Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: June 26, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

1. Charges Dropped for Arrested Journalist

In a significant development, metro Atlanta prosecutor has decided to drop all charges against Mario Guevara, a Salvadoran journalist previously arrested during a recent protest against ICE raids.

• Incident Details:
  Mario Guevara was detained on June 14th under allegations of unlawful assembly and obstructing law enforcement while covering a protest.

• Prosecutor’s Statement:
  DeKalb County Solicitor General explained, "The evidence, including the arrest video, shows Guevara generally complied with officers and doesn't support prosecution" (00:48).

• Current Status:
  Despite the dismissal of charges, Guevara remains in ICE custody facing potential deportation. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that Guevara entered the United States illegally in 2004.

2. Cursive Writing Returns to Georgia Public Schools

Cursive writing is making a comeback in Georgia's educational curriculum, marking a shift from the digital-first approach of recent years.

• Educational Standards Update:
  Starting this fall, new standards for English Language Arts will mandate that elementary school students learn cursive writing.

• Rationale Behind the Move:
  The Georgia Department of Education highlights several benefits of teaching cursive:

  • Motor Skills Development: Enhances fine motor skills in young learners.
  • Literacy Improvement: Aids in reading and writing proficiency.
  • Historical Connection: Connects students to historical documents in their original handwritten form.

3. Behind the Scenes: Macon Bibb County Firefighter Calendar

The much-anticipated firefighter calendar is back, showcasing the dedication and camaraderie of Macon Bibb County’s firefighters while supporting a noble cause.

• Competition and Selection:
  Out of 75 competing firefighters, 36 were selected for the calendar. Brittany Stevens noted, "Firefighters love a competition, a good competition" (00:40).

• Production Insights:
  Photographer Brittany Stevens shared her experience, saying, "We made it work. It's a lot of hype this time I feel like. So it's pretty cool" (04:54). The calendar features various staged scenes, including building collapses and parking garage accidents, all designed to reflect the challenges firefighters face.

• Purpose and Impact:
  Each calendar is sold for $20, with proceeds benefiting local children requiring medical care. Fire Chief Shane Edwards emphasized the collaborative effort needed to revive the calendar project after a seven-year hiatus.

• Fitness and Community Engagement:
  Firefighters showcased their physical fitness during the photo shoots, underscoring the importance of being in top shape for their demanding roles. Roberto Jose Jukes mentioned, "If I got to save you, I gotta be able to carry you or pull you or whatever it takes" (06:27).

• Social Media Success:
  Unlike previous years, this year's calendar has garnered significant online attention, achieving over 12,000 likes compared to the usual 50 (06:58).

4. Additional Highlights

Lightning Safety in Georgia

Summer peak for lightning strikes continues to pose risks in Georgia, highlighted by recent tragedies.

• Tragic Incident:
  In April, a father and son were killed when lightning struck a tree on a golf course, causing it to fall.

• Safety Measures:
  Meteorologist Chris Vygoski emphasized the importance of safety during thunderstorms, stating, "There is no safe place outside during a thunderstorm" (02:13). Education initiatives by the National Lightning Safety Council have successfully reduced fatalities over the past two decades.

Meteor Fireball Sightings

Residents across Georgia reported sightings of a bright meteor streaking across the sky around noon, accompanied by loud booms and window shaking in areas south of Atlanta. The National Weather Service confirmed the event was a meteor, with no reported injuries.

Enhanced Passenger Processing at Atlanta Airport

A new system, the Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), has been implemented at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to streamline customs procedures.

• System Overview:
  EPP utilizes facial recognition technology on tablets to match traveler photos, eliminating the need for passport retrieval.

• Benefits:
  Customs and Border Protection Port Director Clay Thomas reported a 22% reduction in wait times within six weeks of the system's launch.

• Broader Implementation:
  Atlanta’s airport is one of seven nationwide to adopt EPP, enhancing efficiency and passenger experience (03:18).

Legislative Efforts to Honor Ralph David Abernathy Sr.

U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have reintroduced a bill to designate Atlanta's West Hunter Street Baptist Church as a national historic site, honoring civil rights leader Ralph David Abernathy Sr.

• Historical Significance:
  Abernathy served as the church's pastor for nearly three decades and was a close associate of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

• Legislative Status:
  The bill received bipartisan support in 2023 but did not advance to a Senate vote (07:27).

Sports Update: Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves

Ronald Acuña Jr., the star right fielder for the Atlanta Braves, is set to participate in this year’s Home Run Derby on July 14th at Truist Park.

• Recent Performance:
  Acuña has been in stellar form, hitting nine home runs in 30 games with a batting average of .383.

• Braves’ Current Standings:
  The Braves lead their four-game series against the New York Mets two to one and are preparing to face the Philadelphia Phillies in an upcoming three-game series.

Kinsley Stevens Shines at the Jimmy Awards

Kinsley Stevens, a recent graduate from Dalton High School, made her Broadway debut at the Jimmy Awards, which celebrate outstanding high school theater talent.

• Achievement:
  Although she did not win, Stevens advanced to the top four finalists for best actress, representing Georgia among over 2,300 schools nationwide.

• Performance Highlight:
  Kinsley delivered a compelling rendition of "I Can't Say No" from Oklahoma, impressing judges and audiences alike (09:12).

Notable Quotes

• DeKalb County Solicitor General:
  "The evidence, including the arrest video, shows Guevara generally complied with officers and doesn't support prosecution." (00:48)

• Roberto Jose Jukes:
  "If I got to save you, I gotta be able to carry you or pull you or whatever it takes." (06:37)

• Brittany Stevens on Social Media Impact:
  "So it's a pretty significant difference." (07:24)

• Emily Hopkins on Social Media Engagement:
  "Likes on a post, and now we have 12,000." (07:24)

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today covered a diverse range of topics, from the pivotal dropping of charges against a journalist to the revival of cursive writing in schools and the community-driven firefighter calendar. Additionally, listeners were informed about safety measures against lightning, advancements in airport processing technology, legislative honors for civil rights leaders, sports highlights, and outstanding achievements in high school theater. For more detailed reports and updates, visit georgia today@gpb.org.

For feedback or to share community stories, please contact georgiatoday@gpb.org. Don't forget to subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast for daily updates.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – Opioid Lifeline Advertisement
• 00:22 – Episode Introduction
• 00:40 – Firefighter Calendar Competition
• 00:48 – Charges Dropped for Mario Guevara
• 01:48 – Lightning Safety Report by Chase McGee
• 02:13 – Roberto Jose Jukes on Thunderstorm Safety
• 03:18 – Enhanced Passenger Processing System
• 04:05 – Macon Bibb County Firefighter Calendar Production
• 06:13 – Brittany Stevens on Fitness During Photo Shoot
• 07:24 – Social Media Success for Firefighter Calendar
• 08:43 – Legislation for West Hunter Street Baptist Church
• 09:12 – Kinsley Stevens at the Jimmy Awards
• 10:45 – Closing Remarks