Crossover Day results; Bloody Sunday anniversary; Allergy season and climate change

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: March 7, 2025
Host: Orlando Montoya
Produced by: Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Crossover Day at the Georgia State Capitol

Timestamp: [01:12]

Yesterday marked Crossover Day at the Georgia State Capitol—a pivotal day when bills must either pass at least one legislative chamber or expire for the year. Host Orlando Montoya reported a historic outcome, with a record 75 bills successfully crossing over, largely due to bipartisan support.

Key Legislation Passed:

• Income Tax Cut and Refunds:
  Donna Lowry highlighted, "Tax cut, and that's something Governor Kemp has championed," adding that members approved an additional round of tax refunds—$250 for singles and $500 for married couples filing jointly ([01:52]).

• Wrongful Compensation Bill:
  A bill granting compensation to five individuals wrongfully convicted and imprisoned was passed in the House, receiving widespread applause.

School Safety Bills: Sarah Kalis reported that the Senate approved several school safety measures, including:

• Ricky and Alyssa's Law: Requires mapping of all school properties and sharing this data with law enforcement. Senator Jason Anavatarte stated, "Our folks and friends in the public safety community know where to go to find the assailant, where to go save lives, where to evacuate people" ([02:37]).
• Disciplinary Records Sharing: Mandates that schools share disciplinary records when students transfer.
• New Criminal Charges: Introduces charges for students who threaten violence.

Cannabis Legislation:

• Medical THC Limit Increase: Expands access to medical cannabis by increasing the THC limit.
• Ban on THC Beverages: Prohibits the sale of THC-infused drinks.

Failed Bills:

• Sports Betting Legalization: Orlando Montoya noted that House Resolution 450 and House Bill 686, aiming to legalize online sports betting, failed to reach a floor vote.
• Ban on DEI Programs: A contentious bill attempting to ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in K-12 schools and colleges did not cross over. The bill sought to prevent schools from promoting DEI initiatives, prompting over 100 scientists and supporters to rally against it ([03:59]).

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2. Stand Up for Science Rally Against Federal Funding Cuts

Timestamp: [03:59]

A Stand Up for Science rally took place outside the Georgia Capitol, opposing federal funding cuts to key organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Notable Voices:

• Holly Williams (Former CDC Employee): Expressed concerns about the chaos caused by funding cuts, stating, "People get fired, they get rehired. Other people get fired. Center directors do not even know how many people are fired because DOGE is not telling them" ([04:22]).

• Meteorologist John Knox: Warned that cuts to NOAA would adversely affect various private industries reliant on NOAA's data, from agriculture to weather forecasting apps.

Key Issues Highlighted:

• Impact on Research and Public Services: Cuts are leading to reduced capacity and uncertainty within scientific communities.
• Broader Implications: Funding deficiencies could hinder critical research and public safety measures.

Amanda Andrews concluded her report by emphasizing the diverse support for maintaining robust federal funding for scientific endeavors ([04:53]).

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3. 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

Timestamp: [05:06]

Today marks 60 years since Bloody Sunday, when peaceful civil rights marchers, including Congressman John Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams, were violently confronted on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. This tragic event was instrumental in galvanizing support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Commemorative Events:

• Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee: Planned weekend events in Selma aim to honor the legacy of Bloody Sunday and celebrate the ongoing fight for voting rights and equality.

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4. SBA's Relocation of Atlanta Office

Timestamp: [05:06]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), under the leadership of former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler, announced plans to relocate its Atlanta office. This move is part of a broader strategy to address what the Trump administration terms sanctuary cities, though the SBA provided limited details.

Key Points:

• Rationale: The relocation aims to find "less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law" ([05:06]).
• Implications: The term "sanctuary city" lacks a legal definition, and local officials typically avoid using the label, although it generally refers to cities welcoming to immigrants.

The SBA did not specify the new locations for the Atlanta office and five others targeted for relocation, leaving stakeholders uncertain about the immediate impacts.

