blankenship: Let's start with the title of the play. It's called ‘On the Far End.’ Where does that name come from? What does it mean?
Mary Katherine Nagle: Now, that is the first four words of Justice Gorsuch's decision in McGirt versus Oklahoma. And the play is really a love letter to that decision. From the perspective of Jean Hill Chowdhury, a Muskogee woman activist and playwright. McGirt kind of frames the entire play. And that's kind of that's where the title comes from.
Grant Blankenship: McGirt as I understand it, it's a landmark Supreme Court case of recent years. One of the things it did among many is it sort of reestablished firm borders to what had been promised as reservation land to various tribes in Oklahoma. That's the start. But what else? Why else is McGirt so important right now?
Mary Katherine Nagle: I think it's important because oftentimes whether or not a tribal nation continues to exist or exercise its sovereignty is dependent on white expectations and white narratives of land, entitlement and power law and all these things. And what the decision really said was, you know, it's irrelevant if white Oklahomans or the current governor had in their mind this narrative or this idea that Muskogee Creek Nation's reservation no longer existed. It is still there. It was never disestablished. It was created by a treaty. And Congress has never taken action to disestablished it. So it still exists. And so, it was a moment where the law trumped, I guess, white expectations of entitlement is what I would say.
Grant Blankenship: And that was the thing that Neil Gorsuch was saying in his opinion, Right. That on the on the far end of what The Trail of Tears. Right. There was a promise. And that promise needs to be kept.
Mary Katherine Nagle: Exactly. Exactly.
Grant Blankenship: So what is it about Gene Hill Chaudhry's life that makes her just one person you could pluck out of this, you know, intergenerational story to make sense of this for us?
Mary Katherine Nagle: I think she's a miracle worker and a healer and a brilliant woman who I admire deeply. She was born on the far end and she survived at a time when they were really still trying to eliminate and eradicate Muskogee people in the Muskogee nation entirely. She was forcibly taken from her home by the DIA and sent to one of the Indian boarding schools that was open at the time. And she ran away eight times, was chased by dogs, beaten, and, you know, on the eighth time, finally made it all the way home on her own. She was like ten years old, running 54 miles at night. In her adulthood, she led a life of advocacy and activism, where she advocated on many, many, many critical issues important to Native people everywhere. You know, I think that in many cases, this victory we're going to go to Creek Nation today was made possible by generations of Muskogee woman like Jane, who kept fighting for the rights of their children and grandchildren and the next generation to come.
Grant Blankenship: Mary Katherine Nagle will perform her one person play ‘On the Far End’ Friday night at Theater Macon as part of the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration. I just thank you so much for talking to me today.
Mary Katherine Nagle: It was a pleasure. Mvto.
Grant Blankenship: I'm Grant Blankenship and this is GPB.
Story 10:
Peter Biello: The government investigation has found that the president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve violated several of the central bank's ethics policies. The violations by Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic stemmed from his securities trades and investments and created the appearance that he acted on confidential Fed information and had a conflict of interest. That's according to the Fed's Office of Inspector General in a report issued yesterday. The report, however, concluded Bostic did not violate any insider trading or conflict of interest laws.
Story 11:
Peter Biello: A Georgia baker has been named among 13 best new chefs in Food and Wine's latest annual selection. On Tuesday, the magazine recognized Erica Council, founder and chef of Atlanta's Bomb Biscuits for, quote, towering and tender biscuits that it called the best in the South.
Story 12:
Peter Biello: In sports, on baseball, the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 5 to 1 yesterday. Atlanta starter Max Freed kept his team close, but the Braves only had six hits and fell one game behind the Mets in the race for the third NL Wild card. Freed allowed four runs on 11 hits over six innings, striking out six and walking none with one hit batter. The Braves have the day off today before opening a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park tomorrow.
And that's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, visit GPB.org/news. And if you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet, take a moment. Do it now. That'll keep us current in your podcast feed. If you've got feedback, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Sept. 11 edition of Georgia Today: The mother of the alleged Apalachee High School shooter speaks out; Georgia voters react to last night's presidential debate; and the Fearless Fund agrees to close down a grant program for Black women entrepreneurs.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, Sept. 11. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, the mother of the alleged Apalachee High School shooter speaks out. Georgia voters react to last night's presidential debate. And the Fearless Fund agrees to close down a grant program for Black women entrepreneurs. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Peter Biello: The mother of the alleged gunman in the Apalachee High School shooting is apologizing to victims' families. GPB's Chase McGee reports, her comments come a week after her son Colt Gray allegedly killed four and wounded nine at the school in Winder.
Chase McGee: In a letter first obtained by CNN, Marcee Gray apologizes to the parents of two students who were killed in the shooting, saying, quote, "If I could take the place of Mason and Christian, I would without a second thought." She maintains her son Colt is, quote, "not a monster," adding that she was heartbroken by the loss of two teachers who died trying to protect the students. Marcee Gray called the school 30 minutes before the shooting began in what she says was an attempt to warn them. Colt Gray and his father, Colin, who allegedly gave the assault-style weapon to his son, remain in jail following the shootings. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee. .
Story 2:Peter Biello: Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. But a new study of gun-owning parents finds that many believe teaching children proper gun handling and safety is more important than providing safe gun storage. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports.
Ellen Eldridge: The research also found that parents who do not secure weapons were more likely to have at least one loaded gun in the home. Jennifer Paruk is with the Gun Violence Research Center at Rutgers University. She wrote the study. She says the risk to children of an unsecured firearm outweighs the need for protection.
Jennifer Paruk: The risk of firearm injury and death might be actually higher inside the home, and that storing firearms unsecured — so, keeping them unlocked, keeping them loaded and ready to go — increases the likelihood that your child is going to die by firearm injury.
Ellen Eldridge: She says future studies should investigate the effects of parental engagement in situations where children were injured or killed by firearms. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Caption
Trump supporters watch the debate Sept. 10, 2024, at a gun store in Cobb County.
Credit: Sarah Kallis/GPB News
Story 3:Peter Biello: Georgia voters from both sides of the aisle flocked to debate watch parties to support their candidate last night. GPB's Sarah Kallis has more.
Sarah Kallis: Former President Donald Trump's supporters gathered at Adventure Outdoors in Cobb County, a store that bills itself as the world's largest gun store. Their lively supporters filled the room, cheered for the former president, and booed Vice President Kamala Harris. Larry Charles is from Stone Mountain and attended the watch party.
Larry Charles: I think that it's, it's very, very — It's a slam dunk for the president, for Donald Trump.
Sarah Kallis: Down the road, enthusiastic Cobb County Democrats gathered for their own watch party in a music bar. Tim Gimbon called Harris, quote, the adult in the room.
Tim Gimbon: And I think barring anything outrageous happening in the next month and a half, she's got this wrapped up.
Sarah Kallis: The vice presidential candidates will face off in a debate Oct. 1. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Cobb County.
Story 4:MUSIC: The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performs "God Bless America"
Peter Biello: The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performed at the state capitol this morning as Georgians remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Capitol Memorial was led by Gov. Brian Kemp, with many state and local officials gathered under the Gold Dome. Before Kemp's speech, Chaplain Jeffrey M. Herron, captain of the Georgia National Guard, led the ceremony in prayer.
Jeffrey M. Herron: Father, we thank you for the peace and comfort that you have provided. Since that day, 9/11/2001. And we thank you for loving us and giving us grace. Father, we thank you for the courage displayed by those who, instead of thinking of their own safety, they rushed in to help others.
Peter Biello: Kemp reminded his audience of the sacrifices of first responders and what he called the patriotism, strength and courage that came from that day.
Brian Kemp: It is up to each of us to remember the spirit of unity that held us together in those dark days. We must remember that no matter how much we disagree, there is more that unites Americans than divides us. It is up to each of us not to lose sight of those lessons.
Peter Biello: Chaplain Dorie L. Griggs of the Roswell Fire Department had this recollection of that fateful day.
Dorie L. Griggs: I lost a dear childhood friend in the second tower 23 years ago today. He was on the 104th floor. Over the years in studying traumatic stress, I've had the opportunity to meet people who served on the ground in New York, in Pennsylvania, and in the Pentagon. One of them, David Hanshu, was at the base of the second tower right before it went down. His legs were crushed when the building fell.
Peter Biello: Other events were being held across the state today, many of those involving acts of community service.
Story 5:Peter Biello: Hurricane Francine is expected to make landfall this evening on the Louisiana coast. And although it's several states away, forecasters say its effects will still be felt in Georgia. Showers, possible thunderstorms and gusty winds are predicted across much of the state tomorrow and into Friday. The strongest storms and a tornado threat are expected in western Georgia counties. Rain chances will continue over the weekend with drier conditions returning by mid-week next week.
Caption
Ayana Parsons, right, and Arian Simone, of Fearless Fund, attend a news conference, Aug. 10, 2023, in New York. The venture capital firm that has backed buzzy new companies like restaurant chain Slutty Vegan and beauty brand Live Tinted has become symbolic of the fight over corporate diversity policies since becoming a target of a lawsuit over a grant program for Black women.
Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File
Story 6:Peter Biello: The Atlanta-based venture capital fund that's become a symbol of legal efforts to dismantle workplace diversity programs has agreed to end its small business grant program for Black women business owners. The Fearless Fund was sued in federal court by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, a group led by the conservative activist behind the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action in college admissions. The group said today that it's reached a settlement with the fund over the program, which a federal appeals court panel had suspended late last year. The group called the program divisive and illegal. Fund supporters had called it a modest but important step toward creating equal opportunity.
Story 7:Peter Biello: More than 300 agriculture-related groups nationwide, including Georgia's cotton and peanut commissions, are urging members of Congress to pass a farm bill before the end of the year. The National Cotton Council led the call for action in a letter sent to Republican and Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate yesterday. The farm bill supports many programs affecting farmers and nutrition assistance, but has been stalled for a year, with only a few working days left in the current Congress.
Story 8:Peter Biello: In sports: In baseball, Michael Harris II hit two of Atlanta's four home runs and the Braves had 15 hits in a 12 to nothing rout of the Washington Nationals last night. And that is despite losing starter Reynaldo Lopez to a shoulder injury after one inning. Lopez left with right shoulder tightness after throwing 25 pitches. Lopez was scheduled for an MRI today. With the win, the Braves pulled even with the New York Mets for the final National League wild card. And in basketball, the Minnesota Lynx beat the Atlanta Dream 76 to 64 last night. Felicia Gray scored 17 points, going eight of eight at the free throw line, and Rhyne Howard added 14 points for Atlanta.
And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out our website, GPB.org/news. And remember to subscribe to this podcast. We're coming back in your feed tomorrow with all the latest stories from Georgia. And if you've got feedback or a story idea, let us know by email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
On the Tuesday September 10th edition of Georgia Today: Some students in Barrow County went back to school today, six days after a school shooting in Winder; Two Delta planes collide at the Atlanta airport; And Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reiterates his concerns about the State Election Board.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Tuesday, September 10th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, some students in Barrow County went back to school today, six days after a school shooting in Winder. Two Delta planes collide at the Atlanta airport. And Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reiterates his concerns about the state election board. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: Many students in northeast Georgia's Barrow County headed back to class today. The return comes six days after a shooting killed two teachers and two students at Appalachee High School. School officials have promised students and parents more security and mental health resources. GPB's Chase McGee has more from Winder.
Chase McGee: Barrow County School Superintendent Dallas LeDuff sent families a note saying students returning to class will see more counselors, therapy dogs and Barrow County officers on campus. Meanwhile, school system leaders and principals are receiving training from Dr. David Schonfeld, who directs the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at the University of Southern California. He's helping them learn what children and families need in the wake of a school tragedy. There's still no confirmed return date for students at Appalachian High School. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee in Winder.
Credit: Stephen Fowler / GPN News
Story 2:
Peter Biello: Georgia. Senate Democrats called on their Republican colleagues today to pass gun safety legislation. Their news conference followed a similar public call for action by state House Democrats last week. Two days after the shooting, secretary of State Brad Raffensperger continues to share his concerns about recent changes coming from the state election board. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports on his address yesterday to the Atlanta Rotary Club.
Sarah Kallis: Raffensperger had a clear message about the state election board.
Brad Raffensperger: Simply put, they're a mess.
Sarah Kallis: He told Rotary members that the rule changes from the five member board were happening too close to the election, which could lead to confusion. Raffensperger used to be a member of the state election board, but state lawmakers removed him during the last legislative session. So he says he has no jurisdiction over the board.
Brad Raffensperger: They took us off the state election board. That was the will of the General Assembly. So the General Assembly owns this.
Sarah Kallis: The state election board meets again on September 20th to discuss more rule changes. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 3:
Peter Biello: A passenger aboard a Delta Airlines flight is describing a, quote, terrifying collision between two aircrafts taxiing for departure at Atlanta's Hartsfield Jackson International Airport this morning. No injuries were reported after the wing of a plane carrying 221 passengers on their way to Tokyo clipped the tail of a smaller regional jet carrying 56 passengers on their way to Lafayette, Louisiana. The passenger, a television meteorologist from Tampa, posted to social media that he heard jarring metal scraping sounds, then loud bangs, adding that there was no fire or smoke. Both planes were operated by Delta. The company says passengers will be rebooked on other flights.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: The sheriff in Savannah's Chatham County is back on the job nearly three months after he was hospitalized for a cardiac arrest. In his first public comments since returning to the office, the 80 year old Republican John Wilcher is reassuring the public about his condition.
John Wilcher: The job's easier to carry on. And I've got a clean bill of health from my doctor. My strength is good and the capacity to do my job is good. So I'm here for the public, you know, for four more years.
Peter Biello: Wilcher is running for reelection against Democrat Richard Coleman in the November general election.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: The largest water treatment plant in Fulton County officially will reopen this week with new and upgraded facilities. GPB's Amanda Andrews explains what's changed.
Amanda Andrews: The Big Creek Water Reclamation Plant will take up less space, but have the capacity to treat 32 million gallons of wastewater a day, compared to 24 million at the old facility. The new plant system also includes state of the art membrane technology. Fulton County Public Works director David Clark says this is an improvement over the old conventional treatment plant.
David Clark: It's much cleaner with a membrane plants. It removes much more of the nutrients from the wastewater and therefore it's a much cleaner water that's in the Chattahoochee River.
Amanda Andrews: The plant will serve several communities, including Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta. Similar upgrades are planned for the Camp Creek facility starting in 2030. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: A new apartment development in Macon devoted in part to giving unhoused people newly released from the hospital a place to recover has its first resident. The man came to the medical respite housing managed by the Catholic charity DePaul USA, from nearby Piedmont Macon Medical Center. About a dozen units are set aside for so-called medical respite housing next door to DePaul USA's Macon Homeless Day Shelter. 16 other units will be for more traditional supportive housing for the homeless, with the rest of the 66 units planned to be rented for no more than $600 a month.
Caption
A map from the feasibility study outlining the proposed city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County.
Credit: KB Advisory Group
Story 7:
Peter Biello: A judge has ruled against a man who challenged the constitutionality of the creation of the city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County. Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Tadia Whitner ruled yesterday that Stephen Hughes of Dacula had no standing, and therefore his lawsuits were dismissed. Hughes had argued that creating the City of Mulberry was unconstitutional because its charter prohibited a property tax. Hughes says the merits of his argument have yet to be addressed.
Stephen Hughes: I think it was clear that the compelling evidence was on our side and I think we would have won had she not dismissed the case on a technical ground.
Peter Biello: Supporters of the city of Mulberry called his lawsuits ridiculous. A separate lawsuit was filed in Fulton County against the state of Georgia over Mulberry's creation is still pending.
Story 8:
Peter Biello: In sports: in baseball. The Braves head to D.C. today to face the Washington Nationals for the first of a two game series. Last night, Cincinnati's Nick Martinez pitched seven innings of two hit ball as the Reds defeated the Atlanta Braves one. Nothing in the makeup of July rainout. With the loss, the Braves lose their grip on the third wild card spot, yielding it to the New York Mets, who defeated the Blue Jays last night 3 to 2. And in basketball, the Atlanta Dream host the Minnesota Lynx tonight.
And that's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. We hope you'll come back tomorrow with all the latest headlines from Georgia. And the best way to remember to do that is to have us basically remember for you. Subscribe to this podcast. We'll pop up automatically in your feed tomorrow. And if you've got feedback or a story idea, something going on in Georgia we should know about. Let us know by email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
LISTEN: On the Monday, Sept. 9 edition of Georgia Today: New revelations about last week's Apalachee High School shooting have some asking if the tragedy could've been prevented; the Savannah school system adopts maps to help first responders during active shooter scenarios; and residents hurt by Tropical Storm Debby ask why their homes weren't included on FEMA flood maps.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Monday, Sept. 9. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, new revelations about last week's Apalachee High School shooting have some asking if the tragedy could have been prevented. The Savannah school system adopts maps to help first responders during active shooter scenarios, and residents hurt by Tropical Storm Debby ask why their homes weren't included on FEMA flood maps. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Peter Biello: The aunt of the 14-year-old boy who is accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., last week, says the boy's mother warned the school of a, quote, "extreme emergency" before the killings occurred. Annie Brown confirmed with the Associated Press conversations first reported by The Washington Post, in which the suspect's mother urged the school to immediately find her son. Reports indicate that efforts to find him were initially unsuccessful. The news of the apparent warning has caused outrage among some in the Winder, Ga., community. The mother of one Apalachee High School student says the warnings demonstrate how preventable the shooting was. Rebecca Sayarath told the AP yesterday that the school, quote, "failed its students," but others, including Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, are declining to blame school or law enforcement officials.
Raphael Warnock: I'm not going to, you know, referee or — or second-guess what happened with the authorities the other night. I applaud our first responders. When others are running away from danger, they run toward the danger in order to do the best they can.
Peter Biello: Warnock made those comments on CNN yesterday.
Story 2:Peter Biello: Meanwhile, state officials are mobilizing a response to help the high school's community members in mourning. GPB's Chase McGee reports the Barrow County Community Recovery Center opened today in Winder.
Chase McGee: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency opened the center to help meet people's needs, whether they be financial, legal, spiritual or related to mental health.
James Stallings: A situation like this is something that we have thought about. We've prepared, but we hoped we never had to deploy.
Chase McGee: GEMA director James Stallings says that while they've responded to many natural disasters, this tragedy warrants different resources.
James Stallings: You've got kids that have heard sounds and saw things this week that — you just don't brush that off.
Chase McGee: Stallings is encouraging people to make use of the center if they're not sure they need help. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee in Winder.
Peter Biello: Apalachee High students were allowed to return to the school today to retrieve the things they left behind as they were evacuated last Wednesday. The Barrow County School system hasn't announced when classes at Apalachee will resume. The system's other schools will return tomorrow.
