Summary5 min read

Georgia Today Podcast – May 28, 2026

Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Topics: Colt Gray’s first court appearance, Rick Jackson skipping GOP debate, scrutiny over Atlanta’s boil water advisory

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers timely updates on three major news stories in Georgia: the court appearance of Colt Gray, the suspected Apalachee High School shooter; GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson’s decision to skip an important debate; and questions raised by Atlanta City Council members regarding delays in issuing a recent boil water advisory. Additional coverage includes federal funding for Georgia healthcare, World Cup security preparations, and other notable state news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Colt Gray’s First Court Appearance

Segment starts at [00:31]

Colt Gray, suspected in the Apalachee High School shooting, appeared in Barrow County Superior Court for a hearing.
The main focus of the hearing was on potentially moving the trial to Columbia County to avoid media influence from the Atlanta area. (Reported by Chase McGee)
Judge Nicholas Prim set a deadline for prosecutors and defense to pursue a possible plea deal to avoid a public trial.
Notable Quote:

"But I want to avoid a situation where we burden another jurisdiction to make all these arrangements to clear out their courtroom, summon their jurors early and then, you know, the eve of a guilty plea's entered."
— Judge Nicholas Prim, [01:11]
Trial is expected to begin mid-October, lasting two to three weeks. Sentencing for Colt Gray’s father, Colin Gray, is set for July.

2. Public Safety Measures for FIFA World Cup in Atlanta

Segment starts at [01:38]

The FBI shared strategies for protecting public safety during the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Focus includes coordination with local and state law enforcement and a warning regarding unauthorized aerial photography (drones) over event venues.
Notable Quote:

"FBI partner agencies will use advanced technologies to detect, track, assess and potentially disable unauthorized drones."
— Marlo Graham, FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge, [01:59]
"High visibility" enforcement and "zero tolerance" policies for hoaxes, threats, and human trafficking were emphasized.

3. Federal Earmarks Benefit Georgia Healthcare

Segment starts at [02:09]

Billions in congressional earmarks from a recent federal spending package earmarked for Georgia healthcare organizations.
Emory Decatur Hospital gets funding for NICU improvements, Common Spirit Memorial Hospital to enable remote nurse patient management, and Cobb and Douglas County public health to build a new campus.
In Athens, $200,000 will expand a diaper bank’s warehouse and supplies.
Notable Quote:

"Just in our community alone, it’s over 10,000 children that are at risk of diaper need. When families have to decide between diapers or food, that's a choice we don't think any family should have to make."
— Erin Campbell, Diaper Bank of Athens, [03:02]
Nationwide, about $15 billion was allocated for such congressional projects.

4. Atlanta City Council Criticizes Boil Water Advisory Delays

Segment starts at [03:26]

Residents and council members questioned the city’s slow notification during the recent boil water advisory.
Specific concern: The problem was known at 8:30am, but residents weren’t informed until 5pm.
Notable Quote:

"If it happened at 8:30am and we aren't hearing from the commissioner until 5pm that to me seems like a massive problem. Because when it comes to watershed issues, understandably, we feel that impact in minutes."
— Councilmember Liliana Bhattiari, [03:51]
Watershed Commissioner Greg Irely acknowledged the situation and committed to improving emergency communications.

5. Rick Jackson to Skip GOP Gubernatorial Debate

Segment starts at [04:05]

Healthcare executive and GOP candidate Rick Jackson declined to participate in the upcoming Republican debate against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, citing a scheduling conflict.
As a result, Jones will address the media panel alone at the Atlanta Press Club/GPB event ahead of Georgia’s June primary runoffs.
The U.S. Senate GOP debate (Mike Collins vs. Derek Dooley) is also highlighted as potentially contentious.

6. Other State Headlines (Rapid Fire)

Begins at [04:34]

Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific Railroad Merger: Federal regulators paused review, requesting more information.
Sports: Boston Red Sox snapped a losing streak, defeating the Atlanta Braves; pitcher Chris Sale to start the next game.
World Cup Cultural Events: Georgia cultural hub to open June 11 at the Georgia World Congress Center; Atlanta’s “Cultural Exchange” launched at the former CNN Center.
Scripps National Spelling Bee: Out of 247 contestants, 9 remain. Georgia’s Sarv Daravane (6th grader from Tucker) reaches finals; Sriya Lakamsetti tied for 30th in the semifinals.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Judge Nicholas Prim on Trial Relocation:
"But I want to avoid a situation where we burden another jurisdiction... and then, you know, the eve of a guilty plea's entered." ([01:11])
FBI’s Technology for World Cup Safety (Marlo Graham):
"FBI partner agencies will use advanced technologies to detect, track, assess and potentially disable unauthorized drones." ([01:59])
Councilmember Liliana Bhattiari on Water Notification Delay:
"If it happened at 8:30am and we aren't hearing from the commissioner until 5pm that to me seems like a massive problem." ([03:51])
Erin Campbell on Diaper Need in Athens:
"...over 10,000 children that are at risk of diaper need. When families have to decide between diapers or food, that's a choice we don't think any family should have to make." ([03:02])

Timestamps for Important Segments

[00:31] Colt Gray’s first court appearance & trial logistics
[01:38] FBI safety warnings & World Cup preparations
[02:36] Georgia healthcare organizations benefit from federal earmarks
[03:26] City Council probes boil water advisory notice delay
[04:05] Rick Jackson will skip Republican debate
[04:34] Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, Braves loss, World Cup cultural programming, Spelling Bee finals

