CDC workers accuse Trump of endangerment; Collins kicks off Senate campaign

Summary

Georgia Today — August 20, 2025

Host: Peter Biello (GPB News)
Episode Theme:
This episode explores critical stories impacting Georgia, including accusations from CDC workers against the Trump administration, the launch of U.S. Rep. Mike Collins’ Senate campaign, renewed protests over abortion laws following preventable deaths, a high-profile lawsuit against Emory Healthcare, and other significant local developments.

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1. CDC Workers Accuse Trump Administration of Endangerment

[00:33 – 01:20]

• Incident:
  Following a deadly attack at the CDC headquarters earlier this month (Atlanta), hundreds of current and former CDC employees are accusing the Trump administration of endangering their safety.
• Action:
  They sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging him to stop spreading vaccine misinformation.
  • Notable Quote:
    “HHS leaders, Congress and the White House have all been notably quiet about the CDC shooting. And so the question we're all asking within HHS is who's going to be next?” — Molly Magne, NIH worker [01:08]
• Context:
  The gunman in the CDC shooting, who killed a DeKalb County police officer, was reportedly angry about COVID-19 vaccines.

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2. Renewed Calls to Repeal Georgia’s Abortion Law after Preventable Deaths

[01:20 – 02:36]

• Vigil:
  A vigil was held marking three years since the death of Amber Nicole Thurman, who died from abortion-related complications under Georgia’s restrictive law.
  • Notable Quote:
    “I don't take it lightly. I'm grateful, but I won't stop until we get change. And we're over the Supreme Court and says we agree that these laws have to be changed.” — Shanette Williams (Thurman’s mother) [02:04]
• Legislation:
  Georgia bans abortion after roughly six weeks of pregnancy.
• Maternal Deaths:
  Both Thurman’s and Candy Miller’s deaths were deemed preventable by the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
• Activism:
  Critics argue the law does not protect women adequately during medical emergencies.

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3. Emory Healthcare Lawsuit over Layoffs

[02:36 – 03:17]

• Issue:
  Emory Healthcare is accused of violating federal law by laying off over 500 full-time employees in its finance department without proper notice.
• Details:
  The layoffs are not listed on the required state tracking website.
• Response:
  Emory Healthcare did not comment before the episode’s deadline.

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4. Trump Calls for Fed Governor Lisa Cook’s Resignation

[03:17 – 04:11]

• Reason:
  President Trump is pressuring Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to resign after allegations regarding false mortgage application statements and as part of broader efforts for control over interest rates.
• Background:
  Cook, from Milledgeville, Georgia, was the first Black woman appointed to the Fed in 2022 by President Biden.
• Political Context:
  Republican donor Bill Pulte, now head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, is leading the campaign against her.

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5. Walmart Recalls Radioactive Shrimp

[04:11 – 04:31]

• Recall:
  Walmart recalled “Great Value” brand frozen shrimp in 13 states, including Georgia, over possible radioactive contamination with cesium-137.
• Advice:
  The FDA advises customers to return or discard the shrimp.

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6. Savannah Horse Carriage Ordinance

[04:31 – 05:08]

• Action:
  Savannah's mayor allowed a new city ordinance to pass, lowering the temperature limit for horse-drawn carriage operations to 92°F for the rest of the year, and 85°F starting January.
  • Mayor's Stance:
    Mayor Van Johnson called the changes “terribly short-sighted” and warned it could put local businesses at risk but respected the council’s decision.

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7. Rep. Mike Collins Launches Senate Campaign

[05:08 – 05:50]

• Campaign Kickoff:
  U.S. Rep. Mike Collins launched his Senate campaign in Butts County, pledging steadfast support for President Trump and touting a tough stance on immigration.
  • Notable Quote:
    “With President Trump in the White House and me in the U.S. Senate, the hardworking men and women of this country will not be forgotten anymore.” — Rep. Mike Collins [05:16]
• Legislation:
  Highlighted sponsorship of the “Lincoln Riley Act” on immigration, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by an undocumented immigrant.
• Democratic Response:
  Democrats held a protest in Collins’ district the previous day.
• Race:
  Collins is one of three Republicans seeking to unseat Sen. Jon Ossoff.

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8. Other Local News Highlights

[05:50 – 06:45]

• Hurricane Erin Impact:
  Tybee Island beaches closed to swimming as lifeguards flag dangerous surf caused by Hurricane Erin offshore.
• Atlanta Braves:
  Braves defeated the Chicago White Sox 11–10, rallying from a six-run deficit.
  • Key players: Drake Baldwin, Michael Harris II, Jurickson Profar, Matt Olson.

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Memorable Quotes

• Molly Magne (NIH):
  “The question we're all asking within HHS is who's going to be next?” [01:08]
• Shanette Williams (mother of Amber Nicole Thurman):
  “I won't stop until we get change. And we're over the Supreme Court and says we agree that these laws have to be changed.” [02:04]
• Rep. Mike Collins:
  “With President Trump in the White House and ME in the U.S. Senate, the hardworking men and women of this country will not be forgotten anymore.” [05:16]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:33] CDC workers accuse Trump administration of endangerment
• [01:08] HHS employee Molly Magne speaks out
• [01:48] Vigil for Amber Nicole Thurman and abortion law debate
• [02:36] Lawsuit against Emory Healthcare over layoffs
• [03:17] Trump calls for Fed governor Lisa Cook’s resignation
• [04:11] Walmart radioactive shrimp recall
• [04:31] Savannah horse carriage ordinance controversy
• [05:08] Mike Collins Senate campaign launch and rally
• [05:50] Tybee Island beach dangers and Braves win

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This episode weaves together urgent public health debates, political maneuvers, and community advocacy, offering a snapshot of the widespread issues facing Georgia in the summer of 2025.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, current and former CDC workers accused the Trump administration of endangering them. U.S. representative Mike Collins kicks off his Senate campaign and a vigil is held for two Georgia women who died from abortion related complications in 2022.

