CDC changes vaccine recommendations; MTG speaks out against bio-waste facility

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast – December 5, 2025

Host: Orlando Montoya (for Peter Biello)
Producer: Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB News)
Main Topics: CDC changes hepatitis B vaccine guidance, Biolab lawsuit, workplace safety violations, Marjorie Taylor Greene opposes bio-waste facility, boxing regulation reform, World Cup excitement, SEC Championship preview

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Episode Overview

This episode covers a range of top Georgia headlines: the CDC updates vaccine recommendations for newborns, fallout from the Biolab chemical plant fire continues with a major insurance lawsuit, workplace safety fines after a tragic incident at a manufacturing plant, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s opposition to a bio-waste facility, legislative efforts to reform boxing regulations, Atlanta's World Cup fever, and a look ahead to the SEC Championship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Alters Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations (00:43–01:49)

• New Guidance:
  The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will no longer recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns. The new advice: only vaccinate at birth if the mother is hepatitis B positive or hasn’t been tested; otherwise, parents may wait until the child is two months old.

• Expert Reaction:
  Michael Nindberg, former president of the World Hepatitis Alliance, criticized the change:

  “The sowing of doubt is probably the most dangerous part because parents are going to just... kick the can down the road oftentimes if they can.” (Michael Nindberg, 01:21–01:32)

• Potential Impact:
  Hepatitis B is especially dangerous for children, potentially leading to liver failure or cancer. The Georgia Department of Public Health will monitor how this decision affects newborn vaccination rates statewide.

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2. Biolab Chemical Plant Faces $20 Million Insurance Lawsuit (01:49–03:02)

• Background:
  Biolab’s 2024 plant fire in Conyers burned down a facility producing pool-cleaning chemicals, releasing a toxic plume over metro Atlanta.

• Legal Action:
  Verlan Fire Insurance Company has sued Biolab and parent companies for $20 million—a sum already paid to a nearby HVAC supplier for fire-related damages.

• Allegations:
  The lawsuit claims Biolab lacked adequate fire suppression and emergency response plans. Biolab disputes prior federal findings about the incident and has not commented on this case or responded to GPB’s request.

• Wider Fallout:
  The plant also faces a class-action lawsuit from local residents/businesses and a separate federal suit from Rockdale County.

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3. Workplace Fatality and OSHA Fines at Q Cells Plant (03:16–03:50)

• Incident:
  33-year-old Marion Jose Rugama died from asphyxiation by nitrogen gas at the Bartow County facility in May.

• OSHA Findings:
  Hyung Wan ENC America was fined $20,000 for failing to protect workers from hazards linked to nitrogen gas.

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4. Marjorie Taylor Greene Opposes Bio-Waste Facility in Murray County (03:50–04:53)

• Community Pushback:
  Greene made a rare district appearance after announcing her congressional resignation to oppose a proposed bio-waste digester. Over 300 constituents attended a heated town hall.

• Representative’s Critique:
  Greene addressed company representatives bluntly:

  “While you lecture these people with your pathetic little slideshows about how digestion works and methane gas. The people sitting behind me, they own cattle. They farm their food. They don't need your jobs.” (Marjorie Taylor Greene, 04:26–04:42)

• Outcome:
  Following the meeting, the Murray County Commission decided to put the plant project on hold.

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5. Boxing Regulation Reform Led by Rep. Brian Jack (04:53–05:47)

• Legislation:
  Freshman Congressman Brian Jack (R–GA) is championing the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, which seeks to “overhaul the nation’s boxing regulations” by introducing unified boxing organizations for fairer pay and greater protections.

  “Our legislation clarifies ambiguities in current law that have stifled innovation and investment into the sport. This bill allows for the creation of alternative systems called unified boxing organizations that will provide professional boxers with better pay and greater protections.” (Brian Jack, 05:12–05:27)

• Support & Concerns:
  The bill is backed by figures like Mike Tyson, but some in Congress worry it may favor corporate interests over individual athletes.

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6. Atlanta Gears Up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (05:47–06:51)

• Event Atmosphere:
  Despite cold weather, Atlanta soccer fans gathered for a World Cup final draw watch party.

