Conyers town hall on BioLab fire; Georgia scores low on college affordability

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast: Conyers Town Hall on BioLab Fire; Georgia Scores Low on College Affordability

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

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Overview

This episode of Georgia Today spotlights critical issues affecting local communities, including Conyers residents' ongoing concerns about chemical exposure following the BioLab fire, the state’s struggle with college affordability, and several brief updates on mental health policy, local honors, and sports. The coverage emphasizes persistent community questions, disparities in college aid, and recent developments in public service, health, and recognition.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Transparency in University Coursework (00:59–01:49)

• Topic: A new University System of Georgia policy requires professors to publicly post their syllabuses online, aiming to increase transparency.
  • Partial rollout this fall, with some classes required to comply immediately; full compliance by Fall 2026.
• Concerns:
  • Professors, while supportive of transparency for students, worry about increased potential for targeting by outside groups.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “I know that many of my colleagues have been targeted for what they teach in their classroom and this allows that targeting even more.” — Peter Biello, paraphrasing faculty concerns (01:41)

2. College Affordability and Need-Based Aid (02:07–02:38)

• Georgia's Shortfall:
  • The state does not offer a need-based aid program for public colleges, distinguishing it from most other U.S. states.
  • Analyst M.J. Kim notes that overall averages may mask disparities:
    Quote: “Statewide averages could have been heavily influenced by the higher income families, which can make overall trends look better than they actually are.” — M.J. Kim (02:28, reiterated from 00:49)
• Current Efforts:
  • Lawmakers are debating the expansion of state aid beyond the merit-based HOPE program.
  • Georgia and New Hampshire are the only states without need-based scholarships for public four-year college students.

3. Mental Health Initiatives and Challenges (02:38–03:43)

• Augusta University Grant:
  • Receives $2.5 million to train clinicians in youth mental health, addressing an urgent need amid federal cuts to mental health funding.
  • Trainees will work in underserved communities.
  • Quote: “Depression, anxiety, you know, substance misuse. It could be that they are going through a life transition. They could have lost a parent or you even think back to even Hurricane Helene and the impact that it had.” — Kathleen Cleveland Kennedy, grant manager (03:16)
• Note: Federal funding for mental health programs and school-based services has been slashed.

4. Conyers BioLab Fire: Lingering Community Concerns (03:43–04:07)

• Background:
  • Ten months after a chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, residents are still seeking answers about chemical exposure.
  • Independent testing found toxic chemicals in local gardens and soil across multiple counties.
  • BioLab’s community assistance center has closed; the company now functions solely as a distributor.
• Advocacy:
  • Environmental advocate Scott Smith calls for transparency:
    Quote: “I believe people have a right to know what we've identified and what you've possibly been exposed to as soon as possible.” — Scott Smith (04:05)

5. Other Local News Highlights

• Albany Plane Crash (04:07):

  • A small plane crash closed the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport; the pilot was uninjured.

• Mental Health Insurance Law Violations (05:11–05:46):

  • Georgia insurance companies fined $20 million for failing to comply with mental health parity laws.
  • Quote: “The fines are a drop in the bucket for big insurance companies, and lawmakers need to pass House Bill 612, creating a panel to review complaints so that we can get this oversight effort going…” — Jeff Breedlove, Georgia Council for Recovery (05:30)

• USPS Honors Jimmy Carter (05:59):

  • A new Forever Stamp featuring former President Carter will be released on October 1st in Atlanta.

• Wreath for Rosalynn Carter:

  • The first-ever wreath-laying ceremony for a former First Lady at Carter Gardens, Plains, Georgia.

• New Federal Prosecutor:

  • Meg Heap appointed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

• Sports Updates:

  • Auburn to retire Cam Newton’s jersey during a game against Georgia (Fall 2025).
  • Georgia’s Mason Howell, 18, wins the US Amateur golf championship.
  • Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stoken announces retirement after the 2025/26 season; David Epps will succeed him.

