Details on CDC shooting; Ossoff highlights abuse at immigration detention centers

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: August 11, 2025 Host: Peter Biello

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1. CDC Headquarters Shooting in Atlanta

Incident Overview: On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta was targeted in a tragic shooting incident. The attack resulted in the death of a DeKalb County police officer and left numerous bullet holes across CDC office windows. The shooter, Patrick Joseph White, aged 30, has been reported deceased.

Health and Human Services Secretary's Visit: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC headquarters on the day of the podcast's release, amidst the ongoing crisis. Despite his visit, CDC employees were advised to work from home whenever possible.

Impact on CDC Staff: Physician Elizabeth Soda expressed the trauma and resilience of the CDC workforce:

“I don't know how we move forward from this. I know we will because because of this, right there are amazing people, amazingly dedicated public servants that work at CDC and they're going to rally. They're going to come back because they believe in their mission.”
(00:27 - 01:06)

Controversy Surrounding RFK Jr.: The shooter attributed his actions to depression and suicidal feelings caused by the COVID-19 vaccine. Consequently, current and former CDC staff are urging RFK Jr. to resign, arguing that his stance has undermined public trust in health initiatives, posing a threat to healthcare workers.

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2. Decline in Childhood Vaccination Rates in Georgia

Current Statistics: Recent CDC data reveals a concerning decline in childhood vaccination rates within Georgia. Last year, approximately 87% of children entering kindergarten were up-to-date with required vaccines, marking a decrease of over 7% in the past decade. The exemption rate has risen to nearly 5%, predominantly for religious reasons, positioning Georgia among the South's highest for vaccine exemptions.

Public Health Implications: Experts warn that reduced vaccination coverage increases the vulnerability of children to preventable diseases, such as the recent measles outbreaks in the state.

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3. Atlanta Public Schools' APS Forward 2040 Plan

Addressing Overcrowding and Low Enrollment: Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is implementing a comprehensive strategy named APS Forward 2040 to tackle issues of overcrowded schools and declining enrollment. The district is actively engaging the community for feedback to inform decisions regarding the expansion, closure, or merging of facilities based on data-driven insights.

Key Measures:

• Transfer Rates Analysis: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the importance of understanding why students transfer to other boundaries:

  “It can give us information about why students are going to other boundaries. What the reasoning is, could it be programming? Can we realign programming to reduce this in order to keep kids closer to their neighborhood school?”
  (02:57 - 03:09)

Next Steps: Proposed changes will be publicly shared during the week of August 18th, inviting further community input.

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4. Abuse in Immigrant Detention Centers Highlighted by Senator Jon Ossoff

Documentation of Abuse: Senator Jon Ossoff's office has documented over 500 instances of abuse within immigrant detention centers. This includes 14 credible reports of mistreatment of pregnant women and 18 accounts involving children.

Expert Testimony: Dr. Marcia Griffin, a pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics, stated:

“No amount of time in detention is safe for a child.”
(03:31 - 04:02)

Government Response: The Department of Homeland Security, represented by Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, dismissed the allegations as "garbage" and claimed that detained children receive exemplary healthcare.

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5. Rising Health Care Premiums Under the Affordable Care Act

Projected Increases: Health care premiums for plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in Georgia are expected to surge significantly during the November open enrollment period. Preliminary filings indicate rate hikes ranging from 6% to 40%, the largest since 2018.

Reasons for Increase: Insurers attribute the rise to the anticipated loss of federal subsidies, which may lead to a decrease in healthy individuals maintaining their plans, thereby increasing the risk pool and costs for insurers.

Potential Interventions:

• Rate Review: Georgia Watch's Natasha Taylor highlighted that insurers must undergo a rate review with the state, presenting an opportunity for regulatory intervention to mitigate excessive increases.

• State-Level Subsidies: Policy makers are encouraged to advocate for state-level subsidies or enhancements to help control premium hikes.

“Enhancements or reel in increases by requiring insurers further justify their rates.”
(05:10 - 05:21)

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6. Closure of Georgia Pacific Mill in Early County

Economic Impact: The Georgia Pacific paper mill in Early County has ceased operations, terminating 535 jobs by early August. This marks the end of over six decades of the mill serving as a significant local employer.

