Atlanta could close some schools; Halloween costume drive for federal workers

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Topics: Atlanta school closures, Halloween costume drive for federal workers, disaster relief, trail legislation, state park rates, and local sports awards

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today covers a range of significant developments in Georgia:

• Atlanta Public Schools' proposal to close or repurpose schools amid declining enrollment
• Efforts by local unions to support federal workers' families during the government shutdown, including a Halloween costume drive
• The Arthur M. Blank Foundation's major donation to hurricane relief
• Progress in elevating the Benton Mackay Trail to National Scenic Trail status
• Upcoming increases in Georgia state park parking fees
• Local rebranding and construction news
• Sports updates and awards for Georgia's top athletes

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Atlanta Public Schools Propose Closures Amid Declining Enrollment

• Details:

  • APS recommendations include closing or repurposing 16 schools due to falling enrollment numbers.
  • The plan would reduce capacity by 5,200 seats, and nearby schools would receive maintenance improvements.
  • Projected savings: $65 million in deferred maintenance and up to $25 million in operational costs.

• Public Response:

  • Two public hearings scheduled: November 5 and December 3.
  • Community input is a key part of moving forward.

• Notable Segment:

  • [00:53] Peter Biello summarizes the plan and expected impacts on the community.

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2. Halloween Costume Drive for Federal Workers’ Families

• Context:

  • A government shutdown has left many Georgia federal workers without paychecks.

• Union Support:

  • American Federation of Government Employees and Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council distributed 100 children’s Halloween costumes.
  • Efforts also include food drives, care packages, and grocery store gift cards.

• Why It Matters:

  • Aaron Barker, president of AFGE Local 554, underscores the importance of easing financial burdens for affected families.

• Memorable Quote:

  • [02:09] Aaron Barker:

    “Costumes can be anywhere from 20 to $30, you know, so if they're able to, you know, save that money and maybe buy food or pay rent or whatever the case may be, ...they don't have to spend that and they can get these costumes.”

• Event Announcement:

  • A trunk-or-treat event is scheduled at the IBEW headquarters, Thursday 5-7 pm.

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3. Arthur M. Blank Foundation Donates $2.5 Million for Hurricane Relief

• Situation:

  • Hurricane Melissa, a historic storm, is impacting the Caribbean.

• Grant Breakdown:

  • $1.5 million to World Central Kitchen
  • $1 million to Team Rubicon for disaster response and recovery

• Update:

  • Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica with winds of 185 mph and struck Cuba as a Category 3 storm.

• Notable Segment:

  • [02:34] Peter Biello provides a concise summary of the foundation’s aid and ongoing storm developments.

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4. Benton Mackay Trail: Closer to National Scenic Trail Status

• Legislation Update:

  • New Senate bill moving the 288-mile Benton Mackay Trail along North Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina toward National Scenic Trail designation.

• Significance:

  • Enhanced visibility, increased tourism, and economic benefits anticipated.
  • Designation would allow safe rerouting of 15 miles currently along busy roads.

• Notable Quote:

  • [03:26] Bob Kaudrick (President, Benton Mackay Trail Association):

    "As a National Scenic Trail, you get more visibility ...more individuals coming to hike the trail ...more tourism would be a big piece of that economic benefit."

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5. Other News in Brief

• Georgia State Parks:
  • Parking pass prices are rising: daily per vehicle fee from $5 to $10, annual pass from $50 to $70. (First increase since 2009)
• Cobb Galleria Center Renaming:
  • Now called Cobb Convention Center; renovations ongoing; reopening in January, with full expansion by 2027.
• Sports:
  • Georgia Bulldogs: Ready to face Florida Gators; noted recent winning streak statistics.
  • Braves Players Honored:
    • Ronald Acuña Jr. wins NL Comeback Player.
    • Drake Baldwin named NL Outstanding Rookie.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Atlanta Public Schools Closure Proposal: [00:53]
• Halloween Costume Drive and Union Support: [01:49]–[02:22]
• Hurricane Relief Donation: [02:34]
• Benton Mackay Trail Legislation: [03:26]–[03:42]
• State Parks Fee Hike and Local News: [03:42]–[04:40]
• Georgia Bulldogs and Braves Awards: [04:40]–[05:55]

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Notable Quotes

• Aaron Barker on helping federal workers' families:
  [02:09] "Costumes can be anywhere from 20 to $30, you know, so if they're able to, you know, save that money and maybe buy food or pay rent or whatever the case may be, ...they don't have to spend that and they can get these costumes."

• Bob Kaudrick on the Benton Mackay Trail:
  [03:26] "As a National Scenic Trail, you get more visibility, more knowledge about the general public, thus more individuals coming to hike the trail... So more tourism would be a big piece of that economic benefit."

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a brisk, informative tone, focusing on factual news updates and community impact. Personal insights from union leaders and trail advocates add a voice of empathy and regional pride.

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Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today highlights the economic and social shifts affecting Atlanta and the state, underscored by the planned APS school closures, supportive community actions during tough times, and significant philanthropic contributions. Listeners are updated on legislative progress, local infrastructure, and sports achievements, reflecting the dynamism and resilience of Georgia’s communities.

