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

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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