2 Georgians killed in plane crash; Ga. Power's Integrated Resource Plan; R.E.M. book

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Hosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting | Release Date: January 31, 2025

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1. Tragic Plane Crash Claims Two Georgian Lives

Two Georgians, Ryan O'Hara and Sam Lilly, were among the 67 fatalities in a devastating midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

• Ryan O'Hara: A 2014 graduate from a high school in metro Atlanta’s Gwinnett County, served as a soldier aboard the Army helicopter.

• Sam Lilly: A 2018 graduate from Georgia Southern University, was the first officer on the American Airlines flight.

Governor Brian Kemp and other state officials extended their deepest condolences to the families affected. The investigation into the collision’s cause is ongoing, with search operations currently focused on the river below the crash site.

2. Georgia Power’s Integrated Resource Plan Under Scrutiny

Georgia Power has submitted its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to state regulators, outlining its strategy for electricity generation over the coming decades.

Key Points:

• Coal Plant Retirements Delayed: The utility originally planned to retire coal-fired plants Bowen and Shearer by 2028. However, due to significant industrial growth in sectors like electric vehicle manufacturing and data centers, Georgia Power now seeks to postpone these retirements by six years. This delay could result in an additional 100 million tons of carbon emissions contributing to climate warming (Grant Blankenship, 02:46).

• Renewable Energy Expansion: The new IRP includes plans to add over 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy and battery storage, aligning with Georgia’s business growth needs.

Grant Blankenship of GPB News highlighted the dual impact of Georgia Power’s plan: supporting economic expansion while potentially exacerbating climate change (03:04).

3. State Senate Advances Transgender Sports Ban Bill

The State Senate’s Education and Youth Committee has moved forward with its first bill of the legislative session, proposing a ban on transgender female students competing in women’s sports.

Testimonies:

• Support:

  • Katie Blankenship (02:07): “After not swimming for an entire year due to being on hormone blockers and hormone therapy and whatnot, was essentially going our records.”

• Opposition:

  • Dr. Jodi Greenwald (02:21): “This bill and others like it seek not only to exclude transgender students from the benefits of school sports, but really to exclude them from society in general.”

The bill advanced with eight senators, including one Democrat, in favor and three against. It now proceeds to the Rules Committee for scheduling a Senate floor vote.

4. Rising Violence in Georgia Prisons

Two inmates at Hancock State Prison in Middle Georgia died following separate fights, contributing to a troubling increase in prison violence. The Georgia Department of Corrections reported 65 homicides among incarcerated individuals in 2024, nearly double the previous year's record high.

5. Military Training Accident at Fort Stewart

A tragic vehicle accident during field training at Fort Stewart resulted in the deaths of two soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. The incident occurred last night, involving a single vehicle with no other reported injuries. Details remain limited as investigations continue.

6. Congressman David Scott Engages with Gwinnett County Seniors

Congressman David Scott held a meeting with senior residents of Gwinnett County to address their concerns and provide resources related to finances and health.

Highlights:

• Fraud Awareness: Efforts to educate seniors about online and telephone scams were emphasized.
• Program Adjustments: Concerns were raised about potential changes to federal programs like Medicaid and Meals on Wheels, recently affected by a federal funding freeze (Amanda Andrews, 04:59).
• Political Advocacy: Congressman Scott assured attendees of his ongoing dialogue with President Trump regarding benefiting protections (05:25).

7. New Biography Explores R.E.M.'s Legacy

A new book titled R.E.M. by Peter Ames Carlin delves into the storied history of the iconic Athens-based band. The biography not only chronicles the band's formation and rise but also offers a poetic exploration of their unique musical contributions.

Notable Insights:

• Cultural Impact:
  Peter Ames Carlin (00:41): “...their ability to be as weird as they wanted to be and still resonate with the broad culture.”

