Georgia Today — August 26, 2025

Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes: Drug costs and pharmacy sustainability, disaster mitigation efforts in Georgia, community food security developments, and updates on local arts, business, and events.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today brings sharp focus to how policy, community action, and economics intersect in Georgians’ daily lives. It covers Congressman Buddy Carter’s visit to discuss drug costs at a local pharmacy, a statewide examination of disaster response and resilience, and the expanding effort to fight food insecurity with a new community food center in Atlanta. The episode weaves in updates on art, festival funding, and local businesses, painting a vivid picture of issues impacting Georgia residents.

1. Buddy Carter Visits Atlanta Pharmacy: Rising Drug Costs and Independent Pharmacies

[01:01–02:11]

• Key Points:

  • U.S. Rep. (and Senate candidate) Buddy Carter visited Briarcliff Pharmacy to learn about challenges pharmacists face due to rising drug costs.
  • Pharmacy owner Jonathan Marquess shared how insurance reimbursements often don't cover prescription costs, forcing the pharmacy into financial losses.
  • Carter blamed some of the cost pressures on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and touted his new bipartisan bill targeting PBMs’ practices.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Our pharmacy, we paid $12 and the insurance came back and said we’ll pay you $7.41.” — Jonathan Marquess, explaining the financial squeeze ([01:36])
  • “This man or woman standing there having trouble breathing, it’s hard to say no to that.” — Jonathan Marquess, on the moral challenge facing pharmacists ([01:42])
  • “Those losses threaten the livelihood of independent pharmacies.” — Sara Kalis, GPB Reporter ([01:46])

• Insight:

  • The story highlights the unsustainable economics for smaller, independent pharmacies and prompts Carter to advocate for regulatory change.

2. Disaster Mitigation Conference: Building Resilience Across Georgia

[03:02–03:49]

• Key Points:

  • Rep. Clint Crow, who led the state’s Disaster Mitigation and Resilience study committee, joined nationwide experts in Athens to discuss preparedness.
  • The committee’s main recommendation: establish a statewide office for disaster mitigation coordination.
  • Georgia’s vulnerability isn’t limited to hurricanes—from the Gulf or Atlantic—but includes all natural and man-made disasters.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “We’re not just looking at hurricanes. We’re looking at all natural and man-made disasters for that matter. Anything we can be prepared for for any kind of a large-scale emergency response.” — Rep. Clint Crow ([03:21])

• Insight:

  • The convening, sponsored by Pew Charitable Trust, emphasizes learning cross-state best practices and the necessity of a centralized disaster response system.

3. Atlanta’s New Community Food Center: Meeting Growing Needs

[03:49–04:34]

• Key Points:

  • The new Adamsville center is the fourth established by Atlanta Community Food Bank.
  • Its offerings include fresh, frozen, and baby food—demonstrating a multifaceted approach to food insecurity.
  • The center, funded by local government and community investment groups, is seeing high demand, already serving 700 families with plans to expand.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “As a community, we’ve got to come together and increase access for our neighbors. We have too many kids and families and seniors who need more access. So it’s on us to make sure that all of our neighbors, all the families in metro Atlanta and North Georgia have what they need.” — Kyle Wade, President of Atlanta Community Food Bank ([04:17])

• Insight:

  • The expansion is a direct response to rising food prices and highlights the collaborative, community-driven response to basic needs.

4. Additional Local Highlights & Updates

[04:46–08:46]

• Booting Proposal in Sandy Springs ([04:46]):

  • Legal proposal to increase booting warning sign size to four by three feet.
  • Push for more public transparency in booting contracts.

• Freddie Styles Fundraiser after Tragic Fire ([05:11]):

  • Well-known Atlanta artist Freddie Styles lost his home and art collection in a fire.
  • Community fundraising: out on Film screening of “Making Sweet Tea”; GoFundMe and auction efforts raise substantial aid.

• Georgia Ports Authority Economic Impact ([06:01]):

  • Report: 650,000 jobs supported statewide through port activity (UGA’s Selig Center).

• Brookhaven Dome Tile Dilemma ([06:18]):

  • Colorful tiles for City Center Dome too vibrant; city explores refund or community art projects for repurposing.

• The Nerd Store Relocation ([06:35–07:53]):

  • LGBTQ-friendly gaming shop in Albany moved to a new location, cutting overhead; ongoing fundraising for sustainability.
  • “We’re still trying to raise money via the GoFundMe… at the end of our three years here in this space, we do want to have the option to buy.” — Daniel Van Odegam, co-owner ([07:35])

• Atlanta Dogwood Festival Funding Crisis ([07:53–08:46]):

  • Festival (since 1936) may be canceled unless $250,000 is raised by November.
  • “We’ve been around longer than ‘Gone with the Wind’ and it looks so successful… people probably felt that it was successful, it didn’t need help.” — Brian Hill, Festival Director ([08:33])
  • Financial woes date to the pandemic, despite high public attendance.

• Atlanta Braves 2026 Season Opener ([08:46]):

  • Braves open at home vs. the Kansas City Royals on March 26, 2026—first home opener since 2022.

Memorable Quotes

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |---------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:36 | Jonathan Marquess | “Our pharmacy, we paid $12 and the insurance came back and said we’ll pay you $7.41.” | | 01:42 | Jonathan Marquess | “It’s hard to say no to that.” | | 03:21 | Clint Crow | “We’re looking at all natural and man-made disasters for that matter.” | | 04:17 | Kyle Wade | “As a community, we’ve got to come together and increase access for our neighbors.” | | 07:35 | Daniel Van Odegam | “We’re still trying to raise money via the GoFundMe… at the end of our three years here…” | | 08:33 | Brian Hill | “We’ve been around longer than ‘Gone with the Wind’… it looked so successful…” |

Conclusion

This episode offers a concise yet rich update on urgent policy debates (drug pricing, disaster prep), crucial community responses (food security, arts recovery), and ongoing local stories that reflect resilience and adaptation amid economic and social challenges. It balances essential reporting with firsthand voices, reinforcing the real-world impact on Georgia’s communities.

For more details or to follow up on any stories, visit gpb.org/news.