14th District race; Atlanta Braves broadcast service; Atlanta charter school remembers

Summary

Georgia Today – March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today, hosted by Orlando Montoya, offers a concise roundup of the state's most pressing news stories. The main topics include the upcoming runoff in Georgia's 14th Congressional District, the launch of the Atlanta Braves' new broadcast service, and a touching remembrance at an Atlanta charter school for a young student lost to gun violence. The show also features updates on mental health care parity, legislative races, a segment on the new season of GPB’s Viewfinders, and business and community developments in the Atlanta area.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Runoff in the 14th Congressional District Race

• Details:
  • No candidate surpassed the required 50% threshold in the special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene.
  • The top two vote-getters, Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Sean Harris, will face off in a runoff scheduled for April 7th.
• Candidates:
  • Sean Harris (Democrat): Previous challenger to Greene, veteran, platform centered on affordability, garnered the most votes in the race.
  • Clay Fuller (Republican): North Georgia district attorney, endorsed by Donald Trump, campaigns as a “warrior for northwest Georgia” and Trump ally.
• Quote:
  • “[Sean Harris] challenged Greene for her seat in 2024 as well. He is a veteran and ran a platform centered on affordability.” – Sarah Kalas (01:15)
  • “Fuller... promised voters he would be, quote, a warrior for northwest Georgia and support Trump’s agenda in Congress.” – Sarah Kalas (01:27)
• Timestamps:
  • Election summary – [01:05]
  • Candidate details – [01:15–01:30]

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2. Legislative Race Qualifying and Political Turnover

• Details:
  • 537 candidates have qualified for 236 seats in the Georgia House and Senate, a significant increase from previous cycles.
  • The session sees high turnover due to lawmakers seeking higher office, retirements, and resignations linked to federal investigations.
  • About two-thirds of races will see competition from both parties.
• Timestamps:
  • Legislative analysis – [01:49–02:30]

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3. Atlanta Charter School Community Remembers Zoe Price

• Event:
  • Friends, family, and classmates gathered to honor Zoe Price, a 7-year-old student and cheerleader at SLAM Atlanta Charter School, killed in a shooting last month.
  • Unique, non-balloon bubble release held for commemoration.
• Community & Official Response:
  • Attended by Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, who emphasized the importance of teaching children about healthy coping mechanisms and community response to violence.
  • The school plans to create a “memorial happy corner reading space” in Zoe’s honor.
• Quote:
  • “We’ve got to do all that we can to try to limit violence, but we won’t be able to completely eliminate violence. But what we can control is our response. And so that is an important lesson for all of these children to learn.” – Commissioner Marvin Arrington ([00:30], [03:12])
• Timestamps:
  • Segment introduction – [02:50]
  • Memorial coverage and quote – [03:12]

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4. Mental Health Pay Disparity Report in Georgia

• Report Highlights:
  • A national advocacy group, Inseparable, warns that significant pay gaps are pushing behavioral health providers out of insurance networks.
  • Georgia therapists earn $0.70 or less for every dollar earned by a physician’s assistant.
  • Georgia meets only 43% of its mental health workforce needs.
• Policy Opportunity:
  • Advocates urge for insurance parity, requiring equal pay for comparable mental and physical health services, enforced through robust mechanisms.
• Quote:
  • “One real opportunity is requiring insurance companies and their health plan to pay mental health providers at comparable rates to physical health providers and making sure that there's real enforcement mechanisms.” – Caitlin Hochul, Inseparable ([04:14])
• Timestamps:
  • Report details and policy recommendations – [03:49–04:26]

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5. Viewfinders on GPB TV: New Season Highlights