• Musical Innovation:
  Peter Ames Carlin (07:59): “...the song that was their biggest hit, Losing My Religion, is, like, one of the weirdest songs to ever hit the top 40, let alone the top two.”

• Band Dynamics:
  Peter Ames Carlin (09:16): Discussed the band's decision to evolve without desperately trying to recapture past success, maintaining a strong global audience until their breakup.

The episode includes an engaging conversation between Orlando Montoya and Peter Ames Carlin, highlighting the band’s artistic integrity and lasting influence on both music and broader culture.

8. Spotlight on Georgia-Connected Musicians: Peach Jam Podcast

GPB’s Peach Jam podcast returns with a new season featuring musicians intimately connected to Georgia. Host Jeremy Powell discusses the upcoming season with GPB’s Peter Biello.

Featured Artists:

• Jordan L'Oreal: A Grammy-winning artist known for her work in television and film music. Raised in Georgia by pastor parents, she performed at Madison Square Garden at age 13 and is now focusing on recording her own music (11:08).

  Katie Blankenship (11:27): “She is fantastic. She’s a Grammy award winning artist... Jordan L'Oreal is pure talent.”

• Page Brothers Band: Hailing from Adel, Georgia, this Southern blues duo consists of Dakota on vocals and Travis on guitar, celebrated for their gritty, authentic sound (12:21).

  Katie Blankenship (12:34): “Dakota has that big, deep voice... Travis Page is definitely one of them.”

• Mondo Hamando: Led by Matthew Kaminski, the band offers an exotica vibe, performing regularly at Trader Vic’s in downtown Atlanta. Caminski, the organist for the Braves, brings his classical jazz training to the ensemble (13:32).

• Tinsley Ellis: A legendary blues musician from Emory University, Ellis showcases his mastery with a 1937 National Steel guitar, blending traditional blues with personal artistry (14:16).

The season emphasizes Georgia’s rich musical heritage, featuring artists who embody the state’s diverse sounds and stories.

9. Savannah to Welcome a Professional Women’s Basketball Team

Savannah’s minor league hockey team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, are expanding their sports portfolio by introducing a professional women’s basketball team. Managed by Jacksonville-based Zoyer Sports and Entertainment, the team will compete in the upcoming Upshot League, slated to debut in 2026 with at least four franchises.

Details:

• Team Naming: A community contest is currently underway to select the team’s name, fostering local engagement and support.

Conclusion

The January 31st episode of Georgia Today delivers a comprehensive overview of significant events impacting Georgia and beyond. From heartfelt tributes to tragic losses, legislative debates, environmental plans, cultural explorations, and vibrant musical showcases, the podcast encapsulates the diverse narratives shaping the Peach State. Listeners are encouraged to engage further by visiting gpb.org/news or following Georgia Public Broadcasting on social media platforms.

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For full transcript and more detailed reports, visit the Georgia Today podcast on your preferred platform.

Transcript

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB. News. Today is Friday, January 31st. I'm Orlando Montoya and on this podcast you'll hear the latest reports from GPB's news team. You can send feedback to us, suggestions and story tips to georgia [e-mail] on today's episode 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 and a new biography tells the story of Athens music legends R.E.M.

[Peter Ames Carlin]

You know, the biggest part of their influence was their ability to be as weird as they wanted to be and still resonate with the broad culture.

[Orlando Montoya]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia today. Two Georgians were among the 67 people killed when an American Airlines jet collided midair with an army helicopter in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. Georgia officials, including Governor Brian Kemp, expressed their condolences for the loss of Ryan O'Hara and Sam Lilly. O'Hara graduated from a high school in metro Atlanta, Squinnett county, in 2014 and was one of the soldiers aboard the army helicopter. Lilly graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2018 and was the first officer aboard the American Airlines jet. Officials are still investigating the cause of the collision as they search the river over which the two aircraft collided. The State Senate's Education and Youth Committee advanced its first bill of this year's legislative session yesterday, one to ban transgender female students from competing in women's sports. GPB Sarah Kalis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Senators on the committee heard testimony advocating on both sides of the issue. Former Georgia high school swimmer Katie Blankenship supports the bill and this male athlete.