This summary distills the latest developments from across Georgia as aired in the May 28, 2026 episode of Georgia Today, giving listeners an in-depth, timestamped briefing on legal, political, public health, and cultural news impacting the state.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:03]
A
Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, suspected Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray appears in court. Rick Jackson plans to skip a coming gubernatorial debate and the Atlanta City Council wants an explanation for the late notice for the recent Boyle Water advisory.
[00:22]
B
If it happened at 8:30am and we aren't hearing from the commissioner until 5pm that to me seems like a massive problem.
[00:32]
A
Today is Thursday, May 28th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Suspected Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray made his first appearance in court today that follows his father Colin Gray's conviction on second degree murder charges. GPB's Chase McGee has more.
[00:50]
C
Colt Gray appeared in Barrow County Superior Court for a hearing that outlines what a future jury trial would look like. In this case, lawyers had a discussion with a judge on moving the trial to Columbia county to avoid the Atlanta media market, which has provided extensive coverage of the shooting. Judge Nicholas Prim set a deadline for prosecutors in Gray's defense to consider a plea agreement skipping any public trial.
[01:11]
D
But I want to avoid a situation where we burden another jurisdiction to make all these arrangements to clear out their courtroom, summon their jurors early and then, you know, the eve of a guilty pleas entered.
[01:26]
C
Attorneys say they expect the trial to start in mid October and last two to three weeks. Sentencing for Colin Gray is set for July. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.
[01:38]
A
The FBI is outlining some of its strategies for public safety during the FIFA World cup in Atlanta. Agency officials today said they've been preparing for months with local and state law enforcement agencies. They're also warning the public against using aerial photography around event venues. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in charge Marlo Graham said violating airspace could result in federal charges.
[01:59]
E
FBI partner agencies will use advanced technologies to detect, track, assess and potentially disable unauthorized drones.
[02:10]
A
She said. Officers will have high visibility and zero tolerance for hoaxes, threats, human trafficking and other concerns. When President Trump signed into law a trillion dollar spending package in February, it included billions of dollars in pet projects set aside by lawmakers known as earmarks. Some of that congressionally directed spending will help Georgia healthcare organizations expand their services. GPB's Sophie Gradas has more.
[02:36]
F
The funding will allow Emory Decatur Hospital to make NICU improvements and the newly opened Common Spirit Memorial Hospital in North Georgia to purchase tech for remote nurses to manage patient. The Cobb and Douglas county public health departments will use nearly $3 million for a new campus. And in Athens, erin Campbell says 200,000 in federal dollars will fund more warehouse space and much needed supplies for the city's diaper bank.
[03:03]
G
Just in our community alone, it's over 10,000 children that are at risk of diaper need. When families have to decide between diapers or food, that's a choice we don't think any family should have to make.
[03:15]
F
Roughly $15 billion were set aside nationwide for congressional ear from February's budget. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas.
[03:26]
A
If you're an Atlanta resident with concerns about how the city handled the recent Boyle Water advisory, you're not alone. Atlanta City Council members also are questioning why it took so long to send out a notice. At a meeting on Tuesday, council members asked why it took hours for the city to notify residents about the advisory and whether the message explained clearly enough which neighborhoods were affected. Councilmember Liliana Bhattiari if It happened at
[03:52]
B
8:30am and we aren't hearing from the commissioner until 5pm that to me seems like a massive problem. Because when it comes to watershed issues, understandably, we feel that impact in minutes.
[04:05]
A
Atlanta Watershed Commissioner Greg Irely acknowledged the criticism and said the department is working to improve emergency communications. Healthcare executive Rick Jackson is citing a scheduling conflict as he declines an invitation to debate lieutenant governor Burt Jones. The Atlanta Press Club and GPB will host a Republican gubernatorial debate and a dozen others on Sunday and Monday ahead of the June 16 primary election runoffs. Without Jackson, Jones will appear in front of a panel of journalists by himself. Another headline matchup could be more combative, as US Congressman Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley are expected to go head to head in the GOP U.S. senate debate on Sunday. You can livestream the debates@gpb.org debates federal regulators have accepted the merger application between two of the nation's largest railroads, Atlanta based Norfolk Southern and Nebraska based Union Pacific. But the Surface Transportation Board today also put the merger on hold, saying it needs more information before a review can proceed. Both railroad stocks fell sharply on the news in sports. In baseball, the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 80 last night to snap a five game losing streak. Bryce Elder allowed six runs on nine hits while striking out one in three and a third innings. Chris Sale is expected to get the start against his former team tonight. State officials have unveiled their plans for a Georgia cultural hub during the FIFA World cup, the state Department of Economic Development said yesterday. The Experience Georgia the Whole Day through will open at the Georgia World Congress center on June 11. The City of Atlanta announced its World cup program, the Atlanta Cultural Exchange at the former CNN center last week. And nine spellers out of a competition of 247 remain for tonight's Scripps National Spelling Bee finals. One of those spellers is a sixth grader from Tucker east of Atlanta, Sarv Daravane. This is Daravane's second time making the final round. Last year he placed third. Another Georgia speller, Sriya Lakamsetti, competed in the semifinals yesterday, tying for 30th place. The final round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is tonight, starting at 8. And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. But we will be back tomorrow. So make sure you subscribe to this podcast and check gpb.org news for any updates to the stories that you heard today. And your feedback, of course, is always welcome. We love hearing from you. When you send an email to Georgia Today at gpb. Org, your message will go to the whole Georgia Today team. Again, Georgia Today at gpb. Org, I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening to Georgia Today. We will see you tomorrow.