• Guest:
  • Chris Greer, award-winning photographer and Georgia College professor, co-hosts Viewfinders.
• Season Highlights:
  • Broader international scope: Iceland, Faroe Islands, and British Virgin Islands, alongside Georgia focus.
  • Focus on the intersection of photography, travel, conservation, and storytelling.
  • Notable challenge: Unpredictable weather in Faroe Islands led to creative photographic opportunities.
  • Upgraded production quality and sound design for the new season.
  • Viewers can watch the new season from March 16, every Monday at 9pm, with repeats on Saturday mornings.
• Memorable Moments/Quotes:
  • “It’s photography-based, but the show goes way beyond that. It very much inspires travel... and also the protection of this planet, highlighting key conservation.” – Chris Greer ([05:16])
  • “We try to use our photography to showcase how beautiful this planet is. But we try to tell stories as well.” – Chris Greer ([05:23])
  • “Our production value from beginning to end is elevated and so are the locations we’re going to.” – Chris Greer ([08:03])
• Timestamps:
  • Interview intro – [04:37]
  • Season highlights – [05:57]
  • Production and co-host – [07:34–08:03]
  • Premiere details – [08:40–08:49]

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6. Business & Community Updates

• Yamaha Motor Corporation:
  • U.S. headquarters relocating from California to Kennesaw, Georgia, beginning this year through 2028.
  • Company already has a major manufacturing presence in the state.
• Sandy Springs Postal Recognition:
  • The U.S. Postal Service will now recognize "Sandy Springs" as the default city name for ZIP codes, boosting local identity and economic development.
• Timestamps:
  • Yamaha relocation – [09:28]
  • Sandy Springs postal update – [10:28]

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7. Atlanta Braves Launch New Broadcasting Service

• Announcement:
  • The Atlanta Braves have launched their own broadcast service, “Braves TV,” after ending their previous network deal.
• Features:
  • Over 140 games, no local blackouts, access across multiple devices and platforms.
  • Subscription: Under $100 for the season or just under $20/month.
  • Unveiled ahead of the home opener on March 27.
• Significance:
  • This initiative ends months of uncertainty and speculation about local Braves broadcasts.
• Timestamps:
  • Announcement segment – [11:20]

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Notable Quotes

• “We’ve got to do all that we can to try to limit violence... But what we can control is our response.”
  — Commissioner Marvin Arrington (00:30, 03:12)

• “One real opportunity is requiring insurance companies and their health plan to pay mental health providers at comparable rates to physical health providers and making sure that there's real enforcement mechanisms.”
  — Caitlin Hochul (04:14)

• “It's photography-based, but the show goes way beyond that... And also the protection of this planet, highlighting key conservation.”
  — Chris Greer (05:16–05:23)

• “Our production value from beginning to end is elevated and so are the locations we’re going to.”
  — Chris Greer (08:03)

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Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Episode introduction & main stories preview | 00:01–00:44 | | 14th District Congressional Race and Runoff | 01:05–01:49 | | Legislative qualifying and expectations | 01:49–02:30 | | SLAM Charter School memorial for Zoe Price | 02:50–03:26 | | Mental health care parity report | 03:35–04:26 | | GPB TV’s Viewfinders season preview | 04:37–09:00 | | Yamaha headquarters move & Sandy Springs postal name | 09:28–11:10 | | Atlanta Braves Broadcasting Service announcement | 11:10–11:52 |

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Summary

This episode weaves together the significant political developments of Georgia’s current election cycle, the community’s grief and resilience in the face of tragedy, ongoing struggles with healthcare parity, and exciting announcements in local business and sports broadcasting. The special feature on GPB’s Viewfinders offers listeners a glimpse into Georgia-rooted storytelling with a global canvas, brimming with adventure, artistry, and environmental reverence.

For more details on these and related stories, visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, no candidate was able to break the 50% threshold in the 14th congressional district race, so the top two vote getters will be on the ballot again next month. We have more details behind the new Atlanta Braves Broadcasting Service and An Atlanta charter school is remembering a seven year old student killed during the shooting last month.

[Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington]

We've got to do all that we can to try to limit violence, but we won't be able to completely eliminate violence. But what we can control is our response. And so that is an important lesson for all of these children to learn.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Wednesday, March 11th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Sean Harris got the most number of votes in a special election yesterday to replace former U.S. representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[Sarah Kalas]

No candidate was able to break the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff in the 14th congressional district, so the top two vote getters will be on the ballot again next month. Harris carried the Democratic vote in the district and received the most votes of any candidate in the race. He challenged Greene for her seat in 2024 as well. He is a veteran and ran a platform centered on affordability. Fuller, a district attorney from North Georgia, was endorsed by President Donald Trump last month. He promised voters he would be, quote, a warrior for northwest Georgia and support Trump's agenda in Congress. The runoff is slated for April 7th. For GPB news, I'm Sarah Kalas.

[Orlando Montoya]

More candidates are running for seats in the state legislature in this election cycle. A total of 537 people signed up to run in May primaries during qualifying last week. That's up from 450 two years ago. Those 537 are running for 236 seats in the Georgia House and Senate. Republicans hold majorities in both chambers. A high turnover is expected in part because 18 lawmakers signed up to run for higher offices and leaving behind districts where they would have been incumbents seeking reelection. There also are nine retiring lawmakers and three who resigned after facing federal charges for alleged unemployment fraud. About two thirds of races are contested by both parties, while 53 candidates face no opposition. An Atlanta charter school is remembering a seven year old student killed during a shooting last month. JPB's Amanda Andrews has that story.

[Amanda Andrews]

Friends, family and classmates gathered to remember Zoe Price by blowing bubbles in place of a balloon release. Price was a student and cheerleader at SLAM Atlanta Charter School. Atlanta Police say she was inside her home when two teenagers opened fire on the residents. Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington attended the memorial. He says it's important students and family know they're not grieving alone.

[Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington]

We've got to do all that we can to try to limit violence, but we won't be able to completely eliminate violence. But what we can control is our response. And so that is an important lesson for all of these children to learn.

[Amanda Andrews]

The school will build a memorial happy corner reading space in her honor. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

A new report from a group advocating for mental health access nationwide warns a pay gap is pushing behavioral healthcare providers out of insurance networks. And GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more parity.

[Amanda Andrews]

Law says mental health providers with similar education to physical health providers should be making comparable wages for the services they're providing. But in Georgia, Therapists can earn $0.70 or less for every dollar earned by a physician's assistant. Caitlin Hochul with the advocacy group Inseparable, says on top of that, the state only meets 43% of its mental health care workforce needs.

[Sarah Kalas]

One real opportunity is requiring insurance companies and their health plan to pay mental health providers at comparable rates to physical health providers and making sure that there's real enforcement mechanisms.

[Amanda Andrews]

Hochul says many people don't understand the scope of the problem until they need help. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

One of my favorite shows on GPB TV is Viewfinders. It's about photography, but but it's really about travel, adventure, great views and great music. And whenever there's a fresh season, you'll find me streaming it every Monday. And a new season starts next week. Here to talk with me about what's in store this season is Viewfinder's co host, award winning photographer and Georgia College and State University professor Chris Greer. Welcome to the program, Chris.

[Chris Greer]

Thank you so much.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

First of all, for those not yet familiar with the show. Did I get the intro right? Photography and a little bit more.

[Chris Greer]

It's photography based, but the show is goes way beyond that. It very much inspires travel, at least that's what we hope to do. And also the protection of this planet, highlighting key conservation that's occurring throughout the world. And we, we try to, you know, use our photography to showcase how beautiful this planet is. But we try to tell stories as well.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

And you started out your planetary adventures here in Georgia with Georgia Focus in the first few seasons, but you've been expanding your destinations and this season you've really expanded. Tell me about some of this season's highlights.

