Americorps workers laid off; New police training; Flannery O'Connor paintings exhibit

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary – May 1, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello and produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) News, the May 1, 2025 episode of Georgia Today delves into critical developments impacting the state. From significant legislative changes and workforce challenges to cultural exhibits celebrating literary giants, the episode offers a comprehensive overview of the issues and stories shaping Georgia today.

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1. Governor Kemp Signs Landmark Health Care Bills

[00:50 – 01:48]

Governor Brian Kemp made significant strides in enhancing Georgia's healthcare landscape by signing a series of pivotal bills at Savannah's convention center. Reporting from GPB's Sophie Gradus:

Orlando Montoya highlights, "Kemp signed legislation committed to health and well being," which includes:

• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Access: A bill ensuring access to IVF treatments, particularly when a medical diagnosis threatens fertility. This move comes in response to the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling that frozen embryos are considered children, prompting several states to safeguard IVF processes.

• Minimum Wage for People with Disabilities: Establishing a minimum wage for individuals with disabilities to promote economic stability and inclusivity.

• Maternal Death Records: Enhancing transparency and accessibility to records concerning maternal deaths, aiming to improve healthcare responses and policies.

• Support for the Unhoused: Expanding services in Savannah to better support the homeless population.

Sophie Gradus adds, "As a state, we're working to make it easier for families to grow, and that's what this legislation does." Ellen Eldredge echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the legislation's role in facilitating family expansion and support.

Notable Quote:

Sophie Gradus [01:03]: "As a state, we're working to make it easier for families to grow, and that's what this legislation does."

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2. AmeriCorps Volunteers Face Layoffs Amid Federal Workforce Cuts

[01:48 – 02:28]

In a concerning development, AmeriCorps volunteers across Georgia were informed of immediate layoffs, a direct consequence of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports:

Peter Biello introduces the segment, explaining that Metro Atlanta-based OneWorld Link received a suspension order for its 67 volunteers. Ade Ogontoye, the group's executive director, remarks on the impact:

Ade Ogontoye [02:12]: “They were serving in federally qualified health centers, doing outreach to patients. They were starting food pantries. They also were working in schools, working in national parks. They were doing a host of things. They were doing critical things to meet community needs.”

With approximately 300 AmeriCorps volunteers statewide, these layoffs disrupt essential services ranging from healthcare outreach to educational support. The abrupt termination not only affects the volunteers’ livelihoods but also leaves a significant gap in community assistance programs.

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3. Georgia Alzheimer's Association Collaborates on New Police Training Program

[03:50 – 04:31]

Addressing the growing need for specialized training in law enforcement, the Georgia Alzheimer's Association has teamed up with state law enforcement agencies to implement a mandatory curriculum focused on dementia awareness. GPB's Ellen Eldredge provides insights:

Sophie Gradus outlines the initiative, noting, "Post certification already includes training on elder abuse and missing persons cases. But now law enforcement and first responders in Georgia will learn about dementia."

Nancy Pitra, Executive Director of the Georgia Alzheimer's Association, emphasizes the importance of the training:

Nancy Pitra [03:50]: “Recognizing that someone may have dementia and what type of dementia, someone who has frontotemporal dementia versus Alzheimer's.”

This program aims to equip police officers with the knowledge to better interact with and support individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. According to the association’s annual Facts and Figures report, nearly 200,000 Georgians are currently living with Alzheimer's, underscoring the critical need for such training.

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4. Flannery O'Connor Paintings Exhibit Unveiled at Andalusia Farm

[04:31 – 09:51]

Celebrating the artistic talents of renowned author Flannery O'Connor, Andalusia Farm near Milledgeville has launched an exhibit showcasing her lesser-known paintings. GPB's Devin Zwalt covers the event:

Katie Simon, Professor at Georgia College and State University, shares her excitement:

Katie Simon [06:37]: “It's really stunning to see them all in a gallery space. Yeah, I think it's pretty special. I'm kind of geeking out right now.”

The exhibit features approximately 70 pieces, including paintings and pencil drawings, that depict everyday scenes such as "birds in art class," "cows in a field," and the landscapes surrounding O'Connor's home. Sophie Gradus provides context on O'Connor's life:

Sophie Gradus [07:12]: “She's painting things she saw every day, and it helps kind of fill out the context of her last 14 years or so of her life where she was living here at Andalusia Farm.”

Diagnosed with lupus in 1951, O'Connor spent her final years confined to the first floor of the farmhouse, where she continued her creative pursuits despite her illness. The exhibit not only highlights her visual artistry but also offers deeper insights into her personal life and literary work.

Cassie Minnell, the curator, explains the significance of the exhibit:

Cassie Minnell [09:09]: “People knew of them that, like there were these paintings, but no one knew what they were, what they were of or really where they were.”

The paintings were recently relocated from a storage unit to make way for public viewing. Professor Simon notes the timing of the exhibit aligns with a resurgence of interest in O'Connor's work, inviting a new generation to appreciate her multifaceted legacy.