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5. Allergy Season and Climate Change

Timestamp: [06:52]

Experiencing severe allergies in early March prompted discussions on the link between climate change and the lengthening of allergy seasons. Lauren Casey, a meteorologist with Climate Central, provided in-depth insights during her interview.

Key Insights:

• Earlier Pollen Production: Warmer temperatures trigger plants to produce pollen earlier, sometimes extending into what is traditionally considered winter. Casey explained, "We're seeing that start a lot earlier, dipping into what we would consider the winter season. So that is lengthening that allergy season to be even longer" ([07:36]).

• Duration of Allergy Seasons:

  • Atlanta Area: Increase of 36 days since 1970.
  • Albany, Georgia: Increase of 28 days.
  • Columbus, Georgia: Increase of 15 days.
  • Savannah and Macon, Georgia: Slight decrease in freeze-free seasons ([08:00]).

• Weather Factors Affecting Allergies:
  Casey noted that while rain can temporarily reduce pollen levels, heavy rainfall can break pollen into smaller particles, making them more easily airborne and capable of causing greater respiratory irritation ([08:36]).

• Human Influence Measurement:
  The attribution of climate change to these shifts is determined through attribution science, which uses sophisticated climate models to compare a world with and without human-induced climate change ([09:22]).

Mitigation Strategies:

• Awareness and Preparation: Casey emphasized the importance of being aware of extended allergy seasons to manage symptoms effectively, such as stocking up on medications in advance ([09:53]).

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6. Atlanta's Role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Timestamp: [10:33]

Atlanta's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup received a significant boost with the release of the city's Sonic ID—an auditory identity crafted to reflect Atlanta's unique cultural essence. Dallas Austin, a Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, composed the Sonic ID, which aligns with FIFA's initiative to create distinct themes for each North American host city.

Event Details:

• Hosting Capacity: Atlanta is set to host eight matches during the tournament, scheduled to begin in June 2026.

Local Soccer Scene:

• Atlanta United's Upcoming Match:
  This weekend, Atlanta United will face the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Despite a recent 2-0 loss to Charlotte and missing key players Brooks Lennon, Ronald Hernandez, and Jamal Thiere due to injuries, Atlanta remains determined.
  Montoya mentioned, "Atlanta are coming off a 2-0 loss to Charlotte last weekend and will be without two fullbacks...and forward Jamal Thiere, who are out on injury" ([10:33]). The team has historically found success against the Red Bulls, and fans are hopeful for a strong performance ([10:33]).

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Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today provided a comprehensive overview of significant political developments, historical commemorations, environmental issues, and local sports updates relevant to Georgia residents. From legislative achievements and challenges at the State Capitol to the personal impacts of climate change on daily life, the podcast delivered in-depth reporting on the matters that shape the community.

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For more detailed coverage of these stories, visit gpb.org/news. Subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast to stay informed with the latest updates and in-depth reporting from GPB News.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh. Up first from NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to Georgia TODAY from GPB News. On this podcast, we feature the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. Send us story ideas or feedback to Georgia todaypb.org Today is Friday, March 7th. I'm Orlando Montoya. Coming up on this episode, yesterday was Crossover Day at the state Capitol. We'll tell you which bills failed and which ones cleared the hurdle. Also, it's the anniversary of the event known as Bloody Sunday, which galvanized support for the Voting Rights act of 1965. And how are warming temperatures affecting the length and intensity of allergy season?

[Lauren Casey]

When the spring season arrives, the plants go, it's time to start producing pollen, and we're seeing that a lot earlier.

[Orlando Montoya]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of GEORGIA today. Thursday was Crossover Day at the Georgia State Capitol. That's the day that bills must either clear at least one chamber or die for the year. The House speaker announced at the end of the marathon session last night that a record number of bills, 75, crossed over, largely with bipartisan support. GP's Donna Lowry says one of the measures that made it was an income.

