Apalachee shooter sentenced; Maternal death prevention; Data center construction

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – July 28, 2026

Host: Peter Biello | Produced by: Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB News)

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Episode Overview

This episode covers a range of consequential stories shaping Georgia:

• The sentencing of the Apalachee High School shooter
• Groundbreaking maternal death prevention at an Augusta hospital
• Heated debate over the construction of data centers, including perspectives from politicians, activists, and communities
• Additional news including layoffs at WellStar, a special election, an environmental lawsuit over a new pipeline, Medicaid policy reconsiderations, a federal agriculture program, and Atlanta sports.

The episode maintains GPB's brisk, fact-driven tone with clear attributions and direct audio from key stakeholders.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Apalachee High School Shooter Sentenced

Segment Start: 00:39

• Colt Gray, who killed four at Apalachee High in 2024, was sentenced to life without parole.
• Gray pleaded guilty to charges including murder; Judge Nicholas Prim emphasized the chilling influence of mass shooter idolization in his sentencing remarks.
• The judge rejected the minimum parole-eligible sentence due to the gravity and the perpetrator’s mindset.

Notable Quote:

“The thought of mimicking these other mass murders is what brought you joy. Now for the rest of us, there is no joy here today. ... A 16-year-old boy will live and die in prison.”
—Judge Nicholas Prim, 01:03

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2. Maternal Death Prevention: New Hospital Intervention

Segment Start: 01:29

• Hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are a leading cause of maternal deaths in Georgia.
• WellStar in Augusta is pioneering the use of in-house biomarker (placental protein) blood testing, slashing wait times for critical results from days to half an hour.
• The technology helps clinicians quickly assess if high-risk pregnant patients should be hospitalized or can return for outpatient care.

Notable Quote:

“We can figure out in a very quick time period whether these patients in fact need to stay with us or maybe they can have follow up outpatient back in their hometowns.”
—Dr. Champa Woodham, 02:07

• State law requires insurers to cover this new biomarker testing.

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3. Data Center Construction Debate & Community Dynamics

Segment Start: 02:27

• Governor Brian Kemp expresses concern over AI but opposes a moratorium on new data centers, directly criticizing Democratic proposals for a pause on development.
• Keisha Lance Bottoms, Democratic nominee, advocates for a construction pause to assess impacts.
• The data center debate transcends typical partisan divides, especially as energy and environmental impacts are felt in both rural and urban communities.

Key Voices and Quotes:

• Gov. Brian Kemp:

  “I’m not saying we need a data center in every community ... to have a moratorium just like the governor of New York did ... is irresponsible.” (02:41)

• Keisha Lance Bottoms:

  “If I had the privilege of being elected governor, I am going to ask for a pause in construction ... Give us an opportunity to understand exactly where we are.” (02:58)

• Albany city leaders, despite no current deal, preemptively hold public forums due to high concern.

• Community Organizer Lauren Dormany:

  “We will have citizens lining up for their five minutes for as long as it takes, if they’ll allow it.” (03:50)
  Stresses unity beyond “red team, blue team” lines:
  “We all drink water and we’re all on the same aquifer ... they are banking on us being red team, blue team.” (04:23)

• Dr. Nikki Luke (University of Tennessee sociologist):

  “People are finding solidarity across difference in fighting data centers ... learning from environmental justice communities ... about how to grapple with what’s happening.” (04:52)

• In Jasper County, Democratic and Republican party chairs join forces to oppose land annexation for a possible data center in Monticello.

  • Mary Patrick (Republican Chair):

    “The MO is kind of you annex the property and then pretty much you get to do whatever you want once you annex it.” (05:45)

  • On unity:

    “If we’re all working because we’re trying to preserve what we have here, then it doesn’t matter really.” (06:36)

• Outcome: While data center opponents haven't yet reversed local annexation plans, they've postponed key votes by turning out at council meetings.

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4. Other Major Stories

WellStar Layoffs

Segment Start: 07:07

• Nearly 800 staff cut at corporate HQ. Intended to restructure and move decision-making closer to care delivery.
• No direct impact on frontline care teams. Comes amid system expansion.

U.S. House Special Election

Segment Start: 07:32

• Metro Atlanta votes to fill Rep. David Scott’s vacancy until year’s end.
• Voter Perspective (Teresa Harrison Conyers):

  “If you vote, then you can complain. But if you don’t vote, I don’t want to hear it.” (07:57)

Georgia Teen Pleads Guilty After Capitol Incident

Segment Start: 08:06

• Armed teen arrested outside the U.S. Capitol; intended to “scare” Congress, didn’t breach building. Sentencing in December.

Environmental Lawsuit over Gas Pipeline

Segment Start: 08:50

• Kinder Morgan’s proposed 500-mile pipeline will cross ~2,000 waterways in GA.

• SELC lawsuit contends the Army Corps’ fast-track permit allows environmentally destructive “open cut” crossings without adequate oversight.

  • Attorney Spencer Scheidt:

    “Huge plumes of sediment are released that chokes out a lot of species and lowers water quality.” (09:15)

Medicaid Policy & HIV Coverage Debate

Segment Start: 09:40

• A state proposal would require many Georgians with HIV to work to qualify for Medicaid. Advocates strongly object, citing health risks and federal law.

Federal Meat Program Expands to Georgia

Segment Start: 10:35

• U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins launches a program allowing Georgia-inspected meat to be shipped nationwide, supporting small producers.

  • Brooke Rollins:

    “They are a critical piece of the puzzle as we continue to rebuild that cattle herd, which again is at the 75 year low.” (10:52)

Sports Update

Segment Start: 11:15

• Braves vs. Mets rained out; doubleheader scheduled.
• Braves lost previous night 14-3; Ronald Acuña Jr. returns post-injury.

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Memorable Moments & Cross-Partisan Themes

• Unity over Water and Environment: Data center and infrastructure debates are motivating bipartisan activism.
• Local Action: Public meetings and council sessions become key battlegrounds for community concerns, showing deep grassroots engagement.
• Rapid Medical Innovation: WellStar’s new procedure offers hope for a swift reduction in maternal mortality.
• Judicial Finality: The Apalachee case delivers a rare emotional judicial statement, acknowledging trauma and the prospect of no redemption.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:39] – Apalachee shooter sentencing
• [01:29] – Maternal death prevention innovation
• [02:27] – Data center debate (Kemp, Bottoms, local voices)
• [07:07] – WellStar layoffs
• [07:57] – Special election/voter engagement
• [08:06] – Teen Capitol incident
• [08:50] – Environmental suit over pipeline
• [09:40] – Medicaid/HIV controversy
• [10:35] – Federal meat program expansion
• [11:15] – Braves sports update

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In Summary

This episode spotlights the intersection of statewide policy, local grassroots activism, rapidly-changing health practices, and ongoing environmental tensions—all reflecting the complexities and crosscuts of life in Georgia. From the emotional closure of a mass shooting trial to fresh hopes in maternal care and a surprisingly unifying energy infrastructure debate, the episode offers both timely news and deep insight into evolving community priorities.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports

[GPB News Reporter]

from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, environmentalists sue to stop

[Peter Biello]

construction of a natural gas pipeline. A hospital in Georgia finds a way it could prevent the leading cause of maternal death. And Governor Kemp says he doesn't want to halt construction of data centers.

[Governor Brian Kemp]

I'm not saying we need a data center in every community that's out there, but to have a moratorium just like the governor of New York did. And what Keisha Lance Bottoms is proposing to me is irresponsible.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, July 28th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today.

[GPB News Reporter]

The Georgia teenager who killed four people

[Peter Biello]

in a shooting at Apalachee High School

[GPB News Reporter]

has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Colt Gray pleaded guilty on Friday to charges including murder in the 2024 shooting. But Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Prim handed down the sentence late this afternoon, referencing testimony that Gray idolized and studied other mass shooters.

[Judge Nicholas Prim]

The thought of mimicking these other mass murders is what brought you joy. Now for the rest of us, there is no joy here today. There's only a measure of closure. The slain will not return to life. The injured will not forget their wounds. And a 16 year old boy will live and die in prison.

[GPB News Reporter]

The minimum sentence would have been life with parole. The the judge decided he should never be let out.

[Peter Biello]

Hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are a leading cause of maternal death in Georgia.

[GPB News Reporter]

One hospital is now using in house

[Peter Biello]

blood tests to help identify risky pregnancies. Early GPB's Sophie Gradas has more.

[Sophie Gradas]

WellStar in Augusta is the first in the state to offer in house biomarker testing for patients with hypertensive disorders. Test results that used to take days now only take half an hour. Along with standard assessments between the second and third trimesters. This blood test looks at proteins in the placenta to help identify risk with more certainty. Dr. Champa Woodham with the medical center says it's a game changer for pregnant patients with chronic conditions referred to the teaching hospital for care.

[Dr. Champa Woodham]

We can figure out in a very quick time period whether these patients in fact need to stay with us or maybe they can have follow up outpatient back in their hometowns.