[Katie Blankenship]

After not swimming for an entire year due to being on hormone blockers and hormone therapy and whatnot, was essentially going our records.

[Sarah Kalis]

Meanwhile, pediatrician Dr. Jodi Greenwald, who testified in the committee hearing, opposes it.

[Dr. Jodi Greenwald]

This bill and others like it seek not only to exclude transgender students from the benefits of school sports, but really to exclude them from society in general.

[Sarah Kalis]

Eight senators on the committee, including one Democrat, voted to pass the bill. Three senators voted against it. The bill will now move to the Rules Committee, which will schedule it for a Senate floor vote. For GPV News, I'm Sarah Kallas at the State Capitol.

[Orlando Montoya]

Georgia Power is telling state regulators how it wants to generate electricity in coming decades. GPB's Grant Blankenship reports the plan submitted today supports the state's explosive business growth but could further delay the end of climate warming. Coal fired power Georgia Power must get.

[Grant Blankenship]

Its Integrated Resource Plan, or irp, for generating electricity approved by the state. In the last irp, the utility said it would retire coal fired plant Bowen and plant shearer by 2028. That was before massive industrial growth in manufacturing of electric vehicles and solar panels and in power ravenous Internet centers. So now Georgia Power is asking to wait another six years to retire Bowen and Shearer. The delay could mean over 100 million tons more of climate warming carbon emissions. But the new IRP also lays out plans to add over 1,000 megawatts of both renewable power and battery storage. Georgia Power's Integrated Resource Plan now faces a months long approval process For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Orlando Montoya]

Two people incarcerated at a state prison in middle Georgia are dead after two different fights. The Hancock county coroner confirmed the deaths following the altercations at Hancock State Prison yesterday. The deaths come amid a wave of violence in Georgia prisons. According to the Georgia Department of corrections, there were 65 homicides among incarcerated people in 2024. That number was nearly double the 2023 figure, which at the time was considered a record. The US army says two soldiers have been killed in a training accident at southeast Georgia's Fort Stewart. The army statement says the fatal vehicle accident occurred last night during field training and involved a single vehicle and no other injuries. The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. No other details were immediately released. Metro Atlanta Congressman David Scott held a gathering with senior residents of Gwinnett county to hear their concerns and share resources for finances and health. GPB's Amanda Andrews has more from the event.

[Dr. Jodi Greenwald]

The event was to share information about scams and fraud that seniors may face online or via telephone. But many shared concerns about possible changes to programs under the Trump administration. The next time we have an attack on our benefits and or our rights, what can we specifically do? Congressman Scott reassured his constituents that he's trying to speak with President Trump.

[Jeremy Powell]

I've already asked for an appointment.

[Orlando Montoya]

I am a senior member on financial services. He needs my help.

[Dr. Jodi Greenwald]

Federal funding for health insurance programs including Medicaid and the Meals on Wheels program was temporarily frozen by executive order earlier this week, and their future remains uncertain. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

One of the most iconic bands to come out of Georgia in the 1980s, R.E.M. a few months ago became the subject of a new book. The name of this Band is REM by Peter Ames. Carlin isn't just a cultural biography going back to its formation in the then sleepy college town of Athens. It's also a poetic Meditation on what made so many of the band's songs stand out and in the place where.

[Jeremy Powell]

You live now Face Think about direction Wonder why you haven't now Stand in.

[Orlando Montoya]

The place where you were I recently spoke to the author and asked him what he thinks made REM So great.

[Peter Ames Carlin]

REM from the beginning, would play anywhere. You know, pizza parlors, fraternity parties, gay bars. I mean, they really didn't care. They would go, you know, and they just figured that they were going to take their sound and their art and their ideals to this broad population. And I don't think that they thought from the beginning or that they understood exactly how to do that or what that was going to look like or feel like. But, you know, they just figured they would walk down that road and see how far they got before either they hit a dead end or they just couldn't tolerate it anymore.