  “People will be playing drums and having music and having great times and all dressed in their team colors and their team pride. And yes, as Patriots here in the United States, we get excited, but to see how other people are excited about their own country is truly amazing.” (Mike Reese, World Cup volunteer, 06:25–06:40)

• Tournament Details:
  Atlanta will host eight matches as part of an expanded 48-team tournament; the U.S. is placed in Group D with Australia and Paraguay.

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7. SEC Championship Preview – Georgia vs. Alabama (06:51–07:39)

• Teams:
  Alabama and Georgia meet again at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia, led by Coach Kirby Smart, is aiming for their fourth SEC title, while Alabama—under first-year Coach Kalyn DeBoer—returns after missing last year’s game.

• High Stakes:
  Georgia seeks to hold onto a Top 4 playoff spot; Alabama has historically won all prior championship matchups between the teams.

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Memorable Quotes

• Michael Nindberg (on risks of vaccine guidance change):
  “The sowing of doubt is probably the most dangerous part because parents are going to just... kick the can down the road oftentimes if they can.” (01:21–01:32)

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (on bio-waste facility):
  “While you lecture these people with your pathetic little slideshows about how digestion works and methane gas. The people sitting behind me, they own cattle. They farm their food. They don't need your jobs.” (04:26–04:42)

• Rep. Brian Jack (on boxing bill):
  “Our legislation clarifies ambiguities in current law that have stifled innovation and investment into the sport...” (05:12–05:27)

• Mike Reese (on World Cup fever):
  “People will be playing drums and having music and having great times and all dressed in their team colors and their team pride...” (06:25–06:40)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:43] — CDC hepatitis B vaccine schedule change
• [01:49] — Biolab chemical plant lawsuit & fire aftermath
• [03:16] — Workplace death & OSHA fines at Q Cells plant
• [03:50] — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on bio-waste facility
• [04:53] — Rep. Brian Jack’s boxing regulation bill
• [05:47] — Atlanta’s 2026 FIFA World Cup preview
• [06:51] — Georgia vs. Alabama SEC Championship preview

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This episode deftly blends public health, environmental news, political advocacy, sporting excitement, and local community voices, spotlighting the issues and events shaping Georgia this week.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On this episode, the CDC no longer will recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns. An insurance company sues the Biolab chemical plant in Conyers, and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks out against a proposed bio waste facility in Murray County.

[B]

The people sitting behind me, they own cattle. They farm their food. They don't need your jobs.

[A]

Today is Friday, December 5th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is GEORGIA Today.

An advisory committee for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has voted to change the vaccine schedule for hepatitis B. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more on what the recommendation from the panel, known as ASIP, means for infants currently receiving the shot.

[C]

Since 1991, the vaccine has been given to newborns shortly after birth. The committee now recommends that only when a mom tests positive for hepatitis B or has not been tested. Otherwise, parents can elect to wait until their baby is 2 months old. Michael Nindberg is a past president of the World Hepatitis Alliance. He spoke out against the changes ahead of ACIP's meeting.

[D]

The sowing of doubt is probably the most dangerous part because parents are going to just.

Kick the can down the road oftentimes if they can.

[C]

Hepatitis B is especially dangerous for children and can lead to complications like liver failure or cancer. The state Department of Public Health plans to assess how changes could affect Georgia's newborns. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

An insurance company is suing Biolab and its parent company for $20 million over the 2024 chemical fire at its plant east of Atlanta. Biolab made pool cleaning products at its plant in Conyers before it burned down, sending a toxic plume over metro Atlanta. GPB's Pamela Kirkland has more.

