Atlanta spa shootings anniversary; Charges dropped in teacher death; Buttigieg visits Rome

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Orlando Montoya (for Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Episode Theme:
This episode covers the fifth anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings, legal updates in a local teacher’s accidental death, a visit by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to energize Georgia Democrats, new recovery funds for farmers, concerns about police video access, a study on women's mental health, and local tourism highlights.

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1. Anniversary of Atlanta Spa Shootings

Main Point:
Today marks five years since the 2021 Atlanta-area shootings that claimed eight lives, mostly women of Asian descent.

Discussion:

• Memorials and statements were held at the Georgia State Capitol.

• State Representative Michelle Au reflected on the tragedy, highlighting the lingering grief and injustice:

  “No matter how much time passes, there is a grief and a sense of injustice that will not fade.”
  — Michelle Au, State Representative [01:10]

• Robert Aaron Long, the shooter, is serving life without parole in Cherokee County and faces a possible death penalty in Atlanta.

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2. Charges Dropped in Teacher’s Accidental Death

Main Point:
Prosecutors dropped all charges against a teenager and four friends involved in the fatal accident that killed teacher Jason Hughes during a prank.

Discussion:

• The incident stemmed from a community prank tradition; Hughes slipped and fell when the pranksters fled.
• The victim’s family advocated against prosecution, not wanting to compound the tragedy.
• Graham McKinnon, attorney for the driver, announced all charges were dropped.

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3. Pete Buttigieg Visits Rome, Georgia

Main Point:
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Rome to support Democrat Sean Harris in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District.

Discussion:

• Sean Harris led the recent primary and aims to win the runoff in a traditionally Republican area.

• Buttigieg’s speech focused on revitalizing Congressional power and holding former President Trump accountable:

  “You need Congress, a branch of government in our constitutional system that has been flat on its back but needs to get up and stand up for the American people.”
  — Pete Buttigieg [00:29], [03:02]

• Voter response was positive, especially among those long feeling overlooked by national Democrats.

  “Finally, we’re getting some backup from, you know, the nationals because I feel like we’ve been ignored in this corner of the state for a long time.”
  — Steve Head, local voter [03:24]

• Harris will face Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller in the April 7th runoff.

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4. Farmer Support After Hurricane Helene

Main Point:
Georgia launched applications for a new block grant program to aid farmers recovering from losses caused by Hurricane Helene.

Details:

• $500 million in federal funds are available but described as only a fraction of total losses.
• Applications are open until April 27.

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5. Debate Over Police Body Camera Access

Main Point:
Legislation in the Georgia General Assembly is raising alarms about limiting public access to police body camera videos.

Discussion:

• Senate Bill 482 began as a bill to restrict public access to mugshots but gained controversial amendments.

• Legal experts and advocates warn that limiting access undermines accountability:

  “If body cams really are intended to be an accountability tool, this necessarily is an affront to police accountability.”
  — Blake Feldman, Southern Center for Human Rights Attorney [04:44]

• Bill sponsor Senator Brian Strickland expressed willingness to consider advocates’ concerns about the video provision.

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6. Weather Update

Main Point:
Severe storms caused outages for about 5,000 Georgia electric customers; the weather is expected to transition to snow flurries and freezing temperatures across the state.

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7. Women’s Mental Health & Economic Challenges

Main Point:
A new Atlanta Women's Foundation study reveals a strong link between economic insecurity and mental health among women and youth in metro Atlanta.

Key Findings:

• Challenges include housing costs, childcare, unstable wages, and county-by-county disparities.

• Emphasis on integrated, person-centered care:

  “Economic stress is a primary driver... those are many of the issues that are, you know, on the brains of these, these women and families who are trying to make ends meet.”
  — Fiona Bell, Atlanta Women’s Foundation [06:11]

• Holistic approaches are needed to address these interconnected issues.

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8. Local Tourism Highlights

Main Point:
The Golden Isles of Georgia received national recognition as Southern Living’s number one beach destination in the South.

Details:

• Praised for their quiet beaches, historic charm, and marsh-lined waterways.
• Tybee Island also ranked in the top destinations.
• St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is beginning, drawing tourists and boosting the hospitality sector.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Michelle Au: “No matter how much time passes, there is a grief and a sense of injustice that will not fade.” [01:10]
• Pete Buttigieg: “You need Congress, a branch of government in our constitutional system that has been flat on its back but needs to get up and stand up for the American people.” [00:29], [03:02]
• Steve Head: “Finally, we’re getting some backup from, you know, the nationals because I feel like we’ve been ignored in this corner of the state for a long time.” [03:24]
• Blake Feldman: “If body cams really are intended to be an accountability tool, this necessarily is an affront to police accountability.” [04:44]
• Fiona Bell: “Economic stress is a primary driver... those are many of the issues that are, you know, on the brains of these, these women and families who are trying to make ends meet.” [06:11]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Spa Shooting Anniversary & Lawmaker Reflection – 00:38–01:19
• Teacher Death Charges Dropped – 01:19–02:42
• Buttigieg Visit & CD14 Race – 02:42–03:41
• Farmer Recovery Grants – 03:41–04:10
• Police Video Access Legislation – 04:10–04:55
• Weather Update – 04:55–05:52
• Women’s Mental Health Study – 05:52–06:42
• Tourism & Golden Isles Recognition – 07:06–end

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Summary

This episode interweaves local remembrance of a national tragedy, community healing and justice, state and local politics, policy debates, women’s issues, and Georgia pride in its unique tourism gems—offering a concise yet comprehensive roundup of issues currently shaping the Peach State.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Atlanta is remembering today's anniversary of the deadly SPA shootings in 2021. Charges have been dropped against a teenager who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed a high school teacher when a prank turned deadly. And former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Gu Buttigieg visited Rome on Saturday.

