BioLab fined by OSHA for chemical fire; Tariff effects; Cold snap delays peanut crop

Summary

Georgia Today: April 8, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello, Georgia Today delivers in-depth reporting on the stories that matter most to Georgians. In this episode, listeners are presented with critical updates ranging from workplace safety violations and economic impacts of tariffs to agricultural challenges and local governance issues.

---

OSHA Fines Biolab for Chemical Fire in Conyers

The episode opens with a significant report on workplace safety violations at the Biolab facility in Conyers. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has imposed over $61,000 in penalties on the company following a devastating chemical fire last year.

Pamela Kirkland elaborates on the situation:

"OSHA says Biolab failed to properly store hazardous chlorine-based chemicals, materials the agency says are both toxic and flammable." (01:22)

Further detailing the violations, Sophie Gradus reports:

"In a citation issued late last month, inspectors also found Biolab's emergency response team wasn't equipped with the right respirators or protective gear when the fire broke out." (01:22)

Biolab has responded by emphasizing their commitment to safety, although they contest OSHA's findings:

"We take operational safety very seriously and are cooperating with investigators, but dispute OSHA's conclusion about the cause of the fire." (01:22)

For those interested in a deeper exploration of the incident, listeners are directed to GPB's new podcast, Manufacturing Danger.

---

Tariff Effects and SNAP Funding Debates

The discussion shifts to the broader economic implications of new tariffs enacted by the Trump administration, particularly focusing on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Benjamin Payne highlights the contentious debate:

"Most states, including Georgia, already require able-bodied adults to work a certain number of hours to get monthly benefits, but there are some state exemptions that Republicans, like Georgia's Austin Scott, want removed to encourage self-sufficiency." (02:47)

Pamela Kirkland adds a critical perspective:

"When you're telling people that they don't have to work, the end result of that is a reduction in their employment benefits." (03:06)

Conversely, Benjamin Payne presents the Democratic stance:

"Democrats, including Georgia's David Scott, say they're outraged over that plan as Congress debates cuts that could overall shrink aid at the grocery store." (03:12)

The debate underscores the vulnerability of nearly 2 million Georgia residents enrolled in SNAP, primarily children and families living below the poverty line.

---

Savannah’s Gun Control Ordinance Survives Legislative Attack

In local governance news, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson expresses relief as state lawmakers fail to pass a bill targeting the city's gun control measures.

Scott Monfort reports:

"Enacted last year, Savannah's ordinance penalizes gun owners up to $1,000 if they leave a firearm in an unlocked vehicle." (03:37)

Mayor Johnson praises the support from Democrats:

"Inspired by Democrats' efforts to protect Savannah's gun control ordinance." (04:12)

He further emphasizes the city's commitment to safety:

"We're going to do in Savannah everything we can to be able to try to keep people safe." (04:12)

Looking ahead, Johnson anticipates future challenges but remains steadfast in defending the ordinance.

---

Cold Snap Delays Georgia's Peanut Crop

Agricultural news highlights a cold snap that has postponed the planting season for Georgia's peanut farmers, potentially affecting what could have been a record-breaking harvest.

Scott Monfort, a peanut agronomist from the University of Georgia Extension, explains:

"Many farmers switched acreage from cotton to peanuts this year because of cotton's low prices." (04:37)

Despite the delay, there is optimism for a substantial peanut yield:

"He expects Georgia peanut acreage to reach 950,000 acres this season. That's 7% more than last year and could produce the largest peanut crop in decades." (05:12)

Pamela Kirkland notes the eagerness among farmers:

"Everybody's itching to get started because we do have so many acres of peanuts this year." (05:03)

---

Federal Funding Cuts Impacting Georgia's Higher Education

Sonny Perdue, Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, addressed the repercussions of federal spending cuts:

"The Trump administration has notified USG of research funding being withheld." (05:12)

These cuts have sparked protests at Georgia Tech, where faculty like Jennifer Glass express concerns over the future of scientific research and academic freedom:

"People fleeing this country because it's not a good, it's not a safe place for them and it's not supporting science anymore." (06:00)

Additionally, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is advising businesses to brace for the economic impact of new tariffs:

"The chamber urges its members to review their contracts for price adjustment clauses, explore alternative sourcing or markets and engage with policymakers." (06:00)

---

New Developments in Georgia Utilities and Sports

A new nonprofit, led by consumer advocate Patty Duran, has emerged to monitor Georgia's utilities amid rising electric bills and unresponsive state officials.

