ATL city workers kill unhoused man in tent clearing; Laken Riley Act; CNN layoffs

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: January 23, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Tragic Incident Involving Atlanta City Workers and Homeless Community

Incident Overview
Last week, an unhoused man named Cornelius Taylor lost his life when Atlanta city workers utilized construction equipment to clear the encampment where he resided. The tragic event has sparked outrage among advocates for the homeless.

Advocacy and Community Response
Advocate Kamau Franklin expressed frustration over the incident:

“They could have obviously done the most simplest thing, which is to make sure that no one was in the tent.”
(03:11)

Franklin emphasized the need for comprehensive policies:

“Make sure that people in these situations have access to houses or access to shelter, access to mental health support.”
(03:26)

Impact on Community Events
The incident occurred just days before Atlanta's Martin Luther King Day parade, a significant event symbolizing unity and progress. The community’s grief contrasts with the day’s celebrations, highlighting ongoing tensions between city policies and the needs of vulnerable populations.

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2. Legislative Developments: Laken Riley Act and Federal Immigration Bill

Federal Immigration Bill Progress
Congress has finalized a new federal immigration bill inspired by the 2024 killing of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student. The bill, now forwarded to President Trump, marks his first legislative act as president.

State-Level Implications
GPB's Grant Blankenship detailed the interplay between federal and state laws:

“The Laken Riley Act requires local law enforcement to detain for federal officials people suspected of theft when they also lack legal immigration status.”
(01:05)

Georgia’s HB 1105 mandates sheriff’s offices to honor ICE detention requests, though it remains unclear whether jails will have to detain individuals without prior ICE authorization. Concerns about jail capacity are significant, with about a third of county jails near or at capacity, and several well over capacity. Only five Georgia counties currently have official relationships with ICE.

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3. Homelessness Count Delayed Due to Weather

Scheduled Point-in-Time Count
The annual count of unhoused individuals in Atlanta's Fulton County was postponed due to this week's cold weather. The revised dates are January 28th for North Fulton and January 29th for South Fulton.

Count Objectives and Community Efforts
Amanda Andrews reported that approximately 40 volunteers will canvass designated areas to gather data, distribute hygiene kits, and provide shelter access:

“We work with partner organizations to offer more resources.” – Dawn Butler, Head of Fulton County's Homeless Division
(02:28)

The data collected will help identify focus areas to address chronic homelessness more effectively.

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4. Mental Health Advocacy and Certified Peer Specialists

Rosalynn Carter’s Legacy
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter has been instrumental in advancing Georgia’s Certified Peer Specialist program through her mental health advocacy. The Carter Center recently celebrated Mental Health Parody Day, highlighting the state’s progress.

Program Development and Impact
Wendy White Tigreen shared insights on the program’s foundation:

“Work at the Carter center helped make Georgia the leader when it comes to certified peer specialists who are trained to counsel others from a perspective of shared experience.”
(03:48)

Dawn Butler reflected on the shift in mental health terminology:

“In the 1990s, no one used the word recovery for mental health. Folks would sometimes use it for addiction, but almost never for mental health.”
(04:03)

The program has expanded beyond Georgia, with contributions from experts like Ty Green, who aided 44 states in building their peer support systems.

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5. CNN’s Workforce Restructuring and Layoffs

Layoff Details
CNN announced plans to lay off approximately 200 employees, representing about 6% of its workforce. The restructuring aims to pivot the company towards digital operations:

“I expect job cuts in CNN's television business to be offset by new hires in digital operations.” – CEO Mark Thompson
(04:35)

Impact on Atlanta Operations
While the exact effects on CNN's Atlanta hub remain unclear, the layoffs reflect broader industry shifts towards digital media consumption.

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6. Data Centers and Georgia Power Ratepayer Protections

Regulatory Changes
The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rule (RUL) that allows Georgia Power to charge large energy consumers, such as data centers, under different terms from standard customers. This decision aims to protect ratepayers from the increased costs associated with energy-intensive data operations.

Industry Perspectives
Critics argue that data centers compel electric utilities to expand expensive capacity, leading to higher rates without significant job creation. Conversely, business leaders assert that data centers are vital for the digital economy and national security.