[E]

Verlan Fire Insurance Company filed the case in federal court earlier this month. The insurer says it's paid more than $20 million to a nearby H Vac supplier for damage tied to the fire. They argue biolab, along with parent company's Kik Custom Products and Kik International LLC, should be respons for those losses. The complaint alleges Biolab lacked an adequate fire suppression system and emergency response plan. Biolab has pushed back on earlier federal findings about the fire and has not yet responded. In this case, the company did not respond to GPB's request for comment. Biolab is also facing a class action lawsuit filed by residents and businesses and a separate federal suit filed by Rockdale County. For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[A]

And for more reporting on the accident and its aftermath, listen to the GPB podcast Manufacturing the Biolab Story, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Federal workplace safety officials are fining a construction company for violations after an investigation into a worker's death at the Q Cells plant in northwest Georgia's Bartow County. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said yesterday that Hyung Wan ENC America failed to protect workers against hazards related to asphyxiation from nitrogen gas at the facility. 33 year old Marion Jose Rugama died at the site in May. OSHA is proposing about $20,000 in penalties for the employer.

ROME Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Thursday made one of her first district appearances since announcing her resignation from Congress last month. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports she and others spoke against a bio waste facility.

[F]

Greene and over 300 of her constituents say they are opposed to the construction of a proposed bio waste digester in northwest Georgia's Murray County. Vanguard, the company who will own the plant, sent representatives to a town hall to answer constituent questions. Greene says the company is out of touch with resident needs.

[B]

While you lecture these people with your pathetic little slideshows about how digestion works and methane gas. The people sitting behind me, they own cattle. They farm their food. They don't need your jobs.

[F]

At the end of the meeting, the Murray county commissioner ultimately decided to put the plant on hold. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis in Murray County.

[A]

Georgia's freshman member of the US House is championing a bill that would overhaul the nation's boxing regulations. West Georgia Republican Brian Jack spoke Thursday at the House committee considering a bill that he and a Kansas Democrat introduced, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

[G]

Our legislation clarifies ambiguities in current law that have stifled innovation and investment into the sport. This bill allows for the creation of alternative systems called unified boxing organizations that will provide professional boxers with better pay and greater protections.

[A]

A wide range of supporters, including boxing legend Mike Tyson and major arenas, support the bill. Critics, including some on the committee, worry the legislation could advance corporate interests over those of individual athletes.

Cold weather couldn't stop soccer fans from gathering in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final draw watch party. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports Fans on Friday were eager to see where their teams placed for the June matches.

[H]

The Atlanta World cup host committee hosted a block party with food, games and a DJ to celebrate the drawing. The 2026 competition will feature an expanded 48 teams competing, with Atlanta hosting eight of the 104 games. Mike Reese is a World cup volunteer and a US Men's soccer fan. He says it's exciting to see so many nationalities represented in one place.

[I]

People will be playing drums and having music and having great times and all dressed in their team colors and their team pride. And yes, as Patriots here in the United States, we get excited, but to see how other people are excited about their own country is truly amazing.

[H]

The United States is in Group D. They'll face Australia and Paraguay in the opening matches. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[A]

In Georgia Sports. Alabama and Georgia meet once again this weekend in the SEC Championship at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For Alabama, it marks a return to the title game after missing it last year. First year coach Kalyn DeBoer said he's proud of the 10th ranked Crimson Tide and offered praise for Georgia's consistency under coach Kirby Smart, who has led the Bulldogs to five straight championship appearances, 11 and 1. Georgia is playing to hold on to a top four playoff position and the first round bide that comes with it. The Bulldogs are seeking their fourth SEC title under Smart. Alabama has won all four previous championship meetings between the two programs.

And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. I invite you to Visit our webpage gpb.org news where you'll find the latest reports from our GPB newsroom. Make it a regular part of your routine when you're checking for news across the web. We invite you also to hit subscribe on this podcast, Do It Right Now. That'll help you to stay current with us in your feed and it'll help us by staying connected to you. If you have feedback for us, send that our way. Our email address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya, filling in for Peter Biello. Today, as we head into the holiday season, another Christmas weekend is upon us, so enjoy the festivities and stay cheerful. I'm Orlando Montoya. Talk to you later.

[J]

How does AI even work? Where does creativity come from? What's the secret to living longer? TED Radio Hour explores the biggest questions with some of the world's greatest thinkers. They will surprise, challenge and even change you. Listen to NPR's Ted Radio Hour. Wherever you get your podcasts.