[Sophie Gradas]

State law mandates that most insurance covers biomarker testing for GPB. News, I'm Sophie Gradus.

[Peter Biello]

Governor Brian Kemp is weighing in on the rush to develop artificial intelligence. In an interview with Politico published yesterday, Kemp called the technology scary while also welcoming data centers to Georgia and criticizing others who would pause their development.

[Governor Brian Kemp]

I'm not saying we need a data center in every community that's out there, but to have a moratorium, just like the governor of New York did. And what Keisha Lance Bottoms is proposing to me is irresponsible.

[Peter Biello]

Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, spoke in April ahead of the Democratic primary to the Columbus Ledger Inquirer.

[Keisha Lance Bottoms]

If I had the privilege of being elected governor, I am going to ask for a pause in construction on data centers throughout the state. Give us an opportunity to understand exactly where we are. Are we on the right track?

[Peter Biello]

While leaders of the two major political parties may offer a stark contrast on data center construction policy, the average Georgian may not fall so neatly into a red or Blue Camp. GPB's Grant Blankenship reports.

[Grant Blankenship]

By mid July, data center rumors in the city of Albany demand attention.

[Keisha Lance Bottoms]

Is this gonna happen?

[City Official]

No. Nothing has been established yet.

[Audience Member]

Okay.

[City Council Member]

Another question to be clear.

[Grant Blankenship]

There is no data center deal in Albany, but city leaders are putting on a series of public sessions on data centers anyway to clear the air. Meanwhile, out in the lobby of this high school auditorium, Lauren Dormany is organizing.

[Lauren Dormany]

And we will have citizens lining up for their five minutes for as long as it takes, if they'll allow it.

[Grant Blankenship]

Lauren farms medicinal herbs for a living.

[Audience Member]

You grow medicinal herbs? I need to buy some additional herbs.

[Lauren Dormany]

I've got them in Mitchell County.

[Grant Blankenship]

Lauren's just north of home in Doherty county tonight to find more people to oppose a planned Mitchell county natural gas power plant the state wouldn't even need without the data center. Boom. Mitchell county is majority white and Republican. Doherty county is majority black and Democrat. Lauren says she's been trying to get people to look past those labels.

[Lauren Dormany]

So I've told people we're going to have to come together. You're going to have to sit beside people that don't look like you because we all drink water and we're all on the same aquifer. And I have to remind them that they are banking on us being red team, blue team.

[Grant Blankenship]

University of Tennessee sociologist Nikki Luke studies the connections between electrical utilities, civil rights, and Big D democracy. She's been paying attention to how data centers are breaking down political silos.

[Nikki Luke]

There is crossing racial lines, crossing class lines. People are finding solidarity across difference in fighting data centers because she says the

[Grant Blankenship]

data center issue is landing in communities often white, often suburban, veering into rural, which historically haven't been saddled with this kind of environmental burden. And so even if this is new

[Nikki Luke]

to them, they're learning from environmental justice communities and from urban communities about how to grapple with what's happening 150 miles

[Grant Blankenship]

to the north of Albany in the city of Monticello.

[Terry Saunders]

Terry Saunders, I am the chair of the Jasper County Democratic Party, and Mary

[Mary Patrick]

Patrick, I'm the chair of the Republican

[Grant Blankenship]

Party, have teamed up to fight an effort to annex a chunk of property out in Jasper county into the city limits of the county seat, Monticello. Mary says she's learned that this is a data center red flag.

[Mary Patrick]

The thing with the data centers, I've been reading about them for over a year and the MO is kind of you annex the property and then pretty much you get to do whatever you want once you annex it.

[Grant Blankenship]

An annexation like this, where was the first step in a data center development in neighboring Monroe County? And so now the two of them are rallying their fellow party members to city council meetings that get a little rowdy.

[City Council Member]

Listen to me very clearly. We do not want a data center.

[Grant Blankenship]

Terri Saunders says the last time she can remember working with Republicans was after a natural disaster when we had the

[Terry Saunders]

tornado in the north part of the county in 23, January of 23, that

[Grant Blankenship]

is to say, the last time people in Jasper county faced what felt to them like an existential crisis. Mary Patrick says in times like this party, labels just aren't important.

[Mary Patrick]

I don't go up to people and say, are you a Democrat? You know, and I've never had somebody come up and say, are you a Republican? And it's kind of like if we're all working because we're trying to preserve what we have here, then it doesn't matter really.

