DPH funding cuts; Future flooding risks; HS student makes scholarship history

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: DPH Funding Cuts; Future Flooding Risks; HS Student Makes Scholarship History
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Host: Orlando Montoya

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1. Legislative Update: Religious Freedom Restoration Act Faces Final Push

Overview:
The episode opens with a discussion on the proposed Senate Bill 36, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Supporters are making a final effort to pass the bill before the legislative session concludes on Friday. The bill seeks to ensure that the government does not interfere with an individual's exercise of religion.

Key Points:

• Support for RFRA:
  Sarah Kalis reports that the bill has already passed the Senate and awaits a House vote. Alveda King, former state representative and chair of the American Dream Center, vocally supports the legislation. In a news conference on Tuesday, King stated:

  "Each of us and each of our elected officials should use whatever gifts we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Well, RFRA is a good various form."
  [01:39]

• Opposition to RFRA:
  Critics argue that the bill could provide legal cover for individuals to discriminate under the guise of religious beliefs. Kalis highlights the concerns from opponents who fear potential abuses of the legislation.

Conclusion:
The final decision on RFRA rests with the House vote. The outcome will significantly impact the balance between religious freedoms and anti-discrimination protections in Georgia.

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2. DPH Funding Cuts Impact Public Health Initiatives in Georgia

Overview:
Federal funding reductions have adversely affected the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), resulting in significant layoffs and scaling back of essential health services.

Key Points:

• Layoffs and Budget Cuts:
  Sophie Graudis reports that 180 employees were laid off from DPH last week following the termination of several federal public health grants. These positions were primarily involved in COVID-19 contact tracing.

• Impact on Public Health Services:
  With approximately 60% of the $877 million from the grants already allocated to pandemic response and technology upgrades, the cessation of these funds forces DPH to reduce or discontinue critical services such as COVID-19 testing kits, kiosks, and vaccine outreach programs targeting underserved communities.

  "DPH has already spent about 60% of the $877 million from the grants on its pandemic response and technology upgrades."
  [02:13]

• Local Health Departments:
  Despite the cuts, local health departments across all Georgia counties will continue to offer COVID-19 vaccines. However, the broader impacts on public health initiatives are still being evaluated.

Conclusion:
The federal funding cuts pose challenges to Georgia's public health infrastructure, potentially limiting the state's ability to respond effectively to ongoing and future health crises.

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3. Coastal Georgia Faces Significant Future Flooding Risks

Overview:
A new scientific study highlights the looming threat of severe flooding in coastal Georgia, projecting substantial impacts by the middle of the century.

Key Points:

• Study Findings:
  Benjamin Payne reports that over 1,000 square miles of coastal Georgia, spanning from Chatham to Camden counties, are at risk of catastrophic flooding by 2050. This area is equivalent in size to major cities like Atlanta, New York City, and Los Angeles combined.

  "If you combined all the land in Georgia's six coastal counties from Chatham down south to Camden, just over 25% of it lies in an area at risk of catastrophic flooding come 2050."
  [03:15]

• Methodology:
  The study, conducted by Climate Central, assesses the threat of "100-year floods" in the context of rising sea levels due to global warming. The projections are contingent upon the United States adhering to its previous commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

• Policy Implications:
  The report underscores the importance of sustained environmental policies, noting recent rollbacks under the Trump administration, including the EPA's decision to repeal approximately 30 environmental regulations.

Conclusion:
Coastal Georgia must prepare for significant environmental changes, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate flood risks and adapt to evolving climate conditions.

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4. Tribute to Fallen Soldiers from Fort Stewart

Overview:
The podcast pays tribute to the fourth soldier from southeast Georgia's Fort Stewart who was found dead in Europe, highlighting the personal and communal impact of these losses.

Key Points:

• Identified Soldier:
  Staff Sergeant Troy Knudson Collins, 28, was identified as the fourth soldier to die abroad from Fort Stewart. He was part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and went missing on March 25th during a training mission in Lithuania.

• Previous Casualties:
  The 3rd Infantry Division has already identified three other soldiers: Sergeant Jose Duenas Jr., Sergeant Edvin Franco, and Private First Class Dante Titano, aged 25, 25, and 21 respectively.

Conclusion:
The community mourns the loss of these young soldiers, underscoring the sacrifices made by military personnel serving both domestically and internationally.

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5. Historic Scholarship Achievements of High School Senior Chase Matthews

Overview:
An inspiring story of Chase Matthews, an Atlanta Westlake High School senior, who has become one of the top scholarship earners in Georgia’s history.

Key Points:

• Scholarship Success:
  In an interview conducted by Catherine Calloway, Chase revealed:

  "I've received an accumulated amount of over $6 million in institutional scholarships."
  [00:45]

  Additionally, Chase was accepted to 155 schools across all 50 states and the Virgin Islands, with numerous institutions offering substantial scholarship funds.

