Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary

Date: February 20, 2026

Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

Overview

This episode of Georgia Today provides listeners with updates on Atlanta United's much-anticipated 2026 season opener, a significant state funding request for a new mental health hospital, and former President Trump's visit to northwest Georgia amid fresh controversy over tariffs and ongoing election disputes. The show also covers legislative efforts to expand Medicaid, the trial of a parent connected to the Apalachee High School shooting, and changes in Atlanta’s arts community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atlanta United’s 2026 Season Kickoff

[07:56]

• Atlanta United begins its season tomorrow, facing Cincinnati away—a tough opening given the venue's formidable home record.
• Major changes to the team, including the return of coach Tata Martino (previously led Atlanta to the 2018 MLS Cup, recently coached Mexico and Inter Miami).
  • Martino emphasized:

    "What's missing is that we have to compete. The good thing is that we have an idea and we are seeing that idea reflected in our training. And I believe that we're ready to compete."
    — Tata Martino ([08:20])

• Team’s Prospects:
  • New forwards and a defender headline the refreshed roster.
  • Miguel Almirón is expected to be a key leader in midfield.
  • After games in Cincinnati and San Jose, the home opener is set for March 7 against Salt Lake City.

2. Funding for Georgia’s New Mental Health Hospital

[03:54]

• Senate requests $409M in the state budget to build a forensic mental health hospital—Georgia's first in decades.
  • The facility (possibly in Atlanta or Augusta; 300 beds) will house people with behavioral or mental health crises often stuck in jails or homeless.
  • Senate Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery explained:

    "We've worked really hard to provide those services in communities. We've done a pretty good job, but there are some people who we still need to have in the state's mental health hospitals."
    — Blake Tillery ([04:13])

• The proposal follows the state’s release from a federal settlement over its psychiatric care.
• Awaits approval from Georgia’s House and the governor.

Related Medicaid Expansion Bill

[04:38]

• Senate Bill 428: Seeks Medicaid coverage for adults with serious mental illness who are “frequent flyers” of jails and ERs—people who currently fall through the cracks.
  • Sponsored by State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta):

    "This problem impacts cities, counties, businesses and public safety all over our state."
    — Kay Kirkpatrick ([04:56])

• Bill passed through committee; will require federal sign-off if it reaches the governor.

3. Trump Visit and Supreme Court Tariffs Ruling

[00:29], [01:50]

• Supreme Court Decision:
  • Struck down many Trump-era tariffs; ruled only Congress can impose tariffs (6–3 decision).
  • Seen as a major setback for Trump’s economic agenda.
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock: Called tariffs “reckless… a way [for the administration] to move wealth from the bottom to the top.”
  • Prof. Alexander Volek (Emory Law):

    "The Supreme Court... has been in part responsible for allowing the imperial presidency to develop... cutting back on that... I think it's a welcome development."
    ([01:14])

  • Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA): Criticized the ruling for undercutting tools to defend U.S. workers.
• Trump’s Rome, GA Visit:
  • Promoted his tariff policy at Kusa Steel:

    "Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody."
    — Donald Trump ([01:59])

  • Trump also used the visit to endorse Clay Fuller for Congress (special election for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s old seat).
  • Local reactions vary—e.g., Clay Cooper of Rome:

    "I don't just kind of blindly follow what he says."
    ([02:58])

2020 Election Claims Resurface

[03:21]

• Trump revisited debunked claims about 2020 election fraud, referencing an FBI ballot warehouse search:

  "And now they're trying to stop anybody from looking. You know why? Because they cheated like dogs."
  — Donald Trump ([03:21])

• Host Orlando Montoya notes:
  • Multiple ballot counts found no evidence of fraud in Georgia.
  • Fulton County officials are legally pursuing return of the confiscated ballots.

4. Trial Coverage: Apalachee High School Shooting (Parent on Trial)

[05:57]

• Trial of Colin Gray, father of accused school shooter.
  • Prosecutors allege Colin Gray provided the weapon.
  • Testimony from teacher Catherine Greer illustrated the shooting’s trauma:

    "There was a kid that was in front of the door that just had the trunk where he was, so I crawled over and grabbed his hands. I reached up and flicked off the light and I went back over to the kids in the corner."
    — Catherine Greer ([06:15])

5. Atlanta’s Arts & Community Updates

[06:44]

• Metropolitan Studios in East Atlanta Village to close after a decade.
  • Home of Atlanta School of Burlesque, Candy Box Revue, and a broad queer arts mission.
  • Co-founder Rebecca Beasley:

    "We have a lot of growth. We have a lot of momentum. It's a really great time for us to pass it on so that the next organizations can... help ensure their success and their longevity."
    ([07:20])

  • A successor org is expected to take over the studio’s mission.

6. Weekend Events & Weather

[08:46]

• Spring-like weather expected statewide.
• Notable events:
  • Dublin, GA: Ongoing St. Patrick’s Festival
  • Braselton: Art Rageous Festival
  • Athens: Terrapin Beer Co.’s “Wake and Bake Off” featuring inventive cooking with their stout beer.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Prof. Alexander Volek:
  "[The Supreme Court]... has been in part responsible for allowing the imperial presidency to develop... cutting back on that... I think it's a welcome development." ([01:14])
• Donald Trump, on tariffs:
  "Without tariffs, what would you do? You know what? Everybody would be bankrupt. Everybody." ([01:59])
• Trump, on 2020 election:
  "And now they're trying to stop anybody from looking. You know why? Because they cheated like dogs." ([03:21])
• Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick:
  "This problem impacts cities, counties, businesses and public safety all over our state." ([04:56])
• Teacher Catherine Greer:
  "There was a kid that was in front of the door that just had the trunk where he was, so I crawled over and grabbed his hands. I reached up and flicked off the light and I went back over to the kids in the corner." ([06:15])
• Rebecca Beasley, on closing Metropolitan Studios:
  "We have a lot of growth. We have a lot of momentum... it's a really great time for us to pass it on so that the next organizations can sort of ride that wave..." ([07:20])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:14] - Alexander Volek on Supreme Court’s tariffs decision
• [01:59] - Trump on tariffs at Kusa Steel in Rome, GA
• [03:21] - Trump repeats 2020 election fraud claims
• [03:54] - Mental health hospital budget request explained
• [04:56] - Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick on Medicaid expansion bill
• [06:15] - Teacher testimony from Apalachee HS shooting trial
• [07:20] - Beasley on Metropolitan Studios’ legacy and transition
• [07:56] - Atlanta United 2026 season and Tata Martino’s outlook

Summary Takeaway

This episode highlights significant threads shaping Georgia’s news—a high-stakes federal court decision with local political reverberations, paradigm shifts in mental health care funding, and the state’s evolving political and sports landscapes. It captures both policy and human impact, from pressing social issues (mental health, gun violence) to the energy around local soccer and arts. As always, Georgia Today delivers in-depth context and direct voices from across the state, making complex news accessible and relatable.