Story 3:Peter Biello: In the southeastern part of the state, the Savannah Chatham County Public School system is now using military-style maps to help first responders navigate school buildings in the event of an active shooter scenario or other emergency. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: So called "critical incident mapping" is new this year at all 55 public schools in Savannah and Chatham County. The district consulted with special operations veterans at a firm called Critical Response Group to convert old technical blueprints into clearly labeled, easy-to-read maps. Justin Pratt is emergency manager for the Savannah Chatham County Public School system.
Justin Pratt: You don't have to have some sort of technical baseline of how to read a blueprint to figure out where something is on the map. They've got a great reference system, so it's essentially the old school lining up G-10, like "Battleship"-style.
Benjamin Payne: Many schools in the U.S. are resorting to alternative safety measures, like critical incident mapping, to better respond to mass shootings. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Caption
Tropical Storm Debby
Story 4:Peter Biello: A month after Tropical Storm Debby landed on Georgia's coast, many residents there are still dealing with flooded homes. They're also wondering why their streets weren't included on maps that would have required them to get flood insurance. Nearly 11 inches of rain fell over four days in Savannah, causing widespread flood damage even in areas deemed at lower risk for flooding. Researcher Kait Morano of Georgia Tech's Coastal Equity and Resilience Hub, says rising sea levels and sprawling development contributed to the disaster, but so did outdated maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Kait Morano: Many of the structures that were flooded are outside of FEMA's flood zones. You know, that's because those zones are based on historical data. And so people believe that they don't need flood insurance.
Peter Biello: An insurance agent suggests flood insurance pricing as an indication of risk. He says 1 in 4 flood claims come from FEMA zones that don't require insurance to get a mortgage.
Story 5:Peter Biello: The president and CEO of Waffle House has died. Walt Ehmer led the Atlanta-based restaurant chain since 2002. He was also a member of the Atlanta Police Foundation's board of directors, among numerous other organizations that he championed. The company said yesterday he died after a long illness. He was 58 years old.
Story 6:Peter Biello: Norfolk Southern is confirming its CEO is under investigation for potential ethical lapses. A spokesperson for the Atlanta-based railroad declined to offer any additional details today about the allegations against CEO Alan Shaw. He's led the company since May of 2022 and has been under tremendous pressure dealing with the railroad's chemical fire in Ohio and an activist investor aimed at ousting him.
Story 7:Peter Biello: A nearly century-old Atlanta restaurant has new owners, and they've vowed not to make any major changes. The previous owners of The Colonnade put the iconic eatery, known for its fried chicken and Southern staples, up for sale in August. A statement today says the new owners are longtime regulars, including one who's been coming to the restaurant for six decades. Louis Jeffries and Paul Donohue also own an Atlanta bar, Lingering Shade Social Club. The Colonnade opened in 1927 and has had only two previous owners, becoming a connection to bygone times for many Atlanta residents.
Story 8:Peter Biello: The Carter Center is adding more celebrities and musical artists to a celebration planned for Jimmy Carter's 100th birthday. The organization says the event next week now will include the iconic Georgia rock band The B-52s and four-time Grammy Award singer India.Arie, among others. The celebration is scheduled to take place and be recorded for later broadcast at Atlanta's historic Fox Theater on Sept. 17, ahead of Carter's birthday on Oct. 1.
Caption
Brian Snitker
Credit: Peter Biello / GPB News
Story 9:Peter Biello: In sports: In baseball, Braves manager Brian Snitker describes yesterday's matchup between Atlanta and the Toronto Blue Jays this way.
Brian Snitker: That was probably the top two or three most draining games I've ever been a part of.
Peter Biello: Draining because it took 11 innings for the Braves to finally defeat the Jays, 4 to 3. Catcher Shaun Murphy drove in rookie Eli White to score the winning run. Here's Eli White.
Eli White: Obviously, speed's one of my skill sets, so anytime I get a chance to kind of show that off and help the team there, that was — that was really cool. And to do it in that situation was really big.
Peter Biello: Chris Sale threw 113 pitches over six scoreless innings, giving up only two hits and striking out seven. Sale is currently leading the National League in wins, ERA and strikeouts, but he sidestepped questions from reporters about the possibility of landing the Cy Young Award, a top honor for pitchers.
Chris Sale: I'd like to be in line to win the World Series. That's — that's about it. This time of year, we just need to win games.
Peter Biello: With yesterday's win, the Braves tied the Mets for the third wild card spot. The Braves hope to improve on their record as they face the Reds tonight at Truist Park.
In racing, Joey Logano raced his way into the second round of NASCAR's playoffs by winning the opener in overtime at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Logano is the only two-time Cup Series champion in the 16-driver playoff field.
In the NFL, a season of high expectations began with a thud for the Atlanta Falcons. Kirk Cousins struggled in his debut as the Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed 18-10 yesterday. Cousins threw for only 155 yards with two interceptions. Falcons also lost a fumble while the Steelers didn't have any turnovers. The Falcons travel to Philadelphia Monday the 16th to face the Eagles, then return home for another primetime game on the 22nd against the Kansas City Chiefs, the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions. In college football, Carson Beck threw five touchdown passes as the No. 1 Bulldogs beat Tennessee Tech 48 to 3 on Saturday. Beck's five touchdown passes matched a school record that had been done seven other times, most recently by Stetson Bennett in 2021. JC French threw two touchdown passes and Georgia Southern's defense stood up in the fourth quarter to edge Nevada, 20 to 17 on Saturday, and Syracuse beat Georgia Tech 31 to 28.
And that's it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thanks so much for tuning in. We hope you had a great weekend.If you want to stay up to date on all these stories, especially the story on the Apalachee school shooting, which is an evolving story, check out our website, GPB.org/news. And remember also to subscribe to this podcast. It's a great way to keep up with everything that's going on in the state. Just subscribe wherever you get your podcasts; wherever you're listening right now, you can subscribe. And if you've got feedback, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
For more on these stories and more, go to GPB.org/news
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Friday, September 6th. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, both the 14 year old suspect accused of killing four people at his high school and his father face charges. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper sues the city of Atlanta over e-coli pollution, and researchers get funding for an idea they think could boost the value of the state's peanut crops. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:
Peter Biello: The Apalachee High School student accused of killing two fellow classmates and two teachers on Wednesday, appeared in court this morning along with his father. Chase McGee has more from Barrow County, northeast of Atlanta.
Judge Mingledorff: In essence, you are charged with four counts of felony murder.
Chase McGee: The 14 year old suspect and his father both appeared in front of Judge Currie Mingledorff in Barrow County Superior Court. The juvenile Colt Gray was charged with four counts of felony murder. His father, Colin Gray, has been charged with four counts of manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The charges stem from his allegedly providing a firearm to his son.
Judge Mingledorff: For a maximum total of possible penalty for the charges that you currently are facing of 180 years imprisonment.
Chase McGee: A preliminary hearing was set for both father and son on December 4th. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee in Winder.
Story 2:
Peter Biello: The school shooting this week has put gun policy front and center as Republicans and Democrats campaign for the white House. Speaking at a rally in Phoenix yesterday, Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance said school shootings are a fact of life and that the US needs to work to prevent them.
J.D. Vance: We've got to bolster security so that if a psycho wants to walk through the front door and kill a bunch of children that they're not able to. And again, as a parent, do I want my kids school to have additional security? No, of course I don't. I don't want my kids to go to school in a place where they feel like you've got to have additional security, but that is increasingly the reality that we live in.
Peter Biello: Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, as vice president, leads the new white House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and in the past has supported banning sales of the AR 15 and similar rifles. Harris commented specifically on the shooting in Georgia, saying it is outrageous, quote, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.
Story 3:
Peter Biello: We generally agree as a society that mental health is important, but in Georgia, behavioral health care is often inaccessible, and this is especially worrisome in the wake of Wednesday's shooting. Parents are worried about their kids and how they're feeling. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more about the roadblocks to therapy in Georgia. Ellen, thank you so much for speaking with me.
Ellen Eldridge: It's good to be here.
Peter Biello: So why is it so difficult to find mental health care?
Ellen Eldridge: Well, one of the reasons it's very difficult to find mental health care in Georgia. And we're at the bottom of the nation when it comes to accessing mental health care. Has to do with insurance plans. I spoke with Tracy Hooper. She's a licensed professional counselor up in Ellijay, and she says one of the problems that her practice is having right now has to do with billing and pay, because she says most of her providers are moving to cash only payments because the insurance companies are setting the rates based on the client's health plan. And her rates haven't even gone up since 2008. She says she's still accepting Blue Cross Blue Shield, but she's torn about it.
Tracy Hooper: I want services to remain accessible for people. I have a lot of people who, if they couldn't go through their insurance, they would not be getting services. They wouldn't be getting therapy.
Ellen Eldridge: There was a study just out earlier this year that estimates 42% of Georgians are paying out of pocket. That means they're paying cash for their behavioral health care.
Peter Biello: Okay, so so what are the early warning signs that there's a problem? And, you know, kids might be in need of mental health care.
Ellen Eldridge: Yeah, sure. I think a lot of people don't realize how early mental health issues do present themselves. I think a lot of parents don't realize that as their kids are going through physical, developmental, hormonal, developmental, social issues, they can also be developing problems with coping some of the more subtle signs that something is going on with your kid if they're sleeping too much or too little, or if they seem like they're withdrawing, using drugs, becoming violent. Those are some of the more obvious kinds of symptoms. And, you know, it's it's not just recent events and things. The hooper says that many of the kids are experiencing ripple effects from Covid, but it's not just Covid. It's also social media.
Tracy Hooper: You know, people are self diagnosing because of videos they see on TikTok. And there's a lot of psychological terms that are being misappropriated.
Peter Biello: What can a teenager or someone who is worried about a teenager do?
Ellen Eldridge: Call 988. That's- that's really. The the whole idea is prevention, early access to help finding those resources. Anyone of any age can call 988. They can text. It's available in Spanish, and they can just talk to somebody about what's bugging them. It doesn't have to be, you know, a suicidal crisis or a homicidal crisis. A teenager, if you just call up and just talk to somebody about, you know, bullying or whatever. And, you know, we know in the first month of nine, eight, eight going live that Georgia in emergency rooms, we saw almost a 24% increase in 5 to 11 year olds. And then for the 12 to 17 year olds, we had 31% increase in these kids showing up in emergency rooms after 908 rolled out. So that could be indicative of a couple different things. But it's definitely help.
Peter Biello: What is being done in Georgia to improve access to mental health care?
Ellen Eldridge: We agree, and we know pretty widely that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between 10 and 24. And you know, when the incident when the school shooting in Winder happened, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, they sent out a news release, and they reminded people on their social media to call 988. You know, in in Georgia, we actually had a head start because we had our own crisis and access line in place before nine, eight, eight. So. We already have local resources and people who know what's going on. Answering those lines in Georgia. And then, you know, additionally, the governor of the state legislature has put more money toward the apex mental health school programs as well. So there's never enough money for programs like that, but they are out there.
Peter Biello: GPB's Ellen Eldridge is our senior health care reporter. Ellen, thank you very much for speaking with me.
Ellen Eldridge: Thank you for having me.
Peter Biello: GPB has gathered resources that parents, caregivers and teachers can use to help students process tragic events. You can find it at GPB.org.
Story 4:
Peter Biello: Campaign surrogates for Vice President Kamala Harris stopped in Savannah yesterday as part of a multi-state Reproductive Freedom bus tour focusing on the issue of abortion rights. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.
Benjamin Payne: Among the speakers campaigning for Harris was Savannah pastor Candace Hartnett. She says she used to identify as a, quote, pro-life conservative, but eventually her views changed. Hartnett and her wife sought fertility treatments in order to have a child. She says she worries a second Trump administration would end reproductive health care options.
Candace Hartnett: They will continue to undermine and eliminate our fundamental rights, to make our own decisions about our bodies and our futures. Clearly, they think that it's their place to dictate if, when and how we grow our families. And frankly, I don't trust them with that decision.
Benjamin Payne: Other stops on the bus tour include Macon and Atlanta. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.
Story 5:
Peter Biello: The Harris and Trump campaigns are both trying to appeal to small business owners in Georgia. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Sarah Kallis: Vice President Kamala Harris announced Tuesday a ten fold expansion of tax relief for new small businesses. State Representative Long Tran owns a coffee and boba shop. He supports Harris's plan.
Long Tran: This will help people who are looking to start a business or have a more financially stable ground to start one.
Sarah Kallis: Meanwhile, at an event in Braselton on Tuesday, some small business owners heard the Trump campaign's pitch for why his plan that includes reduced fuel costs and bureaucracy is better. Daniel Ketchum owns a liquor store in Brazelton and is hopeful a Trump presidency will curb price increases.
Daniel Ketchum: In the past three years. I've been handed price increases that are five and six pages long, three and four pages long, and they're all kinds of different brands.
Sarah Kallis: Both candidates will have the chance to compare policies when they debate later this month. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 6:
Peter Biello: The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper has sued the city of Atlanta for allegedly polluting the Chattahoochee River. The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper says the Clayton Water Facility is discharging illegal levels of pollution. In March of this year, E coli bacteria in the river was traced back to the facility. Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Executive Director Jason Ulseth says the city of Atlanta has allowed operational and maintenance failures at the facility to compound over time, failing to follow through on even the most basic equipment repairs. In a statement from the Atlanta mayor's office, the city says improvements to the system have prevented unpermitted levels of coli since March and has maintained compliance with discharge requirements established by the state.
Story 7:
Peter Biello: According to the latest census, 1.2 million people under 65 years old in Georgia do not have health insurance and that includes children. Now, stakeholders from across the health care spectrum are being asked to recommend better ways to get people covered. As GPB's Sofi Gratas reports, they have a long way to go.
Sofi Gratas: Georgia's uninsured rate has gone down, but it's still higher than the national average. Yet most uninsured adults are eligible for some kind of coverage through the state's Medicaid program, which comes with work requirements or through a subsidized marketplace plan. Grant Thomas, with the Department of Community Health, told the new commission Thursday the agency is spending millions on marketing these programs, but--
Daniel Ketchum: There's always going to be people who do not, apply for and enroll in health insurance coverage despite it being offered to them for whatever reason that may be.
Sofi Gratas: People from outside Atlanta said the commission should consider a lack of providers and technology as possible barriers, especially in rural Georgia, where need is highest. The commission will meet for two years. For GPB News, I'm Sofi Gratas.
Story 8:
Peter Biello: Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan, who burst into the national hip hop scene in 2013, has died. Atlanta police say they found the rapper, whose real name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar, unresponsive at his home yesterday. His 2013 song "Type of Way" helped launch him into the national spotlight. His cause of death is unknown. He was 33 years old.
Story 9:
Peter Biello: Researchers at the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences are looking to boost the value of Georgia's peanut crops by developing high oil peanuts. Most of Georgia's peanut crop is used for foods like peanut butter, roasted snacks and baking. But peanut oil is a lucrative crop in the domestic market, for it is small. A nearly half million dollars grant will fund the development of a high oil peanut variety bred to withstand Georgia's climate. The researchers say, by diverting some acreage to peanut oil, demand and price for edible peanuts could rise.
Story 10:
Peter Biello: The group promoting pedestrian safety in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, is getting a $10 million grant to build an elevated pedestrian bridge over a busy street. The Buckhead Community Improvement District's president says the group is grateful for the support from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Georgia's congressional delegation. The pedestrian and bike bridge will cross Lenox Road and create a mile plus long pedestrian friendly corridor between the Lennox Marta station and Piedmont Road. The bridge itself will be about two thirds of a mile long. The project is expected to be complete by January 2028.
Story 11:
Peter Biello: In sports, Reynaldo Lopez pitched a solid six innings and struck out 11, but the Atlanta Braves couldn't muster enough run support, and the Braves lost to the Rockies 3 to 1 last night. Rockies starter Austin Gomber when eight innings, giving up one run and striking out five. Braves outfielder Michael Harris II says gomber did a good job of changing pitch speeds and keeping batters off balance.
Michael Harris II: Normally you adjust during the game, but I think you did a good job of, ramping up a needed two and then going back down when he when he had to. So, yeah, I think he just did a good job mixing.
Peter Biello: With the loss. The Braves dropped to a tie with the New York Mets for the final wild card spot. The Braves opened up a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Truist Park in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons. $180 million man Kirk Cousins has been handed the keys to the offense as the NFL's season opens against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Atlanta, even coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cut short his final season with the Vikings, cousins sure seems like a major upgrade over his predecessors in college football. Number one Georgia plays its home opener against FC school Tennessee Tech tomorrow afternoon. Tennessee Tech has yet to score a point against Georgia. When the teams first met in 1943, the Bulldogs romped 67 to nothing and in their only other matchup, Georgia cruised to a 38 to nothing victory in 2009. Georgia Southern faces Nevada tomorrow. Georgia Tech faces Syracuse and Georgia State hosts Chattanooga.
Peter Biello: And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. It's been a tough news week. A lot of stuff that's been hard to hear, but we appreciate you tuning in and we hope you will follow updates at our website. GPB.org/news. If you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet, highly recommend you do it now. We'll be back in your feed on Monday afternoon with all the latest news from Georgia, and if you have feedback, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening and have a great weekend.
Georgia Today Podcast – Stay informed with Georgia Public Broadcasting’s daily podcast, Georgia Today. Your essential source for in-depth coverage of the latest news, politics, and events shaping Georgia. Each weekday, our team delivers comprehensive updates and insightful analysis on state and local issues, providing you with the stories that matter most. From breaking news to investigative reporting, Georgia Today keeps you connected to the heartbeat of the Peach State. Tune in for timely and accurate news coverage that keeps you ahead of the curve.
Peter Biello: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, Sept. 5. I'm Peter Biello. On today's episode, the state mourns the loss of two teachers and two students in yesterday's school shooting in Winder, Ga. Georgia Power gets approval to cut rates, and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners will provide monitors for the 2024 election. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Peter Biello: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says autopsies were scheduled for today for the four people killed in yesterday's shooting. Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, and students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn were killed at Apalachee High School yesterday when a 14-year-old student opened fire. Many others were injured. Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered flags on all state buildings to be lowered in their honor today. Classes were canceled today at the high school, though some people came to pay respects by leaving flowers around the flagpole and kneeling in the grass with their heads bowed. The 14-year-old suspect has been accused of using an assault-style rifle.
Story 2:Peter Biello: Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. Now, one group of moms is rallying support for a list of policies to help victims recover after traumatic events. GPB's Amanda Andrews has more.
