CDC shooting motivated by vaccine discontent says GBI; New e-cigarettes; Bee deaths

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Title: CDC Shooting Motivated by Vaccine Discontent Says GBI; New E-Cigarettes; Bee Deaths
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: Peter Biello
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. CDC Shooting Investigation

Last week, a tragic shooting occurred at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) has concluded that the incident was fueled by the perpetrator's dissatisfaction with COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Perpetrator's Motive:
  GBI Director Chris Hosey revealed that the shooter, Patrick Joseph White, expressed significant discontent with COVID-19 vaccines. Investigators found documents at White's residence indicating his anti-vaccine sentiments. Additionally, it was discovered that White had unlawfully accessed his father's gun safe to obtain the weapons used in the attack.
  "Patrick Joseph White's discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations was evident in the documents found at his home," said Chris Hosey at [01:38].

• Law Enforcement Response:
  FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown emphasized the seriousness with which threats against CDC personnel are being treated.
  "State and local law enforcement are taking threats against public health workers at the CDC seriously and we'll work," Brown stated [01:38].

• Security Measures:
  Chris Hosey further explained the ongoing threat assessments and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of CDC staff and facilities.
  "With them on doing a threat assessment to their facility...we would make them aware of that and take steps to protect them," Hosey added [01:38].

• Union's Call for Enhanced Security:
  Yolanda Jacobs, president of the American Federation of Government Workers Local 2883, voiced concerns from CDC employees regarding their safety and demanded a more significant role in shaping the agency's safety protocols.
  "A lot of employees are pretty much telling us the same thing, that they do not feel safe," Jacobs remarked [02:07].

• Leadership Visit:
  Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC amidst these tensions, highlighting the ongoing efforts to support and protect public health workers.

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2. Alarming Bee Deaths Across Georgia

Beekeepers nationwide are grappling with severe losses attributed to a combination of harsh weather conditions and parasitic infestations, leading to devastating declines in bee populations.

• Impact of Warmer Winters:
  Dr. Lewis Barrett, an assistant professor of honeybee health at the University of Georgia, explained that warmer winters have disrupted the natural cycles of bees, preventing a seasonal pause that typically helps control disease spread.
  "As our winters have got warmer, we've seen more and more severe disease because there's no winter time to interrupt that cycle," Barrett stated [02:46].

• Consequences for Pollination:
  The confusion caused by atypical weather patterns results in bees waking prematurely from hibernation, only to find a lack of blooming flowers, which hampers their ability to pollinate effectively.
  "Warmer winters also confuse honeybees. They might wake up early from their hibernation, only to find there aren't any flowers to pollinate," Barrett added [02:46].

• Scale of Losses:
  Typically, beekeepers might lose about 30% of their hives during winter, but this past year, losses have surged to as much as 60%, exacerbating the challenges faced by the beekeeping community.

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3. Emerging Threats from New E-Cigarettes

As students return to classrooms, health leaders are raising alarms about a new wave of e-cigarette products that mimic everyday school supplies, posing significant risks to youth.

• Disguised Tobacco Products:
  Brian King from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids highlighted that tobacco products are increasingly being concealed within items like highlighters and other school supplies, making them easily accessible to children.
  "Tobacco products can be disguised as highlighters and other items that look like school supplies, and many of these are flavored to appeal to children," King warned [04:08].

• Current Trends in Tobacco Use:
  Despite progress in reducing tobacco usage, with a 70% decline in e-cigarette use over the past five years, the problem remains persistent among youth. Solomon Cavanas noted that over 2 million children are currently using tobacco products, with 1.6 million specifically engaging with e-cigarettes.
  "We're at 25-year lows for all tobacco product use...we still have over 2 million kids using tobacco products and 1.6 million of those are e-cigarettes," Cavanas stated [04:23].

• Preventative Measures:
  Brian King emphasized that increasing the price of tobacco products is the most effective strategy to curb consumption among young people.
  "Increasing price is the single most effective intervention to reduce tobacco consumption," King advised [04:41].

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4. Atlanta Beltline's Mobility Improvement Initiatives

Leaders from the Atlanta Beltline are convening a citywide discussion to explore enhancements in mobility along the trail, a pivotal 22-mile pedestrian and bike path circling the city.

• Focus Areas for Improvement:
  The meeting will address a transit study with recommendations that include the creation of bicycle parking, improvements to bus stops, and the establishment of dedicated drop zones for bike and scooter rentals.

• Community Engagement:
  Residents are encouraged to participate by attending the meeting at 6:30 PM and submitting questions via the Atlanta BeltLine's Facebook page.

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5. Political Developments: Lieutenant Governor Race

Georgia's political landscape is heating up with State Senator Blake Tillery announcing his candidacy for lieutenant governor, challenging established figures in the GOP primary.

• Candidate Highlights:
  Tillery, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, leverages his experience in budget crafting as a cornerstone of his campaign. He faces competition from former Senate leaders, Senator John F. Kennedy and Senator Steve Gooch.

