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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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)

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 |

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.