9/11 anniversary; Leaders react to death of Charlie Kirk; Helene recovery continues

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode: 9/11 Anniversary; Leaders React to Death of Charlie Kirk; Helene Recovery Continues
Host: Orlando Montoya (GPB News)
Date: September 11, 2025

Overview

This episode of Georgia Today focuses on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Georgia leaders’ reactions to the high-profile death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, and the ongoing recovery in parts of Georgia from 2024's Hurricane Helene. Other covered topics include a notable legal reversal affecting a transgender deputy, economic fallout from pulp and paper mill closures, advances in gene therapy, and the launch of a cold case unit in Macon.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 9/11 Anniversary Memorials Across Georgia

(00:05–01:15)

• Schools and communities throughout Georgia held events to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
• At Milton High School, students organized an outdoor memorial featuring 2,977 flags—one for each person killed.
  • Notable Quote:
  • “We have 2,977 flags, one for every person that perished in the attacks of the Pentagon, the Twin towers and aboard Flight 93.” — Will Chambers and Jack Michaels (00:51)
• Atlanta’s state Capitol hosted a ceremony, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium held a memorial stair climb where participants ascended 110 stories, symbolizing the World Trade Center.
• Emphasis on educating younger generations about the events of 9/11 and supporting ongoing service by first responders.

2. Georgia Leaders React to the Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk

(01:15–03:00)

• Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA co-founder, was killed while hosting an event in Utah.
• Swift and unified condemnation from Georgia politicians:
  • Governor Brian Kemp: “Political violence is never the answer.”
  • Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger: “We must stand together in rejecting violence and recommitting to civility, respect and the rule of law.”
  • Senator Jon Ossoff: “Shock and horror... political violence is unacceptable.”
• Episode highlights national implications of political violence for state and local leaders.

3. Legal Setback for Transgender Sheriff's Deputy

(03:00–03:32)

• 11th Circuit Court reverses an earlier decision in favor of Sgt. Anna Lang, who alleged discrimination after being denied insurance coverage for gender-affirming surgery.
• Further legal proceedings, including a possible Supreme Court petition, are possible. Lang’s attorney remains optimistic:
  • Notable Quote:
  • “It’s not quite as a direct immediate result because there will have to be a jury trial on those facts, but we do believe we have a strong case for that.” — Kelly Perry Johnson (03:21)

4. Impact of Immigration Raid on South Korean Investment

(03:32–04:22)

• South Korea’s president warns of chilling effect after a massive U.S. immigration raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant.
• Hundreds deported; possible implications for Georgia’s economy, as Korean companies like Kia and SK Battery are key investors.
• Governor Kemp’s office urges not to let the incident harm longstanding partnerships.

5. Fraud Indictment at Georgia-Based Church

(04:22–05:58)

• Federal indictment against pastor Ronnie Dennis and associates for a multimillion-dollar fraud conspiracy targeting military personnel.
• Allegations include manipulating congregants for rental schemes and misappropriation of Veterans Administration benefits.

6. Medical Milestone: GA’s First Commercial Gene Therapy Transplant

(05:58–06:43)

• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta performs the state's first commercial gene therapy for beta thalassemia.
• Dr. Jean Boudreau describes treatment as a “game changer,” offering a new path forward for patients.
  • Notable Quote:
  • “Once they start, start to recover and start making their own cells, then we basically are just waiting for their whole immune system to sort of reconstitute. And that’s what that’s where Josh is right now.” — Dr. Jean Boudreau (06:20)

7. Economic Fallout from Pulp and Paper Mill Closures

(06:43–07:32)

• Recent and upcoming mill closures are poised to cause billions in losses for Georgia's forestry sector, threatening 1,600 jobs.
• Calls for greater incentives for biomass energy as a strategy to support both the industry and environmental goals.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “We got to get biomass back on.” — Marion Cummings (07:16)
    • “A level playing field with other forms of generation...” — Grant Blankenship and Marion Cummings (07:17–07:19)

8. Macon Cold Case Unit Launch

(07:32–08:10)

• New investigative unit, supported by county/federal funds, aims to solve homicides stretching back over 50 years, using modern DNA testing and victim advocacy.