In sports news, the Masters Tournament has unveiled its opening round schedule, featuring stars like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Notably absent is Tiger Woods, who is instead involved in community development:

"Tiger Woods will design a new nine-hole course at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known as the Patch." (07:35)

Furthermore, the Atlanta Braves are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a game of historical significance:

"Today marks the 51st anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth's longstanding record." (08:13)

---

Closing Remarks

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by encouraging listener feedback via email and promoting subscription to stay updated with GPB News.

---

For more comprehensive coverage on these topics and additional stories, visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD has an urgent warning for all Georgians. One of every ten counterfeit pills contains fentanyl, a powerful and very deadly drug. Pills from friends or dealers are unsafe and one pill can cause an overdose. More [e-mail] hello and welcome to Georgia Today. On this podcast, we feature the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, OSHA says improperly stored chemicals sparked last year's fire at the Biolab facility in Conyers. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce tells its members to prepare for the effects of new tariffs enacted by the Trump administration and a cold snap delays the start of this year's peanut crop in Georgia.

[Pamela Kirkland]

And everybody's itching to get started because we do have so many acres of peanuts this year.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, April 8th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or osha, says improperly stored chemicals sparked last year's fire at the Biolab facility in Conyers, east of Atlanta. The federal agency is proposing more than $61,000 in penalties, just GPB's Pamela Kirkland reports.

[Sophie Gradus]

OSHA says Biolab failed to properly store hazardous chlorine based chemicals, materials the agency says are both toxic and flammable. In a citation issued late last month, inspectors also found Biolab's emergency response team wasn't equipped with the right respirators or protective gear when the fire broke out. The company was also cited for not maintaining required medical records for those workers. In total, OSHA issued four serious violations and two lesser violations. In an email statement to gpb, Biolab says it, quote, takes operational safety very seriously and is cooperating with investigators, but disputes OSHA's conclusion about the cause of the fire. For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[Peter Biello]

And for an in depth investigation into the Biolab fire, check out the new GPB podcast, Manufacturing Danger. Congress still has not passed the 2024 farm bill to fund crop insurance, conservation and other agricultural programs, but its largest chunk goes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or snap. Billions of dollars for that program are on the chopping block as part of efforts by the Trump administration to cut federal spending. A U.S. house committee meeting today saw members engage in a fiery discussion over those cuts and other possible changes to SNAP. GPB's Sophie Gradus has more.

[Benjamin Payne]

The hearing of the Committee on Agriculture centered on a proposal to expand work requirements under snap. Most states, including Georgia, already require able bodied adults work a certain number of hours to get monthly benefits, but there are some state exemptions that Republicans, like Georgia's Austin Scott, want removed to encourage self sufficiency.

[Pamela Kirkland]

When you're telling people that they don't have to work, the end result of that is a reduction in their employment benefits.

[Benjamin Payne]

But Democrats, including Georgia's David Scott, say they're outraged over that plan as Congress debates cuts that could overall shrink aid at the grocery store.

[Pamela Kirkland]

The one thing we cannot do without is food.

[Benjamin Payne]

Of the nearly 2 million people enrolled in SNAP in Georgia, the most are children and families living below poverty. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Peter Biello]

The mayor of Savannah is breathing a sigh of relief after state lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have punished the city for its new gun control ordinance, GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

[Scott Monfort]

Enacted last year, Savannah's ordinance penalizes gun owners up to $1,000 if they leave a firearm in an unlocked vehicle. In response, Republican lawmakers put forth legislation this year that would have allowed offenders to, in turn sue the city for $25,000. But the clock ran out on the legislative session before that bill could clear both chambers. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said he was, quote, inspired by Democrats efforts to protect Savannah's gun control ordinance.

[Peter Biello]

We're going to do in Savannah everything we can to be able to try to keep people safe. To me, asking someone to simply lock their car if they have a firearm in it is not too much to ask. This is common as common sense gets.

[Scott Monfort]

Johnson said he expects the gun control ordinance will be targeted again next legislative session, but that the city would be ready to defend it. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Peter Biello]

This week's cold snap is delaying the start of planting for what could be a bumper crop for Georgia peanuts. Tifton based University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist Scott Monfort says many farmers switched acreage from cotton to peanuts this year because of cotton's low prices. He says peanuts typically are planted in late April and conditions are not ideal right now. Still, he believes many farmers would have started early if last week's warm weather had continued.

[Pamela Kirkland]

It's a good thing because it's holding us back a little bit from planting too early and everybody's itching to get started because we do have so many acres of peanuts this year.

[Peter Biello]

He expects Georgia peanut acreage to reach 950,000 acres this season. That's 7% more than last year and could produce the largest peanut crop in decades. University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue has confirmed that a reduction in federal spending is impacting the state's public colleges and universities. Speaking in Macon yesterday, Perdue said the Trump administration has notified USG of research funding being withheld, although he didn't say how much. About three dozen people at Georgia Tech protested cuts today from the Department of government efficiency, or DoGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk. Among those protesters was Georgia Tech earth sciences professor Jennifer Glass, who says one of her grants is under review. People fleeing this country because it's not a good, it's not a safe place for them and it's not supporting science anymore or learning in general anymore, and it's not academically free anymore. The Trump administration has promised to slash spending it characterizes as wasteful. The Georgia chamber is urging its members to take a, quote, proactive stance in the face of new tariffs by the Trump administration. The group last week published a report on the new import fees to help Georgia businesses prepare for them. The report says Georgia set records for international trade in 2024 with $53 billion worth of Georgia made goods exported to 291 global markets. Georgia imported about $145 billion worth of goods. The chamber urges its members to review their contracts for price adjustment clauses, explore alternative sourcing or markets and engage with policymakers. A new nonprofit organization aims to keep an eye on Georgia utilities frustrated with soaring electric bills and unresponsive state officials. Consumer advocate Patty Duran last week announced the new Georgia Util. Durand is a former candidate for the state's utility regulating Public Service Commission. The Masters tournament has released starting times for its opening rounds at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. Scottie Scheffler will go for his third green jacket in four years and Rory McIlroy again will try for the major he needs for his career Grand Slam. The field does not include Tiger woods, who is nonetheless making news. GPB's Devin Zwald reports.

[Benjamin Payne]

Five time Masters champion Tiger woods will design a new nine hole course at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known as the Patch, that for nearly a century had been an affordable haven for Augusta's working class and black golfers. The course is being renovated with funding from Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters. Augusta national chairman Fred Ridley announced yesterday that woods foundation will also build a new learning center that will offer science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education to public school students in Augusta. For GPB news, I'm Devin Zwald.

[Peter Biello]

The Atlanta Braves will take on National League east rival Philadelphia Phillies tonight at Truest park for the first regular season meeting between the two teams. Chris Sale gets the start for the Braves, while Zach Wheeler will start for the Phillies. The braves enter the three game series with a 18 record, the worst in the major leagues, while the Phillies lead the NL East. And the matchup comes on the 51st anniversary of a significant day in Braves history. Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run on this day in 1974, breaking Babe Ruth's home run record that had stood since 1935. You are the public in public broadcasting, and we do our jobs better when we get feedback from you. So let's hear it. Send it to us by email. The address is Georgia Todaypb.org when you use that email address, your feedback goes to the whole team. Again, Georgia Todaypb.org that's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today, but we will be back tomorrow afternoon. And when you subscribe to this podcast, we will pop up automatically in your podcast feed. For updates on any of these stories and all the latest news, go to gpb.org news. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Benjamin Payne]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air.

[Sophie Gradus]

You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube.

[Benjamin Payne]

But what you get with Fresh Air is a deep dive.

[Sophie Gradus]

Spend some quality time with people like.

[Benjamin Payne]

Billie Eilish Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert.

[Sophie Gradus]

And so many more.

[Benjamin Payne]

We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and whyyy.