[B]

I won't stop until we get change. And we're over the Supreme Court that says we agree that these law have to be changed.

[A]

Today is Wednesday, August 20th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Hundreds of current and former workers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others are accusing the Trump administration of endangering them. This comes in the wake of the deadly attack on the Atlanta based CDC earlier this month. In a letter sent today to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The they call on Kennedy to stop spreading misinformation about vaccines. Molly Magne signed the letter and works for the National Institutes of health in.

[C]

Washington, D.C. hHS leaders, Congress and the White House have all been notably quiet about the CDC shooting. And so the question we're all asking within HHS is who's going to be next?

[A]

Authorities say the man who fired shots at CDC headquarters killing a DeKalb county police officer was upset about COVID 19 vaccines. The deaths of two Georgia women from abortion related complications in 2022 have deepened calls to end the state's abortion law. Georgia outlaws the procedure after around six weeks of pregnancy. Those calls are now being repeated on the anniversary of one woman's death. GPB's Sophie Gratis has more.

[D]

It's been three years since the death of Amber Nicole Thurman. At a vigil for the 28 year old on Tuesday in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn neighborhood, Thurmond's mother, Shanette Williams, was surrounded by friends, family and a couple politicians, including U.S. senator Jon Ossoff.

[B]

I don't take it lightly. I'm grateful, but I won't stop until we get change. And we're over the Supreme Court and says we agree that these laws have to be changed.

[D]

Critics of Georgia's abortion law, including Williams, say it doesn't do enough to protect pregnant people in medical emergencies. Both thurman's death and 41 year old candy miller millers were deemed preventable by Georgia's maternal mortality review Committee, which has only reported maternal deaths through 2022. For GPB news, I'm Sophie Gratas.

[A]

A lawsuit accuses one of Georgia's largest healthcare systems of laying off more than 500 full time employees without giving them legally required notice. The complaint, filed against Atlanta based Emory Healthcare last week says the layoffs occurred in the health system's finance department. The the layoffs do not appear on a state website designed to track them in Georgia. Media representatives for Emory Healthcare did not respond to GPB's request for comment. Before our deadline, President Trump is calling on a Federal Reserve governor with Georgia roots to resign. The move comes after allegations that Fed governor Lisa Cook made false statements on mortgage applications and as the president seeks greater control over interest rates. President Biden appointed Cook the first black woman to serve on the Federal reserve board in 2022. Hailing from Milledgeville in middle Georgia, her family has strong connections to Baldwin county and Georgia College and State University, where she spoke to graduating seniors last year. Neither Cook nor the Federal Reserve has replied so far to the allegations or the president's call for her to resign. The campaign against Cook is being led by the recently appointed head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte, a Republican donor and fierce critic of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Walmart has recalled frozen raw shrimp sold in 13 states, including Georgia. Federal health officials say it could have potential radioactive contamination. The U.S. food and Drug Administration asked Walmart to pull three lots of great Value brand frozen shrimp from stores after Federal officials detected cesium 137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers. Consumers should discard the products or return them to any Walmart store for a refund. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson says he has taken no action against a city ordinance that lowers the temperature threshold for horse drawn carriages. The Savannah City Council on Thursday voted to gradually lower the highest temperature from 95 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit for the rest of this year. In January, the threshold becomes 85 degrees. Johnson had five days to veto the ordinance or it would become law. In a statement, Johnson says he respects the will of the majority of the council, but calls the decision terribly short sighted. He says it effectively legislates two local small businesses out of existence. Advocates who had pressed for a lower temperature limit, which they called more humane, are celebrating what they consider to be a win. U.S. representative Mike Collins kicked off his campaign for U.S. senate at a rally yesterday in Butts county between Atlanta and Macon. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[E]

Collins emphasized his loyalty to President Donald Trump's policies to to a crowd of over 400 at a ranch in Jackson, Georgia.

[F]

Well, with President Trump in the White House and ME in the U.S. senate, the hard working men and women of this country will not be forgotten anymore.

[E]

He touted his sponsorship of the Lincoln Riley act, an immigration law named after a Georgia nursing student killed by an immigrant without legal status. Democrats held a protest against Collins in his district the day before the kickoff. Collins is one of three Republicans running to unseat Democrat and current U.S. senator John Ossoff for GP. Welcome back to PB News. I'm Sarah Kalis in Butts County.

[A]

Lifeguards on Georgia's Tybee island put out double red flags on the beach today indicating extreme danger and no swimming allowed. Hurricane Erin is far offshore, but the massive storm is bringing high winds, large swells and life threatening rip currents. The National Weather Service also warns of the potential for minor coastal flooding over the next few days. In sports, the Braves bounced back last night to beat the Chicago White Sox 11 to 10. Drake Baldwin hit a two run single with two outs in the eighth inning and the Atlanta Braves rallied from a six run deficit that the Braves struggled to defeat. The White Sox, the second worst team in the majors right now, may take some of the joy out of the win, but a win is a win and the credit goes to outfielders Michael Harris II and Jurkson Profire for each launching two run homers. First baseman Matt Olson also had a good night four hits for the Braves. The two teams face off again tonight for the conclusion of the three game series. That's a wrap. We've got more news coming your way tomorrow, so make sure you subscribe to this podcast and check out gpb.org news for updates. We appreciate that you've chosen Georgia Today to help you stay informed about what's happening in the state, and we welcome your feedback as well as your news news tips. You can send them both to us by email. The address is Georgia Today at gpb.org. i'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.