Amanda Andrews: Mothers Against Gang Violence is advocating for a policy platform called The Right to Heal. It outlines policy solutions that provide survivors financial, emotional and legal support community-wide in the wake of a crime. Aswad Thomas works with the crime prevention group Alliance for Safety and Justice. He says survivors need rights that include things like job stability.
Aswad Thomas: What would it look like if all survivors had a right to these employment protections that allow you to have time off work for you to grieve and heal, for you to plan funerals, for you to navigate the justice system, for you to go get counseling?
Amanda Andrews: His group will join Mothers Against Gang Violence for a Crime Survivor speak March on Washington, D.C., Sept. 23 and 24. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.
Story 3:Peter Biello: Tomorrow's football game between Apalachee High School and Monroe Area High School has been canceled. Instead, there will be a community prayer vigil held at the Purple Pit Football Stadium in Monroe tomorrow evening at 7:30. The suspect is expected to appear in Barrow County Superior Court tomorrow morning. The GBI says the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, calling it very complex and is asking for the public's patience. This is an evolving story. Be sure to stay tuned to this podcast as we continue our reporting, and check GPB.org/news for the latest updates.
Story 4:Peter Biello: The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has approved a proposal to provide monitors for the 2024 election. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.
Sarah Kallis: The Fulton County Board of Elections was issued a reprimand in May by the State Election Board regarding the recount of the 2020 election. Fulton Election Board Chair Sherri Allen says because of that, they agree to have election monitors present for the 2024 election as part of the process to resolve the reprimand. Election monitors will observe vote counting and election procedures. Fulton County Board of Commissioner Vice Chair Khadijah Abdur-Rahman approved the measure and says she supports election monitors.
Khadijah Abdur-Rahman: And let's try to make sure that we do the things that are best, not for any particular party, but what's best to make sure that we have safe, secure elections.
Sarah Kallis: The commission unanimously approved the proposal. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Atlanta.
Story 5:Peter Biello: Some Democrats from Georgia are pushing Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, as the best option to improve the health care landscape nationwide. GPB's Sofi Gratas has more.
Sofi Gratas: 18 rural hospitals are at risk of closing in Georgia, according to an independent report. Some Georgia Democrats say the solution is getting thousands more people health care coverage by fully expanding Medicaid, therefore bringing hospitals more paying patients. U.S. congressman Sanford Bishop of Middle Georgia says his constituents can't afford more closures. He's hopeful a Harris/Walz administration pulls through with promises to protect the Affordable Care Act and other subsidized health care and lower costs.
Sanford Bishop: We know how much devastation our communities have seen from the opioid epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic. We know how vital it is to have a robust health care system that works for everyone, not just a few.
Sofi Gratas: Georgia is one of 10 states to reject full Medicaid expansion so far. For GPB News, I'm Sofi Gratas.
Story 6:Peter Biello: 20 investors in chemical producer the Chemours Company have sent a letter to the company urging it to make a permanent commitment to not do business with Twin Pines Minerals, the Alabama-based company that plans to mine around the Okefenokee Swamp in Southeast Georgia. Chemours stated publicly it had no plans to mine near the Okefenokee, which is the largest blackwater swamp in North America. The investors, spearheaded by mutual fund Green Century Capital Management, are asking Chemours to make those plans official. In a letter, the investors say mining the, quote "ecological gem" would expose the company to a whole lot of business risks. It's the latest effort to block mining near the Okefenokee Swamp.
Story 7:Peter Biello: State energy regulators yesterday gave Georgia Power approval to reduce customer rates by $122 million. The reduction reflects the Atlanta based utility's savings from corporate tax cuts the General Assembly enacted this year. The state Public Service Commission required the company to pass any savings from future tax cuts to customers. The action will save the average residential customer $2.25 a month. It'll go into effect on Jan. 1.
Story 8:Peter Biello: In sports: in baseball, the Braves face the Rockies again tonight at Truist Park. Last night, Charlie Morton threw five innings and gave up two runs as the Braves beat the Rockies 5 to 2. He says a lot of deep counts and long at bats kept him from going deeper than five innings into the game.
Charlie Morton: By and large, I limited hard contact and I got swing and miss when I needed to, for the most part. I just wish I could have been more efficient, but it's like, I don't know, I guess you're going to have games like that every now and then.
Peter Biello: The Rockies are last in the National League West, and tomorrow the Braves open a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the last-place team in the American League East. These are must-win games at a time when every game counts. The Braves are clinging to a wild card spot with the division rival New York Mets a half game back. The Braves and Mets will meet at Truist Park later this month. And in soccer, Atlanta United fired its technical director after a less-than-stellar season for the team. Carlos Bocanegra was dismissed with seven games left in another disappointing season. President and CEO of Atlanta United, Garth Lagerwey, will assume Bocanegra's duties on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
Peter Biello: And that's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. We do appreciate you tuning in. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, including the shooting in Winder yesterday, please check GPB.org/news. We're posting the latest updates there. And if you haven't subscribed to this podcast, do it now. We'll pop up automatically in your feed tomorrow with all the latest news about what happened in Winder and throughout the state of Georgia. If you've got feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.
Sofi Gratas: Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB News. Today is Wednesday, Sept. 4. I'm Sofi Gratas. On today's episode, a suspect is in custody after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County leaves four people dead. Public service commissioners vote to grant a Georgia railroad company private land for a new rail line, and the CDC in Atlanta prepares to bring thousands of workers back into the office. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
Story 1:Sofi Gratas: Four people were killed and at least nine were injured today in a shooting at a high school in Barrow County, northeast of Atlanta. This is a rapidly developing story. As always, check GPB.org/news for the latest. As of the recording of this podcast around 4 p.m., here's what we know. Shots were fired this morning, and officers were dispatched around 10:23 to Appalachee High School in the town of Winder. Students were evacuated to a nearby football field. Parents raced to find out if their children were safe. The suspect was taken into custody and was not, quote unquote, "neutralized," as earlier reports indicated. One patient was transported to Grady Medical Center in Atlanta with gunshot wounds, while two other victims with gunshot wounds were transported nearby to Northeast Georgia Medical Center's facility in Barrow County. Yet another was sent further to the GMC level one trauma center in Gainesville. Politicians are issuing statements of support and issuing calls for prayers for the victims, their families and the community. President Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security adviser, and his administration says it will continue coordinating with federal, state and local officials. Again, this is a developing story. Check gpb.org/news for updates.
Story 2:Sofi Gratas: The Georgia Public Service Commission voted Wednesday to allow a Washington County railroad to take private land for a new rail line. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.
Grant Blankenship: Sandersville Railroad Company has for years sought to take through eminent domain land for a short rail line to connect granite quarries near Sparta, halfway between Macon and Augusta, to larger railroads heading to the northeast. The PSC voted unanimously for the condemnation, despite the protest by homeowners and residents who questioned how the project is for the public good. Their attorneys from the nonprofit Institute For Justice say they'll challenge the decision in Fulton County Superior Court. Sandersville railroad President Ben Thompson says he's prepared for that.
Ben Thompson: We feel very strongly that the business case is there — not just next year, for the next 50 years. And so we're going to see this thing through.
Grant Blankenship: While the Institute For Justice has won 10 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, they lost the last eminent domain case they argued there. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Atlanta.
Story 3:Sofi Gratas: The CDC in Atlanta is preparing to bring thousands of remote workers in the Atlanta area back to the office. New guidelines take effect next Monday, Sept. 9, that will require nearly 2,900 workers to return to the CDC's Atlanta office about once a week. This change in policy reflects recommendations from the federal Office of Management and Budget, says Robin Bailey, chief operating officer of the CDC. The move comes as both government institutions and private industries move away from the fully remote policies put in place at the height of the pandemic. The CDC says, as COVID-19 cases rise, it's encouraging its employees to get vaccinated and stay home if they feel sick.
Story 4:Sofi Gratas: The Democratic Party of Georgia is appealing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger decision to include on the presidential ballot independent Cornel West and Party for Socialism and Liberation's Claudia de la Cruz. Raffensperger decided to put West and De la Cruz on the ballot last week, overruling an initial decision from an administrative law judge that said the two should be kept off the ballot because of improper nominating petitions.
Story 5:Sofi Gratas: And Hyundai has rolled out the 2025 versions of its Ioniq 5 electric SUV. The South Korean automaker unveiled a test version yesterday of its latest EV at a dealership in Savannah, a few miles from a sprawling new $7.6 billion manufacturing complex. During the first half of 2024, the Ioniq 5 was America's second-best selling electric vehicle not made by industry leader Tesla. The company says the plant will begin producing new Ioniq 5s before the end of the year, though it hasn't said precisely when.
Story 6:Sofi Gratas: The Atlanta City Council has approved two ordinances that ban construction of data centers near the BeltLine and transit areas. The legislation aims to preserve new residential and mixed use developments, trails and green spaces along Atlanta's BeltLine Trail as demand for data centers in Georgia grows.
Story 7:Sofi Gratas: Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine are looking for patients to enroll in a new clinical trial to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has the details.
Ellen Eldridge: Researchers at Emory's Brain Health Center say they've located the part of the brain damaged by PTSD that regulates and suppresses fear and can get stuck on high alert in traumatized people. They want to see if they can target and break up those traumas by placing a magnetic coil on the scalp that sends nerve impulses to the brain. Dr. Sanne van Rooij is with Emory University.
Dr. Sanne van Rooij: One of the new treatment that I'm doing is transcranial magnetic stimulation. And the goal is to dampen the fear center — to sort of unlearn, facilitate this unlearning of fear.
Ellen Eldridge: The clinical study seeks 60 people with PTSD symptoms for a two-week outpatient study. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.
Story 8:Sofi Gratas: A federal judge in Atlanta has ruled that Donald Trump and his campaign must stop using the song "Hold On, I'm Coming" while the family of one of the song's co-writers pursues a lawsuit over its use. The estate of Isaac Hayes Jr. filed a lawsuit last month alleging that Trump, his campaign, and several others had infringed its copyright and should pay damages. The federal judge ruled yesterday that Trump must stop using the song at events, but denied a request to force the campaign to take down any existing videos that include the song. The ruling is preliminary and litigation is ongoing.
Story 9:Sofi Gratas: In sports, Chris Sale reached 200 strikeouts for the first time since 2019 and earned the 16th win of his comeback season, pitching seven strong innings to lead the Atlanta Braves past the Colorado Rockies 3 to 0. Raisel Iglesias earned his 29th save and extended his scoreless streak to 22 1/3 innings. The Braves maintained their slender lead over the Mets for the final NL Wild Card.
Sofi Gratas: That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you would like to learn more about these stories, please visit GPB.org/news. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. Got feedback? We would love to hear it! Email us at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org. I'm Sofi Gratas and we'll see you tomorrow.
Georgia Today Podcast – Stay informed with Georgia Public Broadcasting’s daily podcast, Georgia Today. Your essential source for in-depth coverage of the latest news, politics, and events shaping Georgia. Each weekday, our team delivers comprehensive updates and insightful analysis on state and local issues, providing you with the stories that matter most. From breaking news to investigative reporting, Georgia Today keeps you connected to the heartbeat of the Peach State. Tune in for timely and accurate news coverage that keeps you ahead of the curve.
On the Tuesday September 3rd edition of Georgia Today: Republican Vice presidential candidate JD Vance plans a town hall meeting in Braselton; AT&T workers across the Southeast continue their strike; and Atlanta's Mayor says the city will be dedicating $60 million dollars towards addressing Atlanta’s growing homeless population.
On the Friday August 30th edition of Georgia Today: Vice President Kamala Harris holds a rally in Savannah, her first since accepting the democratic party's nomination for president; Dozens of guards walk off the job at the Fulton County Jail; And a new book looks into the role of race and privilege in the pursuit of justice for a man who murdered his wife.
On the Thursday August 29th edition of Georgia Today: Democrats sue Georgia Elections Board over rules they say could delay election certification; Georgia's secretary of state makes a decision on who can be on this year's presidential ballot; And new technology helps babies with respiratory problems breathe on their own.
On the Wednesday August 28th edition of Georgia Today: VP Kamala Harris kicks off a two day bus tour today in South Georgia; Georgia senate republicans push to ban transgender women from womens sports; And a look at what it's like for the few Black students attending what historians call "segregation academies"
On the Tuesday, Aug. 27 edition of Georgia Today: A group of nonprofits works to combat so-called "hidden homelessness;" a state judge rules to keep third party candidates off of Georgia's presidential ballot; and WNBA rookie Caitlin Clark draws a record-breaking crowd to State Farm Arena.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Aug. 26 edition of Georgia Today: The State Election Board faces renewed scrutiny over what some are calling partisan rule-making; Vice President Harris plans to campaign in Georgia; and we remember Georgia-born jazz guitarist Russell Malone.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Aug. 23 edition of Georgia Today: Officer misconduct leads a Georgia prosecutor to drop charges in three murder cases; Georgians speak at the last day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago; and a Savannah columnist talks about her new books of essays.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Aug. 22 edition of Georgia Today: Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan urges other Republicans to vote for Harris for president; historical preservationists work to uncover the forgotten stories of Oak Ridge Cemetery in Macon; and as the Braves take on the Phillies, a rivalry between two players reignites.
On the Wednesday Augsut 21st edition of Georgia Today: Georgia republicans rally in Hall County for former president Donald Trump; More Georgia plaintiffs join a racial discrimination suit against cereal maker General Mills; And Richmond Hill residents air their grievances about the city's response to Tropical Storm Debby.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Aug. 20 edition of Georgia Today: The state board of elections adopts a new rule critics say could delay certification; A new program offers financial assistance to Atlanta business owners; And a Georgia church makes efforts to reduce the stigma of Alzheimer's disease, and help those affected by it.
On the Monday August 19th edition of Georgia Today: A new report says Georgia is one of the worst states for Women's health; Governor Brian Kemp announces lowered expectations for the state's Pathways to Coverage program; And a new podcast explores why so many bodies were found around a crematorium in northwest Georgia more than twenty years ago.
On the Friday August 16th edition of Georgia Today: As book bans continue in one school district, a West Georgia library system puts limits on who can challenge books; UGA researchers work to protect student athletes from heat stroke; And Atlanta's Truist Park is noted as a welcoming spot for vegans.
On the Thursday August 15th edition of Georgia Today: One of Georgia's largest counties will start charging people who challenge the eligibility of voters; The mother of a murder victim plans to file a wrongful death suit against Columbus State University; And mayor from west Georgia is arrested by the GBI for giving alcohol to an inmate work crew.
On the Thursday August 15th edition of Georgia Today: One of Georgia's largest counties will start charging people who challenge the eligibility of voters; The mother of a murder victim plans to file a wrongful death suit against Columbus State University; And mayor from west Georgia is arrested by the GBI for giving alcohol to an inmate work crew.
On the Wednesday August 14th edition of Georgia Today: Secretary of state Brad Raffensperger puts the state's voting machines to the test; Georgia women continue to speak out about horrific treatment of pregnant women in prison; And we'll look at an effort to protect a native flower in Macon from invasive plants.
On the Tuesday, Aug. 13 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Power issues a safety alert after a fire at Plant Vogtle in East Georgia; parts of Southeast Georgia continue to struggle after Tropical Storm Debby; and after a school bus accident, one Northwest Georgia school delays the start of its football season.
On the Aug. 12 edition of Georgia Today: A new study shows Georgia has almost the worst behavioral health care in the country; the Democratic National Committee launches its first ads for Harris presidential campaign; and the RICO trial against Young Thug and seven co-defendents, the longest in Georgia history, is set to resume today.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Aug. 9 edition of Georgia Today: Bulloch County residents still recovering from Tropical Storm Debby prepare for possible flooding this weekend; and Gov. Brian Kemp responds to recent criticism for former President Donald Trump.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Aug. 8 edition of Georgia Today: Nearly one-and-a-half billion federal dollars are coming to Northwest Georgia; three new State Election Board members want to reopen the investigation into Fulton County's handling of the 2020 election; and a Georgia native has become the first U.S. men's weightlifter to medal at the Olympics since 1984.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Aug. 7 edition of Georgia Today: Passengers sue Delta Air Lines over flights impacted by widespread tech problems; the Georgia Superintendent reverses his position on whether AP African American studies violates the states "divisive concepts" law; and a look at the dangers of the Georgia State Patrol's pursuit policy.
On the Tuesday August 6th edition of Georgia Today: Officials assess the damage in South Georgia following heavy rain dropped by Tropical Storm Debby; Jon Ossoff's criminal justice reform bill has been signed into law; And grassroots effort aims to help hospitals return to rural Georgia.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Aug. 5 edition of Georgia Today: Businesses and homes are without power as Hurricane Debby moves through Georgia; former President Donald Trump criticizes Gov. Brian Kemp at an Atlanta rally; and a bipartisan group of former political leaders join forces to inspire confidence in American elections.
On the Friday, Aug. 2 edition of Georgia Today: It's back to school season, and cellphone bans are going into effect at schools across Georgia; underwater cameras placed inside former MARTA cars go missing off the Georgia coast; and Georgia athletes bring home medals at the Olympic Games in Paris.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Aug. 1 edition of Georgia Today: Vice President Harris plans to be in Georgia again next week; a UGA football player has been dismissed from the team after his arrest; and a federal investigation finds pregnant women in prison aren't always getting the basic care they need.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, July 31 edition of Georgia Today: Vice President Kamala Harris energizes Georgia voters with a stop in Atlanta; the Georgia's secretary of state's office holds surprise voting machine checks in Bibb County; and a new stamp celebrates baseball legend Hank Aaron.
On the Tuesday July 30th edition of Georgia Today: Both Presidential candidates will make appearances in Georgia this week; A disciplinary hearing against six UGA students suspended for their roles in an on-campus protest began today; And the Atlanta Falcons have reached a milestone for the first time in nearly two-decades.
On the Monday, July 29th edition of Georgia Today: The Secretary of State's office has a new website to help ensure accurate voter rolls, a group of Atlanta-based musicians face tragedy in Wyoming, and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in Georgia tomorrow.
On the Friday July 26th edition of Georgia Today: A federal grand jury indicts the man allegedly behind a string of cyber attacks including one at Warner Robins air force base; A bike trail linking Athens and Savannah will break ground tomorrow; And the Braves hold the National League Wild Card spot right now - but can they hang on?
On the Thursday July 25th edition of Georgia Today: The family of a man who died at a state prison is suing for negligence; President Joe Biden has signed into law a bill strengthening federal prison oversight; And dozens of athletes from Georgia prepare to compete tomorrow in the Olympics.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, July 24 edition of Georgia Today: Delta Air Lines hurries to assist customers whose flights were canceled due to a tech failures; President Joe Biden will make his first public address since dropping out of the presidential race; and incarcerated women in Clarke County learn homebuilding skills behind bars.