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On College Affordability:

  • “Statewide averages could have been heavily influenced by the higher income families, which can make overall trends look better than they actually are.” — M.J. Kim (00:49, 02:28)

• On Syllabus Transparency:

  • “I know that many of my colleagues have been targeted for what they teach in their classroom and this allows that targeting even more.” — Paraphrased, Peter Biello (01:41)

• On Youth Mental Health Needs:

  • “Depression, anxiety, you know, substance misuse. It could be that they are going through a life transition. They could have lost a parent or you even think back to even Hurricane Helene and the impact that it had.” — Kathleen Cleveland Kennedy (03:16)

• On BioLab Fire Exposure:

  • “I believe people have a right to know what we've identified and what you've possibly been exposed to as soon as possible.” — Scott Smith (04:05)

• On Mental Health Insurance Fines:

  • “The fines are a drop in the bucket for big insurance companies, and lawmakers need to pass House Bill 612, creating a panel to review complaints so that we can get this oversight effort going…” — Jeff Breedlove (05:30)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• University policy on syllabuses & transparency: 00:59–01:49
• Georgia's college affordability policy discussion: 02:07–02:38
• Augusta University youth mental health training grant: 02:56–03:43
• Conyers BioLab fire & community concerns: 03:43–04:07
• Albany airport closure after plane crash: 04:07
• Mental health parity law fines & advocacy: 05:11–05:46
• Jimmy Carter Forever Stamp reveal: 05:59
• Recognition for Rosalynn Carter & federal prosecutor news, sports updates: 05:59–end

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Summary Flow

This episode offers a brisk, newsy rundown of pressing Georgia issues—from local health and environmental safety post-BioLab fire, to statewide debates about college affordability, to efforts and obstacles in youth mental health. Commentary from analysts and advocates highlights how abstract policy impacts real families, while the show’s respectful tone balances factual reporting with direct quotations from those in the trenches. While seemingly routine updates on sports and honors round off the show, their inclusion paints a fuller picture of Georgia’s civic life.

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For more information and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[NPR Consider This 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, Conyers residents have lingering questions about chemical exposure in the wake of the Biolab fire. A plane crash temporarily closes Albany's airport and Georgia still misses the mark on college affordability.

[M.J. Kim]

Statewide averages could have been heavily influenced by the higher income families, which can make overall trends look better than they actually are.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Monday, August 18th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. University System of Georgia professors will now have to post their syllabuses online starting this semester. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports on the controversial new policy.

[Matthew Boddy]

The policy making class syllabuses available to the public will be partially implemented this fall. Professor Matthew Boddy is an English professor at the University of North Georgia and the President of the Georgia Conference of American association of University Professors. He says that he welcomes more transparency for students, but has concerns about how this newly public information may be used.

[Peter Biello]

I know that many of my colleagues have been targeted for what they teach in their classroom and this allows that targeting even more.

[Matthew Boddy]

Pathways syllabuses for core classes and classes offered by the College of Education had to be posted before the start of the fall semester. Some other courses have until fall of 2026 to post theirs. For GPB news, I'm SA.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia lawmakers are considering expanding state aid to public college and university students beyond the merit based HOPE program. A state Senate committee looking into the idea held its first meeting at the State capitol today. Analyst M.J. kim of the Southern Regional Education Board told lawmakers Georgia's progress on college affordability has been uneven across income groups.

[M.J. Kim]

Statewide averages could have been heavily influenced by the higher income families, which can make overall trends look better than they actually are.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia and New Hampshire are currently the only states that do not offer a need based scholarship program in four year public colleges and universities. Augusta University has been awarded new grant money to train clinicians to treat young people with mental health issues. GPB's Sophie Gradus has more a $2.5.

[Sophie Gradus]

Million grant from the Health Resources and Services administration will support dozens of graduate students who want clinical training in youth mental health. Students in the program will be paid a stipend to with finances while they're studying. Grant manager Kathleen Cleveland Kennedy says students will train in communities with little access to counselors. Seeing kids with a spectrum of needs.

[M.J. Kim]

Depression, anxiety, you know, substance misuse. It could be that they are going through a life transition. They could have lost a parent or you even think back to even Hurricane Helene and the impact that it had.

[Sophie Gradus]

Millions in federal funding for mental health helplines and programs in schools have been slashed this year. The Augusta University grant is planned to last four years. Four GPB NEWS I'm Sophie Graudis.

[Peter Biello]

Residents living near the biolab plant in Conyers have questions about their exposure to chemicals. Those questions linger 10 months after a chemical fire produced a toxic plume of smoke. Environmental advocate Scott Smith says through his independent testing he's found some toxic chemicals in gardens and soil and surrounding Rockdale, Gwinnett, Newton and DeKalb counties. I believe people have a right to.

[Scott Smith]

Know what we've identified and what you've.