[B]

You need Congress, a branch of government in our constitutional system that has been flat on its back but needs to get up and stand up for the American people.

[A]

Today is Monday, March 16th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Atlanta is remembering today's anniversary of the deadly SPA shootings in 2021. It's been five years since a gunman killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at three spa locations in Cherokee county and Atlanta. Today at the state Capitol, Johns Creek State Representative Michelle Au said the shootings feel both distant and immediate.

[C]

No matter how much time passes, there is a grief and a sense of injustice that will not fade.

[A]

Robert Aaron Long is serving life without parole for the Cherokee county shootings and could face the death penalty if he's convicted for the Atlanta shootings. A Georgia prosecutor has dropped charges against a teenager who police say was driving the truck that struck and killed a high school teacher when a prank turned deadly. That's according to the teen's lawyer. The 40 year old teacher, Jason Hughes, died after slipping and falling into the street as the teen started to drive away after participating in a community tradition, pranking teachers by throwing toilet paper onto his front lawn. Hughes family had urged authorities not to compound the tragedy by prosecuting the teen driver and his friends. The 18 year old driver was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors earlier this month. Graham McKinnon, a lawyer who represents the driver, said Friday that the charges against his client had been dropped. McKinnon said that prosecutors also dropped misdemeanor charges against the four other teens who were there. Former U.S. secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Rome on Saturday to energize Democrats in Georgia's 14th Congress. Congressional district. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[D]

Democrat Sean Harris was the top vote getter in the March 10 election to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. He's hopeful that he can finish first again in the runoff, so it will

[A]

be a coalition of us that actually win this thing they call CD14.

[D]

In his speech to voters, Buttigieg said Harris will hold President Trump accountable.

[B]

You need Congress, a branch of government in our constitutional system that has been flat on its back but needs to get up and stand up for the American, American people.

[D]

Greene noted a lack of congressional power as a reason for her resignation at the beginning of the year. Voters like Steve Head say they're excited to see national Democrats interested in their district, which has been considered a Republican stronghold.

[E]

Finally, we're getting some backup from, you know, the nationals because I feel like we've been ignored in this corner of the state for a long time.

[D]

Harris faces Trump endorsed Republican Clay Fuller on the ballot April 7th. For GPB news, I'm Sarah Kalis in Rome.

[A]

Georgia agriculture officials began accepting applications today for the state's block grant program aimed at farmers recovering from Hurricane Helene. The half billion dollars in federal funding is described as critical support, but a fraction of total losses from the 2024 storm. Applications will remain open until April 27th. @farmrecovery.com Legislation moving through the Georgia General assembly is raising concerns about public access to police videos Senate Bill 482 started out as a solution to problems faced when mugshots circulate online after charges have been dismissed. The bill would make it harder to get those photos. But as the legislation made its way through the state Senate, its sponsor, McDonough Republican Brian Strickland, added police videos to it. Southern center for Human Rights attorney Blake Feldman said that addition would put up barriers to the public's right to police body camera and other footage.

[E]

If body cams really are intended to be an accountability tool, this necessarily is an affront to police accountability.

[A]

Feldman says he doesn't oppose the mugshot provision. Strickland says he's willing to work with advocates to address their concerns about the video provision. As of this recording at about 3 o' clock this afternoon, about 5,000 electric customers in Georgia are without power after strong storms moved across the state last night and this morning. Those numbers are from reports from Georgia EMC and Georgia Power. The National Weather Service expects a dramatic shift in the weather as the day continues. Light flurries are expected in North Georgia while freezing or near freezing temperatures are forecast across Georgia tonight. A new study from the Atlanta Women's foundation finds a strong connection between mental health and the economic challenges women and families are facing. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more the Status

[F]

of Women and Youth Mental Health in Metro Atlanta report finds widespread and intensifying challenges, with outcomes closely tied to housing costs, childcare burdens, economic insecurity and access gaps that vary sharply by county. Fiona Bells with the Atlanta Women's Foundation.

[G]

Economic stress is a primary driver. So housing costs, childcare, affordability, low or unstable wages, those are many of the issues that are, you know, on the brains of these, these women and families who are trying to make ends meet.

[F]

Bell says integrated care that considers the whole person is essential to finding holistic solutions for individual challenges. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[C]

Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of FRESH AIR. Hey, take a break from the 24 hour news cycle with us and listen to long form interviews with your favorite authors, actors, filmmakers, comedians and musicians. The people making the art that nourishes us and speaks to our times. So listen to the FRESH AIR podcasts from NPR and whyy.

[A]

A group of Georgia barrier islands is getting national recognition ahead of the summer travel season. Southern Living magazine has named the Golden Isles the number one beach destination in the South. The Golden Isles include St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Island, Sea island and the inland city of Brunswick. In its ranking, Southern Living praised the area's quieter beaches, historic charm and miles of marsh lined waterways. Alabama's Gulf Shores and Florida's Destin rounded out the top three, while Georgia's Tybee island also made the list. And as long as we're talking about the Georgia coast, we have to talk about St. Patrick's Day in Savannah. If you it's the city's largest annual tourism event and crowds have already started arriving. St. Patrick's Day draws visitors from around the world. Not only that, it also sets the stage for a busy spring season for area hospitality businesses. Happy St Patrick's Day to all who celebrate. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. We have more information about many of the stories that you hear on this podcast at our webpage, gpb.org news we always encourage you to hit subscribe on Georgia Today. That way you'll always stay current with us and if you have feedback, send us your suggestions about stories or your opinions about things that we do right and wrong. We'd love to hear from you@georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll be back again tomorrow with another edition of Georgia Today.