On the Tuesday, July 23 edition of Georgia Today: Delta Air Lines faces a federal investigation over flight delays; Sen. Jon Ossoff holds a hearing on the state's six-week abortion ban; and Georgia Democrats unanimously back Vice President Kamala Harris for President.
On the Monday, July 22 edition of Georgia Today: Georgians react to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race for president; Delta Air Lines continues to recover from the worldwide tech outage that caused havoc last week; And we'll have some tips for protecting your sensitive health information from cyber attacks.
LISTEN: On the Friday, July 19 edition of Georgia Today: A global tech outage affects Georgia businesses both large and small; Georgia Republicans are confident after their national convention wraps up in Milwaukee; and the last ever Atlanta tennis open will have its opening serve this weekend.
On the Thursday July 18th edition of Georgia Today: Delta is the only major US airline where most workers are not in a union, but some are hoping to change that; An iconic Atlanta church may soon be a UNESCO World Heritage site; And best-selling author, and former GPB host, Denene Milner joins the podcast to talk about her latest book.
On the Wednesday July 17th edition of Georgia Today: Two groups file a challenge to a new law extending the terms of public service commissioners; Some Georgia residents could get a share of Kroger's billion dollar opioid settlement; And an iconic Savannah crime novel is now a musical.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, July 16 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Democrats are fighting to keep some candidates off the ballot this November; Georgia's secretary of state wants more poll workers for this year's elections; and the aging Fulton County Jail in Atlanta faces a new safety hazard.
On the Monday, July 15 edition of Georgia Today: Georgians react to the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump; a new program in South Georgia offers advanced training for paramedics; and enrollment in Georgia's Medicaid program, Pathways to Coverage, has been much lower than expected. We'll talk about why.
On the Friday June 12th edition of Georgia Today: A former Georgia insurance commissioner is convicted of money laundering and health care fraud; Savannah steps up their renewable energy efforts with the installation of solar panels in some municipal buildings; And Georgia joins a nationwide effort to save the bees.
On the Thursday June 11th edition of Georgia Today: A northwest Georgia city has settled a lawsuit over its drinking water; Senator Warnock is proposing legislation to cover a gap in Georgia's Medicaid coverage; And we'll talk to the head of US Soccer as Atlanta gears up to host World Cup matches.
On the Wednesday July 10th edition of Georgia Today: The State Election Board is implementing new rules for how elections are certified; Savannah mayor Van Johnson responds after recent pedestrian deaths caused by city vehicles; And Atlanta opens a new autism center to help prepare kids for elementary school.
On the Tuesday July 9th edition of Georgia Today: Georgia farmers are facing total crop losses due to drought conditions; First Lady Jill Biden made an appearance in Columbus last night; And just how well-maintained is the infrastructure across the state? A recent study rated Georgia a C-plus.
LISTEN: On the Monday, July 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Tech engineers and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta team up to help get kids off ventilators using a new technology; Georgia creates a new subcommittee for funding improvements to the state's deadly prison system; and yellow-legged hornets are a big problem on Georgia's coast. Now a state agency is asking the public for help fighting them.
On the Friday, July 5 edition of Georgia Today: The U.S. Supreme Court and some federal health agencies are at odds over a federal statute; MARTA pauses plans to disrupt service at its busy downtown Atlanta rail hub; and the chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia says she will continue to support the Biden campaign after last week's debate.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, July 3 edition of Georgia Today: Runners gather in Atlanta for tomorrow's Peachtree Road Race; Macon looks to boost its firefighting staff; and we'll look at how the Supreme Court may have opened the door to more partisanship in federal regulations.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, July 2 edition of Georgia Today: A state law offering more protection to renters facing eviction goes into effect; Mercer University teaches kids about the ethics of AI technology; and a Georgia congressman pushes for a delay in a rule change that would protect endangered whales.
LISTEN: On the Monday, July 1 edition of Georgia Today: The Supreme Court grants U.S. presidents immunity for "official acts"; new laws go into effect as Georgia's new fiscal year begins; and a fish expert shares how to stay safe from sharks as you venture out into the ocean.
On the Friday June 28th edition of Georgia Today: We'll learn more about what Georgians wanted from last night's Presidential Debate; Savannah city council members vote to demolish a ten thousand seat arena; And we'll tell you about several art exhibitions on view in Atlanta this week.
On the Thursday June 27th edition of Georgia Today: The Presidential debate will be held in Midtown Atlanta tonight; An effort is underway to make brain scans work equally well for Black and white kids; And the port of Brunswick continues to takes on more traffic after the Baltimore bridge collapse.
On the Wednesday June 26th edition of Georgia Today: Campaigners for President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump arrive in Atlanta ahead of the planned first presidential debate tomorrow; A new investigative report profiles the living descendants of enslaved people for whom the US government's promise of land was fulfilled; And what is the future of legal access to cannabis in Georgia?
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, June 25 edition of Georgia Today: Officials are warning drivers to avoid Midtown Atlanta later this week; delays at the U.S. Postal Service facility in Palmetto are now affecting the court system; and the city of Atlanta has officially entered the race to be the new host of the Sundance Film Festival.
On the Monday June 24th edition of Georgia Today: New federal legislation aims to strengthen the Pell Grant Program; Lawmakers prepare to debate the definition of a navigable river or stream; And second gentlemen Doug Emhoff explains why abortion is not just a so-called "women's issue".
LISTEN: On the Friday, June 21 edition of Georgia Today: The CDC headquarters unveils a new art exhibit; The city of Macon gets a big response to its free food giveaway; and a new biography profiles the eccentric millionaire son of an Atlanta business icon.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, June 20 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia town's entire police department has been suspended, new steps are being taken to fight the opioid crisis, and more than 70,000 soccer fans are descending upon Atlanta
On the Tuesday June 18th edition of Georgia Today: Help is on the way for businesses affected by Atlanta's recent water main breaks; Georgia is conducting research to improve problems at its troubled prison system; And a Marietta native is named the NBA Finals most valuable player.
LISTEN: On the Monday, June 17 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia police officers will now need more training become certified; the city of Savannah unveils a new monument to a woman who helped beautify the city; and a new novel is based on a real act of violence in Georgia more than a century ago.
On the Friday, June 14 edition of Georgia Today: House Speaker Jon Burns reaffirms his commitment to protecting access to in-vitro fertilization; Macon opens a center for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities; and who benefits from AI is an important question. So is: who does it leave behind?
On the Thursday June 13th edition of Georgia Today: Nathan Wade says he's not to blame for the delay of the election interference case; Voters in Macon grapple with confusion over incorrect ballots; And a plan to compensate businesses hurt by Atlanta's water main breaks is taking shape.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, June 12 edition of Georgia Today: We'll tell you how yesterday's mass shooting in Atlanta and the bus hijacking are connected; Macon-Bibb County voters experience technical problems at the ballot box; and a historic Columbus baseball stadium is getting a $50 million renovation — and a new name.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, June 11 edition of Georgia Today: Hotel chain Red Roof Inn is in court in Atlanta over sex trafficking allegations; Delta Air Lines shareholders demand the company stop fighting its workers attempts to unionize; and we asked, you answered: Abortion is near the top of your list of most important issues this election year.
On the Monday July 10th edition of Georgia Today: A new lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the creation of the city of Mulberry; Republican congressional candidates face off in a series of televised debates. We'll tell you why one was cut short. And a bail assistance nonprofit ends its work in Georgia because of a new state law.
On the Friday June 7th edition of Georgia Today: Early voting for Georgia's primary runoff is underway in some places and yet to begin in others; A wet spring has delayed the planting season for the state's cotton crops; And the Savannah Bananas take their unique brand of baseball to Fenway Park.
On the Thursday, June 6th edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Court of Appeals puts a pause on the election interference case against Donald Trump; The state capitol gets a four hundred million dollar face lift; And a student organization at Georgia Tech helps rehabilitate the school's feral cat population.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, June 5 edition of Georgia Today: A lawsuit filed against the state by prison health care provider Wellpath is dismissed; climate change brings a new tropical plant species to Georgia; and we'll have a comprehensive preview of the coming hurricane season.
On the Tuesday, June 4 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens is calling in the US military to help address problems with the city's water system; Black workers in Georgia sue cereal-maker General Mills over allegations of racial discrimination; and could Georgia see the growth of more child care facilities open past normal working hours?
LISTEN: On the Monday, June 3 edition of Georgia Today: Some Atlanta residents and businesses are still without water services following the breakdown of several water mains over the weekend; Georgia opts out of a federal program providing assistance to families in need during the Summer months; and Atlanta United fires its head coach.
On the Friday May 31st edition of Georgia Today: Water main bursts in Atlanta disrupt homes and businesses throughout the city; One in six Georgia households could soon lose affordable internet access; And as hurricane season begins, we'll preview a new tool for tracking the storms.
On the Thursday May 30th edition of Georgia Today: The state will be doing an audit of its recent primary election; An indicted state senator wants the charges dismissed; And author Stephen Hundley tells us about his new coming-of-age novel set on a Georgia barrier island.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, May 29 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's Plant Vogtle celebrates the completion of another expansion in Augusta; nine Georgia school systems are getting federal rebates for cleaner school buses; and Major League Baseball changes the way it counts statistics from the Negro leagues, leaving one Georgia-born ballplayer with a significant stat.
On the Tuesday May 28th edition of Georgia Today: Memorial Day travelers came out in force; A new data center is proposed for Fairburn, southwest of Atlanta; And a shortage of game wardens has caused a back up in issuing hunting and fishing licenses.
On the Friday May 24th edition of Georgia Today: A former employee of Fulton County DA Fani Willis testifies before congress about the DA; Workers at the Blue Bird school bus manufacturing facility approve their first union-negotiated labor contract; And the baseball hall of fame unveils a new statue of Braves legend Hank Aaron.
On the Thursday May 23rd edition of Georgia Today: We'll have a preview of what's being called an extraordinary hurricane season, federal money will help build a factory in Covington, east of Atlanta and Orlando Montoya speaks with author Josh Green about his debut novel.
On the Wednesday, May 22nd edition of Georgia Today: We'll have results from yesterday's primary races; An Emory student challenges his suspension over the creation of an AI tool; And a new study shows Atlantans are sidelined by corporate investors in the real estate market.
In this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: we explore the storied life and career of Southern Baseball legend "Hammerin" Henry Aaron. Chuck Reece discovers the lasting impact of Aaron's legacy, and learns that Hank's yearning for social justice extended to the Baseball field and far beyond.
On the Tuesday May 21st edition of Georgia Today: Voters in Georgia are headed to the polls on this primary day; A former Georgia congressman has been elected president of the National Rifle Association; And new affordable housing options are in the works in Macon.
LISTEN: On the Monday, May 20 edition of Georgia Today: President Joe Biden delivered the commencement speech at Atlanta's Morehouse College over the weekend; MARTA reopens a rail station at Hartfield-Jackson International Airport after six weeks of renovations. We'll tell you what's new. And GPB's Peach Jam returns for a third season, showcasing outstanding musical acts from around Georgia.
LISTEN: On the Friday, May 17 edition of Georgia Today: Some Morehouse College students express concerns over President Joe Biden's upcoming commencement speech; a new report shows a rise in drowning deaths over the past decade; and a fixture of downtown Savannah’s art scene, the Ray Ellis gallery, is closing.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, May 16 edition of Georgia Today: President Biden will be in Atlanta on Sunday to deliver the Morehouse College commencement speech; an Atlanta influencer joins a lawsuit fighting the federal government's TikTok ban; and a new minor league hockey team in Athens will be named after one of the city's most famous bands.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, May 15 edition of Georgia Today: President Joe Biden and rival former President Donald Trump make plans to debate in Atlanta next month; Georgia State University announces plans for a new baseball stadium; and the Cobb County School district is accused of discriminatory censorship.
On the Tuesday, May 14 edition of Georgia Today: Delta Air Lines sues over a rule meant to fight so-called "hidden junk fees;" a transgender sheriff's deputy scores a big win in court; and the Braves beat the Cubs last night in part because of stellar pitching from starter Reynaldo Lopez.
On the Monday, May 13 edition of Georgia Today: New research shows Black women are more likely to get cancer; The state's Republican Party removes its vice chairman after a judge finds he voted illegally; And we'll take a look at how an infusion of federal money helps expand broadband access in Georgia.
LISTEN: On the Friday May 10 edition of Georgia Today: Hearings looking into deaths at Atlanta's Fulton County Jail wrap up; Savannah is clamping town on trolley noise in its historic district; and the city of Macon's downtown redevelopment efforts get some national recognition.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, May 9 edition of Georgia Today: Strong storms knocked down trees and power lines across North Georgia late last night; Georgia is losing ground to other Southern states in terms of rail travel expansion; and Emory students express a lack of confidence in the university's president.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, May 8 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia court will hear arguments over whether Fulton County DA Fani Willis should be removed from the Trump election interference case; self-service kiosks at public libraries make it easier for Georgians to access state financial benefits; and a rediscovered African American cemetery in Penfield, Ga., reveals new details about Mercer University.
On the Tuesday May 7th edition of Georgia Today: Governor Brian Kemp signs a $36-billion-dollar state budget; Atlanta has settled a lawsuit with the family of a church deacon who died in a struggle with a city police officer; And some of this year's Pulitzer Prize winners have Georgia ties.
LISTEN: On the Monday, March 6 edition of Georgia Today: The city of Albany is sued for breach of contract after making no progress on a promised 13-mile rail trail; Emory University moves its upcoming graduation ceremony over security concerns; and a new Savannah law regarding gun storage is challenged in court.
On the Friday, May 3rd edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia man who participated in the January 6th insurrection is sentenced; Advocates protest a new law requiring citizenship status checks for Georgia detainees; And Georgia's agriculture industry is on high alert for possible cases of the avian flu.
On the Thursday May 2nd edition of Georgia Today: Senator Jon Ossoff is championing a bi-partisan bill to create the state's first national park; The city of Savannah says its population of unsheltered people is dropping. And cicadas are taking over parts of Georgia.
On the Wednesday April 1st edition of Georgia Today: Waffle House workers try to form a workers' union; Democratic candidates face off in the race for Chatham County District Attorney; And Georgia is one big step closer to getting its first national park.
On the Tuesday April 30th edition of Georgia Today: A lawsuit aims to stop the vote on creating the city of Mulberry in Gwinnett County; A Georgia Bulldogs pitcher is suspected of cheating; And we'll hear part of my conversation with Atlanta comedian Heather McMahan.
On the Monday April 29th edition of Georgia Today: Authorities make arrests at the University of Georgia at a protest over the war in Gaza; The second of two new nuclear reactors at Georgia's Plant Vogtle is up and running; and researchers look for a way to turn food waste into energy.
On the Friday April 26th edition of Georgia Today: Jewish students responds to campus protests over the war in Gaza; Vice President Kamala Harris makes plans to visit Atlanta next week; And we'll hear part two of my conversation with the author of a new biography of Carson McCullers.
On the Thursday, April 25 edition of Georgia Today: Police disperse protesters at Emory University as campus demonstrations take place across the state; Black mayors from around the country are gathering in Atlanta this week — 50 years since the election of Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson; and a new book dives into the life and mind of novelist and Columbus native Carson McCullers.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, April 24 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp signs a human trafficking bill, the latest in a flurry of bill signings; the CDC is partnering with the National Weather Service to help address heat related injuries; and a Georgia magnet fisher uncovers new evidence in a nine-year-old murder case.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, April 23 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Dept of Corrections is in trouble for failing to fix certain practices deemed unconstitutional; a new map lists the locations of Georgia's most common tick species; and Gov. Brian Kemp signs into law a controversial school choice bill.
LISTEN: On the Monday, April 22 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia is getting a big financial boost from the White House to help with solar panel adoption; Gov. Brian Kemp signs a law relaxing some requirements for the construction of rural county hospitals; and today is the deadline to register to vote in May's upcoming primary election in Georgia.
LISTEN: On the Friday, April 19 edition of Georgia Today: How the federal legislation on TikTok could affect Georgia content creators; a look at how organizers of Tybee Island's Orange Crush festival could be on the hook for costs to taxpayers; and we remember Atlanta rap pioneer Rico Wade.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, April 18 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp signs tax-cutting bills into law; a new report shows Georgia stalled in its efforts to boost pre-K enrollment; and we remember Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, who died today at the age of 80.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, April 17 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens says vandalism won't stop the construction of the controversial police training center; a statewide program provides needed medical care in some rural areas; and an Augusta man is charged with trafficking stolen merch from the Augusta National Country Club.
On the Tuesday April 16th edition of Georgia Today: Postmaster General Louis Dejoy faces tough questions about mail delivery delays before the U.S. Senate; Atlanta works to finish part of a trail connecting the city to the Chattahoochee River; And Savannah attempts to cut down on noise created by tour operators in the city's historical district.
On the Monday April 15th edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's Public Service Commission votes tomorrow on Georgia Power's request to generate more electricity; The city of Savannah is requiring locks for guns left inside motor vehicles; And we'll give you the scoop on businesses offering discounts to help offset your Tax Day Blues.
On the Friday April 12th edition of Georgia Today: A senate hearing is planning on looking into delays at the US Postal Service; Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens unveils the proposed locations for three new MARTA stations; And we’ll take a closer look at Georgia Power’s plans to close toxic coal ash ponds.
On the Thursday April 11th edition of Georgia Today: A prosecutor has been named to investigate Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones’ possible role in the Georgia’s election interference case; Georgia peach farmers are looking to have a better yield this year; And an online petition is encouraging the Atlanta Braves to put a 67-year-old Savannah resident on the roster.
On the Wednesday April 10th edition of Georgia Today: Money from a sprawling opioid lawsuit settlement is now available to eligible Georgians; A man who has spent 22 years in prison will now get a new trial; And could Atlanta finally be ready for a new professional hockey team?
On the Tuesday, April 9 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern agrees to pay more than $600 million to settle a class action lawsuit; it's the last day to submit written comments on a plan to mine near Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; and a former chief financial officer for the city of Atlanta pleads guilty to stealing money from the city.
On the Monday April 8th edition of Georgia Today: Two advocacy groups file a complaint against Emory University for creating what they say is a hostile environment for Muslim students; Researchers recruit older patients for a new Alzheimer's study; And its the fiftieth anniversary of the night Braves outfielder Hammerin' Hank Aaron became a baseball legend.
On the Friday April 5th edition of Georgia Today: The removal process begins for the vice chairman of the Georgia Republican Party after a judge found he violated state election law; and Federal prosecutors indict a state inmate accused of building and mailing bombs from inside prison.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Sept. 13 edition of Georgia Today: McIntosh County officials vote to rezone a historic Gullah Geechee settlement on Sapelo Island, raising concerns with citizens; a new study show Georgia residents are unprepared to handle long term health care; and sheriffs in central Georgia try a new way of helping people experiencing a mental health crisis.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Sept.12 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp is suspending the state's gas taxes again; state officials are preparing to remove 82,000 Georgians from the voter rolls; and 22 years after 9/11, the CDC is now sharing what it has learned about the health effects of those near the disaster site.
On the Monday, Sept. 11 edition of Georgia Today: Fulton County officials consider rehousing detainees of the fatally overcrowded Fulton County Jail; opponents of the proposed Atlanta police training center dubbed "Cop City" submit their petition to get the issue on a ballot; and on its 22nd anniversary, ceremonies across Georgia remember the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Sept. 8 edition of Georgia Today: A proposal to rezone a historic Gullah Geechee settlement in Georgia meets fierce opposition; a new study shows growing dissatisfaction among university professors at Georgia colleges; and Ronald Acuña Jr. closes in on a benchmark only reached four times in baseball history.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Sept. 7 edition of Georgia Today: Another incarcerated man has died at the Fulton County Jail; the CDC has a new boss; and Officials in Macon-Bibb County are shutting down bars an hour earlier in an effort to reduce late-night crime.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Sept. 6 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia ACLU condemns the indictment of dozens of activists opposed to Atlanta's new police training center; a judge allows Georgia to resume a ban on hormone therapy for transgender youth; and Georgia is quickly becoming a leader in electric vehicles. Can our infrastructure keep up?
On the Tuesday, Sept. 5 edition of Georgia Today: A trial that starts today could result in new voting district lines for Georgia; Activists opposed to a police training center in Atlanta are indicted; and a look at Punk Black, an organization which bolsters alternative music created by people of color.
On the Friday September 1st edition of Georgia Today: Five people have died in the Fulton County Jail in the past month and the NAACP is demanding answers; A proposed new data center means more jobs and tax revenue for Bartow County; And Ronald Acuna of the Atlanta Braves hits a grand milestone.
On the August 31st edition of Georgia Today: Thousands of South Georgians remain without power, though the coast was left largely unscathed in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia; Governor Brian Kemp addresses Republican criticism of Fulton County DA Fani Willis; And it looks like power bills for many Georgians are going up once again.
On the Wednesday August 30th edition of Georgia Today: Hurricane Idalia is making its way through parts of Georgia, we'll have details; A federal judge holds former Trump attorney Rudy Gialiani liable in a defamation lawsuit filed by two Georgia election workers; And the story of Georgia family fighting to keep land that has been in the family for generations from being seized in the name of commerce and development.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Aug. 29 edition of Georgia Today: A hurricane headed for Georgia has officials and farmers preparing for heavy winds, rain, and possible flooding; former President Trump's one-time chief of staff testified in an Atlanta federal court and one of our reporters was there; and an intersection in Athens now bears the name of a Bulldog legend.
On the Monday, Aug. 28 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Donald Trump and 18 others accused of election fraud conspiracy now have an arraignment date; South Georgians prepare for the arrival of a powerful storm; and on the anniversary of the "I Have A Dream" speech, we hear about a new biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Aug. 25 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Donald Trump surrendered to authorities in Fulton County yesterday after being indicted last week; Georgia reports a decline in unemployment; and a controversial town square in Savannah finally has a new name.
On the Thursday, Aug. 24 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Trump is expected to surrender to authorities at the Fulton County Jail this evening; Gov. Brian Kemp makes a surprise appearance at the Republican primary debate; And how can eye movement therapy help people suffering from trauma?
On the Wednesday, Aug. 23 edition of Georgia Today: More defendants indicted with Donald Trump turn themselves in, with the former president expected in town tomorrow. The Georgia Supreme Court hears arguments on whether it was illegal to use a rap video as evidence in a recent murder trial. And Savannah City Council prepares to vote on a new name for one of the city's historic town squares.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Aug. 22 edition of Georgia Today: One of the other co-defendants in Donald Trump's RICO indictment has turned himself in here in Atlanta; officials have broken ground on the first of three new behavioral health crisis centers in the state; and we talk to a familiar face for many Peloton users about his Georgia roots.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Aug. 21 edition of Georgia Today: Republicans presidential candidates gather in Atlanta without the party's front runner. COVID-19 hospitalizations are up and Georgia is above the national average. And a federal judge temporarily blocks part of the Georgia law banning gender-affirming care for minors.
LISTEN: On the Friday, Aug. 18 edition of Georgia Today: Cobb County school board votes to fire a teacher for violating Georgia's divisive concepts law; authorities investigate death threats made against the grand jurors who indicted former president Donald Trump; and workers begin loading radioactive fuel into Georgia's second new nuclear reactor.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Aug. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones reacts to the indictment of former President Trump and others; a Columbus lawyer who sued Facebook and won has received his payout; and a judge signs off on billions of dollars in bonds for the new Rivian plant east of Atlanta.
On the Wednesday, Aug. 16 edition of Georgia Today: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones may face charges for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia; a teacher accused of violating the state's divisive concepts law may still keep her job; and a UGA professor on the college's first Black students over 60 years ago.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Aug. 15 edition of Georgia Today: A Fulton County court indicts former president Donald Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election; a federal judge denies the city of Atlanta's request to halt the "Stop Cop City" referendum petition; and American Red Cross volunteers from Georgia help out in Maui.
LISTEN: On the Monday, Aug. 14 edition of Georgia Today: Charges for former president Donald Trump for trying to overturn the results of Georgia's 2020 election could come as soon as today; we hear from the first students of Georgia Southern University's new Ph.D. program for environmental science; and why does Camden County's plan to replace aging bridges have some residents concerned?
LISTEN: On the Friday, Aug. 11 edition of Georgia Today: Hearings are underway for a Cobb County teacher who may be the first to be terminated under Georgia's new divisive concepts law; state law enforcement officials investigate the death of man in Atlanta police custody; and a Chamblee High student competes in the Women's World Cup.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, Aug. 10 edition of Georgia Today: A new study on clean energy shows Georgia Power still has a ways to go; the population of Metro Atlanta crosses the 5 million mark; and we speak with one of the conductors of a study on the USDA's WIC program.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Aug. 9 edition of Georgia Today: A fight over a Brunswick homeless shelter lands in court; a report finds Georgia's children bear the brunt of Medicaid expulsions; and the home of Georgia Tech Football gets a new name.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, Aug. 8 edition of Georgia Today: A push in the state legislature to force social media companies to verify Georgia users' ages; can converted shipping containers curb the homelessness issue in Atlanta? And the UGA football recruiting staffer who survived a fatal crash in January has been fired.
LISTEN: On the Monday Aug. 7 edition of Georgia Today: Rising temperatures put a strain on Georgia hospitals; an effort to unionize at the Savannah Morning News fails; and a conversation with the drummer of the Georgia-based band Mastodon.
On the Friday, Aug. 4 edition of Georgia Today: Preparations are under way in downtown Atlanta in anticipation of potential indictments related to the 2020 election and former President Trump; an EPA ruling in Alabama on coal ash may have broad implications here in Georgia; and a conversation with the journalists behind our series investigating when it's too hot to work.
On the Friday August 4th edition of Georgia Today: Preparations are under way in downtown Atlanta in anticipation of potential indictments related to the 2020 election and Former President Trump; An EPA ruling in Alabama on Coal Ash may have broad implications here in Georgia; And a conversation with the journalists behind our series investigating when it's too hot to work.
On the Thursday, Aug. 3 edition of Georgia Today: A task force recommends ways to proceed on Atlanta's controversial public safety training center; a project in Macon aims to fill gaps in African American family heritage; and how hot is TOO hot to work outdoors? Our series on working in the heat continues.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Aug. 2 edition of Georgia Today: The Sheriff of Fulton County weighs in on yesterday's federal indictment of Donald Trump; a West Georgia college offers a new aviation program; and part 1 of a new three-part series on how rising temperatures from climate change affect our lives.
On the Tuesday, Aug. 1 edition of Georgia Today: The grand jury investigating 2020 election interference has subpoenaed a journalist; government scientists are asking Georgians to help figure out why butterflies are disappearing; and Major League Baseball's trade deadline is today, so what does that mean for the Braves?
LISTEN: On the Monday, July 31 edition of Georgia Today: A state judge denies a request from former President Donald Trump; The latest results for Georgia's Milestones student test show some improvement but still a long way to go to make up COVID losses; and Georgia craft breweries expand following a law change.
On the Friday, July 28 edition of Georgia Today: The city of Macon looks to increase neighborhood safety with a project spearheaded by young people; Georgia ranks among the top states for economic development for clean energy; And a look at how the summer heat will affect young athletes as they head back to the practice field.
On the Thursday, July 27 edition of Georgia Today: A federal judge rules in favor of Atlanta organizers gathering signatures to force a vote on the controversial police and firefighter training center; the community rallies in support of a Cobb County teacher fired for a book-reading; and some state residents will receive hurricane preparation kits.
On the Wednesday, July 26 edition of Georgia Today: Former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani admits he made false public comments about two Fulton County election workers; a group of Georgia pediatricians ask lawmakers to address a rise in emergency room treatment for kids with gunshot wounds; and a former Georgia Tech tennis player wins big at the Atlanta Open.
On the Tuesday, July 25 edition of Georgia Today: UPS and the Teamsters union reach an agreement; avoiding a potentially costly strike; Gwinnett County is getting a boost in federal funds to expand public transportation; And a Marietta native has just signed the most expensive contract in NBA history.
LISTEN: On the Monday, July 24th edition of Georgia Today: The AC is back on at the Fulton County Jail after last week's storm damage; the Chatham County DA is blasting a new state commission with the authority to replace local DAs; and a pair of former Bulldogs comes up big at the British Open golf tournament.
On the Friday July 21st edition of Georgia Today: A former Dougherty county administrator is suing the county over his termination; A new stamp honoring the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis is available today; And the first sea turtles to emerge from this year's nesting season on the Georgia coast have hatched.
On the Thursday, July 20 edition of Georgia Today: Some Georgia cities are offering cooling shelters so the homeless can escape the heat; a historic town square in Savannah is one step closer to getting a new name; and two Georgia natives will be competing in the women's World Cup.
On the Thursday, July 20 edition of Georgia Today: Some Georgia cities are offering cooling shelters so the homeless can escape the heat; a historic town square in Savannah is one step closer to getting a new name; and two Georgia natives will be competing in the women's World Cup.
On the Wednesday July 19th edition of Georgia Today: Thousands of Georgians will get long promised federal student loan relief; A new study makes an unsettling prediction for Georgia's heat preparedness; And The Georgia Department of Transportation is seeking input on a bridge in Savannah.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, July 18 edition of Georgia Today: The Georgia Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump's efforts to stop Fulton County from prosecuting him; local union actors in Atlanta rally in support of a national strike; and a health advocacy group takes a stand against a proposed Chick-Fil-A at an Augusta Children's hospital.
On the Monday July 17 edition of Georgia Today: The suspect in the shooting deaths of four people in Henry County over the weekend is killed by police; Governor Brian Kemp names a new GBI director; And Fulton County is recruiting senior citizens for a new program to help them live safe and happy lives at home.
LISTEN: On the Friday, July 14 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Trump's lawyers push back against indictment recommendations; Savannah officials look at ways to control the city's rowdy nightlife; and how has the ending of affirmative action affected enrollment diversity in the state?
LISTEN: On the Thursday, July 13 edition of Georgia Today: The Department of Justice opens an investigation into conditions at the Fulton County Jail; a report finds about 100,000 Georgia voters have had their eligibility challenged; and the survivor of a crash that killed a UGA football player in January is suing the university.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, July 12 edition of Georgia Today: South Korean automaker Kia announces plans to expand its manufacturing facility in West Point; airport security officials have detected a rise in guns at Georgia airports; and a retired riverkeeper reflects on the health of the Chattahoochee.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday, July 11 edition of Georgia Today: A Democratic state lawmaker switches political parties; a summer meals program in Macon is stepping in to help kids missing out on school provided meals; and an interview with the Colombus attorney who sued Facebook and won, and now is helping others do the same.
LISTEN: On the Monday July 10th edition of Georgia Today: The mayor of the city of South Fulton is arrested; Georgia Southern offers a first-of-its-kind degree in sustainability; And a former Georgia Tech student continues his amazing run at Wimbledon.
On the Friday, July 7 edition of Georgia Today: A new Georgia study on maternal mortality finds that most pregnancy-related deaths were preventable; A state audit looks at solitary confinement across facilities in Georgia's Department of Juvenile Justice; And the city of Macon celebrates its 200th birthday with a new anthem.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, July 6 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia attorney who promoted lies about 2020 election is retiring; Girl Scouts are rallying in central Georgia's Crawford County in opposition to a rock quarry there; and a new state ethics commission ruling could lead to more people running for public office.
On the Wednesday, July 5 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta officials are condemning a series of attacks over the holiday weekend that targeted police vehicles; WIC farmers markets begin this week in Central Georgia for families in need; and results from the Peachtree Road Race.
On the Monday, July 3 edition of Georgia Today: State officials are extending a partial closure of the Chattahoochee River; Over a thousand people turn out to show their support for Macon's Jewish community following neo-Nazi rallies in the city; And thanks to two Atlanta siblings, you can now buy lemonade legally on private property in Georgia.
On the Friday, June 30 edition of Georgia Today: State officials react to the Supreme Court decision's on student loan debt relief; a group of Georgia families asks the courts to stop the state's new ban on gender-affirming health care for minors; and tips for surviving a hot weekend in Georgia.
On the Thursday, June 28 edition of Georgia Today: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last surviving sibling has passed away. A new study finds Georgia gets low marks for its electric vehicle policies. And a record number of travelers are expected this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
On the Wednesday, June 28 edition of Geogia Today: Catholic bishops in Georgia and the Carolinas call for legislative action to address gun violence; the cost of new construction projects will soon be higher in Savannah; and we feature an interview with Braves first baseman Matt Olson.
On the Tuesday, June 27 edition of Georgia Today: A Supreme Court ruling may force Georgia to redraw its congressional maps; local peach farmers may receive federal disaster relief funds; and a Georgia native has been named the new host of Wheel of Fortune.
On the Monday June 26th edition of Georgia Today: Neo-nazi demonstrations outside synagogues across the state this weekend spark public protests and condemnation from political leaders; The ACLU files a lawsuit with Effingham County School district alleging racial discrimination; And a new one hundred million dollar shipping terminal is coming to Savannah.
On the Friday, June 23 edition of Georgia Today: A Cobb County teacher faces discipline for book covering 'divisive concepts'; protesters get labeled — and charged — as domestic terrorists; and "Cephalopod Week" is coming
On the Thursday June 22nd edition of Georgia Today: The State Supreme Court looks into whether resident of an extended stay motel should be afforded the full rights of renter; FEMA denies Troup County's request for assistance; And a new stamp commemorates civil rights icon John Lewis.
On the Wednesday, July 21 edition of Georgia Today: The Atlanta City Council approves an historic budget for the new fiscal year; there's good news for Atlanta renters; and the National Park Service is seeking help from the public to solve rising sea level issues for Savannah's Fort Pulaski national monument.
On the Tuesday, June 20 edition of Georgia Today: Fulton County is cleared of any violations regarding the 2020 election; there's a medical cannabis update for Georgia; and we talk with the filmmaker behind a new documentary focusing on a group of Christian parents who became LGBTQ activists.
On the Monday June 19th edition of Georgia Today: The state supreme court prepares for arguments in a wrongful death lawsuit involving Tift County police; Macon commemorates the Juneteenth holiday; And first it was the peaches and now the state's watermelon's crop is affected by the unusual spring weather.
On the Friday June 16th edition of Georgia Today: A strike may be looming for Sandy Springs based UPS workers; Worried about mass shootings, a gun seller closes up shop; and The Atlanta History Center commemorates Juneteenth this weekend.
On the Thursday, June 15 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers are taking another look at billions of dollars in state tax breaks; teachers and school leaders try a new strategy for helping child literacy; and failed Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker is going back to school.
On the Wednesday June 14th edition of Georgia Today: Georgia senator Jon Ossoff leads a congressional hearing on AI's impact on human rights; A COVID pandemic policy ends, leaving millions at risk of losing health care; and Savannah has finalized a list of potential names for its historic square.
On the Tuesday, June 13 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp speaks out on former President Donald Trump's indictment; a new food pantry opens in Fulton County to help those in need; and Savannah pays tribute to a pioneering Black woman who fought for voting rights.
On the Monday, June 12 edition of Georgia Today: State Republicans elect a new leader at the GOP convention in Columbus; the Tybee Island City Council tables a resolution to expand the city's emergency powers; and a musical based on lynching of a Jewish man in Georgia wins two Tony awards.
On the Friday June 9th edition of Georgia Today: Donald Trump is expected to speak at the state GOP convention in Columbus despite his federal indictment; a unique new art exhibit focuses on Georgia's history of segregation; and GPB Sports' Jon Nelson breaks down a big week in soccer news.
On the Thursday June 8 edition of Georgia Today: A new voting rights ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court could have big implications in Georgia; a federal indictment of Former President Donald Trump appears imminent; and a new film studio is coming to southwest metro Atlanta.
On the Wednesday, June 7, edition of Georgia Today: CNN ousts their CEO; some opponents of the Atlanta public safety training center change tactics; and an author looks at the emotional impact of giving up a child for adoption.
On the Tuesday, June 6 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta City Council approves funding for the planned public safety training center in a marathon session; the federal government is spending millions to make railroad crossing safer in Georgia; and the best chef in the Southeast has been named, and he owns a restaurant in Decatur.
Hundreds of people line up to speak as the Atlanta City council prepares to vote on the proposed police training facility; Fulton County launches a new mobile mental health unit; and oyster harvesting season officially ends in Georgia — we'll tell you whether you can expect more oysters in restaurants across the region.
LISTEN: On the Friday, June 2 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's U.S. senators help pass legislation to lift the nations debt ceiling; Atlanta leaders are trying to create a summer of peace; and a new study shows a shortage of places for kids to play in Georgia.
On the Thursday, June 1 edition of Georgia Today: Arrests have been made in connection to the protests surrounding the proposed police training facility; Tybee Island makes preparations for hurricane season; and Georgia is facing a lifeguard shortage.
On the Wednesday, May 31 edition of Georgia Today: Three people are arrested in connection with "Cop City"; questions are raised about charter schools and minority enrollment; and a new study finds the shyest spiders ever documented.
On the Tuesday May 30th edition of Georgia Today: The Carter Center releases an update on the health of former first lady Rosalynn Carter; A new treatment is helping military veterans with their mental health; And starting in September it will be more expensive to stay in Savannah.
