Georgia Today: Dickerson Wins State Senate Seat, Emory Student Workers Unionize, Drought Conditions

Podcast: Georgia Today
Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers a concise snapshot of significant news from across Georgia. Host Orlando Montoya covers Republican Jason Dickerson’s victory in a metro Atlanta state Senate runoff, the historic unionization by Emory University graduate students, and the growing impact of severe drought conditions in the state. Additional shorter segments include a municipal moratorium on new data centers, an innovative nonprofit tackling food insecurity, creative urban use initiatives, and new fast-food industry moves—rounding out a news-rich, community-focused broadcast.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jason Dickerson Wins State Senate Runoff (00:39–01:40)

• Election Results: Jason Dickerson, a conservative businessman, secured 61% of the vote in the north metro Atlanta runoff, defeating Democrat Deborah Shigley (39%).

• Political Context: Shigley’s campaign mobilized Democratic hopes, especially after leading the initial multi-candidate August election. She improved on past Democratic vote counts in the district.

• Turnout: Over 20,000 voters participated.

• Seat History: The seat was vacated by Brandon Beach, appointed U.S. Treasurer by President Trump.

  “Dickerson won the seat with 61% of the vote. The conservative businessman promised to eliminate the state income tax and protect the Second Amendment if elected.”
  — Sarah Kalis, reporter (00:58)

2. LaGrange Puts Moratorium on Data Centers (01:40–02:33)

• Moratorium Details: LaGrange (West Georgia) City Council unanimously approved a 180-day ban (until March 22, 2026) on planning new data centers within city limits.
• Project Pegasus: $8B project already under construction will not be affected.
• Community Concern: Residents questioned whether the moratorium could halt ongoing projects.

3. Drought Conditions and Agricultural Impact (02:33–03:22)

• Crop and Water Scarcity: Georgia’s peanut and cattle farmers are struggling; dead grass has forced early reliance on hay.
• Climate Data:

  “Some locations went a full three weeks without any measurable rainfall. And on top of that, numerous locations are on track to record one of their driest Septembers on record.”
  — Chris Furman, Southeast Regional Climate Center (00:29 and 02:48)

• Outlook: Modest rainfall is forecasted for eastern parts of the state in the coming week.
• Unusual Hurricane Season: Long drought of named storms, which typically provide much-needed rainfall.

4. Emory Graduate Students Ratify Labor Union Contract (03:22–04:30)

• Historic Agreement: Emory Unite, representing graduate students, ratified the university’s first student-worker contract after a decade of organizing.
• Contract Provisions: Covers pay, benefits, working hours, and other important protections.
• Significance: Largest private university in Georgia, making this a landmark labor development.
• University Response: Joint statement praised shared commitment to quality graduate education.

5. Addressing Food Insecurity: Street Charity (04:30–05:28)

• New Nonprofit Launch: Street Charity provides donors with $5 gift cards usable only at fast food/quick service restaurants for distribution to people in need.
• How It Works:

  “You can hand out a street charity card and absolutely have confidence somebody’s going to eat, because if those funds aren’t [used] by the person you’re giving it to, they’re going to expire and they’re going to go to a food bank.”
  — John Patton, Founder, Street Charity (04:30)

• Digital Convenience: Addresses the decline in people carrying cash; unused card balances revert to food banks.
• Wider Application: Cards can also be directly donated to nonprofits.

6. Urban Space Reimagined: Atlanta’s “Parking Day” (05:28–06:22)

• Initiative Summary: Temporary transformation of parking spaces into communal activity areas—games, music, clothing swaps—in Midtown.

• Student-Led Collaboration: Georgia Tech and Atlanta’s Department of City Planning involved.

• Purpose: To challenge the notion that public space is strictly for transit.

  “They’re meant for people to stay. They’re meant for people to hang out. They’re meant for people to talk, sit down, meet new people … maybe have a work meeting outside in a public space.”
  — Olivia Phillips, Student Planning Association, Georgia Tech (05:50)

  “Just look at how people have responded to Atlanta Streets Alive over the years in the city. I think Atlanta is ready to think about alternate modes of transportation and alternate uses of public land.”
  — Melinda Wharton, Attendee (06:07)

• Next Event: Parking Day returns September 2026.

7. Chick-fil-A Launches Beverage-Only Spin-Off (06:36–07:20)

• Concept: “Daybright” is a new drink-focused store featuring coffee, smoothies, juices, and light bites, opening in Hiram (west of Atlanta).
• Industry Trend: Chick-fil-A joins competitors (McDonald's, Wendy’s, Taco Bell) in targeting beverage market for growth.

8. Atlanta Braves News (07:20–08:12)

• Result: Braves’ 10-game winning streak snapped by the Nationals (4-3).
• Highlights: James Wood’s two home runs (reaching 30 for the season).

Notable Quotes

• “Some locations went a full three weeks without any measurable rainfall. And on top of that, numerous locations are on track to record one of their driest Septembers on record.”
  — Chris Furman (00:29, 02:48)

• “You can hand out a street charity card and absolutely have confidence somebody’s going to eat…”
  — John Patton (04:30)

• “They’re meant for people to stay. They're meant for people to hang out. They’re meant for people to talk, sit down, meet new people…”
  — Olivia Phillips (05:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:39] Dickerson wins Senate seat (report by Sarah Kalis)
• [01:40] LaGrange data center moratorium
• [02:33] Drought impacts and agricultural news (report by Chase McGee)
• [03:22] Emory student workers unionize
• [04:30] Street Charity fights food insecurity (John Patton)
• [05:28] Atlanta’s “Parking Day”/Public space innovation (Amanda Andrews)
• [06:36] Chick-fil-A's Daybright beverage concept
• [07:20] Atlanta Braves game recap

Tone and Style

The episode maintains a measured, informative tone, featuring concise, well-reported summaries interspersed with direct quotes and ambient on-the-ground perspectives from subject-matter experts and community members.

This summary captures the essential news and community developments of the September 24, 2025 episode of Georgia Today, making it easy for those who missed the broadcast to grasp the state’s top stories.