[Donna Lowry]

Tax cut, and that's something Governor Kemp has championed. And members also approved another round of tax refunds, $250 for singles, 500 for married couples filing jointly. Also, a wrongful compensation bill was passed in the House for five individuals found innocent of crimes after serving time. That bill afterwards received applause from the.

[Orlando Montoya]

Members, and GPB's Sarah Kalis reports on more bills that cleared the hurdle.

[Sarah Kalis]

The Senate passed multiple school safety bills on Crossover Day. Ricky and Alyssa's Law, named after school shooting victims, requires every school property in the state to be mapped and the data to be shared with law enforcement. Senator Jason Anavatarte sponsored the bill, which passed with bipartisan support.

[GPB Host]

Our folks and friends in the public safety community know where to go to find the assailant, where to go save lives, where to evacuate people.

[Sarah Kalis]

They also passed bills to require schools to share disciplinary records when a student transfers and to add a new criminal charge for students threatening violence. Senators also passed a bill to increase the limit of THC in medical cannabis and expand access to more patients and a bill to ban THC beverages. For GPV News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[Orlando Montoya]

Legislation allowing for the possibility of sports betting in Georgia failed in the state House. House Resolution 450 and House Bill 686 sought to legalize online sports betting, but the measures never made it to the floor for a vote. Another controversial bill that failed to cross over would have banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs from K12 schools and colleges. The bill would have prevented schools from promoting, supporting or advocating for any programs that supported DEI. More than 100 scientists, researchers and their supporters showed up for a Stand up for Science rally outside the Georgia capitol this afternoon. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports they were there to speak out against federal funding cuts affecting workers as part of a national Day of Action.

[GPB Host]

Who is science for everyone?

[Orlando Montoya]

Who is science?

[Amanda Andrews]

Speakers at the rally spoke about the importance of vaccines, scientific research and funding for organizations facing cuts like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the national oceanic and atmospheric administration, or NOAA. Holly Williams worked at the CDC for 20 years. She says she's hearing through her contacts the chaos is impacting remaining researchers.

[Donna Lowry]

People get fired, they get rehired. Other people get fired. Center directors do not even know how many people are fired because DOGE is not telling them.

[Amanda Andrews]

Meteorologist John Knox says funding cuts to NOAA will affect private industries, from agriculture to clothing to your favorite weather app.

[Lauren Casey]

Without NOAA and the information that's gathered and the model output that NOAA provides, those private sector firms are going to have to go to the Groundhog to ask for forecasts.

[Amanda Andrews]

Speakers at the rally also include state representatives Jasmine Clark and Jason Estevez and faculty from Georgia Tech and Emory University. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

National Weather Service has issued a fire danger statement for north and central Georgia. The agency says with low humidities, any fires that develop could spread quickly, and outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Today marks 60 years since civil rights leaders including Georgia Congressman John Lewis and Reverend Hosea Williams, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The peaceful march was broken up by brutal violence from law enforcement. That day became known as Bloody Sunday, and it galvanized support for the Voting Rights act of 1965. This weekend, events are planned in Selma to commemorate the 60th anniversary, including the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. The US Small Business Administration, led by former Georgia US Senator Kelly Loeffler, says it will relocate its office in Atlanta. The agency says it's doing so as part of a broader strategy to crack down on what the Trump administration calls sanctuary cities. There's no legal definition for sanctuary city, and local officials generally avoid the term, but they're usually considered welcoming of immigrants. The agency gave no details and did not respond to a request for comment about where the Atlanta office and five others targeted for relocation would be moved to. The SBA statement yesterday said only to less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.

[GPB Host]

Last week, like many people in Georgia, I woke up one morning to terrible allergies. Stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, the whole nine yards. And it wasn't even March. My next guest says a growing body of research shows that warming temperatures linked to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are lengthening and intensifying our allergy season. Lauren Casey is a meteorologist with Climate Central. She joins me now. Welcome to gpb.

