Biz owners react to possible tariffs; Arbery prosecutor gets one charge dismissed

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: Biz owners react to possible tariffs; Arbery prosecutor gets one charge dismissed
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Economic Concerns: Potential Tariffs and Their Impact on Georgian Businesses

In this episode, host Peter Biello delves into the apprehensions of Georgia's business community regarding the proposed tariffs on major trading partners. The discussion centers on how these tariffs could adversely affect local businesses, particularly those reliant on Canadian imports.

Kirk Halpern, owner of Farmers and Fishermen Purveyors, expressed significant concern about the potential tariffs on Canadian products, emphasizing the timing's critical nature.
“At a time when restaurateurs are battling cost increases, the American consumer has less money in their pocket, so any price increase has a negative impact,” Halpern stated at [00:45].

Joseph Cortez of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the threats tariffs pose to the craft brewing industry by targeting essential ingredients like Canadian barley, wheat, and oats.
“Breweries are, especially Georgia, going through a tough time recently, so anything that impacts their ability to succeed and do well across the state is something we're concerned about,” Cortez remarked at [01:32].

The conversation further revealed that the Trump administration had initially planned to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. However, these tariffs were abruptly paused following Canada’s commitment to enhancing border security measures.

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Political Update: Doug Collins Confirmed as Secretary of Veterans Affairs

A notable political development covered in the podcast is the confirmation of Former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The U.S. Senate unanimously supported his nomination with a vote of 77 to 23, with both Georgia Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, casting affirmative votes.

Collins, an outspoken conservative and ally of former President Donald Trump, previously served Georgia's northeast district in the U.S. House from 2013 to 2021. Despite an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2020, Collins remains a significant figure in Georgia politics. He is known for his close ties to Trump, having supported major GOP donors like Kelly Loeffler, whom Trump appointed to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration.

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Judicial Proceedings: Arbery Case Prosecutor Faces Charges

The podcast addresses the ongoing legal challenges faced by Former Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson in relation to the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial. Johnson, accused of interfering in the case to favor her former employee, Greg McMichael, saw one of her charges dismissed.

During the trial, Johnson testified that she recused herself from the case due to McMichael's involvement in the fatal pursuit of Arbery. Despite her claims, allegations arose that she attempted to manipulate the investigation in McMichael's favor. "When I first came out, they would cover my medication. But then everything else, like when I would go to the endocrinologist visit, that would be denied," Johnson explained at [07:14].

The trial saw a significant development when the judge dismissed the charge of obstructing police, though Johnson remains on trial for violating her oath of office. This case continues to be a focal point of controversy and legal scrutiny.

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Education and Safety: House Speaker John Burns Introduces New School Safety Legislation

In response to the tragic school shooting in Barrow County last year, Georgia House Speaker John Burns unveiled a comprehensive school safety bill aimed at preventing future tragedies and ensuring the well-being of students.

Sarah Kalis reported on the specifics of Burns' proposal, which includes:

• An anonymous threat reporting system for students.
• Mandatory threat management programs in schools.
• A statewide student information database.
• Voluntary tax incentives for safegun storage devices.

Burns emphasized the importance of these measures, stating at [03:54], “The People's House is committed to leaving no stone unturned when it comes to securing their safety, enacting measures that will save lives and supporting our students' well-being at every stage of their academic careers and beyond.”

However, some gun safety advocates, including Leila Contreras, criticized the legislation for not being stringent enough. Contreras advocated for mandatory gun storage, likening it to laws that require seat belts and car seats.
“We don't just encourage parents to put their babies in a car seat. It's the law. We don't just recommend seat belts. We expect to wear them because they save lives. Firearm safety should be no different,” she asserted at [04:40].

Additionally, the podcast touched upon a Democratic-sponsored bill proposing to classify unauthorized gun placement within children's reach as a misdemeanor, further highlighting the ongoing debate over gun safety legislation.

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Health Awareness: Lung Cancer Early Detection Campaign Launched

The American Lung Association, in collaboration with the AD Council, introduced a new campaign aimed at promoting early detection of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths. Dr. Bobby Mahajan emphasized the importance of lung cancer screening, particularly for individuals aged 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history.

“Are a current or former smoker and a 1-minute lung scan can save your life by catching cancer early,” Dr. Mahajan explained at [05:16].

