CDC Employee Payments; MLK historic park addition; Democrats tackle affordability

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary
Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today covers a range of significant and timely stories from across Georgia. The main topics include the ongoing situation involving laid-off CDC employees still receiving pay, the historic addition of the Prince Hall Masonic Temple to Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, the unveiling of a legislative package by Democrats targeting housing affordability, environmental concerns over a proposed nickel plant in Bryan County, a push for early prostate cancer screenings, and notable developments in Macon and Atlanta’s soccer culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Employee Layoffs and Legal Action

• Background: In February 2025, the CDC cut about 10% of its positions due to mandated reductions from the Trump administration. Many affected employees continue to receive pay but have not been allowed to work.
• Current Situation: Affected employees gathered for a vigil symbolized by battery-powered candles to process the emotional impact and protest the ongoing situation. Many are holding onto hope as a class action lawsuit related to the layoffs proceeds, having recently advanced past a federal motion to dismiss.
• Human Impact:
  • An anonymous CDC employee shared concerns about the emotional toll and the fragility of institutional structures.
  • Quote (01:25) — Anonymous CDC Employee:
    “Trauma is one thing, and I think this whole sense of loss of building protections and building systems that function for everybody and it's easy to break them and it's really hard to build them.”

2. Prince Hall Masonic Temple Joins MLK Historic Park

• Historical Significance: The National Park Service and local partners celebrated the addition of the Prince Hall Masonic Temple, a key location during the civil rights struggle as the headquarters for Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The building also has ties to other important Black historical figures and causes, including voter registration and Madam C.J. Walker's business ventures.
• Restoration Efforts: A $14 million renovation—mostly funded privately—will open the building to the public in a few months.
• Quote (02:23) — Edward Bowen, Mason's Legal Advisor:
  “This is 1937 when this building was built in the middle of the Depression, we got a chance to restore it. And so from that standpoint, I'm so proud that we were able to raise the money to bring this building back to life to reflect that great history.”

3. Democrats Propose Measures to Increase Housing Affordability

• Policy Focus: Georgia House Democrats announced legislative efforts to tackle the state’s housing affordability crisis.
• Key Provisions: The proposed package would:
  • Increase the supply of affordable housing
  • Protect renters from exploitation
  • Support pathways to homeownership for young and working families
  • Address related issues like healthcare and childcare costs
• Quote (02:59 & 00:26) — Rep. Carolyn Hughley:
  “Making housing more accessible by increasing the supply, protecting renters from exploitation and ensuring home ownership is within reach for young families and working Georgians.”

4. Bryan County Rejects Subsidy for Proposed Nickel Refinery

• Environmental Concerns: The Bryan County Development Authority voted against subsidizing a nickel refinery proposed by West Wind Elements due to community pushback, especially regarding potential heavy metal contamination.
• Local Opposition: Residents and former environmental officials voiced strong objections during a public meeting.
  • Quote (03:31) — Jeff Barnes, retired Environmental Protection Division agent:
    "These kinds of industries are just fraught with all kinds of heavy metal problems. We don't want anything, anything like that in our community."
• Future Outlook: The company claims it will continue to pursue the project, promising 800 jobs, suggesting ongoing debate.

5. Legislation for Early Prostate Cancer Screenings

• Health Advocacy: Democratic Representatives Lydia Glaze (Fairburn) and Bryce Berry (Atlanta) are championing a bill to increase early prostate cancer screenings for men statewide.
• Health Impact: Over 11,000 men in Georgia are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, with more than 1,100 deaths each year—deaths described as "100% preventable" with early screening.
• Awareness Efforts: Rep. Glaze plans to host screening events at the state Capitol to raise awareness.
• Quote (04:39) — Rep. Lydia Glaze:
  “It is an issue in the state of Georgia. Over 11,000 men every year will get prostate cancer. Over 1,100 will die every year from prostate cancer, which is 100% preventable. And so what we're asking is early screenings with early support. If we can get that, we can save men's lives.”

6. Macon’s Historic Bibb Theater to Be Redeveloped

• Redevelopment Plans: The long-closed Bibb Theater in downtown Macon is set for a $4 million transformation into residential lofts and office space, including a storefront visitor center and studio space. Completion is forecasted for early 2027.

7. Atlanta United Honors Olympic Legacy with “Spirit of 96” Kit

• Community & Sports: Atlanta United unveiled a new jersey design inspired by the city’s role in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, as the city prepares to host matches for the 2026 World Cup.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• CDC RIF Impact (01:25)—Anonymous Employee:
  "Trauma is one thing, and I think this whole sense of loss of building protections and building systems that function for everybody and it's easy to break them and it's really hard to build them."
• MLK Park Expansion (02:23)—Edward Bowen:
  "I'm so proud that we were able to raise the money to bring this building back to life to reflect that great history."
• Housing Legislation (02:59)—Rep. Carolyn Hughley:
  "Making housing more accessible by increasing the supply, protecting renters from exploitation, and ensuring home ownership is within reach for young families and working Georgians."
• Nickel Plant Opposition (03:31)—Jeff Barnes:
  "These kinds of industries are just fraught with all kinds of heavy metal problems. We don't want anything, anything like that in our community."
• Prostate Cancer Prevention (04:39)—Rep. Lydia Glaze:
  "Over 1,100 will die every year from prostate cancer, which is 100% preventable... If we can get [early screenings], we can save men's lives."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• CDC layoffs and class action update – 00:39–01:54
• MLK Historic Park addition – 01:54–02:38
• Democrats' affordability legislative package – 02:38–03:12
• Bryan County nickel plant controversy – 03:12–04:18
• Prostate cancer screening bill – 04:18–05:03
• Macon Bibb Theater redevelopment – 05:33
• Atlanta United “Spirit of 96” kit preview – 05:33

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This episode delivers an engaging snapshot of current policy, community action, and historical preservation efforts shaping Georgia today, balancing breaking news with stories of resilience and proactive change.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode. A year ago, about 10% of jobs at the CDC were cut, but many of those CDC employees are still being paid. The National Park Service celebrated the addition of a historic building to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic park in Atlanta. And Georgia House Democrats have unveiled a legislative package aimed at tackling home affordability.