Financial Consequences: A report presented to county commissioners estimated a staggering annual economic loss of $182 million. This figure encompasses payroll reductions, decreased local spending, diminished tax revenues for schools and governments, and the adverse effects on foresters supplying the mill.

Expert Recommendations: Consultant David Bridges urged county and state officials to prioritize redevelopment initiatives and address the region's economic decline:

“This is going to have a devastating impact on the timber industry in all of southwest Georgia.”
(06:03 - 06:08)

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7. Lawsuit Against Georgia on Gender Affirming Medical Care

Legal Action: A group of incarcerated transgender individuals has filed a class-action lawsuit against Georgia's correctional authorities. The lawsuit challenges a newly enacted law that prohibits the provision of gender-affirming medical treatments within the state's prisons, arguing that it constitutes a violation of the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Claims: The lawsuit, representing nearly 300 inmates, contends that the law forces transgender individuals to detransition without their consent, leading to severe psychological and physical consequences.

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8. Guardian Sports Introduces Innovative Football Chinstrap

Product Launch: Guardian Sports, based in Atlanta, has unveiled a newly designed chinstrap aimed at enhancing safety during football collisions. The chinstrap utilizes fluid dynamics to absorb and mitigate the impact of shocks, ensuring better protection for athletes.

Compatibility and Availability:

• Fully compatible with all major football helmets.
• Currently adopted by select college and NFL players.
• Pre-orders are open, with individual and team sales set to commence in January 2026.

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9. Significant Investment in Georgia's Data Center Market

Financing Secured: A data center company has successfully raised over $1 billion in funding to develop a data center campus in Douglas County, west of Atlanta. The project entails the construction of a 120-megawatt facility, projected to be operational by 2027.

Market Growth: Georgia ranks as the second-fastest growing data center market in the United States, trailing only Virginia. While state officials largely support data center expansions for their beneficial effects on local tax revenues, there are concerns regarding their environmental and infrastructural impacts, including increased demands on water, land, and electricity resources.

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10. Jen Powell Makes History as the First Female MLB Umpire

Historic Achievement: Jen Powell became the first woman to serve as an umpire in a Major League Baseball (MLB) regular-season game. Over the weekend, Powell officiated three games between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Reactions and Celebrations:

• Jen Powell:

  “It was pretty amazing when we took the field and it seemed like quite a few people had started clapping and saying my name and stuff. So that was pretty intense and very, very emotional.”
  (08:41 - 08:54)

• Fan Support: Atlanta native Karen Schultz attended the game with supportive signs celebrating Powell's milestone:

  “A little girl, a little boy, you know, regardless, has a dream, pursues it, the community supports it and it gets there. ... We're celebrating the American Dream today.”
  (09:16 - 09:35)

• Player Endorsement: Braves pitcher Hurston Waldrop, a former colleague from the minor leagues, praised Powell's achievement:

  “I can't imagine how hard it is for her to have come up and you know, everyone says it's probably told her it was impossible but to be a part of that and they made a big deal out of it, as it should be. And that's pretty cool for her.”
  (09:42 - 09:55)

MLB's Official Stance: MLB Commissioner Rob Manford lauded Powell's accomplishment:

“She has earned this opportunity and we are proud of the strong example she has set, particularly for all the women and young girls who aspire to roles on the field.”
(09:55)

Legacy: Jen Powell's black cap from her debut game is set to be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, cementing her place in MLB history.

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Conclusion: The August 11, 2025, episode of Georgia Today delivered a comprehensive overview of critical issues affecting Georgia, ranging from public health crises and educational reforms to significant economic shifts and groundbreaking achievements in sports. Through in-depth reporting and insightful commentary, the podcast highlights the resilience and dynamism of Georgia's communities and leaders.