On the Friday May 26th edition of Georgia Today: Hyundai partners to bring another new electric battery plant to Georgia; the University of Georgia offers a new course on barbecue; And we'll take you to Truist Park for OutKast night.
On the Thursday May 25th edition of Georgia Today: The family of the woman who fell from a moving police car in Hancock County has filed a wrongful death lawsuit; A look at the upcoming hurricane season; And professional baseball may soon be returning to Columbus.
On this Wednesday May 24 edition of Georgia Today: The city of Augusta is hit by a cyberattack; the Atlanta land trust breaks ground on its latest project; we'll tell you about two plots of land which will become new state parks.
On the Tuesday, May 23 edition of Georgia Today: Forsyth County settles its suit with the federal government over its book banning procedures; Georgia peach farmers are facing their worst crop in more than 50 years; and Sen. Ossoff announces new legislation to help public servants live where they work.
On the Monday, May 22 edition of Georgia Today: Striking Dalton bus drivers reach a deal, but buses are still not running; there's new hope for children with peanut allergies; and Savannah is getting a new four-year medical school.
On the Friday, May 19 edition of Georgia Today: A new study on Georgia air quality; a journalist arrested for filming near the site of a planned police training center in Atlanta is suing the city; and what does the national debt ceiling crisis mean for us here in Georgia?
These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
On the Thursday, May 18 edition of Georgia Today: Donald Trump will speak at the Georgia GOP convention next month; Gov. Kemp is headed to Israel; and school bus drivers are on strike in Northwest Georgia.
On the Wednesday, May 17 edition of Georgia Today: A new lawsuit calls the creation of the city of Mableton unconstitutional; Georgia Power to increase rates for customers; And a former Augusta mayor is campaigning to raise money for a cancer cure.
On the Tuesday May 16 edition of Georgia Today: Hundreds of residents showed up to an Atlanta City Council meeting to oppose a proposed police training facility; The Fulton County DA pushes back against Donald Trump; And a Georgia native earns a top spot on "American Idol."
On the Monday May 15 edition of Georgia Today: Bernie Sanders visits Morehouse College to highlight the need for more Black medical professionals; Biden congratulates workers at Blue Bird Corporation on their vote to unionize; and details on a new set of reading and English instruction standards for public schools.
On the Friday, May 12 edition of Georgia Today: So-called "woke" language is being removed from from Georgia teacher training; the vice president is in Atlanta this afternoon; and we'll talk with the producers of a new podcast that looks at one of Georgia's most troubled correctional facilities.
On the Thursday May 11 edition of Georgia Today: Fort Benning has a new name and it's definitely a family affair.. we'll explain; A new pilot program will bring healthcare to the homes of some expectant mothers; and legendary Georgia bands participate in a benefit to preserve Georgia's theaters.
On the Wednesday May 10 edition of Georgia Today: How Georgia is affected by the official end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency tomorrow. State Democratic lawmakers press the governor to take action following last week's shooting in Atlanta. And how modern technology is helping visually impaired students better remember their school year experience.
These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today.
On the Tuesday May 9 edition of Georgia Today: A new law changes how to pay for EV charging; Georgia is now one of the states allowing people to write directions for their future mental health care; And we'll talk to a doctor from Emory University about the newest COVID-19 variant to reach the United States.
On the Monday May 8 edition of Georgia Today: The civil trial against the Athens-Clarke County District Attorney gets underway; Law enforcement officials are working to reduce gun violence among young people this summer; And Governor Kemp uses his veto pen, but conservation groups are applauding a new law he DID sign.
On the Friday May 5 edition of Georgia Today: the date of Georgia's next presidential primary election has been set; aspiring teachers graduate in Macon; commencement season brings big name guests
On the Thursday May 4 edition of Georgia Today: Midtown Atlanta shooter, Deion Patterson, faces charges; sea turtle nesting season has begun; feral horses on Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore may not be there much longer
On the Wednesday, May 3 edition of Georgia Today: A shooting in Atlanta puts the busy Midtown area on high alert; The city gets 100 million dollars to address the affordable housing crisis; And Macon celebrates a major milestone in its redevelopment efforts.
On the Tuesday, May 2 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp signs a bill creating Georgia's own state-run health insurance marketplace; Atlanta Starbucks employees demand better working conditions; and a new program to raise awareness of autism is launching on MARTA.
On the Monday, May 1 edition of Georgia Today: New guidelines to eliminate so-called “woke” language from teacher training programs; The Atlanta airport encourages airlines to offer more international routes from Atlanta; And we'll learn how Georgia football players fared in the NFL Draft from GPB's Jon Nelson.
On the Friday, April 28 edition of Georgia Today: Medical cannabis dispensaries are now open; Taylor Swift and Janet Jackson are drawing large crowds to Atlanta; and Georgia was well represented in the first round of the NFL Draft.
On the Thursday, April 27 edition of Georgia Today: Medical cannabis is finally coming to Georgia; a new Lyme disease vaccine is in the works; and Major League Baseball has shut down the Braves' home run celebration
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, April 26 edition of Georgia Today: A new mental health grant program for military members; Macon's record year in tourism; and the Hawks won, so Janet Jackson's concert is put on hold.
On the Tuesday April 25th edition of Georgia Today: Antisemitic flyers show up in East Atlanta; Stone Mountain's Confederate Memorial Day celebration plans; and Forsyth County is planning a $1 billion arena.
On the Monday, April 24 edition of Georgia Today: Augusta wants a new arena; the FDA may ban menthol cigarettes; and backyard chicken regulations in Northwest Georgia have some residents crying foul.
On the Friday April 21 edition of Georgia Today: Senator Jon Ossoff is investigating incarcerations; the future of bats may lie here in Georgia; tomorrow is Record Store Day
On the Thursday, April 20 edition of Georgia Today: Slain 'Cop City' activist Manuel Terán's autopsy results; GBI's new gang task force HQ in Macon; Georgia State's new music industry program.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday April 19 edition of Georgia Today: More cases stem from false 2020 Georgia election claims; union members file complaints against a well-known Athens brewery; and is our air cleaner now than it was last year?
On the Tuesday, April 18 edition of Georgia Today: Jail staff resigns after an inmate dies in a bedbug-infested cell; more tornadoes may be headed for Georgia; and the Okefenokee Swamp tops list of endangered waterways in the U.S.
On the Monday, April 17 edition of Georgia Today: The family of a dead Gwinnett County Jail detainee files a lawsuit; Georgia Power is raising prices to cover fuel costs; and UGA's football team has a new mascot.
LISTEN: On the Friday, April 14 edition of Georgia Today: A megadonor purchased Clarence Thomas' mother's home in Savannah; climate researchers are working to protect pecans; and we visit a sapling forest of genetically modified trees in Georgia.
On the Thursday April 13 edition of Georgia Today: Some nonprofit hospitals spend less on their community than they receive in tax breaks; Delta lost millions; Atlanta mourns loss of first black woman to serve on City Council
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, April 12 edition of Georgia Today: Media outlets want the full Trump election interference report released; Cobb's election director is retiring; and could Georgia's legislature expel lawmakers like Tennessee's did?
On the Tuesday, April 11 edition of Georgia Today: the Democratic National Convention is not coming to Atlanta; what one Georgia hospital's doing to face a nursing shortage; and Savannah is honoring a women's basketball star.
On the Monday April 10 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia has a high rate of STDs; documenting Black Heritage sites; two Georgia counties are on the list of fastest-growing counties in the nation
On the Friday April 7 edition of Georgia Today: Easter, eggs, and high prices; a stop-work order has been dropped for 'Cop City'; climate change may affect this year's baseball season
On the Thursday, April 6 edition of Georgia Today: Police are looking for a convicted murderer who walked away; the largest-ever community solar project is coming to Georgia; and the Braves' first home game of 2023 season is tonight.
On the Wednesday, April 5 edition of Georgia Today: Vice President Harris is headed to Georgia; there's new data on the world's busiest airport; and big crowds gather in Augusta for The Masters golf tournament.
On the Tuesday, April 4 edition of Georgia Today: Methodist churches have filed suit to leave the denomination; spring break returns to Tybee Island; and GPB has a new music podcast: the Peach Jam Podcast.
On the Monday April 3 edition of Georgia Today: Vice President Harris will visit Northwest Georgia this week; a new alternative to jail is coming; Plant Vogtle is up and running — finally.
LISTEN: On the Friday, March 31 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia U.S. representatives sponsor a bill aimed at producing more airline staff; rising waters in South Georgia force residents out of their homes; and Sonny Perdue joins us to discuss the recent budget cuts in the Georgia university system.
On the Thursday, March 30 edition of Georgia Today: Yesterday was the final day of the 2023 Georgia legislative session. Today we will detail new regulations and some failed legislation.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday March 29 edition of Georgia Today: Today is the final day of the General Assembly; the GBI is investigating a hazing incident that put a Brunswick teen in the hospital; and Savannah is renaming an iconic public square.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday March 28 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's homelessness bill is headed to the governor's desk; lawyers debate the state's abortion ban before the Georgia Supreme Court; and why visiting Savannah will now be more expensive.
On the Monday, March 27 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp visits storm-damaged areas; Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis is ordered to respond to Trump's motion; and two Georgia mayors are making history.
On the Friday March 24 edition of Georgia Today: Airport construction during the Spring Break travel rush; schools won't be able to mandate COVID vaccinations; the Braves step up to help a fan mourning the loss of his dad
LISTEN: On the Thursday, March 23 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta is suing opioid manufacturers; a Korean War vet from Georgia will finally be laid to rest; and a new film highlights the power of empathy over racism.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday March 22 edition of Georgia Today: Adult day cares are receiving failing grades; Atlanta home prices are too high; and the government may need your help with cold cases.
On the Tuesday March 21 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers pass gender-affirming care ban; Papa Johns sued over firing of blind employee; attorney from South Georgia convicted for role in January 6 attack
On the Monday March 20 edition of Georgia Today: Former President Trump has filed a motion against Fulton County; lawmakers pass regulations for electric vehicles; and a retirement fund for local teachers takes a small hit during bank failures.
LISTEN: On the Friday, March 17 edition of Georgia Today: Sports betting in Georgia is not quite dead; Georgia Supreme Court weighs in on Delta-8 and Delta-10; and St. Patrick's Day returns in Savannah.
LISTEN: On the Thursday, March 16 edition of Georgia Today: It's the Atlanta spa shootings' anniversary; an Atlanta landmark returns to its roots; and two Georgia teams are playing in the NCAA tournament.
On the Wednesday March 15 edition of Georgia Today: A bill banning gender-affirming surgeries for minors moves a step closer to becoming law; tax rebates for Georgians; the Savannah Bananas are taking the world by storm
On the Tuesday March 14 edition of Georgia Today: More trouble for the Athens-Clarke and Oconee County District Attorney; President Biden slips up about Carter funeral plans; The story of one of Carter's most lasting accomplishments
On the Monday, March 13 edition of Georgia Today: An autopsy shows that Manuel Teran's hands were up when he was killed at 'Cop City'; a new name for a famous lake may be coming; and the work of Dalton, Ga., was on display at the Oscars.
On the Monday March 13 edition of Georgia Today: An autopsy shows that Manuel Teran's hands were up when he was killed at 'Cop City'; a new name for a famous lake may be coming; and Dalton was on display at the Oscars.
On the Friday, March 10 edition of Georgia Today : The Georgia House passes its version of the fiscal year 2024 budget; we explain Georgia's new voter registration system; and Zoo Atlanta introduces two tiny new additions.
On the Thursday, March 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia lawmakers and the NAACP are asking for a federal investigation into Wellstar Health System after the closing of two Atlanta-area hospitals; Governor Brian Kemp is highlighting the need for more workforce housing across the state, and details on the professional volleyball team coming to Atlanta.
On the Thursday, March 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia lawmakers and the NAACP are asking for a federal investigation into Wellstar Health Systems after the closing of two Atlanta-area hospitals, Governor Brian Kemp is highlighting the need for more workforce housing across the state, and details on the professional volleyball team coming to Atlanta.
On the Wednesday, March 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's top justice warns the Legislature about a shortage of lawyers; Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern comes under federal scrutiny after a series of derailments; and good news for Falcons fans as the team re-signs one of its top defensive players.
On the Wednesday, March 8 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia's top Justice warns the legislature about a shortage of lawyers, Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern comes under federal scrutiny after a series of derailments, and good news for Falcons fans as the team re-signs one of its top defensive players.
On the Tuesday, March 7 edition of Georgia Today: We detail the major bills that were passed or left behind on Crossover Day; Local faith leaders weigh in after Sunday's violent protest at the proposed police training center in Dekalb County; and high pollen counts mean worsened allergies for Georgians.
LISTEN: On the Monday, March 6 edition of Georgia Today: Violent protest erupt at the site of the proposed police training center in Atlanta; we detail Crossover Day at the state capitol; and March Madness comes early as one local university earns its first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament.
LISTEN: On the Friday, March 3 edition of Georgia Today: A massive new film studio planned for Albany is going elsewhere; Buckhead cityhood fails in the Legislature; and the legacy of suffragist Mamie George Williams.
LISTEN: On the Friday, March 3 edition of Georgia Today: A massive new film studio planned for Albany is going elsewhere; Buckhead cityhood fails in the Legislature; and the legacy of suffragist Mamie George Williams.
LISTEN: On the Thursday March 2 edition of Georgia Today: a look at the surprise defeat of a bill about gender identity; how rioting in Georgia could soon result in felony charges; and Macon's glimpse of its past through the opening of a time capsule.
On the Wednesday March 1 edition of Georgia Today: A member of the UGA football team faces charges related to the deadly car crash following the Dawgs' championship win; Georgia Power wants to raise your power bill again, and we'll take you to the port of Savannah and tell you why the busy port may be getting even busier.
On the Wednesday March 1 edition of Georgia Today: A member of the UGA football team faces charges related to the deadly car crash following the Dawgs' championship win; Georgia Power wants to raise your power bill again, and we'll take you to the port of Savannah and tell you why the busy port may be getting even busier.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Feb. 28 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers pass legislation requiring active shooter drills in schools; Atlanta's noted for efficient water use; and solar panel regulations could be on the way.
On the Monday Feb. 27 edition of Georgia Today: Lost cargo ship from Savannah may have been found, lawmakers are debating what kind of leaf blower you can own, and a huge fine for TitleMax
On the Friday Feb. 24 edition of Georgia Today: Cigarette and tobacco tax could go up; Mercer & CHOA are helping to fund rural pediatricians; and Savannah is getting a board game
LISTEN: On the Thursday Feb. 23 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers are considering a transgender surgery ban for teens; Ahmaud Arbery's memory is honored on the anniversary of his death; and one Georgia Bulldog is arrested as the rest prepare for a trip to D.C.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday Feb. 22 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers are demanding changes in foster care system, a Paulding County deputy faces legal action, and a local actor plays Ike in the new Tina Turner musical.
On the Tuesday Feb. 21 edition of Georgia Today: Presidents Day in Plains and Jimmy Carter's lasting influence, plus a judge has denied pausing 'Cop City' construction
On the Monday Feb. 20 edition of Georgia Today: Well wishes for Jimmy Carter pouring in, Medicaid for HIV+ Georgians, DeKalb police accused of violating ADA
On the Friday Feb. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers want more police accountability, more delays at Plant Vogtle, and the Savannah Bananas hit the road.
LISTEN: On the Thursday Feb. 16 edition of Georgia Today: Parts of a report into efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election have been released, a new bill may end spam calls, and Tyler Perry is helping low-income seniors in Atlanta.
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Feb. 15 edition of Georgia Today: Some lawmakers want sports betting and horse racing in Georgia, Macon may add cameras, and Savannah home prices could be going up.
On the Tuesday Feb. 14 edition of Georgia Today: An Atlanta company may be liable for the Ohio train disaster, lawmakers want more jail time for gang members, and there's a mass wedding today in Piedmont Park
On the Monday Feb. 13 edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia native is celebrating his Super Bowl win and a judge has ruled on a special jury investigation into attempts to overturn Georgia's 2020 presidential election
LISTEN: On the Friday Feb. 10 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers want body cam requirements for police, unjamming medical marijuana rules, and Savannah's new giant cranes.
On the Thursday Feb. 9th edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia prison warden has been arrested, VP Harris speaks in Atlanta, and a financial boost for a planned Midtown ATL park
On the Thursday Feb. 9th edition of Georgia Today: A Georgia prison warden has been arrested, VP Harris speaks in Atlanta, and a financial boost for a planned midtown ATL park
LISTEN: On the Wednesday Feb 8 edition of Georgia Today: Elections board rules on volunteers handing out water, lawmakers are revisiting COVID restrictions, and a Georgia man killed at Pearl Harbor will be laid to rest.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Feb. 7th edition of Georgia Today: Camden County's spaceport has been nixed, a record year in Savannah air travel, and more access to health care is needed.
On the Monday Feb. 6 edition of Georgia Today: The family of the protester killed at 'Cop City' speaks, anti-Semitism in Atlanta, and protecting the Okefenokee.
On the Friday Feb. 3 edition of Georgia Today: Georgians agree on the spending of the budget surplus, India gives a boost to local farmers, and some museums are free this weekend.
On the Thursday Feb. 2 edition of Georgia Today: Sports betting may come to Georgia, the House approves the budget, and the 'Cop City' neighbors...what do they think?
LISTEN: On the Wednesday Feb. 1 edition of Georgia Today: A full update on 'Cop City,' tax credits for the music industry, and the Alzheimer’s Music Fest this weekend.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Jan. 31 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta and DeKalb County have an agreement on 'Cop City,' a south Georgia superintendent quits after an anti-gay letter circulates, and gas and egg prices are up.
LISTEN: On the Monday Jan. 30 edition of Georgia Today: Local lawmakers honor Tyre Nichols, we find out what new student loan forgiveness means for Georgians, and endangered whales are living off the coast of Georgia
On the Friday Jan. 27 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp issues a state of emergency, Georgia's housing crisis, and foster care kids are living hotels
On the Thursday Jan. 26 edition of Georgia Today: Lawmakers want to block mining near the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia is modernizing its prisons, and inflation and job automation have both led to an increase in crime.
On the Wednesday Jan. 25 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp delivered the State of the State address today, there's a bill to repeal Georgia's abortion law, and bogus COVID treatments result in a hefty fine
On the Tuesday Jan. 24 edition of Georgia Today: The Fulton DA does not want to release info from the investigation into Donald Trump, a UGA player was arrested, and the Braves have lost another member of their team
On the Monday Jan. 23 edition of Georgia Today: Violent protests erupt in Atlanta, portions of Fulton County's investigation into Donald Trump may by made public, and strips of fentanyl testing will be available.