The campaign encourages eligible individuals to check their eligibility for lung screening online and consult with their healthcare providers, underlining the critical role of early detection in improving survival rates.

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Business Development: PBS Aerospace's North American Expansion

In a significant boost to Georgia's economy, PBS Aerospace, a jet engine manufacturer based in the Czech Republic, announced plans to establish its North American headquarters in Roswell, just north of Atlanta. The $20 million investment is expected to create at least 95 new jobs and will encompass both manufacturing and research and development operations. The new facility is slated to commence operations by April, marking a notable expansion in the region's aerospace industry.

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Social Justice: Anna Lang's Legal Battle for Transgender Healthcare Coverage

The podcast features an in-depth look at Anna Lang, a sergeant with the Houston County Sheriff's Office, who is fighting a legal battle against her employer for denying coverage of gender-affirming surgery. Sophie Grata from GPB News interviews Lang, who shares her harrowing experience and the emotional toll of the denial.

Lang recounted, “I was in such a depressive state, to be honest. It's like, you get to a point where you just don't even really want to live anymore,” at [08:51]. Her lawsuit argues that Houston County discriminated against her by refusing coverage for medically necessary procedures. The courts have so far ruled in her favor, awarding her damages and mandating the inclusion of coverage for gender-affirming care.

The case is poised for further scrutiny as it moves to a full panel of US 11th Circuit judges, potentially setting a precedent for transgender rights and healthcare access nationwide. Notably, the U.S. Department of Justice initially supported Lang's case but withdrew support days before the hearing, adding another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.

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Sports News: Atlanta Dream Acquires Brittney Griner

A highlight in the sports segment includes the Atlanta Dream's introduction of Brittney Griner as the team's newest star player. Griner, a seasoned athlete previously with the Phoenix Mercury since her 2013 draft, made a splash with her signing—the largest free-agent deal in the franchise's history.

At the press conference, Griner expressed her enthusiasm for joining the team and contributing on the court.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and running with them. Setting that screen and seeing that ball go up over my head into that goal is going to make me very happy,” Griner shared at [10:36]. She also highlighted her excitement about the team's perimeter play and her role in defense.

Griner's addition is expected to significantly bolster the Atlanta Dream's performance in the league, bringing much-anticipated energy and skill to the team.

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Consumer Alert: Waffle House Introduces Egg Price Surcharge

In economic news affecting everyday consumers, Waffle House announced a temporary surcharge of 50 cents per egg due to the soaring prices of eggs. This decision impacts the chain's signature 24-hour breakfast menu, making omelets and scrambled eggs more expensive until egg prices stabilize.

The company stated that both customers and restaurants are facing challenging choices as a result of the rising costs. This surcharge is a strategic response to manage expenses without discontinuing popular menu items.

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Conclusion

The February 4th episode of Georgia Today offered a comprehensive overview of pressing issues affecting Georgia residents, from economic concerns over international trade policies to significant legal battles and developments in education and healthcare. Host Peter Biello effectively navigated through diverse topics, providing listeners with in-depth reporting and insightful commentary on matters that resonate deeply within the community.

For more detailed coverage and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit gpb.org/news and subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast for daily news delivered directly to their devices.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Foreign welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. Today is Tuesday, February 4th. I'm Peter Biello. On this podcast, you'll hear the latest reports from GPB's news team. Send feedback, story tips and Suggestions to Georgia todaypb.org on today's episode. Georgia business owners react to possible tariffs A former Georgia prosecutor accused of meddling in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial has one charge dismissed and House Speaker John Burns introduces new school safety legislation measures.

[John Burns]

That will save lives and supporting our students well being at every stage of their academic careers and beyond.

[Peter Biello]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. Georgia business owners are worried about proposed tariffs on the country's biggest trading partners. Kirk Halpern supplies meat and seafood to Georgia restaurants through his business farmers and fishermen purveyors. He says tariffs on Canadian products would come at a bad time for his customers. So at a time when restaurateurs are.

[John Burns]

Battling cost increases, the American consumer has.

[Peter Biello]

Less money in their pocket, so any price increase has a negative impact. Joseph Cortez of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild says a possible tariff on Canadian barley, wheat and oats could hurt his industry.

[Sarah Kalis]

Breweries are, especially Georgia, going through a tough time recently, so anything that impacts.