[Orlando Montoya]

They kind of made being different okay, and not just musically. Can you talk about their influence on culture more broadly?

[Peter Ames Carlin]

Well, you know, they came out, you know, immediately and stuck with this. This idea of being alternative and being, you know, bohemian and artistic. And, you know, the biggest part of their influence was their ability to be as weird as they wanted to be and still resonate with the broad culture, you know, and that became even more profound in the mid-90s when Michael Stipe came out and said publicly, like, yeah, I'm queer. So what? You know, it was at a time and in a way that was, you know, became a very influential thing for people.

[Orlando Montoya]

You break down their songs, their albums and hits, and there were a lot of hits. Which ones are the most significant to you?

[Peter Ames Carlin]

I mean, I think it's always incredibly striking when you realize that, you know, the song that was their biggest hit, Losing My Religion is, like, one of the weirdest songs to ever hit the top 40, let alone the top two.

[Jeremy Powell]

That's me in the spot. Like losing my religion Trying to keep.

[Peter Ames Carlin]

Up At a time when music was so overwhelmingly electronic and synthesized and sleek, here was a song that was not only featured a mandolin as its lead instrument, but also, you know, a lyric that played like a set of riddles because Michael was using an, you know, an anachronistic Southern expression, losing my religion, to describe these feelings of being out of control and in a love affair that was, you know, overwhelming and, you know, and frustrating and painful and beautiful at the same time. It's always fascinating and astonishing to remember these guys creating a song that really had no connection to the standard structure of pop songs, managed to have an enormous pop hit with it, their popularity.

[Orlando Montoya]

Waned and eventually they broke up. Can you talk about their decline?

[Peter Ames Carlin]

Every band or famous artist, you have your moment where you're channeling something that the culture is interested in. You know, that you're sort of able to express something that people are feeling but haven't really thought yet. At some point, you know, things change, you know, your experience changes or your interests change, and the culture doesn't necessarily follow you. So what do you do? You know, do you do the thing where you desperately try to recapture that and recapture people's attention, usually by repeating yourself in some way?

[Orlando Montoya]

Or.

[Peter Ames Carlin]

Or do you just continue on your journey and figure that it's okay to just talk to whoever wants to hear you? And that's a decision that they made. And they still maintained a relatively enormous audience around the world, particularly in Europe. They were as big as they had ever been.

[Orlando Montoya]

Peter Ames Carlin, it was a pleasure reading your book. The name of this band is R.E.M. thanks very much.

[Peter Ames Carlin]

You bet. Thank you so much.

[Orlando Montoya]

And that's another book that GP Peter Biello and I talk about in much more detail on our podcast about books with Georgia Connections, Narrative Edge. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jeremy Powell]

I know you. I know you've seen her. She's a sant tomato. She's doing three miles of that road walking down.

[Amanda Andrews]

We could all use a little help navigating the news these days. The Consider this podcast wants to give you a hand. Six days a week will help you make sense of the day's biggest news story and what it means for you in less than 15 minutes. Listen now to the Consider this podcast from NPR.

[Orlando Montoya]

And speaking of music with Georgia Ties, GPB's Peach Jam podcast is back today with the new season showcasing musicians connected to our state. Host Jeremy Powell spoke with GPB's Peter Biello about the new season.

[Peter Biello]

So Jeremy, the one I am most excited about this season is Jordan L'Oreal.

[Katie Blankenship]

Okay.

[Peter Biello]

And before you tell me about Jordan, I just want to play a little bit of her song Cashmere. So that's Jordan L'Oreal. What an amazing sound.

[Katie Blankenship]

She is fantastic. She's a Grammy award winning artist. She wrote songs for television shows and movies. She had a contract with Disney for a while.