On the Friday Jan. 20 edition of Georgia Today: Atlanta protesters charged with domestic terrorism, Savannah's movie money, rise in guns stolen from cars, India Arie chats with us
LISTEN: On the Thursday Jan. 19 edition of Georgia Today: A vigil for the protester killed at a police center shooting, more allegations in school district's civil rights lawsuit, and an Atlanta hospital is the first in the country with top-tier maternal care.
On the Wednesday Jan. 18 edition of Georgia Today: The Secretary of State says Georgia needs more money to run its high-profile elections, speeding is to blame for the death of a UGA player, and adiós Josef
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Jan. 17 edition of Georgia Today: Federal disaster relief for Georgia, 700 doctors needed, and violence closes an Augusta academy.
On the Friday Jan. 13 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp issues a state of emergency; an Atlanta landmark is moving; and a Georgia city has been named a top travel destination.
LISTEN: On the Thursday Jan. 12 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp was sworn in for a second term, the largest-ever indictment in South Georgia in connection with a sprawling drug ring, and more trouble at Plant Vogtle.
On the Wednesday Jan. 11 edition of Georgia Today: A computer glitch grounded planes across the country; 2,500 new jobs are coming to Northwest Georgia; and mourning the passing of a legend
On the Tuesday Jan. 10 episode of Georgia Today: a dominating win for UGA football, students sue schools over Black Lives Matter clothes, and be sure to fill up your tank tonight.
LISTEN: On the Monday Jan. 9 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia has a $6 billion surplus and a new legislative session, we catch up with our congressmen in D.C., and here's a preview of the UGA/TCU national championship game.
LISTEN: On the Friday Jan. 6 edition of Georgia Today: President Biden honored two Georgians at the White House today, case moving quickly for Savannah man charged in Jan. 6 attack, and Delta's free Wi-Fi.
On the Thursday Jan. 5 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia is on an IRS top 10 list, more high-speed internet is coming, and Atlanta has new ideas for gun safety.
On the Jan. 4 edition of Georgia Today: Sports gambling may come to GA, Senator Warnock has been sworn in, and a new state representative is stepping down amid his arrest
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Jan. 3 edition of Georgia Today: A big hospital merger is in the works for Augusta; A Georgia Tech sophomore shares his winning experience on Wheel of Fortune; and Savannah has a singing TikTok star
LISTEN: On the Monday Jan. 2 edition of Georgia Today: Virtual OB-GYN visits, the FDA is utilizing blockchain technology, and Savannah's dark history.
On the Friday Dec. 30 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia judge accused of misconduct faces state judicial discipline panel, UGA researchers are helping farmers, good news about sea turtle populations
LISTEN: On the Thursday Dec. 29 edition of Georgia Today: Court postponed for a meddling GA prosecutor, cold snap's death toll is unclear, and one of 2022's best albums
On the Wednesday, Dec. 28 edition of Georgia Today: A new law will aid Georgia in improvements, we'll have new leadership in the state, and there's new documentary about a West Midtown dive bar.
On the Tuesday Dec. 27 edition of Georgia Today: An epidemic of burst pipes and flooded buildings, a new shelter for victims of human trafficking, and mental health help for farmers.
LISTEN: On the Monday Dec. 26 edition of Georgia Today: Where to recycle your Christmas tree, positive news for Alzheimer's patients, and a look at the Savannah Bananas.
LISTEN: On the Friday Dec. 23 edition of Georgia Today: The Atlanta Hawks' president is stepping down; Georgia has a new World War II Heritage City; Gainesville's airport is getting a makeover.
On the Thursday Dec. 22 edition of Georgia Today: Warming centers are opening in anticipation of the severe cold weather, South Georgia's getting a new ER, and a look at the data behind the Georgia midterm election turnout.
On the Wednesday Dec. 21 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Kemp issues a state of emergency ahead of the extreme cold, a Savannah man has been charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot, and respiratory illnesses are up.
On the Tuesday Dec. 20 edition of Georgia Today: Brutal cold is on the way, Georgia clinics for workers without insurance, and a Georgia Court of Appeals judge has died.
LISTEN: On the Monday Dec. 19 edition of Georgia Today: Gun violence claims more teen lives over the weekend in Atlanta, holiday travelers should be on the lookout for human trafficking victims, and more jobs are coming to Georgia.
On the Friday Dec. 16 edition of Georgia Today: Murder charges for the mother of the toddler found in a landfill, one of Savannah’s iconic town squares may be taking a big step to rewrite its racist past, and 5.2 million people will travel through ATL this holiday season.
On the Thursday Dec. 15 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia Power is raising rates, TikTok has been banned for some Georgians, Atlanta protesters face terrorism charges, and students rally against guns
LISTEN: On the Wednesday Dec. 14 edition of Georgia Today: Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger wants changes, James Brown Arena in Augusta is reopening, and the USPS is honoring John Lewis.
LISTEN: On the Tuesday Dec. 13 edition of Georgia Today: Georgia’s Secretary of State has been subpoenaed, the deadline for open market insurance enrollment nears, and AAA says people are going to do a lot of traveling this holiday season.
LISTEN: On the Monday Dec. 12 edition of Georgia Today: DUI kills an Northwest Georgia mayor, there's a spike in flu and RSV, and growing diversity in the Capitol.
On the Friday Dec. 9 episode of Georgia Today: Michael Flynn testifies in Atlanta, another EV battery plant is coming to Georgia, and pregnancy-related deaths are on the rise.
LISTEN: On the Thursday Dec. 8 edition of Georgia Today: A look at the final numbers from the runoff election, two teens arrested for a Thanksgiving shooting, and rapper Ludacris teams with Mercedes-Benz to gift shoes to schoolchildren.
On the Wednesday Dec. 7 edition of Georgia Today: Raphael Warnock defeats Herschel Walker, Delta reaches a deal with pilots, and it is championship week for high school football in Georgia
LISTEN: Today is runoff election day in Georgia, health care systems are investing in affordable housing, and a new name may be coming to a public square in Savannah.
LISTEN: On the Monday Dec. 5 edition of Georgia Today: Stevie Wonder's concert for Warnock, the pandemic's mental health toll, and checks disappearing from the mail.
On the Friday Dec. 2 edition of the Georgia Today podcast: Barack Obama joins Sen. Raphael Warnock at a rally in Atlanta, a new program aims to boost access to mental health care, and Georgia will be the center of the college football universe this weekend.
LISTEN: On the Thursday Dec. 1 edition of the Georgia Today podcast: Georgia leads the country in new AIDS infections, Herschel Walker visits North Georgia, and Delta is hiring thousands
LISTEN: On the Wednesday, Nov. 30 edition of the Georgia Today podcast: Hurricane season is over, Mercer is putting a spotlight on women's rights, a former Georgia prosecutor charged with hindering the police investigation into the killing of Ahmaud Arbery has been ordered to appear before a judge
On the Tuesday, November 29 edition of the Georgia Today podcast: Georgia sets a record for early in-person voting, the fastest growing sport in Georgia schools is flag football, and Dave Matthews makes an appearance in Cobb County for Sen. Raphael Warnock.
On the Monday November 28 edition of the Georgia Today podcast, nearly 200,000 people turned out for early voting, the federal government is providing funding for electric buses in Georgia, and Senator Jon Ossoff is pushing for justice in the unsolved murder cases of lynching victims.
Georgia Today is the new daily podcast from GPB News bringing you compelling stories and in-depth reporting that you won’t hear anywhere else. Peter Biello hosts this quick and convenient way to get the best of GPB News’ extensive coverage of the topics that matter to you, delivered directly to your device every weekday afternoon.
A proposal to mine for titanium dioxide near the state's Okefenokee Swamp is attracting controversy. Alabama company Twin Pines has applied for a permit to extract minerals near the freshwater wetland and wildlife refuge — the largest blackwater wetland in North America — and residents, politicians and environmental advocates are pushing back to protect the Okefenokee.
In 1948, a Black sharecropper in Georgia was sentenced to die for a murder he didn’t commit. What happened next tells us a lot about the legal system in the United States then — and now.
Students and faculty members around the state are reacting to news that Republican former Gov. Sonny Perdue may soon head up Georgia’s public university system. This week, officials on the Board of Regents announced Perdue is the sole finalist for the top job of chancellor. Opponents of the choice say Perdue's appointment would jeopardize academic freedom across the system’s 26 campuses.
As the worst of the omicron surge fades around the country, health officials worry more Americans may end up with long COVID. The condition affects roughly one-third of COVID-19 survivors. For this episode we hear from a Georgia mother of two who is living with long COVID.
As Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continues her investigation into former President Donald Trump’s attempted interference in the 2020 election, she’s been authorized to empanel a special grand jury. The Georgia Today podcast looks at the latest with Willis’ investigation and what to expect over the coming year.
Residents near the site of the proposed Rivian Automotive electric vehicle factory want answers about the facility’s potential impacts on their rural community.
An investigation finds one apartment complex in Clayton County has filed more evictions against tenants than any other landlord across metro Atlanta — including during the federal government's pandemic eviction ban that was designed to keep people in their homes and stem the spread of COVID-19.
Athens, Ga., is preparing for a parade this weekend to honor the University of Georgia Bulldogs. The team’s big win Jan. 10 against Alabama’s Crimson Tide handed the Bulldogs their first national title since 1981. Hear how the Bulldogs made Georgia football history.
Liberty County outside Savannah is one place where the number of people quitting their jobs has been extraordinary, even amid the national so-called Great Resignation that's seen record numbers of people quit. Why Liberty County is so hard hit and how the employee exodus is changing the fabric of the community, is the subject of this week's Georgia Today.
On this special year-end edition of the podcast, we look back at some of our most memorable episodes from 2021.
This is the story of a grassroots fight in Middle Georgia for clean drinking water. GPB reporter Grant Blankenship and photojournalist Evey Wilson, an assistant professor at the Mercer University's Center for Collaborative Journalism, followed the effort for the recent documentary Saving Juliette.
A Northwest Atlanta brick factory that helped rebuild the city after the Civil War — using the free labor of mostly Black prison convicts — will be reborn as a park and memorial, supporters hope. This episode of Georgia Today examines the history of the Chattahoochee Brick Co.
Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue’s announcement that he's challenging Gov. Brian Kemp in next year’s gubernatorial primary is deepening the divide in an already fractured GOP. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Perdue. How will Perdue’s unprecedented challenge to a sitting governor play out in next year’s primary elections and what could it all mean for the future of the Georgia GOP?
On this week's Georgia Today podcast, we explore the emotional toll surrounding the Brunswick trial of the three men convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery. During the trial, says Larry Hobbs from the Brunswick News, "Marcus Arbery and Wanda Cooper-Jones were the faces of courage — to see these images of their son over and over again, to hear what the defense said about their son — this was a grueling episode for them." After the guilty verdicts in the long-awaited trial, where do Brunswick and Glynn County go from here?
When residents in one of Georgia’s smallest and poorest counties learned about plans for a 500-acre quarry near the Ogeechee River, they rallied together with their neighbors to fight back.
Georgia’s Southern Judicial District has been called the worst place in America to be poor and charged with a federal crime. The district lacks a full-time federal public defender's office, which advocates say leads to inadequate representation for indigent criminal defenders.
This week, Georgians around the state are remembering Max Cleland. He died of congestive heart failure at his home in Atlanta on Tuesday. He was 79. Cleland was a Democrat and lifelong public servant in a variety of roles, including U.S. senator and head of the Veterans Administration under President Jimmy Carter. Jim Galloway, a now-retired Atlanta Journal-Constitution journalist, says Cleland’s politics were influenced by his military service. He lost three limbs in the Vietnam War. Georgia Today explores Cleland's life and legacy with Galloway, who also knew Cleland as a friend.
The Atlanta mayor’s race is headed to a runoff. Whoever wins will face a sharp increase in crime that's accelerated during the pandemic. On the latest Georgia Today podcast, hear about the impact of crime on communities in Atlanta and what's driving it, with a Georgia criminologist who himself became a shooting victim.
Longtime Braves fans know Bobby Cox as one of the winningest managers in baseball history. But they may not know what happened in the decade since he retired that's kept Cox mostly away from games at Truist Park. In 2019 Bobby Cox had a stroke. But the legendary baseball figure remains influential with the team and close to Brian Snitker, the Braves’ current manager. In this week's Georgia Today, we explore how the Braves’ miracle season is in no small part due to their special bond.
Jury selection is underway in the Brunswick trial for three white men accused in the 2020 killing of Ahmaud Arbery, who was Black. It’s also a reminder for some residents of a long-broken trust with a police department and other county law enforcement agencies that took almost three months to open an investigation into the 25-year-old's death. This week's Georgia Today podcast delves into the troubled history of Glynn County policing and how the trial may expose the department to even greater national scrutiny.
Almost a year after the 2020 election, new revelations continue to emerge about former President Donald Trump pressuring Georgia officials to overturn the election results. A recent Senate Judiciary Committee report sheds light on the departure earlier this year of former Georgia U.S. Attorney Byung J. "BJay" Pak, who abruptly announced his resignation just before the Senate runoffs. Investigators say Trump forced Pak to resign for refusing to go along with Trump’s false claims of election fraud. We break down what's in the preliminary Senate committee report and hear what the findings could mean for elections to come.
Drug company Merck is awaiting word on its emergency use-authorization application for its recently announced drug molnupiravir. If approved, the anti-viral drug developed at a lab at Emory University could become the first-ever pill to treat COVID-19. The latest Georgia Today podcast examines the journey that led to this potential breakthrough and its connection to Emory.
Most of Georgia’s landmass is rural. But less than a quarter of the population lives in rural areas. And, according to the latest figures from the United States Census, that percentage is dropping as the state grows more diverse and more urbanized. With redistricting getting underway, some small-town Georgia officials worry their shrinking populations could also cost them political influence at the state Capitol.
With just 44% of its population fully vaccinated, Georgia is running far behind the rest of the nation. And for the state's Latino community, a population that has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, vaccination rates are even lower. The Rev. Irma Guerra, a Mexican immigrant and minister at Christ Church Episcopal in Norcross, has used her platform to be a vaccine evangelizer and to dispel some of the misinformation about the vaccine through social media, her pulpit and going door to door.
A jail used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain migrants is nearly empty in the wake of complaints filed against the facility. Among the complaints is a whistleblower allegation from a nurse claiming some female detainees at Irwin County Detention Center were forced to undergo hysterectomies. The jail has also been criticized for failing to protect immigrants and jail staff from COVID-19. Now, Irwin County officials worry the facility, which also houses federal and county inmates and is the area's largest private employer, may eventually be shut down, taking much-needed jobs with it.
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to decide this month whether or not to allow the proposed Spaceport Camden to go forward in Camden County, Ga. The spaceport, supporters say, would mean tourism and big business for the county. But the proposed launch facility would send rockets over the federally protected Cumberland and Little Cumberland islands. This has alarmed residents and environmental advocates. In this Georgia Today, Savannah-based freelance reporter Alexandra Marvar explores the debate.
Georgia faces its worst crisis of the pandemic, with more patients than ever before hospitalized for COVID-19. The state's also breaking records for the number of children in the hospital with the virus. As the delta variant tightens its grip on the state, the Georgia Today podcast gets a firsthand account of the situation inside Georgia's pediatric hospitals from Dr. Matthew Linam, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium: home to the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United and, for a few weeks this summer, hip-hop icon Kanye West? The megastar staged a listening party for his upcoming album at the stadium. And then he moved in for a couple of weeks. And that’s not all. Steve Fennessy chats with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Greg Bluestein about what Bluestein's investigation into the logistics of West's stay at Mercedes-Benz Stadium turned up.
Georgians with certain medical conditions have been permitted to take cannabis oil to ease their symptoms for six years, but it was illegal to purchase in Georgia. The state has finally approved six licenses for companies to produce and distribute medical marijuana oil in Georgia. However, many companies whose applications were not accepted are calling foul play, protesting the licensing process which can delay the production and distribution of medical cannabis oil for many Georgians in need.
Georgia students are beginning their second year of school during the pandemic as coronavirus cases skyrocket, driven by the highly contagious delta variant. With children under 12 not yet eligible for the vaccine, some school districts are already seeing battles over how best to keep kids safe for in-person learning. Gov. Brian Kemp says he has no plans to impose mask or vaccination mandates. Steve Fennessy gets into all this and more with Atlanta-based Wall Street Journal reporter Cam McWhirter.
Hundreds of thousands of Georgians who lost income in the pandemic, falling behind on their rent payments and putting them at increased risk for eviction, just got another reprieve. After a previous CDC eviction ban expired earlier this week the Biden administration has again frozen evictions, this time until early October. The new moratorium aims to cover renters in counties with “substantial” spread of the delta coronavirus variant. But, for the state’s most vulnerable families living on the economic margins, the realities of finding and maintaining safe, affordable housing were much more complicated long before the pandemic hit.
The COVID-19 pandemic is sparking an unprecedented boom in housing sales and remodeling across the country as many Americans seek more space in which to live, work and learn at home. The historic levels of consumer demand over the last year has pushed finished lumber prices to all-time highs and Georgia’s massive timber industry that employs hundreds of thousands of people is struggling to adjust. The latest Georgia Today podcast with guest Ryan Dezember, a reporter at The Wall Street Journal, explores the lumber boom's impact on the state’s critical timber industry and its growers, and what all this could mean for home prices.
Crime is spiking across the city of Atlanta, and perhaps most visibly in Buckhead. Some residents there are saying it's time to secede from Atlanta and that forming their own city is the best way to protect their citizens and keep a close eye on their tax dollars. Opponents of Buckhead cityhood believe that this could be a tremendous hit to the economy of the city of Atlanta. On the latest episode of Georgia Today, we talk to J.D. Capelouto, news reporter from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, about the push by some residents for Buckhead to secede from Atlanta.
In communities across the country, the reckoning over racism is playing out in ways big and small. For one young farmer in northwest Georgia named Stacie Marshall, her personal awakening began with a horrifying discovery. She learned that her ancestors kept enslaved people. On the latest Georgia Today podcast, we hear how she’s now working to heal race relations in her community.
How did a Kennesaw woman with strong family ties and hopes for the future end up dead on the steps of the United States Capitol? Rosanne Boyland’s family blames QAnon and other political conspiracy theories for leading her to her death at the pro-Trump insurrection in Washington on Jan. 6. On the latest Georgia Today podcast, New York Times reporter Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs shares what he learned about Boyland’s life, her death, and her journey into the shadowy world of QAnon.