Future Legislative Actions
State lawmakers are anticipated to debate policies governing data centers, especially after Governor Brian Kemp vetoed a bill that would have removed tax breaks for these facilities last year.

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7. Community Revitalization: Ruby Harper Skatepark in Pool Creek

Skatepark Opening and Community Transformation
South Atlanta's Pool Creek neighborhood celebrated the grand opening of Ruby Harper Skatepark, the city’s second outdoor skatepark. The project symbolizes community unity and investment, transforming a previously neglected area into a vibrant recreational space.

Personal Stories and Community Impact
Joyce Smith, a long-time resident, shared her enthusiasm:

“I am so happy that this park has been built. I've been trying a long time to get in the community something for the kids to do because they would just skate in the street and no place to play.”
(07:11)

Councilman Antonio Lewis highlighted the grassroots origins:

“What's more grassroots than the students at a school telling their principal they want a skateboard...”
(08:08)

Broader Implications
The skatepark not only serves local youth but attracts skaters from across the Atlanta metropolitan area, fostering a sense of pride and connectivity. Future developments include walking trails and a splash pad, further enhancing community amenities.

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8. Legal Developments: Cobb County vs. U.S. Department of Justice

Settlement Rejection
A federal judge has dismissed a settlement between Cobb County and the U.S. Department of Justice concerning racially discriminatory hiring practices within the county's fire department. The DOJ alleged that the county’s use of credit checks and written tests disproportionately hindered qualified Black applicants.

Judicial Ruling
U.S. District Judge William Ray II declared the settlement illegal, stating that it amounted to intentional racial discrimination:

“Such an agreement is itself illegal because it intentionally discriminates based on race.”
(09:34)

Future Proceedings
The next steps remain uncertain, pending how the DOJ, under the guidance of President Trump-appointed Judge Ray, will proceed with the case.

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9. Celestial Highlights: Visible Planets in the Night Sky

Astronomical Event
For those seeking respite from current events, six planets will grace the night sky over the coming weeks: Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Without a telescope, observers can easily spot Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

Viewing Tips
Starting Saturday at sundown:

• Venus: Look west.
• Saturn: Slightly to the left of Venus.
• Jupiter: Turn east.
• Mars: Visible on the eastern horizon with an orangey hue.

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Conclusion

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay informed and engaged with the community. He emphasizes the importance of subscribing to "Georgia Today" for ongoing coverage of pertinent statewide issues.

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Notable Quotes with Attribution:

• Kamau Franklin (03:11): “They could have obviously done the most simplest thing, which is to make sure that no one was in the tent.”
• Wendy White Tigreen (03:48): “Work at the Carter center helped make Georgia the leader when it comes to certified peer specialists who are trained to counsel others from a perspective of shared experience.”
• Antonio Lewis (08:08): “What's more grassroots than the students at a school telling their principal they want a skateboard...”

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Contact and Feedback
Listeners are encouraged to send feedback and news tips to georgiatodaypb.org.

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This summary is based on the transcript and information provided from the January 23, 2025 episode of the "Georgia Today" podcast by Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Foreign welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, January 23rd. I'm Peter Biello. On this podcast, you'll hear the Latest reports from GPB's newsroom. Your feedback and news tips are welcome. Email Georgia todaypb.org on today's episode, an unhoused man died last week when city workers used construction equipment to clear the camp where he was living. Advocates are furious.

[Kamau Franklin]

They could have obviously done the most simplest of things, which is to make sure that no one was in the tent.

[Peter Biello]

Also, the Lake and Riley act is on its way to becoming law, and CNN expects to lay off about 200 people. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. Congress has given its final approval to a new federal immigration bill inspired by last year's killing of Georgia nursing student Lakin Riley, sending to President Trump his first bill to sign. As GPB's Grant Blankenship reports, the measure comes against the backdrop of Georgia's own legal efforts.