9. Ongoing Recovery from Hurricane Helene

(08:38–12:33)

• Many Georgians are still living with hurricane damage, including Marion Cummings in Thompson.
• Personal story:
  • An oak tree felled by Helene still bisects his home, forcing him to live in a FEMA camper with the daily sight as a painful reminder.
  • Notable Quote:
  • “Can you imagine looking at that every day and knowing that you was in there when it happened?” — Marion Cummings (10:17)
  • “I go to therapy and they say you need to let it out, just let it go. I try, but I can’t.” — Marion Cummings (00:30, 10:27)
• Hundreds in the region still await assistance.
  • Scott Parish of United Methodist Church outlines the scale, with 230+ current requests in three counties and recovery likely to last another year or more.
  • Inter-agency collaboration (FEMA, Red Cross, charities) is critical; a Mennonite group plans to rebuild Marion’s house and 29 others.
  • Notable Quote:
  • “FEMA could be like an octopus. They could just reach out to other organizations you don’t know anything about. And see, that’s what happened to me.” — Marion Cummings (11:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On 9/11 Memorial:

  • “We have 2,977 flags, one for every person that perished in the attacks…”
    — Will Chambers and Jack Michaels (00:51)

• On Living with Disaster Aftermath:

  • “Can you imagine looking at that every day and knowing that you was in there when it happened?”
    — Marion Cummings (10:17)

• On Political Violence:

  • “Political violence is never the answer.”
    — Governor Brian Kemp (paraphrased, 01:41)
  • “We must stand together in rejecting violence and recommitting to civility, respect and the rule of law.”
    — Brad Raffensperger (01:49)

• On Resilience and Aid:

  • “FEMA could be like an octopus. They could just reach out to other organizations you don’t know anything about…”
    — Marion Cummings (11:56)

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Important Timestamps

• 9/11 Events Coverage: 00:05–01:15
• Charlie Kirk Reactions: 01:15–03:00
• Transgender Deputy Court Case: 03:00–03:32
• South Korean Investment Fallout: 03:32–04:22
• Church Fraud Indictment: 04:22–05:58
• Gene Therapy Breakthrough: 05:58–06:43
• Forestry Mill Closures: 06:43–07:32
• Macon Cold Case Unit: 07:32–08:10
• Hurricane Helene Recovery: 08:38–12:33

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Tone & Language

The episode maintains a compassionate, matter-of-fact approach, with moments of heartfelt storytelling (notably in the hurricane recovery segment). Speakers use clear, conversational language, and the hosts and reporters foreground the lived experiences of Georgians as well as state and national policy implications.

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Summary

This episode of Georgia Today skillfully weaves together reflective moments of remembrance, breaking news, and deep dives into persistent challenges facing Georgia’s people and industries. It’s a window into resilience—both individual and communal—in the face of tragedy, whether from terrorism, natural disaster, or systemic obstacles, and illustrates how public policy, legal battles, and community efforts converge in everyday life across the state.

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. Tributes and ceremonies take place across Georgia on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Georgia leaders react to the shooting death of right wing influencer Charlie Kirk. And some parts of Georgia are still recovering from last year's Hurricane Helene.

[Marion Cummings]

I go to therapy and they say you need to let it out, just let it go. I try, but I can't.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Thursday, September 11th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Events across the state today remembered the attacks of September 11, 2001. At Milton High School north of Atlanta, students Will Chambers and Jack Michaels organized a memorial. We have 2,977 flags, one for every person that perished in the attacks of the Pentagon, the Twin towers and aboard Flight 93. Makes us feel honored to be a.

[Kelly Perry Johnson]

Part of this because we know that it's important to never Forget about the 911 attacks and it inspires us to.

[Orlando Montoya]