Transcript

[A]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent, and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peach Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting.

[B]

Welcome to the Georgia TODAY Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom on today's episode. As enrollment declines, the city of Atlanta proposes closing some public schools. The Arthur M. Blank foundation donates to hurricane relief. And as government workers miss paychecks due to the shutdown, Georgia federal workers unions are giving out Halloween costumes for kids.

[C]

If they're able to, you know, save that money and maybe buy food or pay rent or whatever the case may be, whatever their necessities are, you know, they don't have to spend that and they can get these costumes.

[B]

Today is Wednesday, October 29th. Hi, I'm Peter Biello, and this is GEORGIA Today. Atlanta Public Schools has released its recommendations on which schools would be repurposed as enrollment declines. The list includes 16 schools. Several will close, while nearby schools would see unspecified maintenance improvements. The combined realignments and closures would result in a capacity reduction of 5,200 seats. School officials expect deferred maintenance savings of $65 million and operational savings of up to $25 million. Atlanta Public Schools has scheduled two public hearings on the proposal, one on Nov. 5 and the other on Dec. 3. Federal workers in Georgia missing paychecks during the government shutdown will not have to Ms. Halloween. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports. The unions who represent them are handing out holiday supplies, including costumes.

[D]

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees and the Atlanta North Georgia labor council gave away 100 children's Halloween costumes recently. The unions have also been holding food drives, delivering care packages and distributing Kroger gift cards. Aaron Barker is president of AFGE Local 554. He says families appreciate the little things, too.

[C]

I mean, costumes can be anywhere from 20 to $30, you know, so if they're able to, you know, save that money and maybe buy food or pay rent or whatever the case may be, whatever they're necessities are, you know, they don't have to spend that and they can get these costumes.

[D]

The labor Council will also host a trunk or treat event at the ibew headquarters from 5 to 7 this Thursday. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[B]

As Hurricane Melissa makes its way toward the Bahamas, the Arthur M. Blank foundation is putting $2.5 million towards immediate hurricane relief. The foundation for the co founder of Atlanta based Home Depot is providing an initial grant of $1.5 million to support the work of World Central Kitchen and $1 million for Team Rubicon, which specializes in on the ground disaster response and recovery. Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with 185 mile an hour winds and is one of the region's strongest storms on record. Melissa struck Cuba early this morning as a Category 3 storm. Legislation that moves the Benton Mackay Trail closer to National Scenic Trail status is advancing through the U.S. senate. The trail stretches 288 miles from north Georgia through Tennessee and North Carolina. The National Scenic Trail designation would come with a variety of benefits, says Bob Kaudrick, president of the Benton Mackay Trail Association.

[E]

As a National Scenic Trail, you get more visibility, more knowledge about the general public, thus more individuals coming to hike the trail and run on the trail and backpack on the trail and camp on the trail. So more tourism would be a big piece of that economic benefit.

[B]

The Benton Mackay Trail is often seen as a less crowded alternative to parts of the Appalachian Trail. The National Scenic Trail designation also would allow 15 miles of the trail that currently crosses roads to be rerouted through some national forests, ensuring hikers wouldn't cross paths with car traffic. The Georgia Board of Natural Resources voted yesterday to raise parking pass rates at state parks. The daily per vehicle fee will raise from $5 to $10 and an annual pass will be bumped from $50 to $70. These rates haven't changed since 2009. The Cobb Galleria center has rebranded under a new name, Cobb Convention Center. Atlanta officials say the new name clarifies its geographic identity as a Cobb county landmark and venue for Atlanta visitors. Now closed for renovations, the Cobb Convention Center Atlanta exhibit halls and ballroom will reopen for business in January. Officials expect the expansion project to continue until early 2027. In sports, the Georgia Bulldogs returned from a bye week on Saturday to face the Florida Gators in Jacksonville. Georgia's currently on a four game winning streak in the series and is 72 against the Gators under Kirby Smart. Florida's last win came in 2020 and after that game Georgia went on to A school record 42 game regular season winning streaks that ended last year. Braves players Ronald Acuna Jr. And Drake Baldwin were honored today with Players Choice Awards. Acuna won the National League Comeback Player Award. He appeared in only 49 games in 2024, but in his return to the field this season he made his fifth National League All Star team and rookie catcher and designated hitter Drake Baldwin won the National League Outstanding Rookie Award. Among NL rookies, he ranked first in a variety of categories, including RBIs, batting average and slugging percentage. Players Choice awards have been honoring outstanding on and off the field performances since 1992, with winners chosen by their peers. That's a wrap on Georgia Today. We do appreciate you tuning in. You can learn more about any of these stories and find the latest [e-mail] news and as always, your feedback is welcome by email. The address is Georgia Todaypb.org and we've got more news coming your way tomorrow. You won't want to miss it. The the best thing to do right now is to subscribe. That way, we'll pop up in your feed automatically tomorrow afternoon. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[A]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent, and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else. Listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peace Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting.