Augusta data center; Joro spider diets; Gen Z app

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Augusta data center; Joro spider diets; Gen Z app
Host: Peter Biello | Date: July 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Georgia Today, host Peter Biello guides listeners through a diverse set of local Georgia news stories — from Augusta’s data center ordinance and debates over a downtown hotel in Blue Ridge, to a high-schooler’s Gen Z app designed to get teens offline, and new research into the invasive Joro spider’s diet. The podcast also covers updates in civics education, the state’s connections to American Revolution history on the approaching 250th U.S. anniversary, and major league sports updates.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Augusta Data Center Ordinance

• [00:32] The Augusta city government is seeking public feedback on a draft ordinance to regulate the siting and construction of new data centers.
  • Requirements include the use of closed-loop cooling systems to reduce water usage, noise control, utility coordination, and erosion oversight.
  • The ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission on Monday at 3pm; feedback can be submitted at AugustaGA.gov.

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2. Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Piggly Wiggly

• [00:58] The EEOC filed a lawsuit against Reynolds IGA Foodliner (parent company of certain Georgia Piggly Wiggly stores) for alleged religious discrimination.
  • Tanya Watts, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was fired after she requested Sundays off for religious reasons.

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3. Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel Debate

• [01:19] Blue Ridge, GA is set for construction of a new 84-unit boutique hotel (approved height: 51 ft—16 ft above city limit), raising concerns from some residents over traffic, pedestrian safety, and the city’s character.
  • [02:28] Troy Sherbron, President of the Blue Ridge Business Association, points out:
    • “A hotel guest is different. They park once, check in and walk everywhere during the duration of their stay.”
      ([02:28] Orlando Montoya)
    • This could reduce downtown traffic but increase economic impact.
  • The project includes 100+ parking spaces and multiple new restaurants.

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4. Gen Z Social App to Encourage Offline Engagement

• [03:17] GPB’s Ivana Gonzalez profiles Ruth Geller, a 10th grader from Oconee High School, who has developed an app ("Vivaly") with friends to help teens find free, collaborative ways to spend time together offline.
  • The app prompts users to complete real-world challenges like “watching the sunset, cooking from scratch or going on a hike.”
  • [03:42] Ruth Geller:
    • “A big thing that inspired me was to help get my generation and now Gen Alpha too get off their phones because we want to experience the fun life and make those life lasting memories that it feels like the other generations got to experience and it kind of feels like we’re missing out on that.”

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5. Joro Spider Diet Study

• [04:06] Valdosta State University researcher Erin Grobarchik studies the invasive Joro spider’s diet and its impact on native Georgia spiders.
  • Joro spiders mainly eat various flies; native species consume more beetles, bees, and wasps.
  • [04:31] Erin Grobarchik:
    • “So Joro spiders eat a lot of flies across species.”
  • As Joro spiders multiply, the nature of their ecological impact may evolve.
  • [04:47] Erin Grobarchik:
    • “When you have an introduced species… the nature of the introduction or the invasion can change.”

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6. Barnes & Noble Returns to Atlanta

• [05:11] The major bookseller will re-open in Atlanta’s Edgewood neighborhood after a 2022 closure, with plans for additional locations in Toco Hills and Peachtree Corners.
  • Grand opening set for July 8, featuring Atlanta novelist Tayari Jones.

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7. Civics Education and Student Civic Engagement

• [05:55] At the National Civics Bee Georgia state finals, middle school students demonstrate government knowledge and propose solutions to community problems.
  • [06:34] Ella Hummel (winner, Coweta County):
    • “I have the opportunity to make change. I should be using this opportunity to do good in my community.”
  • [07:00] Danielle Hobbs (aunt of a contestant):
    • “They're learning how to be citizens. They're learning what's important to us as well as everybody else's point of view and how our history has changed us into the future…”

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8. Georgia’s Role in Revolutionary Times: Sir James Wright Biography

• [07:33] Ahead of America’s 250th anniversary, historian Greg Brooking discusses his new biography of Sir James Wright, Georgia’s last colonial governor.
  • Wright’s Background and Governing Approach
    • Well-connected in both England and the American colonies; expanded Georgia’s land and population.
    • Supported by the “planter class” and considered effective until the Revolution’s start.
  • Downfall and Legacy
    • Failed to grasp the revolutionary mindset, remained loyal to the Crown, advocated for representation to Parliament.
    • [09:19] Greg Brooking:
      • “…he was incapable of understanding the revolutionary mind. He was a true conservative of the 18th century. He believed that government should be conducted by the wealthy elite…”
    • [11:35] Famous exchange with the “liberty boys”:
      • “You may be advocates for liberty, so am I, but in a constitutional and legal way.” (cited by Brooking)
  • Slavery and Wealth
    • At the Revolution, Wright was among Georgia’s wealthiest, owning 523 enslaved people across 11 plantations.
  • Brooking’s Reflections
    • The histories of loyalists are only now being widely told, highlighting their diversity and the complexity of patriotism at the time.
    • "[W]hen you win wars, it’s your story of the war that’s taught and that’s still true. I had never heard of Loyalists growing up, but they are now just now starting to get their due..." ([14:04] Greg Brooking)
  • Panel Event & Resources
    • Brooking will appear on a panel moderated by Orlando Montoya at GPB, July 10th.
    • Viewers are encouraged to watch GPB’s "Marked" video series on Georgia in the Revolution.

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9. Major League Baseball: All-Star Futures Game

• [15:28] Rising Georgia stars Charlie Condon and Cam Caminiti will appear in the All-Star Futures Game on July 12 at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Boutique Hotels & Community Character:
  • Troy Sherbron: "A hotel guest is different. They park once, check in and walk everywhere..." ([02:28])
• On Gen Z Social Life:
  • Ruth Geller: "We want to experience the fun life and make those life lasting memories that it feels like the other generations got to experience and it kind of feels like we're missing out on that." ([03:42])
• On the Joro Spider Diet:
  • Erin Grobarchik: "So Joro spiders eat a lot of flies across species." ([04:31]) and "When you have an introduced species...the nature of the introduction or the invasion can change." ([04:47])
• On Student Civics Engagement:
  • Ella Hummel: "I have the opportunity to make change. I should be using this opportunity to do good in my community." ([06:34])
• On the Complexity of Georgia’s Revolutionary Past:
  • Greg Brooking: "...he was incapable of understanding the revolutionary mind...” ([09:19])
  • "[W]hen you win wars, it’s your story of the war that’s taught and that’s still true..." ([14:04])

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Key Timestamps

• [00:32] Augusta data center ordinance
• [01:19] Blue Ridge hotel project
• [03:17] Gen Z app “Vivaly” profile
• [04:06] Joro spider diet research
• [05:11] Barnes & Noble Edgewood opening
• [05:55] Georgia Civics Bee finals
• [07:33] Historian Greg Brooking on Sir James Wright
• [15:28] MLB All-Star Futures Game news

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This episode underscores the diversity and relevance of Georgia’s news, from technology policy to the state’s deep historic roots, highlighting how local actions and young voices are shaping both the present and the future.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode. Augusta is seeking feedback on its new data center ordinance. Plans for a boutique hotel in downtown Blue Ridge have sparked debate over the character of the city and are Joro spiders competing with native insects for their meals.

[Erin Grobarchik]

So Joro spiders eat a lot of flies across species. We find so many flies in their diet.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Friday, July 3rd. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The city of Augusta is asking residents to comment on a draft ordinance that would regulate data centers. The draft regulates where future data centers can be built and sets up requirements for noise cooling systems, coordination with local utilities and erosion control. Among the requirements is the mandated use of closed loop cooling systems that would not require continuous withdrawal or discharge of water under normal operations. The draft ordinance is scheduled to be presented to the Augusta Planning Commission on Monday at 3pm residents can submit feedback on the draft ordinance through the city's website, Augusta GA.gov the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a religious discrimination lawsuit against the parent company of a Georgia Piggly Wiggly for firing a woman in southeast Georgia who asked not to work on Sundays. Tanya Watts of Hazlehurst is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The the lawsuit says she requested Sundays off to observe her Sabbath but was scheduled to work on Sunday anyway, and when she insisted on the accommodation, she was fired. The lawsuit demands several forms of relief, including back pay with interest and unspecified punitive damages. Piggly Wiggly's parent company, Reynolds IGA Foodliner, did not respond to GPB's request for comment. The North Georgia city of Blue Ridge is bracing for the construction of a new downtown hotel that some say will change the character of the city. The Blue Ridge City Council recently approved a request build an 84 unit boutique hotel to a maximum height of 51ft. The city's usual limit is 35ft. Residents expressed concerns about impacts to traffic, pedestrian safety and the character of the community, but some support the project. Troy Sherbron is president of the Blue Ridge Business Association. He says many visitors in Blue Ridge are day trippers who rely on their cars to navigate downtown, often circling blocks several times looking for parking.

[Orlando Montoya]

A hotel guest is different. They park once, check in and walk

[Peter Biello]

everywhere during the duration of their stay.

[Orlando Montoya]

That actually reduces downtown traffic pressure while increasing the economic impact.

[Peter Biello]

Plans for the hotel include more than 100 parking spaces and two or three new restaurants. As many Georgia teenagers spend their summers glued to screens, Juan has launched an app to get gen Z offline. GPB's Ivana Gonzalez reports.

[Ivana Gonzalez]

Oconee High School 10th grader Ruth Geller is launching an app she built with three friends. Inspired after she realized it was impossible to hang out with friends and not spend money, Geller says the app vivaly encourages teenagers to connect, complete real world chat challenges and get outside. Users are given a variety of ideas like watching the sunset, cooking from scratch or going on a hike. Once completed, they can upload a photo to the app and score points.

[Erin Grobarchik]

A big thing that inspired me was to help get my generation and now Gen Alpha too get off their phones because we want to experience the fun life and make those life lasting memories that it feels like the other generations got to experience and it kind of feels like we're missing out on that.

[Ivana Gonzalez]

Geller says she hopes teenagers can build their own real world feed filled with real memories. For GPB News, I'm Yvonne

[Peter Biello]

A new study from Valdosta State University is looking at what the invasive Joro spider eats and if it's competing with Georgia's native spiders for the insects they rely on. GPB's. Chase McGee has more.

[Chase McGee]

Joro spiders are orb weavers, which means they build funnel shaped webs to capture their prey. And since they're not native to North America, Valdosta State researcher Erin Grobarchik wanted to explore what they're eating compared to Georgia's native orb weaving spiders.

[Erin Grobarchik]

So joro spiders eat a lot of flies across species.

[Peter Biello]

We find so many flies in their diets.

[Chase McGee]

Georgia spiders eat beetles, bees and wasps. But Grabarchek says that doesn't mean joros aren't impacting our ecosystems.

[Erin Grobarchik]

When you have an introduced species, as

[Peter Biello]

their populations grow, kind of the nature of the introduction or the invasion can change.

[Chase McGee]

She hopes the study will help them find out. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee,

[Peter Biello]

Bookseller Barnes and Noble says it plans to open a new store in Atlanta next week. The store plans to return to the market in the city's Edgewood neighborhood, where a Barnes and Noble store once operated until it closed in 2022. The chain also is planning to open two more stores in metro Atlanta in the coming months and in Tocco Hills and Peachtree Corners. The public opening is scheduled for 10am on Wednesday, July 8, and will feature Atlanta author Tayari Jones, who will be signing copies of her latest novel. Civics education holds a unique place in American life, but for many civics students, it's more than just a classroom lecture at the National Civics Be Georgia state finals. Middle school students show off their knowledge of how government works and confront pressing issues in their communities. GPB's Tori Mooney reports.

[Greg Brooking]

Good morning everyone.

[Tori Mooney]

Fifteen middle school students gather under the bright lights of the stage at the Carter center, gearing up to put their civic knowledge to the test. Question number two the winner will represent Georgia in the nation's capital come fall. The students are asked multiple choice questions about US Government, and those who advance present their idea to solve a big or small social issue rooted in civics. The winner of the of today's finals is rising ninth grader Ella Hummel from Coweta County. Hummel proposed a program to combat food insecurity by redistributing uneaten school lunch. She says this experience is about more than competition.