[Peter Biello]

Their ability to succeed and do well across the state is something we're concerned about. The Trump administration was set to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico today, but abruptly paused them after the country's pledge to boost border security. The US Senate has confirmed former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins as secretary of Veterans affairs. The vote this afternoon was 77 to 23, with both Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock voting yes. The former Air Force chaplain's confirmation brings the Georgian into President Donald Trump's cabinet. Collins represented a northeast Georgia district in the U.S. house from 2013 to 2021. A the outspoken conservative and close Trump ally made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. senate in 2020 but lost the Republican primary to Kelly Loeffler. Trump tapped Leffler, a major GOP donor, to lead the US Small Business Association. A former prosecutor took the witness stand today to deny charges that she abused her power to protect the men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery nearly five years ago. Former Glynn County District Attorney Jackie Johnson told a jury that she immediately stepped away from the case because it involved a former employ. That employee, Greg McMichael, initiated the deadly pursuit, and his son, Travis McMichael, fatally shot Arbery in the street. But no one was arrested. In Arbery's death for more than two months, not until cell phone video of the shooting leaked online and state investigators took over the investigation. State prosecutors alleged Johnson worked behind the scenes to influence the investigation in her former employee's favor. The case against her suffered a major blow yesterday when the trial judge dismissed a charge of obstructing police. She she remains on trial for the remaining charge, violating her oath of office. Georgia House Speaker John Burns introduced school safety legislation yesterday inspired by last year's school shooting in Barrow county that killed two teachers and two students. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports on the Republicans proposal.

[Sarah Kalis]

Byrnes plan includes a system for students who anonymously report threats to authorities, requires schools to create a threat management program and mandates a statewide student information database.

[John Burns]

The People's House is committed to leaving no stone unturned when it comes to securing their safety, enacting measures that will save lives and supporting our students well being at every stage of their academic careers and beyond.

[Sarah Kalis]

Burns also said the House will introduce a bill to create voluntary tax incentives for safegun storage devices. The family of a coach killed in the Apalachee High School shooting attended the announcement. Byrnes says the proposed legislation is designed to prevent another tragedy. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the State Capitol.

[Peter Biello]

Gun safety advocates today applauded the move, but they say it didn't go far enough. Leila Contreras said her mother and sister were inside the high school during the shooting. She says storing guns should be mandatory.

[Leila Contreras]

We don't just encourage parents to put their babies in a car seat. It's the law. We don't just recommend seat belts. We expect to wear them because they save lives. Firearm safety should be no different.

[Peter Biello]

She spoke at a news conference announcing a Democratic sponsored bill that would make it a misdemeanor for guns to be where children can access them. The American Lung association and the AD Council today unveiled a new campaign to highlight early detection of lung cancer. It's the leading cause of cancer deaths, according to the association's latest report. GPB's Ellen Eldridge has more if you.

[Sarah Kalis]

Are a current or former smoker and a 1 minute lung scan can save your life by catching cancer early. Dr. Bobby Mahajan is with the Lung Association. He says people between 50 and 80 who smoked 20 pack years are most at risk, meaning we multiply the number.

[Peter Biello]

Of packs per day by the number of years they've smoked. So one pack per day for 20.

[Sarah Kalis]

Years or 20 pack years or someone.

[John Burns]

Who has smoked, is currently smoking or.

[Peter Biello]

Has quit in the last 15 years.

[John Burns]

Those people qualify for lung cancer screening.

[Sarah Kalis]

He says patients can check their eligibility for lung screening online and discuss the results with their doctor. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Peter Biello]

A European jet engine manufacturer plans to build its North American headquarters in Roswell, north of Atlanta. Czech Republic based PBS Aerospace said yesterday that its $20 million investment will create at least 95 new jobs. The company plans to conduct manufacturing and research and development operations at an existing facility and a new one to be operational by April. Today, the 11th U.S. circuit Court of Appeals heard the case of Anna Lang, a sergeant with the Houston County Sheriff's Office in Middle Georgia. Lange sued her employer and other officials after they refused to allow her insurance to cover what for many transgender people is considered medically necessary health care. For Lange, that was a surgery that would help her transition. The outcome of Lange's case could impact transgender people across the south and the nation. GPB's Sophie Grata spoke with Lang late last year.