• Current Lieutenant Governor's Ambition:
  The incumbent, Burt Jones, is vying for the governorship, securing an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
  "Trump is highlighting Jones early support for his first presidential run," Biello noted [04:52].

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6. Local Arts: Savannah Screenwriter's New Project

Chris Schuman, a screenwriter from Savannah, is fundraising to produce a short film titled Family Traditional, set in Soperton, Georgia. This project delves into themes of generational trauma and secrets, existing within the same universe as his upcoming series, What's Buried Beneath the Pines.

• Project Details:
  Schuman has successfully raised approximately 60% of the required $19,000 budget and aims to hire 20 cast and crew members, with filming scheduled to commence in November.

• Community Connection:
  Schuman expressed his desire to infuse the project with local culture and narratives, stating,
  "I want to be able to take this back into the state and give people something that they can participate in, believe in and feel like they're a part of because it is our story," Chris Hosey mentioned [05:53].

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7. Cascade Road Improvement Project Accelerates

Responding to frustrations from businesses and residents in Cascade Heights, the Atlanta Department of Transportation is expediting the Cascade Road redesign to alleviate economic and logistical strains.

• Construction Adjustments:
  To meet the new deadline, construction crews will operate 24 hours a day through Saturday, aiming to complete the project by the end of the month instead of the initially planned December.

• Community Impact:
  ATL Dock Commissioner Solomon Cavanas highlighted the enhancements, including resurfacing, trails, and sidewalks, that will transform Cascade into a more livable corridor.
  "Cascade will be a more livable corridor from Kingsdale all the way to Ralph David Aberdeen," Cavanas affirmed [06:48].

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8. Closure of Murph's Restaurant

A beloved local establishment, Murph's, owned by former Atlanta Braves legend Dale Murphy, has closed its doors due to ongoing renovations at the Galleria Mall in Cobb County.

• Final Day Highlights:
  On its last day, fans had the opportunity to enjoy Murphy’s signature dishes and occasionally meet the baseball icon himself.

• Braves Update:
  The Atlanta Braves are preparing for a three-game road series against the New York Mets, maintaining a competitive edge with a three-game winning streak and five wins in their last ten games, currently positioned fourth in the NL East.

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9. Upcoming Braves Game

Tonight, Spencer Strider is set to pitch for the Braves against Mets' Clay Holmes. The game is a critical moment for the Braves as they strive to climb the standings in the National League East.

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Conclusion

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to explore more stories on the GPB News website and to stay tuned for updates on ongoing stories, such as the Atlanta Beltline meeting. Feedback from the audience is welcomed via email at [e-mail].

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Notable Quotes:

• "Patrick Joseph White's discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations was evident in the documents found at his home." — Chris Hosey [01:38]
• "A lot of employees are pretty much telling us the same thing, that they do not feel safe." — Yolanda Jacobs [02:07]
• "As our winters have got warmer, we've seen more and more severe disease because there's no winter time to interrupt that cycle." — Dr. Lewis Barrett [02:46]
• "Tobacco products can be disguised as highlighters and other items that look like school supplies." — Brian King [04:08]
• "Cascade will be a more livable corridor from Kingsdale all the way to Ralph David Aberdeen." — Solomon Cavanas [06:48]

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For more detailed coverage and updates, visit gpb.org/news and subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

These days there's so much news it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family and your community. The Consider this podcast from NPR features our award winning journalism. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. We get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider this podcast from npr.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom on today's episode. Investigators say last week's shooting at the CDC was motivated by discontent with COVID 19 vaccines. Health leaders warn schools about e cigarettes that look like highlighters. And we've got some bad news for Georgia beekeepers.

[Dr. Lewis Barrett]

So as our winters have got warmer, we've seen more and more severe disease because there's no winter time to interrupt that cycle.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, August 12th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations says the man who shot at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta last week died of a self inflicted gunshot wound. GBI Director Chris Hosey says the documents found in the home of 30 year old Patrick Joseph White revealed his discontent with COVID 19 vaccinations. He says White broke into his father's gun safe to get the weapons used in the attack. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown said state and local law enforcement are taking threats against public health workers at the CDC seriously and we'll work.

[Chris Hosey]

With them on doing a threat assessment to their facility. And certainly if we become aware of any threats to their personnel or their campus, we would make them aware of that and take steps to protect them.

[Peter Biello]

Meanwhile, the union representing CDC employees is demanding better security. Yolanda Jacobs, president of the American Federation of Government Workers Local 2883, said yesterday that members want a seat at the table to reshape an agency safety plan.

[Yolanda Jacobs]

A lot of employees are pretty much telling us the same thing, that they do not feel safe. They especially are not looking forward to returning to an office where they're still, you know, either boarded up windows or bullet holes in windows.

