Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: Arrested journalist placed in ICE custody; Wildlife Refuge saved by nonprofit Release Date: June 20, 2025 Host: Orlando Montoya

Arrest of Journalist Mario Guevara and ICE Custody

The episode opens with a significant report on the detention of Mario Guevara, a Spanish-language journalist, who was arrested while covering a protest in Atlanta. After spending several days in DeKalb County jail, Guevara has been placed into the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Pamela Kirkland from GPB reports, “Guevara will now have to fight deportation proceedings in an immigration court. His attorney says he is in the US legally” (01:23). Guevara, who previously worked as a journalist in El Salvador before fleeing to the United States in 2004, has amassed a considerable following on social media as an independent journalist in Atlanta. His arrest occurred during a weekend protest where he was livestreaming his coverage.

Conservation Fund Secures Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

A landmark victory for environmental conservation was highlighted as the national nonprofit Conservation Fund successfully acquired the site of a proposed titanium mine near Georgia's Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This acquisition halts a six-year-long project that threatened to disrupt the fragile ecosystem of the swamp.

Rena Ann Peck of Georgia Rivers celebrated the achievement, stating, “No other nature conservation effort in Georgia State history has had such overwhelming support and achieved such a monumental win. I'm just so relieved and happy and it's a momentous step” (03:42). The Conservation Fund paid $60 million for nearly 8,000 acres, ensuring the protection of the refuge from potential environmental damage that mining activities could have caused.

Juneteenth Celebrations and DEI Challenges

June 19th marked Juneteenth celebrations across Georgia, commemorating the end of slavery in America. Despite national tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, many events proceeded, including a music festival in Atlanta's Piedmont Park and a traditional beach wade-in on Tybee Island honoring civil rights activists from the 1960s.

However, in Augusta, some festival sponsors withdrew their support, citing discomfort with company-based DEI changes. The festival organizers noted the federal recognition of Juneteenth in 2021 and Georgia's adoption the following year, contrasting with states like West Virginia, which has since revoked the holiday's observance.

Georgia Lawmakers Respond to Minnesota Lawmakers’ Assassinations

The assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, has sent shockwaves through the political community. In Augusta, Senator Harold Jones expressed his concerns about the impact of these violent acts on the legislative environment.

Jones emphasized the futility of political affiliations in the face of violence, stating, “It doesn't matter who he voted for. It doesn't matter who he supported. Violence is violence” (04:47). He also advocated for stronger collaborations between Capitol police and local law enforcement, as well as measures to protect lawmakers' personal information from public exposure.

Honoring Fallen Educators

In a heartfelt segment, two Georgia educators, Christina Irami and Richard Aspinwall, are to be added to the National Memorial to Fallen Educators in Emporia, Kansas. Both teachers tragically lost their lives in a school shooting on September 4th of the previous year, alongside two students.

Maddie Fennell, Executive Director of the National Teachers Hall of Fame, remarked, “Every death is tragic, but preventable shooting deaths are especially impactful” (05:47). Their legacy will be preserved on campus at Emporia State University, honoring their dedication to education.

Sheriff's Lawsuit Against Fulton County Leaders

Sheriff Pat Labat of Atlanta's Fulton County has initiated a lawsuit against county commissioners, alleging that their interference is hindering his ability to manage the department's budget effectively. The conflict centers around purchasing policies that Labat claims restrict his efforts to address issues at the county's troubled and aging jail facilities.

Labat asserts that the commissioners’ scrutiny of his spending decisions is jeopardizing the county's financial stability, intensifying the ongoing battle between the elected sheriff and the county's elected officials.

Georgia Department of Transportation Enhances Emergency Preparedness

Following insights from last year's Hurricane Helene, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has made significant improvements in emergency preparedness. Emily Fish, Assistant State Maintenance Engineer, highlighted the challenges in communication during the storm, leading to the implementation of advanced communication tools.

Rena Ann Peck elaborates, “So we purchased 1,200 new radios that will be distributed to all the districts. We have also purchased satellite phones for when the cellular towers are down, and we have purchased Starlink devices” (07:03). These enhancements aim to ensure better coordination and safety for over half of GDOT's workforce during emergencies.

Makin's Mental Health Initiative Focuses on Trauma through ACEs Survey

In Makin, a mental health initiative has launched its second public survey to assess trauma within the community by examining Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The initiative, led by Andrea Cook from the Macon Mental Health Matters program, seeks to understand the prevalence of violence, abuse, and neglect among residents.

Andrea Cook expressed optimism, “I'm hopeful that making people more aware of their own ACES scores and then the greater community's ACES score will result in people who feel more connected” (08:21). The survey, which includes interviews this year, aims to improve resource allocation and secure local funding, with participation closing on July 11.

Rare Shark Bite Near Tybee Island

A young swimmer was recently bitten by a shark near Georgia's Tybee Island, marking one of the rare unprovoked attacks in the state's history. Rachel Cantrell from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center explained, “Sharks are looking for their food in the water and especially if a school of fish is swimming right by and next to you and they're just trying to get that fish. Sometimes they'll accidentally get a person instead” (08:57). The victim was airlifted to a Savannah hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to local authorities.

Managing Canada's Geese Overpopulation

Summertime in Georgia brings challenges beyond the heat and humidity, including an increase in Canada geese populations. Kara Nitschke, the state migratory game bird biologist, noted that geese become flightless during late June due to molting, leading them to congregate around homes and businesses, sometimes exhibiting aggressive territorial behavior.

To mitigate issues, Chase McGee reports various deterrent methods such as motion-activated sprinklers and predator decoys are recommended for those looking to keep geese off their properties (09:44).

Georgia Peaches Re-enter Mexican Market

For the first time in 27 years, Georgia peaches have been exported to Mexico, thanks to advancements in agricultural technology. Tyler Harper, Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, announced the shipment of 42,000 pounds of peaches, which now meet Mexico's stringent import requirements.

Aflac's Cybersecurity Breach

Insurance giant Aflac has identified suspicious activity within its network that may compromise Social Security numbers and other personal information. The company described the incident as a cybercrime, which they successfully contained within hours to prevent further damage.

50th Anniversary of Atlanta Landmarks' Fox Theater Preservation

Marking half a century, the nonprofit Atlanta Landmarks celebrates its successful campaign to preserve the historic Fox Theater from demolition. Alan Vella, Theater President and CEO, reflected on the movement, saying, “I think that the city and the citizens realized that so many great historic properties had been torn down... and we need to preserve some of these facilities” (11:39). The Fox Theater, built in 1929, stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to historic preservation, featured in GPB’s documentary, The Legend Lives On.

Conclusion

Today's episode of Georgia Today provided a comprehensive overview of pressing issues ranging from journalistic freedoms and environmental conservation to public safety and historic preservation. Through in-depth reporting and expert commentary, listeners gained valuable insights into the developments shaping Georgia.

For more information on these stories, visit gpb.org/news. To stay updated, subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast and share your feedback at GeorgiaToday@GPB.org.