Candidates seek Trump endorsement; Dominion Voting Systems sold; Air traffic shortage

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary

Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode Highlights:

• Georgia political candidates seek Trump's endorsement for the upcoming Senate race
• Dominion Voting Systems sold to a former GOP elections director
• Ongoing government shutdown impacts air traffic and federal employees
• Additional state news: Reopening of Irwin ICE facility, gambling policy debate, Medicare rankings, school superintendent indictment, advocacy group closures, and local economic updates

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Main Theme Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers a rapid, in-depth look at the top political, social, and economic stories affecting Georgia. Central themes include the influence of national politics on local elections, significant developments in election technology, the far-reaching impacts of the federal government shutdown, ongoing debates around gambling, Medicare ratings, and leadership turmoil in education.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reopening of Irwin ICE Detention Facility

• [01:19–01:58]
  • The Irwin County ICE detention center has reopened after previous closure due to abuse scandals, specifically unauthorized gynecological procedures performed on detainees.
  • Azadeh Shoshahani (Project South attorney): “All the migrant women who were detained there and suffered medical abuse? Obviously, I can't imagine how much pain they are in right now to learn of this.” [01:46]
  • ICE hasn't clarified whether they’ll detain men, women, or both.

2. Georgia Senate Race: Trump Endorsement Sought

• [02:07–02:47]
  • Key Republican candidates—Derek Dooley, Mike Collins, Buddy Carter—are vying for Donald Trump's endorsement to challenge incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff in 2026.
  • Trump: “I haven't made a decision on that ... the governor has ... he's talking to me about it a lot ... he likes that candidate a lot, and I understand that.” [02:27]
  • Their campaigns are well funded and have high-profile endorsements.

3. Dominion Voting Systems Sold

• [03:11–03:59]
  • Dominion, central to Georgia’s voting infrastructure and the subject of conspiracy theories in 2020, is now owned by Scott Lyndecker (Liberty Votes, Missouri).
  • Lyndecker commits to: “transparency, independent audits and verifiable paper records.”
  • State officials insist the sale will not affect existing election contracts or ongoing elections.

4. Gambling Policy Debate

• [03:59–05:03]
  • Hearings continue over expansion of gambling in Georgia.
  • Anti-gambling advocate Harry Levant warns of "a mental health crisis" due to online gambling proliferation, arguing:
    “Online gambling has become a direct threat to public health ... and it doesn’t have to be that way.”
  • Proponents claim legalized betting could support state scholarships via new revenue streams.

5. Air Traffic Impacts from Government Shutdown

• [05:03–05:29 + 00:48, 03:59]
  • Air traffic controllers' partial pay during the shutdown raises concern for staffing stability.
  • Dan McCabe, Air Traffic Controllers Association:

    “There's two things that really affect the system of air traffic control. There's safety and efficiency. Only one of those is on a sliding scale because safety cannot move … So the only way to make it work … is you have to reduce the efficiency of the system because we will not allow the safety margin to drop.” [05:03]

  • Staffing shortages could lead to significant travel delays if the shutdown continues.

6. Georgia Medicare Program Ranks Low

• [05:47–06:35]
  • 17% of Georgians are on Medicare, yet the state ranks in the bottom quarter for cost, access, and quality.
  • Contributing issues: loneliness, chronic illness, food insecurity, preventable hospitalizations.
  • Senior citizens are encouraged to use state health counselors for enrollment (ends Dec. 7).

7. DeKalb County Schools Leadership Crisis

• [06:35–07:48]
  • Superintendent Devin Horton resigns after federal indictment for wire fraud, tax evasion, and alleged kickback schemes.
  • DeKalb board moves forward with audits and installs Norman Sass as acting superintendent.

8. Closure of Abrams-founded Advocacy Groups

• [07:48–08:14]
  • The New Georgia Project and Action Fund—established by Stacey Abrams—announce dissolution after a decade of mobilizing nonwhite and youth voters.