[Erin Grobarchik]

I have the opportunity to make change. I should be using this opportunity to do good in my community.

[Tori Mooney]

Ella Hummel's dad, Andy Hummel, says while the scope of civics education has evolved, its purpose remains the same.

[Chase McGee]

That's kind of the core of civics,

[Peter Biello]

of the greater good for the greater number of people.

[Tori Mooney]

Danielle Hobbs, aunt of contestant Alyssa Bogle, says the competition questions allow students and families alike to reflect on the country's complex history.

[Erin Grobarchik]

They're learning how to be citizens. They're learning what's important to us as well as everybody else's point of view and how our history has changed us into the future of what we're going

[Tori Mooney]

to be, hobbs says. Young people like her niece represent the voices of the future. For GPB News, I'm Tori Mooney.

[Peter Biello]

As Americans prepare to celebrate the country's 250th birthday, a number of newly published books are taking a look at revolutionary times in Georgia. Atlanta writer, historian and social studies teacher Greg Brooking is out with the first ever biography of the man who served as Georgia's colonial governor in 1776. His book from Empire to Sir James Wright and the Price of Loyalty in Georgia provides a vivid blow by blow account of the British Empire's last years in Georgia. GPB's Orlando Montoya spoke with Brooking about what made him a good and bad governor for British colonists living in Georgia at the time. Starting with the good, he was ideally

[Greg Brooking]

suited to be a colonial governor. He was born in England to a family of some renown. His grandfather was King James II's chief justice. His father brought the family to Charleston initially, where his father was the royal chief justice of South Carolina. So he had a foot in both camps. He had a foot in England and he had a foot Here in America, he aligns himself with Georgia's burgeoning planter class, the elite. And he continues to grow Georgia both in terms of population and economic viability, but also in terms of geographic land mass. He purchases close to 5 million acres of land from various native tribes over two different deals. That augments Georgia's geography as well as population.

[Orlando Montoya]

So he had tangible success in the years leading up to the Revolution, but yet he failed in stopping it in Georgia. What made him a bad governor?

[Greg Brooking]

I'm not sure I would say he was a bad governor in any way, except for he was incapable of understanding the revolutionary mind. He was a true conservative of the 18th century. He believed that government should be conducted by the wealthy elite who have been educated, who serve the public interest. And he was very popular. He was the only governor of the 13 colonial colonies to successfully distribute stamps during the Stamp act crisis in 1765. That cost him a good bit of capital to do so. By 1773, he has baroneted by King George III. So he becomes Sir James Wright for his services to Georgia. But then at the same time, the Boston Tea Party happens. And Britain's response to the Boston Tea Party was to drop the hammer on Massachusetts and Bostonians by issuing what became to be known as the coercive or the intolerable Acts. Those were so punitive that Georgians started to fear that if they can do that to Boston and Massachusetts, they can do it to Savannah and Georgia. And the tide shifts in Georgia. But all along the thirteen colonies, the tide shifts as a result of the chorus of acts.

[Orlando Montoya]

In some respects, he sounds like he was on the side of the revolutionaries in some way because he advised top officials in Parliament in 1774 that Parliament should grant representation to the Americans.

[Greg Brooking]

Yeah, he was ahead of the time in a couple of instances that you mentioned. There is great. Even before that, in 1765 and 66, he's advising Parliament to do similar things so as to avoid these problems in the future. And had they heeded those, you know, suggestions, who knows what would have happened. Certainly counterfactual history is tough to contemplate, but. And he was opposed to the Stamp Act. He thought it was bad legislation.

[Orlando Montoya]

He told the liberty boys, you may be advocates for liberty, so am I, but in a constitutional and legal way.

[Greg Brooking]

I'm glad you brought that quote up, because I was about to mention that. Yes, and that is him in a nutshell. He figured in his mind that they were going down a path to destruction.

[Orlando Montoya]

One reason I like the book is because it all Sort of puts you in the mind of the people at the time. And it kind of makes you think, what would I have done? Because in this case, the conservative position would have been the position to stay with the Crown.

[Greg Brooking]

Right.

[Orlando Montoya]

And the radical liberal position, if we can even use those terms, would have been to go with these rebels. And so I think the point of your book is that this was really a civil war.

[Greg Brooking]

Yeah, this was. Aside from maybe New Jersey, the fighting in Georgia and South Carolina is the bloodiest and nastiest in the American Revolution. You know, it's not just between, you know, families breaking up, father staying loyal to the Crown, his rebellious sons joining the patriot movement, but between families there is, you know, indiscriminate killing on both sides.

[Orlando Montoya]

What do we know about his enslaved property?

[Greg Brooking]

His good question. He is he leaves Georgia in 1776 as either the wealthiest or second wealthiest Georgian. His lieutenant governor, John Graham, may have been slightly wealthier, but they were both large, large planters. James Wright owned 11 plantations he enslaved at the time of the revolution. 523 humans. When he is arrested and then sent into exile, those are confiscated by the rebels.

[Orlando Montoya]

And finally, how does it feel to be talking at America's 250th anniversary about a loyalist?

[Greg Brooking]

Right. It's actually really interesting. I wish I had been bright enough to time this that way. It's just how the book ended up being published. So it wasn't in concert thinking that I could take advantage of this time period.

[Orlando Montoya]

Well, we're all celebrating the victorious side.

[Greg Brooking]

Right. And it's really interesting because I really like talking about those with lesser representation in the typical historical narrative, you know, to the victor go the spoils, but also go the stories. And when you win wars, it's your story of the war that's taught and that's still true. I had never heard of Loyalists growing up, but they are now just now starting to get their due as not just necessarily worthy adversaries, if that's even the correct phrasing, but as Americans, demographically, they fit into every category that patriotic Americans or rebels fit into. Some were wealthy, some were middle class. They just chose what was in their mind stability and patriotism. Right. It just patriotism to their current country. They believed in many cases the same things that the patriots believed about the taxation and the legislation that was coming from Britain. But they didn't think that you could just rebel. They thought that you had to go through these legal measures. And sometimes legal measures aren't enough.

[Orlando Montoya]

Well, Greg, Brooking, it's been fascinating talking to you. I appreciate you being here and I appreciate the book. It's called From Empire to Revolution. Sir James Wright and the Price of Loyalty in Georgia. Thank you.

[Greg Brooking]

Thank you so much.

[Peter Biello]

Greg Brooking spoke with Orlando Montoya for the latest episode of narrative edge. That's GPB's podcast and video series featuring Georgia writers and Georgia stories. Find Narrative Edge on your favorite podcast app or on YouTube. Brooking also will be on a panel of authors that Orlando is moderating next Thursday. That panel here at GPB Studios in Atlanta will delve into George's pivotal role in the American Revolution. Find more information about the author [e-mail] events and finally, don't forget to watch marked. That's GPB's 12 episode video series about the American Revolution in Georgia. Almost all the episodes are out now. Find them on YouTube or at gpb.org marked Major League Baseball is preparing for All Star Week the week after next. It's a mid season moment when both current and future stars show off their talents. Among the festivities is the All Star Futures Game, where rising stars compete in an exhibition game. On the roster this year is Charlie Condon, the former Georgia Bulldog and Atlanta native who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies. He's making his second appearance in the All Star Futures Game. Also on the roster is Atlanta's Cam Caminiti, a pitcher who is also the cousin of former Atlanta Braves player Ken Caminiti. The All Star Futures Game is planned for Sunday, July 12th at noon at Citizens bank park in Philadelphia. And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today as we head into the 4th of July weekend. Check out GPB's America250 page on gpb.org that's gpb.org America250. It features news stories and features videos from our education and production teams, PBS documentaries and other fascinating takes on our country's 250th birthday. If you haven't hit subscribe to this podcast yet, take a moment. Do it now. We will be back on Monday and if you have feedback we'd love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening and have a great fourth of July weekend.

[Erin Grobarchik]

Each story you hear on Planet Money starts with a question. What happens if we refund tariffs? Why are groceries so expensive? At NPR, we stand for your right to be curious because the forces shaping our world can be hard to see. Follow NPR's Planet Money wherever you get your podcasts and start seeing how the economy really works.