  "I received an invitation or acceptance from 155 schools throughout all 50 states as well as the Virgin Islands."
  [04:59]

• Educational Plans:
  Chase has shortlisted five universities known for their accelerated pharmacy programs, allowing him to earn a Doctorate of Pharmacy in six years instead of the typical eight. His top choices include Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Ohio State, and Texas Southern University.

• Future Goals:
  Chase aspires to open a chain of pharmacies in Atlanta and introduce mobile pharmacies to enhance medicine accessibility and affordability in his community.

• Advice for Young Students:
  Emphasizing perseverance and exploration, Chase advises:

  "It's okay if you don't know what you want to do... just keep your grades up and be involved in your community as well as being involved in your school... don't be afraid of rejection."
  [07:15]

• Inspirations:
  Influenced by his grandmother and a significant 10th-grade healthcare project, Chase is motivated to address the challenges of affordable medicine in his community.

Conclusion:
Chase Matthews exemplifies academic excellence and community commitment, serving as a role model for aspiring students across Georgia.

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6. Restaurant Aria Nominated for Prestigious James Beard Award

Overview:
Atlanta’s Restaurant Aria has achieved recognition as the only Georgia representative in the James Beard Foundation's list of culinary award finalists, often dubbed the "Oscars of the food world."

Key Points:

• Award Nomination:
  Under the leadership of its head chef, Aria is a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality, a testament to its exceptional service and culinary excellence.

• Chef’s Retirement:
  The head chef announced his retirement last week, marking the end of an era for the establishment that has been a staple in Atlanta since its opening in 2000.

Conclusion:
Restaurant Aria’s nomination highlights Georgia's vibrant culinary scene, celebrating outstanding achievements in hospitality and cuisine.

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Closing Remarks

Host Orlando Montoya wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe to the podcast and engage with GPB News for more in-depth coverage of stories that matter to Georgia residents.

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Notable Quotes:

• Chase Matthews on Scholarships:

  "I've received an accumulated amount of over $6 million in institutional scholarships."
  [00:45]

• Alveda King on RFRA:

  "Each of us and each of our elected officials should use whatever gifts we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Well, RFRA is a good various form."
  [01:39]

• Chase Matthews on Advice for Students:

  "It's okay if you don't know what you want to do... just keep your grades up and be involved in your community as well as being involved in your school... don't be afraid of rejection."
  [07:15]

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This episode of Georgia Today provides a comprehensive overview of significant legislative developments, public health challenges, environmental concerns, military honors, educational triumphs, and culinary accolades impacting Georgia. Through in-depth reporting and personal stories, listeners gain valuable insights into the pressing issues and inspiring achievements within the state.

Transcript

[Sarah Kalis]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians that the 988 lifeline can help those worried about opioid and stimulant misuse. The three digit number is free and confidential. Help is available 24. 7 more [e-mail].

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to Georgia Today. On this podcast, we feature the latest reports from the GPB news team on on today's episode Federal funding cuts hit Georgia's Department of Public Health A scientific study says a large portion of coastal Georgia is at risk of flooding in the next century, and a Georgia high school senior is one of the top scholarship earners in the history of the state.

[Chase Matthews]

I've received an accumulated amount of over $6 million in institutional scholarships.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Wednesday, April 2nd. I'm Orlando Montoya. You're listening to Georgia Today. Supporters of a proposed bill aiming to protect religious freedom are making a final push to get it across the finish line before signee die. That's the last day of the legislative session on Friday. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Senate Bill 36, or the religious Freedom Restoration act, passed the Senate earlier this session and is awaiting a vote from the House. The bill aims to prevent the government from interfering with a person's exercise of religion. Former state representative and chair of the American Dream Center Alveda King spoke in support of the legislation in a news conference on Tuesday.

[Chase Matthews]

Each of us and each of our elected officials should use whatever gifts we have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. Well, RFRA is a good various form.

[Sarah Kalis]

Opponents of the bill say it opens the door for people to use their religion as an excuse to discriminate. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[Orlando Montoya]

Federal funding cuts have hit Georgia's Department of Public Health. GPB's Sophie Gratis has that story.

[Sophie Graudis]

180 people were laid off from the state agency last week after the federal government terminated several public health grants to states. The former staff almost all conducted Covid contact tracing, according to a spokesperson for DPH. DPH has already spent about 60% of the $877 million from the grants on its pandemic response and technology upgrades. The grants were set to expire in the coming years. The cuts mean DPH will reduce or discontinue COVID testing kits and kiosks, as well as vaccine outreach like by community based organizations mostly working in underserved areas. Local health departments, which are located in every Georgia county, will still offer COVID 19 vaccines, the spokesperson said. But other local impacts are still being assessed. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Graudis.