9. Economic & Local Updates

• [08:14–08:54]
  • Residents resist a massive gas pipeline project aiming to cut through 900+ properties.
  • Comcast announces 240 layoffs in Cobb County as part of restructuring to compete in broadband market.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Azadeh Shoshahani on Irwin facility reopening:

  “All the migrant women who were detained there and suffered medical abuse? Obviously, I can't imagine how much pain they are in right now to learn of this.” [01:46]

• Donald Trump on Georgia Senate candidates:

  “A lot of good people … I haven't made a decision ... the governor has ... he likes that candidate a lot, and I understand that.” [02:27]

• Dan McCabe on air traffic safety:

  “There's two things that really affect the system of air traffic control. There's safety and efficiency. Only one of those is on a sliding scale because safety cannot move.” [05:03]

• Harry Levant on gambling and health:

  “Online gambling has become a direct threat to public health, resulting in a mental health crisis in this country, and it doesn't have to be that way.” [03:59]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Irwin ICE Detention Facility Reopens – 01:19–01:58
• Senate Candidates Seek Trump Endorsement – 02:07–02:47
• Dominion Voting Systems Sold – 03:11–03:59
• Debate on Gambling in Georgia – 03:59–05:03
• Air Traffic Controller Issues/Government Shutdown – 05:03–05:29
• Georgia Medicare Program Report – 05:47–06:35
• DeKalb County Superintendent Indictment/Resignation – 06:35–07:48
• Closure of New Georgia Project & Action Fund – 07:48–08:14
• Gas Pipeline & Comcast Layoffs – 08:14–08:54

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Tone and Style Retained

The episode is delivered in a brisk, informative tone with frequent ground-level reporting and short, direct quotations from public figures and policy experts. The host, Peter Biello, maintains an impartial, journalistic narration, focusing on factual updates and direct source attribution.

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Conclusion

This episode presents fast-moving, crucial developments across Georgia’s political, electoral, and policy landscape. From the behind-the-scenes wrangling for Trump’s nod in the Senate race and high-stakes shifts in election technology to concerns about air travel safety amid federal budget gridlock, listeners get a comprehensive daily snapshot of the state’s headline issues. For those seeking to stay ahead on Georgia news, the episode provides clear, concise coverage and direct insights from the figures shaping these events.

Transcript

[A]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent, and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peach Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting.

[B]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia Republicans seek President Trump's endorsement in the upcoming Senate race. Georgia's voting system has been sold to a former Republican elections director. And as the federal government shutdown stretches on air, travelers could experience delays.

[C]

The only way to make it work if the staffing is bad a day, there's weather for a day, there's equipment issues for the day is you have to reduce the efficiency of the system.

[B]

Today is Thursday, October 16th. I'm Peter Biello, and this is Georgia Today. The Department of Homeland Security has reopened a controversial South Georgia immigration detention facility. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[D]

The Irwin ICE detention facility in Irwin county was closed after detainees raised the alarm about unnecessary gynecological procedures performed there. Now ICE has confirmed that Irwin reopened last week, beginning a slow ramping up of detentions there to an unspecified capacity. Azadeh Shoshahani is a legal scholar and attorney with Project south, the group whose reporting first brought to light conditions at Irwin and which informed later Senate investigations.

[A]

You know all the migrant women who were detained there and suffered medical abuse? Obviously, I can't imagine how much pain they are in right now to learn of this.

[D]

ICE has not said whether the facility would be used to detain men, women, or both. For GPB News, I'm Grant blankenship in Macon.

[B]

Georgia. Republicans hoping to unseat U.S. senator Jon Ossoff in the 2026 election are courting President Donald Trump's endorsement. The president talked briefly about the race yesterday, answering a reporter's question in an unrelated news conference. He said Governor Brian Kemp has lobbied him on behalf of former football coach Derek Dooley.

[E]

A lot of good people in that field. Yeah, I know all of them. I haven't made a decision on that. But you have some very good people in the Georgia Senate race. Well, governor has endorsed. No, no, the governor has. He's talking to me about it a lot. He likes that candidate a lot, and I understand that. I haven't made a decision yet.