Help teach other people about this terrible event that happens elsewhere. Tributes included concerts, walks and solemn ceremonies. One was held at the south wing of the state Capitol in Atlanta this morning. The city also honored the nearly 3,000 lives lost with a memorial stair climb at Mercedes Benz Stadium. The event challenged participants to climb 110 stories, more than 2,000 steps symbolizing the height of the Twin Towers. It was a tribute to the victims, including the 343 firefighters and paramedics and and 72 law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in service on 9 11. Proceeds support first responders who continue to serve and protect our communities. Every day Georgia leaders are reacting to the death of right wing influencer Charlie Kirk. He died on Wednesday at the age of 31 after being shot while hosting an event in Orem, Utah. Kirk was the CEO and co founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point usa. On their social media platforms, Governor Brian Kemp wrote, political violence is never the answer. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger wrote, we must stand together in rejecting violence and recommitting to civility, respect and the rule of law. And Georgia U.S. senator Jon Ossoff wrote he was shocked and horrified by the news, adding, political violence is unacceptable. Federal Court of Appeals Judges from the 11th Circuit have reversed a 2024 decision ruling that Houston county discriminated against a transgender sheriff's deputy when she was denied insurance coverage for gender affirming surgery. Sergeant Anna Lang sued Houston county and her employer, the Houston County Sheriff's office in 2019 saying they violated Title VII. Lower courts originally ruled in her favor and the county appealed. Senior attorney for Lang Kelly Perry Johnson says there's still an opportunity to prove discrimination based on facts of the case that weren't originally argued.

[Kelly Perry Johnson]

It's not quite as a direct immediate result because there will have to be a jury trial on those facts, but we do believe we have a strong case for that.

[Orlando Montoya]

They're also considering petitioning the U.S. supreme Court. South Korea's president says companies from his country might think twice before investing in the US After a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Southeast Georgia. Korea has become a key partner in Georgia's economic success in recent years with Kia Q Cells and SK Battery among Korean companies investing heavily in job creating factories. President Lee Jae Myung spoke to reporters today after hundreds of South Korean workers were rounded up in the raid last week. Korean news outlet Arirang News interpreted his quote as Korean firms will be hesitant to make investments in the US if they fear all kinds of disadvantages or being placed in a difficult position. Governor Brian Kemp's office said Georgia was committed to not allowing this unfortunate incident to undo the decades of mutually beneficial partnerships we've built together. The detained workers were transported from an ICE facility in Folkestone to Atlanta where shortly before noon today they boarded a charter flight back to Korea. A Georgia pastor and seven associates have been indicted in an alleged multi million dollar fraud conspiracy that targeted military personnel in a cult like church based near Georgia's Fort Stewart. U.S. department of justice officials today outlined the charges against a man who goes by the name of Ronnie Dennis of the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America, which also had churches near Augusta and in other states. The government alleges Dennis and others used their church positions to manipulate congregants to force them into marriages, into properties that generated rental income for the defendants and into Veterans Administration benefits that were funneled into church controlled accounts and as love offerings that paid for the defendant's credit card bills. According to the indictment. The defendants face various fraud and tax charges. Federal authorities are seeking additional victims of the alleged scheme. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recently performed Georgia's first commercial gene therapy transplant for a genetic disease requiring lifelong blood transfusions. GPB's Ellen Eldredge explains.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Dr. Jean Boudreau has been treating Josh Dree since he was five years old for the genetic blood disorder beta thalassemia. This condition causes severe anemia and requires blood transfusions every three weeks. The now 16 year old's stem cells were used to transplant a missing gene needed for red blood cells. Boudreau says the new treatment is a game changer.

[Kelly Perry Johnson]

Once they start, start to recover and start making their own cells, then we basically are just waiting for their whole immune system to sort of reconstitute. And that's what that's where Josh is right now.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Previously, the only cure would have been a bone marrow transplant from a sibling donor. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Orlando Montoya]

Georgia policymakers are coming to grips with the closure of three pulp and paper mills this summer. The mill closure in Cedar Springs and the impending closures in Savannah and Riceboro are expected to create billions of dollars in losses for the state's forestry industry. A statehouse committee on rural development yesterday heard about possible ways to ease the economic blow. Several speakers, including Jason Shaw of the state's utility regulating Public Service Commission, called for more aggressive efforts to turn timber into biomass energy.

[Marion Cummings]

We got to get biomass back on.

[Grant Blankenship]

A level playing field with other forms.

[Marion Cummings]

Of generation in terms of the way it's defined and the way it's incentivized and credited on the federal level.

[Orlando Montoya]

Other speakers addressed ways to help the 1600 workers now or soon out of jobs. The Bibb County Sheriff's Office has launched a new cold case unit in Macon to tackle unsolved homicides dating back more than 50 years. Investigators say many of the cases involved sexual assaults, gang violence and robberies that went cold after Macon and Bibb county consolidated in 2014. The program is supported by county funding and a federal grant program. Officials say advances in DNA testing and help from state victims advocates could bring long awaited justice.