[Grant Blankenship]

The Lake and Riley act requires local law enforcement to detain for federal officials people suspected of theft when they also lack legal immigration status. Georgia's HB 1105, passed last year, already requires sheriff's offices to honor detention requests made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ice. Unclear now if jailers will be expected to detain without ICE asking first. Detention space could be an issue. In the December 2024 Census of County jails published by the Georgia Sheriff's association, about a third were either near or at capacity. About a dozen were well past full. Right now, only five Georgia counties have an official relationship with ice. The first details about new arrangements mandated by Georgia HB 1105 are still being collected by state auditors. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

This week's cold weather has delayed the annual count of unhoused people in Atlanta's Fulton County. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports the count was scheduled to take place yesterday.

[Amanda Andrews]

The point in time, or pit count, will now take place January 28th in North Fulton and the 29th in South Fulton. During the count, teams of around 40 volunteers canvassed the area, talking to people, gathering information, handing out hygiene kits and offering access to shelters. Dawn Butler is the head of Fulton County's homeless division. She says they work with partner organizations to offer more resources.

[Dawn Butler]

We'll take them to that shelter and the Salvation army will provide services. We also partner with Gateway center for shelter and also for Christian City for Youth shelter.

[Amanda Andrews]

Data from the count will also be used to determine focus areas to better address chronic homelessness in the county. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

The point in time count will come as the city confronts anger over the death of an unhoused man who was killed when city workers used construction equipment to clear the camp where he was living. The workers failed to check his tent before the clearing. Today at City hall, advocates for the unhoused demanded the city help, not just remove unhoused people. Advocate Kamau Franklin they could have obviously.

[Kamau Franklin]

Done the most simplest thing, which is to make sure that no one was in the tent. But then they could have done the policy that could have made all the difference in the world. Make sure that people in these situations have access to houses or access to shelter, access to mental health support.

[Peter Biello]

The death of Cornelius Taylor came days ahead of the city's Martin Luther King Day parade. About a block away from King's old church, former first lady Rosalynn Carter inspired the state's Certified Peer Specialist program through her mental health advocacy. This week, the Carter center hosted Mental Health Parody Day to celebrate Georgia's progress. GPB's Ellen Eldridge reports.

[Wendy White Tigreen]

Work at the Carter center helped make Georgia the leader when it comes to certified peer specialists who are trained to counsel others from a perspective of shared experience. Wendy White Tigreen worked alongside Mrs. Carter and others to show people that recovery is possible.

[Dawn Butler]

In the 1990s, no one used the word recovery for mental health. Folks would sometimes use it for addiction, but almost never for mental health. They talked about it as if it was like a terminal label and a terminal illness.

[Wendy White Tigreen]

Ty Green says she helped 44 states build their peer support programs before she retired last year. From the state Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

CNN expects to lay off about 200 people as part of a restructuring announced today. It's unclear how the move would affect the news organization's hub in Atlanta. The layoffs amount to about 6% of the company's workforce. CEO Mark Thompson says he expects job cuts in CNN's television business to be offset by new hires in digital operations, much of which are based in Atlanta. In a memo to employees, Thompson says his goal is to orient the company to platforms that audiences are moving toward. The state Public Service Commission is taking action aimed at protecting Georgia Power ratepayers from the costs of energy intensive data centers. The five member elected commission today approved a new RUL rule allowing the company to bill large energy consumers using terms and conditions beyond those of standard customers. Data center critics argue they force electric utilities to add expensive capacity and raise rates while creating only a handful of new jobs. Business leaders say they are critical for the digital economy and national security. State lawmakers are expected to debate state policies toward data centers after governor Brian Kemp last year vetoed a bill that would have suspended tax breaks for them. South Atlanta is officially home to two of the city's outdoor skate parks. Residents and city leaders recently celebrated the grand opening of Ruby Harper Skatepark. For many people in the neighborhood, the park is more than just a place to skate. The project represents the power of working together and investing in the community. GPB's Amanda Andrews has more from Atlanta's Pool Creek neighborhood.

[Amanda Andrews]

Down a side street, mostly surrounded by heavy industry and not far from the airport, there's a park with an awesome old playground on top of a hill. Carly Burdett knows it well. This park was kind of old and, like really rusty, and it's like completely new. Kids didn't really come here to play. In fact, some people were afraid of this park. But now, Joyce Smith says for her grandchildren, that's changing.