[Chris Greer]

Well, we start off this season in Iceland. We have two episodes and we had quite a few adventures during our time there. Absolutely phenomenal country. And so that's one of several places that we traveled to abroad. We also went to the first Faroe Islands, which are a very remote group of islands that have such a unique cultural identity. There's sheep everywhere and the landscape is just looks like something from another planet. And then we needed to warm up a little bit so we went down to the British Virgin Islands and we sailed around on a catamaran to a lot of different locations and really saw the BVI Love is what they call it, Very, very strong community focus down among those islands. And so we had a lot of adventures and took some beautiful photos along the way.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

And this is your first season of international travel, correct?

[Chris Greer]

It is indeed, yes.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

You can't pick the weather in these

[Orlando Montoya]

locations when you arrive.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

And I'm thinking Faroe Islands, kind of windy, kind of cold.

[Orlando Montoya]

They.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

Did you have any challenges there and how did you overcome them?

[Chris Greer]

We had some challenges. Amazingly when we arrived it was actually kind of nice out, which is infrequent. And so we, we capitalized on that. But we did deal with just a lot of foggy, misty rain and temperatures in the 50s. But our last day there it got quite cold. We were filming there in September so we were not used to that type of weather. But those conditions can lend themselves to some beautiful photography.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

So we took advantage of that and we've been using. We. And are we should mention your co host, Paul Daniel.

[Chris Greer]

Yes. So Paul Daniel unfortunately can't be here right in this moment, but he is my co host now for multiple seasons and we travel all over together. He's originally from Brooklyn, so he brings a different, you know, dynamic to the show which I really enjoy and I think the audience does, does as well. And we had some great adventures together this season.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

What else can people expect new this season?

[Chris Greer]

Every season we try to raise the bar with our production and our approach to filming the show. And so this season, the way we filmed it, the equipment we used, and also our sound design is significantly improved, I believe and I think the viewers will notice that right away. So our production value from beginning to end and is elevated and so are the locations we're going to. We're going to some really world class bucket list types of places to do our photography and tell our stories and we're just very excited to bring that

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

to the audience and when can people

[Chris Greer]

see it so it premieres on March 16, 9pm on GPB and airs every Monday evening and it repeats on Saturdays

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

at 9am and I'll just mention you can stream it anytime after Monday. Chris Greer, it's been a pleasure having you on. Thanks again for the new season and I look forward to it.

[Chris Greer]

Yes, thank you so much for having me. We can't wait for it to premiere.

[Terry Gross]

Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of Fresh Air. Hey, take a break from the 24 hour news cycle with us and listen to long form interviews with your favorite authors, actors, filmmakers, comedians and musicians. The people making the art that nourishes us and speaks to our times. So listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

[Orlando Montoya]

Yamaha Motor Corporation will move its U.S. headquarters to Kennesaw, north of Atlanta, after more than 50 years in California. Governor Brian Kemp's office says the decision followed a meeting between the governor and Yamaha executives last October and at an annual Southeast US Japan gathering in Tokyo. Yamaha already has a significant presence in Georgia, employing more than 2,300 people in the state manufacturing ATVs, boat engines, personal watercraft and other motorized products. Its Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America plant in Noonan opened in 1986. The company says the headquarters relocation will begin this year and continue through 2028. After nearly 20 years, the U.S. postal Service has approved a request by the city of Sandy Springs, north of Atlanta, to acknowledge the city's name on its default preferred last line for municipal zip codes. Affected residents and businesses with Atlanta addresses can expect a change that year. Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul calls it an important step to strengthen economic development, enhance public safety and reinforce community identity in the 20 year old municipality. And finally TODAY news Atlanta Braves fans have been waiting on for several months. The team today announced details behind Braves tv. The team officially launched its broadcast service today, promising more than 140 games with no local blackouts available across a range of devices and platforms. Subscription prices start at just under $100 for the season, or just under $20 per month. The announcement ends months of speculation after the Braves ended their broadcast deal with FanDuel Sports Network earlier this year. The team's home opener is March 27th. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, 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.

[Host (possibly a GPB presenter/interviewer)]

Got feedback?

[Orlando Montoya]

We'd love to hear it. Email us at Georgia Today at gpb Org. I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll talk to you again tomorrow.