[Kelly Perry Johnson]

It's rare to find a podcast that can actually change your life, but when the show's called Life Kit, that's kind of the whole point. I'm Marielle Segarra. Three times a week on the Life Kit podcast, we guide you through a topic we could all use help with, from personal development to healthy living to managing your dinero with takeaways so you can start living what you learn right away. Escucha El Life Kit podcast from npr.

[Orlando Montoya]

Well, this week on Georgia Public Broadcasting, we've been bringing you stories about how to prepare for what could be an intense hurricane season. Meanwhile, in the band of small towns running from Valdosta to Augusta, people are still recovering from last year's hurricane. Helene GPB's Grant Blankenship met one man still trying to move on.

[Grant Blankenship]

Marion Cummings lives in a tidy neighborhood of small houses not far from Downtown Thompson, about 35 miles west of Augusta. Good to Meet you.

[Marion Cummings]

Yeah, you too. Yeah.

[Grant Blankenship]

Show me what's going on.

[Marion Cummings]

That's my house.

[Grant Blankenship]

The house is still cut in two pieces by an oak tree close to three feet in diameter down by the root ball.

[Marion Cummings]

That tree came in at 2am The.

[Grant Blankenship]

Georgia Tech yellow jacket that was already nailed to the trunk a year ago when the tree fell is still there.

[Marion Cummings]

Yes. That's the only thing stuck with me now. See, if there had been a bulldog, they would have ran.

[Grant Blankenship]

Cummings is an army veteran. He spent his career as a cook. He's also an artist, a painter. And he was painting at 2am as Helene roared through Georgia. He'd just gotten up to take a.

[Marion Cummings]

Break by that time. I heard something say boom. And up front the rain and everything was coming in. My neighbor across the street, they ran over to help me get out and I got out from the back.

[Grant Blankenship]

The house was destroyed. His insurance policy paid off the mortgage, but won't pay to rebuild. If he raises the window shades in the FEMA camper where he's lived for a year, his entire view is the tree still in his house.

[Marion Cummings]

Can you imagine looking at that every day and knowing that you was in there when it happened?

[Grant Blankenship]

He leaves the shades down.

[Marion Cummings]

Oh, yeah. I go to therapy and they say you need to let it out, just let it go. I try, but I can't.

[Grant Blankenship]

It might be tempting to write off Marion Cummings experience as one man's bad luck. But Scott Parish says Cummings isn't alone. Right now in our system, we're working in three counties. We've got over 230 requests for assistance in three counties. In three counties. Parrish works in disaster relief for the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. And he's helping Marion Cummings. And so, yeah, I mean, it doesn't take a lot of creativity to kind of extrapolate that across that entire band. From Valdosta to Augusta. Right, that's it. Pierce lives nearby in the town of Appeling. He says Helene is the first hurricane he's worked at home rather than somewhere on the coast. And he thinks recovery could take another year. But then if we get hit by anything else in the six month or year period or even two year period, we're forever trying to play catch up.

[Marion Cummings]

Small kitchen and stuff.

[Grant Blankenship]

The next storm could see a weakened federal response too. If President Trump succeeds in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, where Marion Cummings says.

[Marion Cummings]

He still has friends, I couldn't ask for no more for fema.

[Grant Blankenship]

It was FEMA that reached out and connected Parrish's Methodist group and the Red Cross to Cummings, FEMA could be like an octopus.

[Marion Cummings]

They could just reach out to other organizations you don't know anything about. And see, that's what happened to me, scott Parrish says.

[Grant Blankenship]

That's what FEMA does. It connects groups that can help, but the people that need them. FEMA workers still call to check up on Marion Cummings, and he may be out of his FEMA camper soon. Mennonite charity from out of state, another link in the chain FEMA started, is coming to rebuild his home and 29 others in the area in October. He says maybe then Hurricane Helene will be behind him. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Thompson.

[Orlando Montoya]

And that's it for today's edition of GEORGIA Today. We have more on many of the stories that you hear on this [e-mail] news. We have stories in detail there and stories also from NPR and our partner news organizations. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment to do that now. That helps you to keep us current in your feed. And if you have feedback, send it to us. We'd love to hear what we're doing right and constructive criticism as well. Write to us at Georgia Today at gpb. Org, I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll be back again tomorrow with another edition of Georgia Today.