[Grant Blankenship]

So far, while they haven't killed the annexation issue outright, they have succeeded in making their elected Monticello City Council postpone voting on it at least until August. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship.

[Peter Biello]

One of Georgia's largest health care systems is laying off almost 800 employees at its corporate office. Marietta based Wellstar said today that the workforce reductions are aimed at simplifying its structure, moving decision making closer to patient facing roles and and positioning the nonprofit for long term growth. It said frontline care team roles are not impacted. This is one of the state's largest layoff announcements of the year so far. It comes as the company is expanding with a new hospital expected to open in Columbia county near Augusta next month and the acquisition of a Northeast Georgia hospital, Mountain Lakes Medical center in Clayton, expected to close on Saturday. Voters are casting ballots today in a special election for a metro Atlanta U.S. house seat. Whoever wins will serve only until the end of the year. Teresa Harrison Conyers says the election is just as important as any other.

[Teresa Harrison Conyers]

It does matter because you can do something to impact. Maybe it's something I don't want done, but at least if you vote, then you can complain. But if you don't vote, I don't want to hear it.

[Peter Biello]

Five candidates are on the ballot to fill the remainder of the term of U.S. representative David Scott, who died in April. A Georgia teenager who charged at the US Capitol while armed with a loaded shotgun and wearing body armor and camouflage clothing pleaded guilty yesterday to illegally carrying a firearm, according to prosecutors. The 18 year old told police officers who apprehended him outside the Capitol that he intended to confront members of Congress and scare them. But he didn't make it into the building and nobody was injured. The sentencing is scheduled for December. Environmentalists are suing the Army Corps of Engineers over a nationwide permit that can determine how a natural gas pipeline will cross sensitive waterways in Georgia. GPB's Gillian Magtoto reports.

[Gillian Magtoto]

Kinder Morgan, one of North America's largest energy infrastructure companies, plans to build 500 miles of natural gas pipelines across three states, including Georgia. The SELC's suit is on behalf of nonprofits including the Savannah and Ogeechee riverkeepers. The nationwide permit, 12 issued by the corps, fast tracks the Clean Water act process, allowing for more harmful waterway crossings, says SELC attorney Spencer Scheidt.

[Spencer Scheidt]

The pipeline developer often will select what's called an open cut crossing, where they dig a trench straight through the water bodies. You have to often use explosives to blast apart bedrock. Huge plumes of sediment are released that chokes out a lot of species and lowers water quality.

[Gillian Magtoto]

The pipelines will cross about 2,000 water bodies and will likely be approved at the end of the month. For GPB news, I'm Jillian Magtoto.

[Peter Biello]

Low income Georgians living with HIV would not be counted as medically frail under a state proposal still under consideration. If the Department of Community Health Board approves the plan at its August meeting, those residents would have to satisfy work requirements to qualify for Medicaid coverage. The exclusion perplexes advocates for people living with HIV who say such a move would worsen health outcomes and incorrectly apply federal standards. About 67,000 Georgians are living with HIV. That's according to the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council. A spokesperson for the Department of Community Health says the agency is reviewing public comments about the plan and and will address any changes to it at the board meeting on August 13th US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited a turf farm in west Georgia's Carroll county yesterday to announce the state's participation in a program aimed at cattle farmers. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kallis]

Georgia is now part of a cooperative interstate meat shipping agreement that allows Georgia inspected meat to be shipped to all 50 states with the USDA stamp of approval. Rollins said that four large companies dominate nearly all of the national market and the program will help smaller meat producers.

[Brooke Rollins]

There are about 230 of those small processors here in Georgia. They are a critical piece of the puzzle as we continue to work to rebuild that cattle herd, which again is at the 75 year low.

[Sarah Kallis]

Ten other states are already in the compact, including Indiana, Iowa and Maine. For GPV news, I'm Sarah Kalis in Whitesburg.

[Peter Biello]

In sports, the Braves and Mets game plan for today has been postponed to tomorrow due to rain in New York. The two teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow. Last night's game was one Braves fans would soon like to forget. The Braves lost 14 3. Atlanta star Ronald Acuna Jr. Returned to the lineup after missing 37 games with a strained left hamstring and went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. Relief pitcher Connor Thomas gave up 11 runs over a multi inning outing that had even the Mets announcers sympathizing with the young hurler. The Grant Holmes is scheduled to get the start for Atlanta tomorrow afternoon. And that's a wrap on Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out gpb.org news make sure you subscribe to this podcast because we will be back in your feed tomorrow afternoon. If you've got feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Email us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.