[Lauren Casey]

Thank you for having me.

[GPB Host]

First of all, let's talk about how allergies relate to climate. It's the pollen and mold, obviously, but how do warming temperatures unleash the pollen and the mold earlier and more intensely?

[Lauren Casey]

Great question. Yeah. So when those temperatures start to warm up during the season, when the spring season arrives, the plants perk up and they know, okay, it's time to go. It's time to start producing pollen. And we're seeing that start a lot earlier, dipping into what we would consider the winter season. So that is lengthening that allergy season to be even longer.

[GPB Host]

How much longer?

[Lauren Casey]

20 days, 10 days for the Atlanta area, 36 days. An increase in 36 days in your freeze freeze season since 1970. So over a month.

[Orlando Montoya]

And outside of Atlanta, sure.

[Lauren Casey]

So for Albany, Georgia, there's an increase of 28 days in the freeze free season, 15 days in Columbus, Georgia, 12 in Savannah and Macon, Georgia actually saw a decrease.

[GPB Host]

I tend to think of rain as washing the pollen out of the atmosphere. Is there any correlation between rain, wind and other weather related factors to allergies?

[Lauren Casey]

That's a great question. A little complex. You know, typically we think rain comes in, it washes away some of that pollen, gives us some relief, which is true to a point, except when we have heavy or intense rainfall. What that can do when it encounters those pieces of pollen is break them down even smaller into sub pollen particles that are more easily transferred by wind and also more easily able to enter your lungs and your airways and cause that irritation.

[GPB Host]

Your report says that human caused warming accounted for about half of the shift toward earlier pollen seasons and about 8% of the rise in concentrations during the seasons. How do you measure that human factor.

[Lauren Casey]

Yeah, we measure that through the use of attribution science. So what that entails is we take these climate models, very sophisticated based on math, and we essentially can look at the world without climate change and then compare it to the present world that we live in and analyze the difference.

[GPB Host]

Seasonal allergies are unavoidable for most people. They've always been a part of my life. But apart from medication, what are some steps that people can take to mitigate the suffering?

[Lauren Casey]

I think awareness is an important key to this, knowing that the allergy season is lengthening and having that awareness so you can best treat yourself, so you can make sure, oh, I already went to the store and have that medicine on hand when the sniffling and the sneezing starts. Or same case for your family members, for your children. About 1 in 5 children across the US suffer from seasonal allergies. So making those preparations I think is important.

[GPB Host]

Well, we'll keep an eye on the forecast, the allergy forecast and the weather forecast. I appreciate your time today. Lauren Casey, meteorologist with Climate Central, thanks for joining me.

[Lauren Casey]

Thanks so much.

[Orlando Montoya]

Atlanta's participation in the 2026 FIFA World cup now officially has a sound. That is the sonic ID that the world soccer governing body, FIFA, released for Atlanta yesterday. 26 such themes were produced, one for each of the Cup's North American host cities, highlighting each city's distinct rhythm, vibe and cultural essence. Atlanta's Sonic ID was composed by Grammy winning songwriter and producer Dallas Austin. Atlanta will host eight matches in soccer's biggest tournament beginning in June 2026. And in other soccer news this weekend, Atlanta United will face the New York Red Bulls at Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium. It's the first of several home matches over the next five weeks. Atlanta are coming off a 20 loss to Charlotte last weekend and will be without two fullbacks, Brooks Lennon and Ronald Hernandez and forward Jamal Thiere, who are out on injury. In their first two matches of the season, the Five Stripes struggled to remain competitive in the second half of each game and and the Red Bulls are historically a difficult matchup for Atlanta. And that's it for today's edition of GEORGIA today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news hit subscribe on this podcast so you stay current with us in your feed. And if you have feedback or story tips, send us email. GEORGIA today, I'm Orlando Montoya. I hope you have a great weekend and join us again next week.

[NPR Host]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh up first from NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.