[Peter Biello]

Possibly been exposed to as soon as possible. Biolab offered aid through a community assistance center in downtown Conyers until the end of last year. The company announced in May it would stop manufacturing and shift to a distribution only model. The Southwest Georgia Regional Airport in Albany was closed to all traffic today after a small plane crashed onto its Runway. City officials say the crash this morning left the plane's only passenger, the pilot, uninjured, but the aircraft could not be moved until National Transportation Safety Board officials approved its removal. The crash happened as the plane approached for landing and its landing gear sheared off. Southwest Georgia Regional Airport serves travelers with three flights daily on Delta to and from Atlanta, as well as cargo flights for UPS and private jets. Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety fire commissioner is fining health insurance companies more than $20 million for violating the state's mental health parity laws, but a group of advocates say more can be done. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Commissioner John King says several insurance companies have turned a blind eye to a law requiring them to cover mental and physical health in the same way. But Jeff Breedlove with the Georgia Council for Recovery says the fines are a drop in the bucket for big insurance companies, and lawmakers need to pass House Bill 612, creating a panel to review.

[Scott Smith]

Complaints so that we can get this oversight effort going on with how the state is enforcing the parity law, with how big insurance is reacting to that enforcement or lack thereof.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The insurance commissioner's report found more than 6,000 violations of the state's mental health parity law that passed in 2022. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

The U.S. postal Service has revealed a new forever stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter. The stamp features a 1982 oil on linen life study by Herbert E. Abrams created in preparation for President Carter's official White House portrait. The stamp art is designed by the USPS art director Ethel Kessler. It was revealed yesterday at the Jimmy Carter National Historical park in Plains. It will be released on October 1st in Atlanta. On what would have been Carter's 101st birthday today, on what would have been Rosalynn Carter's 98th birthday, the National First Lady's Day Commission will lay a wreath at Carter Gardens, part of the Jimmy Car Carter National Historical Park. The ceremony is the first of its kind, recognizing former first ladies with the same reverence often given to their presidential spouses. Rosalynn Carter died in 2023 at the age of 96. The short ceremony will have descendants of other presidential families in attendance and will be the inaugural event for remembering former first ladies in this South Georgia has a new chief federal prosecutor. U.S. attorney Pam Bondi named former Chatham County District Attorney Meg Heap as the new U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Heap took the oath of office at the federal courthouse in Augusta today. The Republican was elected to two four year terms as Chatham County DA before being defeated in 2020 by the current DA, Democrat Shalina Cook Jones. Heap began her legal career as a volunteer coordinator and victim advocate under longtime Chatham County DA Spencer Lawton Jr. Her appointment puts her in charge of about 70 attorneys representing the federal government in criminal and civil cases in 43 counties with offices in Savannah and Augusta. In sports, Auburn will retire 2010 Heisman Trophy winner and Georgia native Cam Newton's number two jersey this fall. He'll become the fourth player in program history to receive the honor. The ceremony will take place during Auburn's home game against Georgia on October 11th. One of the most decorated players in Auburn and Southeastern Conference history, Newton, whose high school team was Westlake in Atlanta, led Auburn to conference and national titles with a perfect 140 record. Also a Georgia teenager has won the US Amateur final at San Francisco's the Olympic Club, earning him an invitation to the Masters in 2026. 18 year old Mason Howell, a rising senior at Brookwood High school in South Georgia's Thomasville, bested Tennessee's Jackson Harrington on Sunday, just two months after competing in his first US Open. His is now the youngest US Amateur champion since 2009. The victory also earned Howell invitations to the US Open and the British Open next year. And the longtime president and CEO of the Peach bowl is stepping down. The Atlanta based Peach Bowl, Inc. Said today that its leader, Gary Stoken, plans to retire at the end of the 2025, 202026 college football season. Stoken has led the peach bowl since 1998, transforming it into one of the nation's top sporting events and helping to brand Atlanta as the capital of college football. It also drives millions of dollars in charitable contributions and spending in Atlanta's economy. The Peach Bowl's chief operating officer, David Epps, will succeed Stoken next year in June. Thank you so much for starting your week with Georgia Today. We do appreciate you tuning in and it's going to be a busy week, so we hope you will stay on top of the news with us going forward. Best way to do that, of course, is to subscribe to this podcast. So make sure you hit the button now and we will pop up in your feed automatically tomorrow afternoon. And to follow updates on any of the stories you heard today or check out news stories from our reporters, go to gpb.org news and if there's something going on in your neck of the woods that we don't know about, perhaps we would like to cover, let us know. You are our eyes and ears on the ground, so send us a note. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening and we'll see you tomorrow.

[NPR Consider This 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.