Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Date: January 23, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Topics: Disbarment of an insurrectionist lawyer, environmental advocate case update, and a major ice storm warning in Georgia.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers key updates on three major stories:

• The Georgia Supreme Court’s push to disbar a lawyer involved in the January 6th US Capitol riot.
• The Fulton County DA's decision not to prosecute an environmental advocate accused of taking trade secrets.
• An urgent ice storm warning affecting much of Georgia, with public safety guidance and community preparedness tips.

The tone is informational and urgent, particularly regarding the impending weather event.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ice Storm Warning Across Georgia

(00:24 – 06:32)

Scope and Severity

• Forecast Expanded: The National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded its ice storm warning to include the majority of Georgia, reaching as far south as Coweta and Emanuel counties. (01:02–02:06)
• Primary Impact: Ice, not snow, is expected to be the main concern. (00:24)
• Most Affected Areas: Highest accumulations are likely along the I-85 corridor into South Carolina and north/northeast Georgia.
  • “That definitely remains the case…for anywhere from about a quarter of an inch of ice up to perhaps as high as an inch of ice.” — Lindsey Marlow, NWS Meteorologist (02:44)
• Potential Accumulations:
  • Far southern/western areas: up to 0.1 inch.
  • North and east: 0.5 to 1 inch predicted, especially from Cherokee to Towns and Rabun counties. (02:44)

Road and Power Threat

• Significant risk for widespread power outages and hazardous road conditions beginning Saturday afternoon. (05:54)
• Cycle of melting and refreezing expected through Monday and possibly Tuesday, prolonging danger.
  • “Any progress…will be short lived as we are expecting lows…to drop back down into the teens to 20s.” — Lindsey Marlow (03:38)

Comparison to Past Winter Storms

• Direct analogies to previous storms discouraged, noting urban sprawl and infrastructure changes mean the same amount of ice could now have greater impact. (04:38)

Preparedness Guidance

• Stock up: Food, water, and medication for at least three days. (05:42)
• Stay home: “You might want to just, you know, park it for today.” — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (06:19)
• Practical safety steps: warm clothing, flashlights, charged phones, care for pets, and avoid roads. (05:42)

Emergency Response

• Atlanta has opened multiple warming shelters, with more ready if capacity is reached. (05:54)
• Salt trucks, watershed and forestry crews are on alert for downed trees and burst pipes. (06:32)
• Kerosene warning: Do not use kerosene from Jasmine Petroleum purchased after Jan 17 due to gasoline contamination. (06:32)

2. Disbarment Recommendation for Insurrectionist Lawyer

(06:32 – 08:21)

• Case Summary: The Georgia Supreme Court recommends disbarment for attorney W. McCall Calhoun Jr., who participated in the January 6th Capitol riot, following his conviction on felony and federal misdemeanors (for which he was later pardoned by President Trump). (06:32)
• Supreme Court’s Stance:
  • “It is hard for us to see how anything less than disbarment is appropriate punishment…” — Georgia Supreme Court Justices (06:32)
• Disciplinary Review: Though a special master previously recommended only a public reprimand, the full court called that insufficient and sought disbarment due to the severity of Calhoun's actions. (06:32)

3. Environmental Advocate’s Prosecution Dropped

(08:44 – 09:38)

• Incident Recap: Patty Durant, an advocate, was accused of felony theft for taking a Georgia Power notebook from a regulatory hearing, which prosecutors claimed included trade secrets. (08:44)
• DA’s Reasoning: DA Fani Willis decided not to pursue felony charges, arguing the utility failed to protect its documents adequately.
  • Durant spent 42 hours in jail, returned the notebook, and did 40 hours of community service for misdemeanor theft. (09:38)
• Advocate’s Response:
  • “I will continue to press for transparency because the extensive redactions and trade secrets that commissioners allow Georgia Power are outside of any regulatory norms and continues to harm Georgia Power customers.” — Patty Durant (09:26)
• Broader Context: Georgia Power authorized more carbon-emitting generation to fuel data centers. (09:38)

4. Community Preparedness & Disaster Perceptions

(08:21)

• New Survey: Home Depot/Morning Consult poll shows one third of Americans report recent disaster experience; half say local recovery was slower than expected. (08:21)
• Labor Shortages: Recovery delays are partly blamed on limited skilled labor.
• Corporate Response: Home Depot pledges to expand skilled trades education grants nationwide. (08:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lindsey Marlow:
  • “We are expecting non zero ice accumulation totals as far south as pretty much an arc extending from Rome all the way up in far northwest Georgia down to Coweta county…” (01:02)
  • “The cycle of melting and refreezing is definitely going to extend probably into Monday and maybe even Tuesday for the hardest hit areas.” (03:38)
• Josh Lamb (GA Emergency Management):
  • “Ensure you have warm clothing and blankets, have flashlights and batteries. Update your first aid kit. Remember, always have a way to charge your phone.” (05:42)
• Mayor Andre Dickens:
  • “You might want to just, you know, park it for today.” (06:19)
• Patty Durant:
  • “The extensive redactions and trade secrets that commissioners allow Georgia Power are outside of any regulatory norms and continues to harm Georgia Power customers.” (09:26)
• Georgia Supreme Court Decision:
  • “It is hard for us to see how anything less than disbarment is appropriate punishment…” (06:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:24: Ice storm warning details and forecast
• 01:02 – 02:44: Ice accumulation predictions by region
• 03:38: Concerns over melting and refreezing
• 05:42: Emergency preparedness advice from Josh Lamb
• 06:19: Mayor Andre Dickens urges Atlanta residents to stay off the roads
• 06:32: Supreme Court’s disbarment decision
• 08:21: Home Depot/Morning Consult survey on disaster rebuilding
• 08:44: Patty Durant’s legal outcome and statement (09:26)

Summary

This episode provides an up-to-the-minute breakdown of an impending ice storm threatening much of Georgia, including detailed safety advice and preparedness tips. It also covers serious legal moves in two high-profile cases: a recommended disbarment for an attorney tied to the January 6 insurrection, and the district attorney's decision to drop felony charges against an environmental advocate. The stories are delivered in GPB’s signature thorough yet accessible style, with clear attributions and practical information for listeners as the state braces for severe winter weather.