[Peter Biello]

The union has more than 2,000 active members. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Visited the CDC in Atlanta yesterday when most employees were working from home. Many will telework for the rest of the week. Beekeepers across the US Are struggling with severe losses after a combination of weather and parasites took their toll on hives during the winter. GPB's Chase McGee has more normally commercial.

[Dr. Lewis Barrett]

Beekeepers may lose 30% of their bees during winter hibernation, but this past year some keepers lost as much as 60% of their bees. Dr. Lewis Barrett is an assistant professor of honeybee health at the University of Georgia. He says warmer winters mean there's no break for baby bees, bee larvae from the mites that latch onto them. So as our winters have got warmer, we've seen more and more severe disease because there's no winter time to interrupt that cycle. Warmer winters also confuse honeybees. They might wake up early from their hibernation, only to find there aren't any flowers to pollinate. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee.

[Peter Biello]

Leaders from the Atlanta Beltline are hosting a citywide conversation this evening on how to improve mobility along three major portions of the trail. The Beltline is a 22 mile pedestrian and bike path encircling Atlanta. Most of it is already built or under construction. Tonight's meeting will feature discussion of a transit study. Recommendations include creating bicycle parking, bus stop improvements and dedicated drop zones for bike and scooter rentals. Residents can watch the meeting beginning at 6:30pm and ask questions through the Atlanta BeltLine's Facebook page as students return to the classroom. Health leaders are urging parents and educators to keep an eye out for a new wave of e cigarettes. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Brian King]

Tobacco products can be disguised as highlighters and other items that look like school supplies, and many of these are flavored to appeal to children. Brian King is with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. He says parents and schools need to know that these products exist and are dangerous.

[Solomon Cavanas]

We're at 25 year lows for all tobacco product use, and we've seen a 70% decline in E cigarette use over the past five years alone. So that's the good news. But the bad news is we still have over 2 million kids using tobacco products and 1.6 million of those are e cigarettes.

[Brian King]

King says increasing price is the single most effective intervention to reduce tobacco consumption. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia Republican State Senator Blake Tillery has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor. Tillery chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. In his campaign announcement yesterday, he touted his experience as a leader in crafting the state budget. Tillery will be campaigning in next year's GOP primary against two former members of Senate leadership, Senator John F. Kennedy and Senator Steve Gooch. The current lieutenant governor, Burt Jones, is running for governor next year. President Donald Trump yesterday endorsed Jones in his bid. Trump is highlighting Jones early support for his first presidential run. A screenwriter from Savannah is raising money to produce a short film in the Georgia city of Soperton. Chris Schuman says the city midway between Savannah and Macon is a perfect setting for his short film Family Traditional, which is about generational trauma and secrets. He says it's meant to take place in the same story universe as a series he's working on called what's Buried Beneath the Pines. Schuman, who now lives in California, says he could have found a location out west, but he wanted to film in his home state.

[Chris Hosey]

I want to be able to take this back into the state and give people something that they can participate in, believe in and feel like they're a part of because it is our story.

[Peter Biello]

Shuman says he's raised about 60% of his more than $19,000 budget. He says he hopes to hire 20 people for the cast and crew and begin filming in November. A southwest Atlanta road improvement project is being fast tracked after complaints from area businesses and residents. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on the new timeline.

[Amanda Andrews]

CASCADE Heights residents have been outspoken about how the pace of improving Cascade Road is hurting businesses and costing locals money. Now, the Atlanta Department of Transportation says construction crews on Cascade road will work 24 hours a day through Saturday to finish the redesign with new pavement and temporary striping to move the project along more quickly. ATL Dock Commissioner Solomon Cavanas says this final push is a major milestone.

[Solomon Cavanas]

Cascade will be a more livable corridor from Kingsdale all the way to Ralph David Aberdeen. We have resurfaced and trails and sidewalks.

[Amanda Andrews]

Construction originally planned for completion in December, is now set to be done by the end of the month. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

Today was the last day for baseball fans to visit Murph's to pick up a plate of cheese curds or a burger before watching a ball game. The restaurant, owned by former Braves legend Dale Murphy, is closing, citing ongoing renovations at the Galleria Mall in Cobb county, where it's located. In a post on social media, Murphy said the restaurant has had a great run. Patrons occasionally got the chance to meet Murphy when he dropped into the restaurant. Murphy played for Atlanta from 1976 until 1990. As for the Braves, they kick off a three game road series against their division rival, the New York Mets. Tonight, Spencer Strider is scheduled to get the start for the Braves against Clay Holmes of the Mets. The Braves are on a three game winning streak and have won five of their last ten, but sit fourth in the NL east, far behind the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. And that is a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. But if you want to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news and we're going to be back in your podcast feed tomorrow with new stories, as well as updates to some of the stories you heard today, like, for example, that Atlanta beltline meeting. GPB's Amanda Andrews will be reporting on that. If you've got feedback, we would love to hear from you. Email us. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello, and as always, thanks for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.