For ongoing coverage and more stories, visit GPB News. Subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast to stay informed on the latest developments every weekday afternoon.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, new details on last week's shooting at the CDC in Atlanta. Senator Jon Ossoff shines a light on abusive conditions at immigration detention centers and a look at the impact of the closure of a paper mill in Georgia's early county.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

This is going to have a devastating impact on the timber industry in all of southwest Georgia.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Monday, August 11th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is in Atlanta today visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters that was targeted in a shooting on Friday. His visit comes as CDC employees were asked to work from home today if possible. The shooting left a DeKalb county police officer dead and dozens of bullet holes in CDC office windows. The the shooter is deceased. The attack marks a shift for physician Elizabeth Soda, who gathered with other staff yesterday in Atlanta's Piedmont Park.

[Elizabeth Soda]

I don't know how we move forward from this. I know we will because because of this, right there are amazing people, amazingly dedicated public servants that work at CDC and they're going to rally. They're going to come back because they believe in their mission.

[Peter Biello]

The shooter, identified by police as 30 year old Patrick Joseph White, blamed the COVID 19 vaccine for making him depressed and suicidal. Current and former staff are calling for RFK Jr to resign, saying he has fueled distrust in public health and therefore is a danger to its workers. New data from the CDC show childhood vaccination rates in Georgia are slipping. Last year, nearly 87% of children entering kindergarten were up to date on required vaccines. That's down more than 7% in a decade. The state's exemption rate rose to almost 5%, mostly for religious reasons. Georgia has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in the South. Public health experts warn the decline leaves children more vulnerable to outbreaks like measles, which Georgia already has seen this year. A new study by University of Georgia researchers says a lack of mandated planning time may be contributing to high turnover and burnout in the industry. Researchers say some pre k teachers have 10 hours a week, while some have none. The study did not look at specific outcomes, but researchers say teachers are working evenings and weekends, which could contribute to burnout. Atlanta Public Schools is rolling out a new comprehensive plan to address overcrowding and low enrollment across the district. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports some schools will close as a result.

[Amanda Andrews]

The school system is gathering community feedback to create the APS forward 2040 plan decisions about which facilities will expand, close or merge will be based on data and community input. Tracy Richter is working with the APS board. He says transfer rates are one thing they're considering.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

It can give us information about why students are going to other boundaries. What the reasoning is, could it be programming? Can we realign programming to reduce this in order to keep kids closer to their neighborhood school?

[Amanda Andrews]

Proposed changes will be shared publicly the week of August 18th and will be open to community. Feedback For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

Senator Jon Ossoff says his office has documented more than 500 cases of abuse in immigrant detention centers, including the abuse of pregnant women and children. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[Chase McGee]

The claims flow from an investigation of ICE facilities the senator's office began in January. They include what Ossoff calls 14 credible accounts of mistreatment of pregnant women in custody and 18 accounts of mistreatment of children. Dr. Marcia Griffin is a pediatrician and executive with the American Academy of Pediatrics. She says no amount of time in detention is safe for a child.

[Amanda Andrews]

You might see a child who was previously potty trained begin to wet the bed, or a child that was beginning to speak in sentences suddenly regressed babbling.

[Chase McGee]

In a statement, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin calls the allegations, quote, garbage. The statement also claims many children in detention receive the best health care of their lives. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[Peter Biello]

Monthly health care premiums for plans under the Affordable Care act are expected to rise significantly this year. Georgia insurers have in part cited a loss of federal subsidies as a reason for the price hikes. GPB's Sophie Gradis has more Marketplace plans.

[Sophie Gradis]

Will be more expensive during November's open enrollment. Natasha Taylor is with the consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch.

[Amanda Andrews]

So this is the largest requested rate.

[Sophie Gradis]

Change since 2018 in preliminary filings from health insurers in Georgia. Rate increases vary from 6 to 40%, depending on the plan. Why? Insurers expect that a loss in federal subsidies will mean healthy people cancel their plans, leaving insurers to cover those with more expensive care. Insurers will still need to go through a rate review with the state, Taylor says that's a chance for intervention if the state wants to keep its record enrollment.

[Amanda Andrews]

Policymakers can advocate for state level subsidy.

[Sophie Gradis]

Enhancements or reel in increases by requiring insurers further justify their rates. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gratis.

[Peter Biello]

The Georgia Pacific mill in southwest Georgia's early county produced its last roll of paper several weeks ago. The company ended most of the mill's 535 jobs by the beginning of this month, citing various factors. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports on the closure's wide ranging impacts.