[Peter Biello]

What's her Georgia connection?

[Katie Blankenship]

So she's from here. Her parents are pastors of a church and she told me about the very first time she ever sang on stage was at a big Christian event being held at Madison Square Garden. And she was 13 years old and sang on stage there. Now she's getting out of the writing for other people and recording for herself. And Jordan L'Oreal is pure talent.

[Peter Biello]

I am excited to see that one. All right, vibe switch here. Tell us about the Page Brothers Band. Gritty biker bar vibe.

[Katie Blankenship]

Yes. It's. It's Southern blues. They're from Adel, Georgia, which is South Georgia. If you've been down through South Georgia on 75, it's the king Frog exit.

[Peter Biello]

Okay.

[Katie Blankenship]

And they. They are fantastic. They're two brothers. Dakota's the one with the voice. Dakota has that big, deep voice, and he's just this big teddy bear. Like, during the interview, you want to give him a hug because he's. He's so humble. I. I don't even know if he quite understands how much talent he really has. And he's just great. And then his brother Travis is the guitarist who is fantastic. The one thing about this season of the Piece Jam podcast is it pretty much is the season of the guitarist. We had a lot of talented guitarists come in, and Travis Page is definitely one of them.

[Peter Biello]

Okay, I'm going to use a non guitar example for the next one. Mondo Hamando.

[Katie Blankenship]

Imagine sipping a Mai Tai.

[Peter Biello]

Peter, how could you not feel like that listening to this music?

[Katie Blankenship]

Mondo humano is fun. It's exotica music. And the band leader is Matthew Kaminski, who you might recognize that name because he's the organist at the Braves and he's a classically trained jazz artist who has multiple bands. And this is the one that he brought in for Peace Jam. And it is so much fun.

[Peter Biello]

That sounds fun. It sounds really fun.

[Katie Blankenship]

It is. They play at Trader Vic's in downtown Atlanta on the regular. And so you could go there, have a Mai tai and enjoy that, or you can listen to the episode coming up later in the season.

[Peter Biello]

Wonderful. Okay. And finally, let's talk about Tinsley Ellis.

[Jeremy Powell]

Early in the evening the sun goes.

[Orlando Montoya]

Down.

[Peter Biello]

Know you're out there Horseshoes and hand grenades Wow. I feel like we've gone back in time a little bit. Jeremy.

[Katie Blankenship]

Yes. Tinsley Ellis is the biggest name that's on the Peach Jam podcast this season. This guy is. He's a legend in certain circles. He's been playing the blues since the 70s. He's. He went to Emory here in Atlanta, where we're sitting. And what you're hearing there is him playing a 1937 national steel body guitar. And it's just him and the guitar. And then he's got a piece of wood that he's tapping his boot on, and it is so good.

[Peter Biello]

Well, there are a few others waiting in the wings for this season of Peach Jam. This is merely a taste. Jeremy, thank you so much for telling me about it.

[Katie Blankenship]

Absolutely.

[Peter Biello]

GPB's Jeremy Powell is the host of the Peach Jam podcast from gpb, which features songs and stories from bands and artists who call the Peach State home. The new season of the podcast drops today. Jeremy, thanks again.

[Katie Blankenship]

Thank you.

[Orlando Montoya]

And finally this week, the business group behind Savannah's minor league hockey team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates, plans to bring a professional women's basketball team to the city as well. Jacksonville based Zoyer Sports and Entertainment said this week it plans to launch the team as part of its Upshot League, which aims to debut in 2026 with a minimum of four teams. A contest is underway to name the team. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about the stories we present on this podcast, visit gpb.org news or follow us on social media, on Facebook and Instagram. That's where you'll find many of the stories that you hear from our GPB news team. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, please please do so now. That'll help you to keep us current in your feed. I'm Orlando Montoya, filling in for Peter Biello today. Have a great weekend.