[B]

Making housing more accessible by increasing the supply, protecting renters from exploitation, and ensuring home ownership is within reach for young families and working Georgians.

[A]

Today is Wednesday, February 11th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. An estimated 10% of jobs at the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were cut last February. It was the first in a series of reductions in force ordered by the Trump administration last year. Many CDC employees are still being paid but haven't been allowed to work. GPB's Sophie Gradas has an update.

[C]

Battery powered candles lit up the corner of Clifton Road Tuesday in the style of a vigil held by retired, fired and current CDC employees. That included one person on administrative leave from the office on smoking and health who feared sharing her name since she's still technically an employee. Her office was just one decimated by the rifts.

[D]

Trauma is one thing, and I think this whole sense of loss of building protections and building systems that function for everybody and it's easy to break them and it's really hard to build them.

[C]

Fired employees across the CDC are hoping for relief from a class action lawsuit over the RIFs cleared last month by a federal judge despite the federal government's push to have it dismissed. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas in Atlanta.

[A]

The National Park Service and its Atlanta partners today celebrated the addition of a historic building to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park. The Prince Hall Masonic Temple near downtown was the headquarters for King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference during pivotal moments in the civil rights struggle. Edward Bowen, the Mason's legal advisor, says even before King, the building was used to register voters and served as the business location for the nation's first self made black woman millionaire Madam C.J. walker.

[E]

This is 1937 when this building was built in the middle of the Depression, we got a chance to restore it. And so from that standpoint, I'm so proud that we were able to raise the money to bring this building back to life to reflect that great history.

[A]

The renovations cost about $14 million, much of it privately raised. The building is set to open to the public in a few months. Georgia House Democrats yesterday unveiled a legislative package tackling affordability. Columbus State Representative Carolyn Hughley says Democrats are focused on making life more affordable for Georgians, and that means in part.

[B]

Making housing more accessible by increasing the supply, protecting renters from exploitation and and ensuring home ownership is within reach for young families and working Georgians.

[A]

She says the bills also will address health care and child care costs. The Development Authority in southeast Georgia's Bryan county has rejected a plan to subsidize a proposed nickel factory after widespread community backlash. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports Oklahoma based West.

[D]

Wind Elements plans to build the refinery on an abandoned industrial site near homes, schools and wetlands. Retired Environmental Environmental Protection Division agent Jeff Barnes was one of many area residents who spoke against the plant at a public meeting on Tuesday. These kinds of industries are just fraught with all kinds of heavy metal problems. We don't want anything, anything like that in our community. The authorities vote closes a financing tool for the project, but the company says it remains committed to its plans, promising 800 jobs. That means the fight for and against what's billed as the nation's only large scale nickel refinery likely will continue. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya.

[A]

Georgia lawmakers are pushing a new bill aimed at increasing early prostate cancer screenings for men across the state. Democratic Representatives Lydia Glaze of Fairburn and Bryce Berry of Atlanta are backing what they're calling the Saving Men's Lives bill. Speaking with GPB's Donna Lowery on lawmakers last night, Glaze says prostate cancer is a major health concern statewide.

[B]

It is an issue in the state of Georgia. Over 11,000 men every year will get prostate cancer. Over 1100 will die every year from prostate cancer, which is 100% preventable. And so what we're asking is early screenings with early support. If we can get that, we can save men's lives.

[A]

Waze also plans to host prostate health screenings at the state Capitol later this month with the goal of raising awareness.

[F]

Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of FRESH AIR. Hey, take a break from the 24 hour news cycle with us and listen to long form interviews with your favorite authors, actors, filmmakers, comedians and musicians. The people making the art that nourishes us and speaks to our times. So listen to the FRESH AIR podcast from NPR and whyy.

[A]

A long vacant historic theater in downtown Macon could soon get new life. Newtown Macon plans to renovate the old Bibb Theater into residential lofts and office space. The building has sat largely unused since closing as a movie theater in the late 1970s. The project is expected to cost about $4 million and could be finished by early 2027. The redevelopment would include loft apartments, a visitor storefront run by Visit Macon and studio space. In 1996, Atlanta welcomed the world for the Centennial Olympic Games, a defining moment that helped shape the city's global identity. Now, 30 years later, Atlanta United is honoring that legacy with its new 2026 community kit called Spirit of 96. The jersey draws on the colors and symbolism of the Olympic era, with green for the city's tree canopy, gold for excellence and design details that reference both 1996 and 2026. The club will debut the kit on March 21 at Mercedes Benz Stadium as Atlanta once again prepares to step into the world stage with the 2026 World cup coming to town. And that is a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, visit gpb.org news and if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast. Take a moment. Do it now. It'll keep us current in your podcast feed. And if you have feedback, we would love to hear from you. Email us. The address is Georgia Today at gpb.org. i'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.