[Orlando Montoya]

A new scientific study released today finds just over 1,000 square miles of coastal Georgia is at risk of severe flooding by the middle of the century, GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

[Benjamin Payne]

If you combined all the land in Georgia's six coastal counties from Chatham down south to camden, just over 25% of it lies in an area at risk of catastrophic flooding come 2050. That's according to a new report from the science nonprofit group Climate Central. Researchers there studied the threat of so called 100 year floods in the US as sea levels rise due to global warming. They found that in Georgia, the flood zone comes out to just over 1,000 square miles as the size of Atlanta, New York City and Los Angeles combined with plenty of room to spare. All of this is assuming the US Follows through on earlier commitments it made to reduce carbon emissions, pledges that now stand on shaky ground under the Trump administration. In March, the EPA announced it would begin rolling back some 30 environmental rules and regulations. For GPP News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Orlando Montoya]

The fourth soldier from southeast Georgia's Fort Stewart found dead in Europe yesterday has been identified as 28 year old Staff Sergeant Troy Knudson Collins. He was part of a 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team that went missing on March 25th in Lithuania during a training mission. The 3rd Infantry Division identified the three soldiers found earlier as 25 year old Sergeant Jose Duenas Jr. 25 year old Sergeant Edvin Franco and 21 year old Private First Class Dante Titano. An Atlanta Westlake High School senior is now one of the most successful scholarship earners in Georgia history. GPB's Catherine Calloway spoke with 18 year old Chase Matthews about her success.

[Tonya Moseley]

I understand that you've been accepted to a college or a university in every state. Just how many did you receive an invitation from?

[Chase Matthews]

I received an invitation or acceptance from 155 schools throughout all 50 states as well as the Virgin Islands.

[Tonya Moseley]

Oh wow. And a lot of those universities offered you scholarship money?

[Chase Matthews]

Yes.

[Tonya Moseley]

How much?

[Chase Matthews]

I've received an accumulated amount of over $6 million in institutional scholarships.

[Tonya Moseley]

Chase, that's a lot of a lot of scholarship money out there for you. That makes your decision very difficult. Have you narrowed down the list with that many universities on what your top schools are and why?

[Chase Matthews]

My top universities are Florida A and M University, Hampton University, Howard University v. Ohio State, as well as Texas Southern University. I've picked these five schools as my top schools as they all have six year accelerated pharmacy programs where I can receive my Doctorate of Pharmacy in six years instead of the usual eight.

[Tonya Moseley]

What are your goals post University?

[Chase Matthews]

My goals post University are to open my own chain of pharmacies in the local Atlanta area as well as mobile pharmacies so that I can serve my community and work on making medicine more accessible and affordable.

[Tonya Moseley]

Why did you cast such a wide net across the country to universities?

[Chase Matthews]

I applied to all of these institutions as I wanted to show other young girls as well as young children that anything is possible and so that everyone's options are open. You can go wherever you want.

[Tonya Moseley]

Didn't that take a long time to fill out all of those applications and answer all those questions and essays and some are specific to that particular university. How long did it take you and wasn't it expensive?

[Chase Matthews]

It took me a few months. I started applying in late July and no, it wasn't expensive. I use a lot of college apps to easily apply, such as Black Common app that'll help you apply for school so you enter your information and with the writing portions. I love to write some of my favorite subjects, so I didn't mind.

[Tonya Moseley]

Do you have any advice for any younger students out there who are just now starting to think about college and what they need to succeed in applying to universities and colleges? Any advice for them?

[Chase Matthews]

Yes, I like to say it's okay if you don't know what you want to do. I didn't know what I wanted to pursue until a project in 10th grade about careers in healthcare. That's when I really decided on what I want to do for the future. And also just keep your grades up and be involved in your community as well as being involved in your school. Without being in so many clubs and extracurricular activities, I wouldn't be where I am today, as well as just applying and going out for everything. Don't be afraid of rejection.

[Tonya Moseley]

Excellent advice. Your parents must be so proud where they I know you've said before that your family's been a driving force behind you. Can you tell me more about that?

[Chase Matthews]

What also inspired me to become a pharmacist besides my 10th grade healthcare class? My teacher was my grandmother who I saw go back and forth with insurance providers on her medicine as well as my local community and how expensive medicine is and how it's often not in stock.

[Tonya Moseley]

Chase Matthews, thank you very much for joining us today.

[Chase Matthews]

Thank you so much.

[Tonya Moseley]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air. You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube. But what you get with Fresh Air is a deep dive. Spend some quality time with people like Billie Eilish, Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert and so many more. We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and whyyy.

[Orlando Montoya]

Atlanta. Restaurant Aria is the only Georgia representative in the prestigious James Beard Foundation's list of culinary award finalists. The awards are known as the Oscars of the food. The restaurant is a finalist for outstanding hospitality. Aria opened in the year 2000. The head chef announced his retirement last week. That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast. Take a moment to do that now. That helps you to keep us current in in your podcast feed. If you have feedback, send that to us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya and we'll be back again tomorrow with more GEORGIA Today.

[Tonya Moseley]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air. You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube. But what you get with Fresh Air is a deep dive. Spend some quality time with people like Billie Eilish Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert and so many more. We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and whyyy.