In most Georgia counties, COVID-19 vaccination rates have stalled. And with infections from the so-called Delta variant rapidly rising across the United States, public health experts worry the state could again see surges in serious virus cases. What’s behind the low vaccination numbers? Host Steve Fennessy and GPB Macon Reporter and Editor Grant Blankenship try to answer that question on the latest episode of the Georgia Today podcast.
The Atlanta Hawks were not supposed to come very far this season considering injuries, a mid-season coaching change, and a pandemic-ravaged season. But thanks to a 22-year-old team member and phenom named Trae Young, the team is electrifying the city. Mike Conti, Managing Editor of 92.9-FM The Game and analyst for the Atlanta Hawks Radio Network joins us for this episode of Georgia Today.
Imagine receiving anonymous text messages telling you your family will be killed. That’s exactly what happened to Tricia Raffensperger, wife of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. This and other threatening messages first came to light after new reporting into the harassment many elections officials have lived with since Donald Trump lost Georgia in November. The investigation by news outlet Reuters reveals the scope of Trump supporters’ months of menacing tactics and never-before-seen texts, voicemails and emails directed at elections officials across the state.
Former president Donald Trump continues to overshadow the Georgia GOP. But not every Republican in the state is on the same page. Will the GOP unify in time for the next elections? Georgia Today explores that question and more with guest Maya Prabhu, a political reporter at the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Public trust is a priority for Lou Dekmar, police chief of LaGrange, Ga., since 1995. Chief Dekmar is evolving and adapting his force to an era when police are social workers with guns. This week on Georgia Today, host Virginia Prescott talks with Dekmar about some of his ideas and initiatives in policing.
More than a year into the pandemic, it’s clear its impacts hit some communities much harder than others. People of color have died in greater numbers in many parts of the state, and COVID-19 death rates are often higher in rural areas with a shortage of medical facilities. On the latest Georgia Today podcast, host Steve Fennessy and Olivia Goldhill, an investigative reporter who covers the pandemic for Stat News, explore how hospital closures are hampering some counties’ efforts to combat the pandemic in southwest Georgia.
Stone Mountain’s massive monument featuring Confederate leaders has long sparked controversy. Now, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association has announced changes to the park it hopes will help tell a more "balanced" story of Georgia's past. The latest Georgia Today podcast with host Steve Fennessy and guest Tyler Estep, a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, examines the park’s history and what the future of its Confederate memorial may look like.
The Cherokee County School Board has voted to ban critical race theory from their curriculum last week. Critical race theory has become an issue for some parents and many conservative politicians, but some are still unsure what it is. This week on Georgia Today, we examine why critical race theory has become such a hot political topic with GPB News' Donna Lowry.
It's been nearly two years since crews began clearing a massive shipwreck from St. Simons Sound. Last week, the already dangerous cleanup operation got even more complex when what's left of the cargo ship caught fire. On the latest Georgia Today podcast, Host Steve Fennessy and guest Larry Hobbs, a reporter with The Brunswick News, bring us the latest on the Golden Ray cleanup effort and how it could affect the state's coastal environment.
Republican Party leaders remain solidly behind former President Donald Trump and his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud. But as the GOP looks toward the 2022 election, the party is not as unified as it would like, and is at a crossroads moment. This week on Georgia Today, we look at how Georgia’s GOP sees a pathway to winning in 2022 and 2024 with GPB News reporter Stephen Fowler.
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms grabbed headlines with her announcement she won’t seek reelection. Her first term has seen a host of crises, including a cyberattack, the coronavirus pandemic, weeks of racial unrest and a sharp rise in crime. Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy and Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Bill Torpy explore what led to Bottoms' decision, and how the city has changed on her watch.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shocked many people around the metro Atlanta area by announcing last week she will not be running for reelection. She has said that this is coming from a place of strength and not weakness. But her critics have said that what she calls a “COVID Crime Wave” and her handling of the firing of Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe, who shot Rayshard Brooks last summer, has made her vulnerable if she had chosen to run. Police officers in the city of Atlanta feel like Bottoms no longer have their backs. This week on Georgia Today, we look at some issues Bottoms faced during her tenure as mayor of the city of Atlanta with CNN national correspondent Ryan Young.
2020 was an election year that saw record turnout by men and women from both parties. But the women’s vote was decisive in helping Joe Biden capture the White House and in pushing Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to victory in the tight Senate runoffs. And it’s not just the ballot box where women are making their mark in Georgia politics. More women, and women of color, are also running for statewide office. We look at what's driving this trend with Patricia Murphy, a political reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The deadly Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol building by a pro-Trump mob was a glimpse into what many experts have long warned: Homegrown extremism is on the rise across the U.S. On Georgia Today, guest Chris Joyner from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution speaks on what’s known about violent white supremacist groups operating in Georgia.
Jimmy Carter may be the only American president to have used the White House as a stepping stone. Turned out of office after one term, Carter went on to global esteem as a champion of public health, a geopolitical negotiator, and an advocate for democratic representation. Georgia-born brothers and filmmakers Will and Jim Pattiz, revive the debate over Carter’s White House legacy in their new film “Carterland.”
Stories of unexplained illnesses, cancers and death have been the talk of Juliette, Georgia, for years. The town outside Macon is home to Georgia Power’s Plant Scherer, one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the country. Juliette residents say coal ash from the plant is poisoning their water supply. Now, they’re calling for policymakers to help.
Secret tapes, scandal, sanctions. It's a story that strikes at the heart of Georgia's passion for high school football. And Valdosta football is the stuff of legend. The Wildcats claim among the most wins of any team in state history. Now, the organization is the subject of multiple investigations and a broiling scandal that's attracting national attention. We'll get into all that and more on Georgia Today.
The waters off the Georgia coast are a vital calving ground for the North Atlantic right whale. This calving season, which winds down in April, has been a rare bright spot for the critically endangered whales, with scientists counting more babies than in the last three seasons combined. But experts say the gains may not be enough to save the species. On this episode of Georgia Today, we hear the latest on efforts to protect the right whale.
Voting rights groups continue to push back against the state's sweeping new election law. After a 2020 election that saw record voter turnout statewide, Democrats say the Election Integrity Act will make it harder for many Georgians to vote, especially voters of color. Republicans argue it will expand voter access. The measure signed by Gov. Brian Kemp passed without Democratic support, catapulting Georgia smack into the center of a brewing nationwide battle over how Americans vote. In this episode, we'll hear how the law changes the state's election system, and as calls grow louder for companies to boycott Georgia, how the controversy could affect the economy.
After the massacre at three Asian-owned massage businesses in and around Atlanta, we're joined by Atlanta-based CNN correspondent Natasha Chen, who says the Georgia shootings could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Asian-American social justice activism in the United States.
Millions of stimulus checks begin hitting most Americans bank accounts this week after passage of the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package. On Georgia Today, we hear how the plan intends to help the state's Black farmers.
When will you be eligible for the coronavirus vaccine? On Georgia Today, Andy Miller of Georgia Health News explains why the state is so far behind on its vaccine rollout.
After record election turnout that led to big Democratic wins in Georgia, Republican lawmakers are now pushing legislation that would restrict voter access. On Georgia Today, GPB producer Rahul Bali explains how elections could look the next time Georgians head to the polls.
Weeks before the 1960 presidential election, Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for participating in a lunch counter sit-in in Atlanta and sentenced to four months of hard labor. Thanks to some back-channel moves by the Kennedy campaign, King was released from prison. On Georgia Today, author Paul Kendrick explains how that changed party allegiances for Black and white voters in the South for generations.
During the Great Migration, six million Black Americans moved from the South up North. They wanted work opportunities and a respite from the sting of racist Jim Crow laws. Guest host Leah Fleming talks with New York Times columnist Charles Blow, who is pushing for a reversal of the Great Migration. He’s written about it in his new book, "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto."
With Georgia teachers still not vaccinated, when can our public schools fully reopen? On Georgia Today, GPB health care reporter Ellen Eldridge discusses the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and its impact on teachers.
On Georgia Today, GPB political reporter Stephen Fowler discusses Georgia's role in former President Trump’s second impeachment trial, and whether there could be criminal charges tied to Trump’s interference in the presidential election.
A liquid nitrogen leak last week at a poultry processing plant in Gainesville killed six people and injured a dozen others. The tragedy brought into focus an industry that's lightly regulated and heavily staffed by undocumented workers. On Georgia Today, Richard Fausset of The New York Times talks about the tragedy in the self-professed “Poultry Capital of the World.”
During the Great Migration, six million Black Americans moved from the South up North. They wanted work opportunities and a respite from the sting of racist Jim Crow laws. Guest host Leah Fleming talks with New York Times columnist Charles Blow, who is pushing for a reversal of the Great Migration. He’s written about it in his new book, "The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto."
Henry "Hank" Aaron, a longtime Atlanta Braves player and Hall of Famer, was laid to rest this week. He died at the age of 86. On Georgia Today, ESPN senior writer Howard Bryant discusses the complicated life of a baseball legend and American icon.
Host Steve Fennessy talks with Grady Memorial Hospital physician Kimberly Manning on the roots of distrust amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and her personal mission to persuade communities of color to take the vaccine. Dr. Manning is also associate vice chair of diversity, equity and inclusion at Emory University's Department of Medicine.
For decades, Jim Galloway has been on the frontlines of Georgia’s most consequential political stories. He retires Friday, Jan. 15, after more than 40 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. On Georgia Today, Galloway reflects on a career covering covering Georgia politics, and his worries about the future of the GOP.
In the week since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the FBI has announced dozens of arrests, with many more to come. Some of the rioters have lost their jobs, others placed on no-fly lists. Chris Joyner is an investigative reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He discusses his reporting on Georgians swept up in the insurrection.
What a week. Somewhere between the president's call to Brad Raffensperger on Saturday and the seething and lawless mob in our nation's capitol on Wednesday, Georgia hosted a momentous election. On this week's Georgia Today, host Steve Fennessy talks with GPB political reporter Stephen Fowler on coming to terms with a historic week for Georgia, and for America.
Political columnist Jim Galloway has been on the frontlines of Georgia’s most consequential political stories. He retires in January from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. On Georgia Today, Galloway reflects on 40 years of covering Georgia politics, and his worries about the future of the Republican Party.
Kwanza Hall is Georgia’s newest congressman, even if he is serving for just a month. On Georgia Today, host Steve Fennessy talks with Rep. Hall about his legislative priorities and what it's like following in the footsteps of his predecessor — the late civil rights icon, John Lewis.
Since the November election, President Trump has mounted pressure on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to help overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s win in the state. Trump even encouraged a primary challenge against Kemp. On Georgia Today, AJC political reporter Greg Bluestein on the acrimony between President Trump and the man he assumed would always be in his corner, Gov. Kemp.
Since Joe Biden turned Georgia blue, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has become enemy number one in his own party. As his critics level malicious attacks against him, Raffensperger is adamant: The election was sound, and the results stand. On Georgia Today, AJC political reporter Patricia Murphy talks about the threats that have put him and his wife under 24-hour protection.
It’s been over a year since the Golden Ray capsized off the coast of St. Simons Island. Crews recently resumed work to dismantle the giant vessel. On this week’s Georgia Today, Brunswick News reporter Larry Hobbs discusses how the Golden Ray came to capsize in the first place, the tense hours as rescuers tried to free trapped crew members, and what emerged from hearings into the possible causes of the disaster.
An inside look at how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lost public trust amid an international health crisis – and how the repercussions of the organization’s unraveling could have long-lasting effects beyond the course of the pandemic. Host Steve Fennessy talks with Pulitzer Prize winning journalists Patricia Callahan and James Bandler about their reporting for ProPublica.
More than a week after the presidential election, Georgia is headed for a hand recount prompted in part by allegations of election fraud — despite no evidence. How did we get here? On Georgia Today, Clayton Crescent founder Robin Kemp shares what she saw in the days after the election as the votes that put Joe Biden over the top in Georgia were counted.
Deep in southwest Georgia, a local school board has been torn apart over racial gerrymandering. On Georgia Today, New York Times reporter Nicholas Casey discusses how the long shadow of voter suppression manifested in a voting map, and why electoral outcomes often come down to the lines we draw on paper.
For years, the Southern Strategy has been used by Republicans to great effect, but could 2020 spell the end of it? Angie Maxwell, co-author of "The Long Southern Strategy," joins host Steve Fennessy on Georgia Today.
A series of raids across metro Atlanta and Macon stoked fears that child sex trafficking is more prevalent than we thought. Johnny Edwards, an investigative reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, describes how the operation perpetuated a narrative of sex trafficking that doesn’t always square with the evidence.
After a series of losses, the Atlanta Falcons said goodbye to its head coach, Dan Quinn, and general manager, Thomas Dimitroff. In many ways, it felt like a natural culmination to a chain of events that kicked off in 2017, when the Falcons managed to give up a 25-point second-half lead to the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. The Athletic's Jeff Schultz discusses how the franchise got to this point — and what it will take to rebuild.
The coronavirus pandemic has been especially deadly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. On Georgia Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigative reporter Carrie Teegardin discusses why facilities caring for the elderly have been so vulnerable to the virus, and how the pandemic has laid bare the state’s inadequate oversight. Then, Washington Post contributor Sidnee King tells us how the virus decimated the staff and residents of one facility in the heart of historic Atlanta.
For more than a year, a massive cargo ship has lain on its side just off the coast of St. Simon's Island in southeast Georgia. On Georgia Today, Brunswick News reporter Larry Hobbs discusses how the Golden Ray came to capsize in the first place, the tense hours as rescuers tried to free trapped crew members, and what emerged from hearings into the possible causes of the disaster.
On this week's Georgia Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigative reporter Chris Joyner untangles QAnon's dark web of conspiracy theories. QAnon's rapidly growing political movement has found fertile ground in Atlanta's far northern suburbs.
The defeat of Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard in August during a runoff election was both a shock and an inevitability. On Georgia Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Christian Boone discusses Howard’s long tenure, and what his defeat might mean for criminal justice reform movement in Fulton County.
In many ways, the WNBA is a trailblazer when it comes to political activism. Some players are even sitting out the entire season in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The Atlanta Dream has been particularly vocal, which has set it in direct opposition with one of the franchise’s owners, U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia). Washington Post sports reporter Candace Buckner discusses how Loeffler is looking to score political points by speaking out against her very own players.
For Atlanta United players and fans, this has been a season unlike any other in the franchise’s short history. Felipe Cardenas, a staff writer for The Athletic, walks us through a season that's been beset with injuries, a coach’s firing, a pandemic, and the team's decision not to play on Wednesday in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
In May, local headlines told of an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among students at the prestigious Lovett School in Atlanta. Charles Bethea, a staff writer for The New Yorker, talks about what his reporting revealed about the tensions between privacy and the efforts by public health officials to contain the virus’ spread.
In 2017, a man named Eurie Martin died after he was tasered by sheriff's deputies in Washington County, Georgia. The case, which is now being considered by the Georgia Supreme Court, could have major implications on policing and the state's Stand Your Ground law. Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy walks through the case with GPB reporter Grant Blankenship.
A massive coal plant in Monroe County is being blamed for contaminating the local water supply. Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy talks with freelance journalist Max Blau about a lawsuit by residents who are demanding clean water.
Last week, after nearly 20 years behind bars, Dennis Perry was freed from prison. He had been convicted in the 1985 murders of a husband and wife in Camden County. Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy talks with Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Joshua Sharpe. His year-long investigation into the murder led to Perry's conviction being thrown out -- and fresh scrutiny on a potential new suspect in the slayings.
This first wave of COVID-19 is not over. After several weeks of declining numbers, the graph of infections in Georgia is beginning to resemble a hockey stick. Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy talks with Andy Miller, the editor of Georgia Health News. Andy takes us to Albany, Ga., one of the pandemic's first hotspots in the state. He also outlines the debate to mandate masks in cities like Atlanta and Savannah, and he helps us understand where the pandemic might be headed.
Georgia Today host Steve Fennessy talks with science journalist Maryn McKenna, who for years covered the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the Coronavirus pandemic, the CDC's once stellar reputation has taken a hit, thanks to political meddling from the White House and, in some cases, the agency's own missteps. On Georgia Today, Maryn walks us through the history of the agency, and how it’s become so politicized.
The July 4 holiday weekend in Atlanta was shocking for its violence. A dozen shootings crossed the city. At least 31 people were injured and five were killed, including an 8-year-old girl named Secoriea Turner. Host Steve Fennessy talks with CNN reporter Nick Valencia about the string of violence that prompted Gov. Kemp to call in the National Guard. The two also consider what the future looks like for police reforms in the city.
The long fight to remove a Confederate monument in Decatur, Georgia, came to an end this month. The 30-foot-tall structure that stood in the city's square since 1908 was taken down. Meanwhile, there is a push to put up a marker near where the Confederate monument once stood. This marker would honor a long, overlooked piece of Civil Rights history. In this episode of Georgia Today, decaturish.com editor Dan Whisenhunt walks through the Confederate monument's history, and he explains how efforts to take it down reached a boiling point after the death of George Floyd.
The police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta reignited the city, which was just starting to cool down following weeks of protests for social justice and police reform. In recent days after Brooks' death, Atlanta has seen a new round of demonstrations, the resignation of the city's police chief, and two Atlanta officers charged in Brooks' death. In this episode of Georgia Today, Atlanta Magazine writer and editor Thomas Wheatley walks through the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, what happened in the nights that followed, and what it could mean going forward for policing in Atlanta.
In the wake of George Floyd's death and the nationwide protests that it sparked, changes to how America polices its citizens could be on the way. Two weeks ago, protesters gathered in Atlanta. What began as a peaceful demonstration escalated into violence. In this episode of Georgia Today, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Ernie Suggs recalls what it was like covering the demonstrations. He also describes how the violent protests weren't a reflection of the "Atlanta Way," a phrase to describe how the city's black and white business class have historically come together on racial issues.
The shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery outside Brunswick, Georgia, sparked nationwide outrage — but not right away. Arbery died Feb. 23, but it took more than two months for charges to be filed, and that was only after a disturbing video of the shooting was released. When Brunswick News reporter Larry Hobbs heard about Arbery's death a day after it happened, what struck him was how no one was talking about it. He recalls the strange, silent days and weeks following the shooting, the pinball movements as the case bounced from prosecutor to prosecutor and what the story revealed about the community he covers.
Since the early days of the pandemic, testing has been widely acknowledged as a fundamental step in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Despite President Trump’s promise that anyone who needed a test would get one, there’s been no federal testing program. Instead, individual states have been left to figure it out. We look at the testing battlefield in Georgia with reporters Brian Wooten of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and Grant Blankenship of Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Over the past few weeks, states have slowly begun lifting some restrictions imposed by the spread of COVID-19. Critics say Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision to re-open some businesses in late April was way too soon. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Greg Bluestein says to understand the governor’s response to the pandemic, you need to understand the man.