[Joyce Smith]

They ask me every day, girl, can we go to skate park? Can we go to skate park?

[Amanda Andrews]

Joyce Smith has lived in Atlanta's Pool Creek neighborhood for 50 years and brought her grandkids Gabriella and Kymani to the opening of the new feature that's actually bringing kids back to Ruby Harper park, the skate park. Here's Gabriela. I feel good because I never skated in my life and I wanted to try it. Kymani has a new Black Panther helmet and he's ready to do tricks like.

[Joyce Smith]

I'm going down a hill and jumping off the skateboard.

[Amanda Andrews]

Smith says she feels good about this place for her grandkids and for other kids, too.

[Joyce Smith]

Oh, I am so happy that this park has been built. I've been trying a long time to get in the community something for the kids to do because they would just skate in the street and no place to play.

[Amanda Andrews]

Smith isn't alone. Karene Dent is the president of the south side Concerned Citizens Community Association. During the grand opening, she said the skate park breathes new life into the park on the hill. People no longer fear coming up that hill. The community now feels excited to come up that hill. They feel invited to come up that hill because now we know that with unity in the community, there is not a hill too steep for us to come up. Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Lewis grew up in Pool Creek and currently represents the district. He says the original idea for this skate park came from a group of third graders at a nearby school.

[Antonio Lewis]

So what's more grassroots than the students at a school telling their principal they want a skateboard, the principal telling the pta, the PTA members telling the council member and the council member telling the private organization to help us find some money, Then the mayor finding some more money to get it done.

[Amanda Andrews]

For many, that reflects a South side Atlanta tradition of going out of the way to provide for kids. Really, Lewis says that's even reflected in the park's name. Ruby Harper Skatepark Ruby Harper was a.

[Antonio Lewis]

Person, a sister, a sister who actually bought a school bus because she saw the kids couldn't get to and from school. She took the kids from their middle school all the way up to high school. So she did both lanes and she charged $0.

[Amanda Andrews]

The impact of a new skate park stretches beyond Pool Creek. Skaters often travel a long way, even build vacations around good skate parks. And people are already making the trip to Ruby Harper. Jordan Patterson made a half hour drive here from Lithonia before the park was even officially open. It was packed. It was good to see people out here from every different side of town, Gwinnett, Cobb, city of Atlanta, DeKalb, everywhere. Just for this development at Ruby Harper park will continue with plans for walking, trip trails and a splash pad. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

A federal judge is rejecting a settlement between metro Atlanta's Cobb county and the U.S. justice Department over allegations of racially discriminatory hiring at the county's fire department. The federal government claimed the county used credit checks and written tests that had a legally disparate impact on qualified black applicants. The county denied the allegations, but settled the DOJ's lawsuit by agreeing to end the practices, pay back wages to affected applicants and prioritize the hiring of 16 qualified black applicants. However, U.S. district Judge William Ray II wrote in an order last week that such an agreement is itself illegal because it intentionally discriminates based on race. It's unclear how President Donald Trump's Department of Justice will proceed with the case. Wray was appointed by Trump in 2017.

[NPR Host]

We could all use a little help navigating the news these days. The Consider this Podcast wants to give you a hand. Six days a week will help you make sense of the day's biggest news story and what it means for you in less than 15 minutes. Listen now to the Consider this podcast from NPR.

[Peter Biello]

If you found the news a bit heavy over the last few weeks, perhaps the night sky will lighten your mood. Six planets will be visible at night for a few weeks starting. Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. You can see all except Uranus and Neptune without a telescope. For those without a telescope, try this. At sundown Saturday, look west to see Venus, then find Saturn slightly to the left of Venus. Turn east to spot Jupiter and look for an orangey Mars on the eastern horizon. And that is a wrap on this edition of GEORGIA today. But we've got more coming your way tomorrow, and we hope you will subscribe. So we pop up automatically in your feed and you won't miss us. And you can always catch the latest [e-mail] news. Your feedback is welcome. Send it by email. The address is georgia todaypb.org Stay warm and we'll see you tomorrow. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks for listening.