[Orlando Montoya]

A report presented to county commissioners paints a bleak picture for a region that relied on the mill as a major employer for six decades. It estimated the annual economic loss at 182. That includes not just payroll and spending, but also tax revenue for local schools and governments and the impact on foresters who supplied the mill. Consultant David Bridges prepared the report.

[Robert F. Kennedy Jr.]

This is going to have a devastating impact on the timber industry in all of southwest Georgia.

[Orlando Montoya]

Bridges urges county officials to look ahead to redevelopment, and he urges state officials simply to pay attention to what's happening in a region that he said is falling by the wayside. For GPB News news, I'm Orlando Montoya.

[Peter Biello]

A group of incarcerated transgender women and men have sued Georgia corrections officials. They're challenging a new law that prevents them from receiving gender affirming medical care. The lawsuit, filed late last week, accuses the state of violating the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. The class action lawsuit filed on behalf of nearly 300 other people in Georgia state prisons says the state's law will have catastrophic consequences because in some cases it is forcing trans people who have all already received hormone replacement therapy and other services for years, to detransition without their consent. The state's majority conservative legislature last May passed a bill that outlaws state funding for treatments to address gender dysphoria. Atlanta based Guardian Sports has released a newly designed chinstrap that it says will make collisions on the football field safer. The Guardian chinstrap uses fluid to absorb the shape shock of a collision, the company says. The Guardian chinstrap is fully compatible with all major football helmets and is currently being used by select college and NFL athletes. Pre orders are open now. Individual and team sales are scheduled to launch in January of next year. A data center company has secured more than a billion dollars in financing for a data center campus in Douglas county, west of Atlanta, D.C. block says the funds will support the development of a 120 megawatt data center and which it expects to open as early as 2027. Georgia has the second fastest growing data center market in the nation, behind Virginia. And while many Georgia officials are embracing data centers for their impact on local tax bases, others are pushing back on them because of their impacts on water, land and electricity demand. For the first time in Major League Baseball history, a woman has served as an umpire during a Reg season game. Jen Powell wore three games over the weekend between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves at the home of the Atlanta Braves, Truis Park. The 48 year old from West Milford, N.J. has been working in the minor leagues for nearly a decade. She's called some 1200 games there when she told reporters she's wanted to be a major league umpire for a decade and Saturday she finally made her mark.

[Jen Powell]

It was pretty amazing when we took the field and it seemed like quite a few people had started clapping and saying my name and stuff. So that was pretty intense and very, very emotional.

[Peter Biello]

While some fans at Truist park on Saturday were unaware that something special was happening on the field, others showed up because they knew Powell was about to make history. Among those fans was Atlanta native Karen Schultz. She showed up with signs celebrating the historic moment, one featuring Powell's name alongside those of Braves legends Hank Aaron and Phil Nekron, and another that said we are all dreamers.

[Karen Schultz]

A little girl, a little boy, you know, regardless, has a dream, pursues it, the community supports it and it gets there. They get the training, they work hard and they get their dream. We're celebrating the American Dream today.

[Peter Biello]

Players, too, remarked on the historic moment. The Brave starting pitcher Hurston Waldrop has shared the field with Powell in the minor leagues.

[Hurston Waldrop]

I can't imagine how hard it is for her to have come up and you know, everyone says it's probably told her it was impossible but to be a part of that and they made a big deal out of it, as it should be. And that's pretty cool for her.

[Peter Biello]

The MLB did not look back in its official remarks about Jen Powell breaking the gender barrier for umpires of the historic moment. MLB Commissioner Rob Manford said, quote, she has earned this opportunity and we are proud of the strong example she has set, particularly for all the women and young girls who aspire to roles on the field. For now, Jen Powell says she is working day to day hoping for new major league assignments. The black cap that the first female umpire wore during her debut is headed for the Baseball hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. So it is a guarantee that Jen Powell has found her place in history. That's a wrap on Georgia Today. We do appreciate you choosing GPB for your source of news. Got more news for you at our website gpb.org news and of course this podcast will be back tomorrow afternoon, so make sure you subscribe now. Your feedback, your story ideas, your suggestions for improvement are always considered, so please do send them our way by email. Email address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.