Notable Quote:

Sophie Gradus [07:35]: “So welcome into Flannery's bedroom. This is the magic room. This is where she did all of [her writing].”

The exhibit is open at Andalusia Farm until the end of the year, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the life of one of Georgia's literary icons.

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Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today encapsulates a range of significant events and initiatives within the state. From pioneering healthcare legislation and the unfortunate layoffs affecting AmeriCorps volunteers to innovative police training programs and cultural celebrations honoring Flannery O'Connor, GPB News provides listeners with a thorough and engaging overview of the pressing issues and enriching stories that define Georgia.

For more detailed reporting and additional stories, subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast on your preferred platform.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is warning all Georgians that half of all opioid deaths happen at home when people take an oxy or a perc with a glass of alcohol for stress or to sleep. Learn more about protecting families from opioid [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia TODAY Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, AmeriCorps volunteers across Georgia face layoffs from the Trump administration. The Georgia Alzheimer's association partners with state law enforcement for a new training initiative. And a Milledgeville farm hosts an exhibit of paintings by author Flannery O'Connor.

[Sophie Gradus]

She's painting things she saw every day, and it helps kind of fill out the context of her last 14 years or so of her life.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Thursday, May 1st. I'm Peter Biello, and this is Georgia Today. Governor Brian Kemp signed a series of health care bills today. GPB's Sophie Gradus has more.

[Orlando Montoya]

At Savannah's convention center, Kemp signed legislation committed to, quote, health and well being. Included was a bill that enshrines access to in vitro fertilization and one that requires insurers cover IVF treatment when a medical diagnosis threatens fertility. After the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, many states moved to protect ivf. Georgia's bill to address the, quote, uncertainty passed almost unanimously.

[Sophie Gradus]

As a state, we're working to make.

[Ellen Eldredge]

It easier for families to grow, and that's what this legislation does.

[Orlando Montoya]

Kemp also signed a bill that will require people with disabilities get paid a minimum wage, another to ease access to records of maternal deaths, and another to grow Savannah's services for the unhoused. For GPV News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Peter Biello]

Young volunteers working in AmeriCorps programs across Georgia found out this week that they no longer have jobs. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports. AmeriCorps partner Metro Atlanta based OneWorld link, got an email on Saturday telling the group to suspend its work immediately. The group's executive director, Ade Ogontoye, says many of the group's 67 volunteers stepped away from other careers to serve Georgia communities.

[Ellen Eldredge]

They were serving in federally qualified health centers, doing outreach to patients. They were at starting food pantries. They also were working in school schools, working in national parks. They were doing a host of things. They were doing critical things to meet.

[Peter Biello]

Community needs, he says. There were about 300AmeriCorps volunteers in Georgia. Their dismissals are a result of the Trump administration's campaign to shrink the government's workforce. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya. Seven months since Hurricane Helene made landfall, recovery efforts in Georgia continue. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said today that it has approved nearly 400,000 applications for assistance totaling more than $300 million in support for the state. That also includes recovery totals from Tropical Storm Debbie. FEMA will host a housing resource fair in south Georgia's Jeff Davis county on Saturday. Next door in Telfair county, officials this week agreed to pay a Mississippi contractor to clean up remaining debris. South and east Georgia were hard hit, with pecan and timber industries ravaged and many homes still needing repair. Worth mentioning, too, that today is the deadline to file taxes in Georgia. The IRS and Georgia Department of Revenue extended the tax deadline from April 15 to today in response to Hurricane Helene, giving those affected by the storm a little breathing room. The Georgia Alzheimer's association is partnering with state law enforcement on a new mandatory curriculum for Georgia peace officer standards and training. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Sophie Gradus]

Post certification already includes training on elder abuse and missing persons cases. But now law enforcement and first responders in Georgia will learn about dementia. Nancy Pitra is the executive director of Georgia Alzheimer's association, responding to individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. That includes things like recognizing the different, you know, recognizing that someone may have dementia and what type of dementia, someone who has frontotemporal dementia versus Alzheimer's. The association's annual Facts and Figures report says nearly 200,000 Georgians are living with Alzheimer's. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

Former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue is urging the Trump administration to support adding the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to a United nations list of World Heritage sites. Perdue served as agriculture secretary during Trump's first term. He wrote in a letter to the Interior Department that the Okefenokee nomination has bipartisan support and promises economic benefits. UN Recognition would not impose any new restrictions on the refuge, nor would it directly affect a contentious plan for a minerals mine just outside of it. Kennesaw State University is deactivating what it's calling a low performing black studies major. The university says the end of its black studies philosophy and technical communications majors are in line with the University System of Georgia's thresholds on enrollment and degree output. University officials say a two year plan will allow current students to complete their degrees. The move comes amid the Trump administration's new threats to education funding over diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Georgia Tech announced in February that it was dissolving its resource centers for LGBTQ women and black students. A new Georgia law requiring parental consent for children to use social media is being challenged in court. A technology industry trade group called NetChoice filed suit today in federal court in Atlanta to overturn the law. Georgia is the eighth state the group has sued. Federal judges have overturned similar laws in Arkansas and Ohio. The fight pits a growing movement seeking child and teen restraints on social media against constitutional protections for free speech. Flannery oconnors fiction is legendary. Informed by her Catholic faith, the Savannah native trained her eye on the south and its complexities, both holy and unholy. Now, Andalusia, the farm outside of Milledgeville where she spent her last years, is hosting an exhibit of oconnors vision in a medium few even knew she worked in painting. GPB's Devin Zwalt has more.