[John Burns]

I started out in patrol, and then I got promoted to investigator and worked in the investigations division. And now I'm over the property and evidence. I love it.

[Leila Contreras]

You feel like this is your forever job?

[John Burns]

Well, I've been in law enforcement for 27 years, so I figure, yeah, I'll be there, you know, till I can retire.

[Leila Contreras]

At a point in her career, Lange would begin her gender transition.

[John Burns]

So we had a staff meeting of the investigations division. So I had to come out to all them. You know, at one time, I was nervous about it, but, you know, the scary part of being trans is you have to live, like, your biggest secret. You have to live it out loud. I didn't start out going, okay, I'm going to have surgery. But, you know, as I progressed, you know, I was still uncomfortable. So it was decided that probably the best course action would be to have surgery. When I first came out, they would cover my medication. But then everything else, like when I would go to the endocrinologist visit, that would be denied. If it was coded trans health care, it was automatically denied. And so I was like, hey, well, it's. You can't discriminate against transgender people. So let me call the insurance company and see if I'm covered. And so I called them, and I was told that I was covered. So then I called my surgeon's office. They called and said I was covered. So I booked a plane ticket to New York, where my surgeon was and had my consult, got a surgery date, came home, and then two weeks later, I got denied for the surgery.

[Leila Contreras]

Houston county maintains that Lange was denied surgery because the county health insurance doesn't cover specific procedures and not because she is transgender. The decision to deny what Lang's doctors had deemed medically necessary took a toll.

[John Burns]

You know, I was in such a depressive state, to be honest. It's like, you. You get to a point where you just don't even really want to live anymore. When I first brought the lawsuit, you know, a lot of people were like, this is absolutely crazy. You know, this is. This is a cosmetic procedure. This is elective. This isn't, you know, life saving.

[Leila Contreras]

Ultimately, last summer, a district court judge and two judges from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed when they ruled that Houston county had discriminated against Lang. She was awarded damages, and the county was told they had to include coverage for gender affirming care.

[John Burns]

Now, post having surgery, I'm happy. I wake up every day with a smile on my face. I just don't have those issues that I used to have anymore, and that's just liberating. It's. It's like how life is supposed to be for me.

[Leila Contreras]

Houston county did not stop its battle in court. Now a full panel of US 11th Circuit judges will decide whether or not employers are breaking the law if they exclude coverage for gender affirming care. Lange had Support from the U.S. department of justice in her case until the department pulled out just days before the hearing on Tuesday. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Peter Biello]

The Atlanta Dream introduced the team's newest star player today. Brittney Griner. Greiner thus far has played for the Phoenix Mercury since she was drafted in 2013. She appeared at a news conference today with other new Atlanta Dream players, Brianna Jones and Chatori Walker Kimbrough.

[Brittney Griner]

Kim.

[Peter Biello]

She was asked what she was looking forward to the most about being in Atlanta.

[Brittney Griner]

One, getting out and running. Honestly, I know some people think that's a little surprising to hear me say, but I'm looking forward to getting out and running with them. You know, setting that screen and seeing that ball go up over my head into that goal is going to make me very happy. So just everything that they do out on the perimeter, and it's going to make my life easier, too. Also on the flip side, down low and, you know, when they start to, you know, try to double in, I know I got shooters out there that's going to knock it down for me.

[Peter Biello]

Griner's signing is the biggest free agent deal in Atlanta Dream history and brings the city one of the league's top players. Griner missed the 2022 season when she was detained for nearly 10 months in Russia after authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. She was later released during a prisoner swap. And finally, the next time you visit Waffle House, double check the price of that omelet or scrambled eggs you were thinking of ordering. The Norcross based restaurant chain is adding a 50 cent per egg surcharge because of the soaring price of eggs. Known for their 24 hour breakfast menu, Waffle House says the surcharge is only in place until the price of eggs comes down. In a statement, the company says customers and restaurants are being forced to make eggs difficult decisions. And that is a wrap on this edition of GEORGIA today. We do appreciate you tuning in and we hope you will come back tomorrow. Remember to subscribe to this podcast so we pop up automatically tomorrow afternoon. And for all the latest headlines, visit gpb.org news thank you so much for listening. I'm Peter Biello. Back tomorrow.