[B]

The major candidates also include Congressman Mike Collins and Buddy Carter. All three GOP hopefuls have racked up endorsements and millions of dollars in their campaign accounts as they vie for Trump's backing. Dominion Voting Systems, the company contracted to supply Georgia's elections equipment, has been sold to a former Republican elections director. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[F]

In 2019, Georgia entered a 10 year contract with Dominion and has since spent more than $100 million on election infrastructure. During the 2020 election, the company was plagued by baseless conspiracy theories, which alleged their voting machines rigged ballots in favor of then candidate Joe Biden. Dominion's new owner, Scott Lyndecker of Missouri based Liberty Votes, wrote in a message that his company was committed to transparency, independent audits and verifiable paper records, echoing challenges to past elections. In a statement to Georgia Public Broadcasting, Secretary of State spokesman Robert Sinners said, this sale will not affect any of our existing service agreements. He added, there would be no impact on current elections for two Public Service Commission seats. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[B]

Anti gambling activists told a Georgia House subcommittee today that more gambling in Georgia could lead to more addiction. Harry Levant is the director for gambling policy at Northeastern University and a former gambling addict. He told the committee studying gambling policy that while he supports some gaming, it should come with heavy regulations. Online gambling has become a direct threat to public health, resulting in a mental health crisis in this country, and it doesn't have to be that way. The committee also has held meetings to hear from pro gambling activists who say expanding betting in the state could pave the way for more regulation in the industry and more money for the HOPE Scholarship. Air traffic controllers got a partial paycheck this week, but unless the government shutdown ends quickly, their October 28th paycheck will be zero. Dan McCabe, Southern Regional Vice president for the National Air Traffic Controllers association, says Atlanta area tower staffing is already tight even without a funding lapse, and any additional stress would be felt by passengers in travel delays.

[C]

There's two things that really affect the system of air traffic control. There's safety and efficiency. Only one of those is on a sliding scale because safety cannot move. It has to stay at the highest level. So the only way to make it work is is if the staffing is bad a day, there's weather for a day, there's equipment issues for the day is you have to reduce the efficiency of the system because we will not allow the safety margin to drop.

[B]

The union stresses its members need to keep working during a shutdown. Open enrollment for Georgia Medicare plans began yesterday. GPB Sophie Gradis has more on where Georgia's Medicare program ranks that's According to a new report from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund.

[G]

17% of Georgians are enrolled in a Medicare program, including 1.7 million people over 65. Most have chosen the private Medicare Advantage option, according to the report. Based on quality, cost and accessibility to care, Georgia's Medicare program ranks in the bottom quarter. Nationally, the state has a higher than average rate of older people who report feeling lonely, have chronic illness, face food insecurity and are hospitalized for preventable conditions. Yet being on Medicare US Results in better outcomes for older adults, says the report, especially in access to care. Georgia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program and its counselors can help navigate coverage options for free via telephone. Enrollment ends on December 7th. For GPB news, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[B]

The superintendent of Georgia's third largest school district is resigning after being indicted on federal charges. The DeKalb County School Board accepted Devin Horton's resignation effective Nov. 15. A federal grand jury last week indicted Horton on 17 counts, including wire fraud and tax evasion. Horton faces allegations of running a kickback scheme and stealing money from a suburban Chicago School District. DeKalb School Board members had been facing calls to fire Horton. Board members also voted yesterday to hire an auditor to examine spending under Horton. The board has named former chief of student services Norman Sass as acting superintendent. Two advocacy groups founded by Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams are shutting down. The New Georgia Project and its Action Fund said today the organization's officially will dissolve and thanks supporters for years of dedication. Abrams founded the project in 2013 to energize non white and young voters. Its Action Fund was its candidate endorsing arm. The move ends a decade of political influence that boosted Democrats, and in recent years the group's faced internal problems and legal challenges.

[H]

Sources and methods the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside, and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and METHODS the new national Security podcast from npr.

[B]

A group of Macon area residents is pushing back on a gas pipeline that would cut through more than 900 properties across the state. A $3.5 billion Kinder Morgan project is aimed at growing energy demand. Five Monroe county homeowners could succeed in their efforts to reroute the pipeline in their area. Comcast is laying off 240 people at its regional office in Metro Atlanta's Cobb County. The media and technology giant told state officials yesterday the workforce reductions are part of a corporate restructuring. The move comes as the company seeks to make itself leaner to bolster its struggling broadband business. That is a wrap on Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in, and thanks for supporting GPB on Air. You may have heard we're doing our fall fund drive. And if you'd like to support the news you trust on GPB and this podcast, make a [e-mail], just click on Donate. And if you want to learn more about the stories you heard on the podcast Today, check out gpb.org news. Remember to subscribe to this podcast as well. That way we'll stay current in your podcast feed, and your feedback is welcome@georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[H]

Sources and Methods, the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and Methods, the new National Security Podcast from NPR.