[Katie Simon]

Professor Katie Simon has been reading and teaching O'Connor at Georgia College and State University for years. But this is one of the first times she's seen O'Connor this way.

[Sophie Gradus]

It's really stunning to see them all in a gallery space. Yeah, I think it's pretty special. I'm kind of geeking out right now.

[Katie Simon]

Simon directs GCSU's Flannery O'Connor Institute for the Humanities. She's looking at 70 pieces of visual art, mostly paintings with a few pencil drawings. They portray things like birds in art class, cows in a field and the landscape of O'Connor's home.

[Sophie Gradus]

You know, she's painting things she saw every day, and it helps kind of fill out the context of her last 14 years or so of her life where she was living here at Andalusia Farm.

[Katie Simon]

O'Connor moved to the farm near Milledgeville in 1951 after she was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease. Her condition meant she spent most of her time on the first floor of the farmhouse.

[Sophie Gradus]

So welcome into Flannery's bedroom. This is the magic room. This is where she did all of.

[Katie Simon]

Her writing, where tour guide Susie Parker leads visitors.

[Sophie Gradus]

So if you'll notice, it's kind of.

[Orlando Montoya]

Crowded in this room.

[Sophie Gradus]

Well, this is exactly how Flannery had it set up. She was actually able to set her crutches down here at the side. She could lean on the bookcase, she could lean on the chair.

[Katie Simon]

You can imagine O'Connor looking out her bedroom window to see things she could would ultimately paint like an old barn that still stands down the hill. Professor Katie Simon says one of the most striking paintings in the exhibit is oconnors Self Portrait painted not long after she was diagnosed with lupus, the disease that also killed her father.

[Sophie Gradus]

So she's paint chosen to paint herself with a straw hat on which some people suggest is like a halo. Could be.

[Katie Simon]

O'Connor holds a pheasant, not the peacock. Many associate her with the bird. And O'Connor stare you in the eye.

[Sophie Gradus]

You know, I think it's hilarious. And she's like, look at me. American Gothic. I'm sick. I was forced to come back to Milledville. But I'm a saint. I mean, I'm having a religious experience. She's a devout Catholic. I think you can read this on so many levels. And she's staring you straight in the eye and daring you. You know, she's this is me. This is what I think about her fiction. She's calling it like it is. This is how it is.

[Katie Simon]

O'Connor died about a decade later, in 1964, at the age of 39. Cassie Minnell curated the exhibit in the Andalusia Visitor Center. She says the paintings were largely unknown.

[Sophie Gradus]

People knew of them that, like there were these paintings, but no one knew what they were, what they were of or really where they were.

[Katie Simon]

So no one really knew where they were either.

[Sophie Gradus]

Well, the public didn't know where they were. Her family knew exactly where they were, which was a storage unit in town. Storage unit behind the cookout in town.

[Katie Simon]

Manell moved the paintings from the storage unit two years ago. Professor Katie Simon says the exhibit comes at a time when new readers are finding and talking about Oconnors work.

[Sophie Gradus]

Those conversations can change over time because we're connecting our through our lens. We're seeing her anew.

[Katie Simon]

You can see Flannery Oconnors Visual Art at Andalusia Farm in Milledgeville through the end of the year. For GPB News, I'm Devin Zwald in Milledgeville.

[Peter Biello]

And that is all the news that's fit to podcast today, but more is on the way for tomorrow. So subscribe to this podcast and you won't miss a thing. And check for [e-mail] news your feedback makes this program better, so send it by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you tomorrow. Kickoff for Super Bowl 34.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The Titans Rams 2000 Super bowl, an instant classic. Hours after the game, two men were stabbed in the street. Accused of being in the middle, the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Ray Lewis, and two friends are charged with murder. The nation's eyes were glued to their televisions. The trial concluded, and the verdicts came back not guilty. What you can learn from all this is that big cases make for big mistakes. Look what happened to O.J.

[Peter Biello]

Simpson.

[Ellen Eldredge]

And look what happened in Ray Lewis. Lewis went on to have a Hall of Fame career, but questions around that night in Atlanta still remain. So where do you think they're hiding? They know what happened.

[Sophie Gradus]

They know exactly what happened.

[Ellen Eldredge]

After 20 years, it's time to get to the bottom line. Truth from Tenderfoot tv. I'm Tim Livingston, and this is the Raven. Listen for free on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcast.