Georgia Today Podcast – December 11, 2025

Episode Theme:
This episode provides a concise roundup of major news affecting Georgia, including the failure to extend ACA subsidies, leadership changes at Coca-Cola, sustainability challenges for coffee, and an exploration into Yaupon tea as a native caffeine alternative. Other stories include updates on data center regulations in DeKalb, job numbers, regional port activity, and developments in local sports and infrastructure.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. DeKalb County Data Center Regulations

• Background: DeKalb County faces rapid growth of data centers, sparking community concern.
• Town Hall: The fourth county town hall addressed proposed regulations.
  Key proposals include:
  • 500-foot buffers between centers and other properties
  • Noise limits
  • Bans on diesel generators
• Community Input:
  • Brandon Brown, resident, emphasized legal education for citizens:

    "If it were at all possible to do a permanent moratorium, I would be all for it. But in lieu of that, I think having the strongest text amendment and regulations possible is a good thing." (01:12, Brandon Brown)

• Next Steps: Regulations will be voted on when the current moratorium expires.

2. Affordable Care Act Subsidies Fail in Senate

• Legislative Action: Both a Democratic bill (to extend ACA subsidies for three years) and a Republican alternative (proposing new Health Savings Accounts) were rejected.
• Impact: Guarantees steep increases in premiums for millions, including over a million Georgians, starting January 1.
• Expert Advice:
  • Dr. Jacqueline Nikpoor (Emory University) urges careful plan comparison during open enrollment:

    "Think about the providers that you anticipate needing to see, the prescription drugs you'll potentially need to take, and see what plans are going to give you the best coverage... at the lowest cost." (02:09, Jacqueline Nikpoor)

• Reminder: Open enrollment ends December 15.

3. Georgia Execution Update

• Context: Federal judge declined to halt Stacey Humphries' execution, scheduled for December 17.
• Reason: The court found no violation of equal protection or due process rights after pandemic-era agreements.

4. Coffee Sustainability—Introducing Yaupon Tea

Background on Coffee:

• Fact: Roughly half of American adults drink coffee, but climate change and biodiversity loss make its future uncertain.
• Concern:
  • Ben Long (plant geneticist):

    "Almost all of the wild genetic diversity of coffee is extinct." (04:52, Ben Long)

Yaupon Holly as an Alternative

• What is Yaupon?
  • Only caffeine-producing plant native to North America.
  • Deep amber "tea," with a taste similar to yerba mate or matcha.
• History: Consumed by Indigenous peoples and early colonists before imported teas became dominant.
• Research Effort:
  • Ben Long’s doctoral project at UGA sequences Yaupon’s genome to breed desirable traits (like optimal caffeine content).
  • He maintains diverse Yaupon varietals in a university greenhouse.
• Vision:
  • Long envisions regional Yaupon terroir, similar to wine—e.g., an “Austin, Texas varietal.” (06:18)
  • Aspires for local coffeehouse-quality Yaupon lattes.
• Student Reaction:
  • Mackenzie Burkett:

    "Like it's drinkable. I can't drink black coffee, but I could drink this just as is." (06:47, Mackenzie Burkett)

• Commercial Potential: Yaupon tea companies are emerging, including in Georgia.

5. Coca-Cola Names Henrik Braun as New CEO

• Leadership Change:
  • Henrik Braun (current COO, 30+ years at Coca-Cola) becomes CEO on March 31, 2026.
  • James Quincy transitions to executive chairman.
• Braun’s Experience:
  • Led operations across Brazil, Latin America, Greater China, and South Korea.

6. Other Headlines

• Georgia Jobs:
  • 3,000 jobs lost in September; unemployment steady at 3.4%.
  • UGA forecasts unemployment rising to 4.1% in 2026.
• Aerospace Development:
  • Three major state universities join Georgia Aerospace and Defense Alliance, promising workforce growth.
• Appalachian Regional Port Success:
  • Record container traffic (4,000 containers; 35% increase year-over-year).
• Georgia State University Stadium:
  • Receives permit to build new stadium on historic Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium site, honoring site’s legacy (including Hank Aaron’s home run record).
  • Opening projected for fall 2026.
• Atlanta Braves Offseason:
  • Signed Mike Yastremski (OF; grandson of Carl Yastrzemski) and All-Star reliever Robert Suarez to bolster their roster after a disappointing season.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Brandon Brown, public input on data centers (01:12):

  "If it were at all possible to do a permanent moratorium, I would be all for it..."

• Dr. Jacqueline Nikpoor on ACA choices (02:09):

  "Think about the providers that you anticipate needing to see, the prescription drugs you'll potentially need to take, and see what plans are going to give you the best coverage..."

• Ben Long on coffee’s future (04:52):

  "Almost all of the wild genetic diversity of coffee is extinct."

• Ben Long on Yaupon’s overlooked potential (05:06):

  "We've been sitting here on this native, delicious caffeine source for hundreds of years. I really wanted to do something that would... help elevate this plant."

• Mackenzie Burkett on Yaupon tea (06:47):

  "Like it's drinkable. I can't drink black coffee, but I could drink this just as is."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Episode Preview – 00:01-00:20
• Data Center Regulation in DeKalb Co. – 00:30-01:35
• Affordable Care Act Subsidies Update – 01:35-02:24
• Georgia Execution Case – 02:24-03:20
• Coffee Sustainability & Yaupon Tea Feature – 03:20-07:06
• Coca-Cola CEO Announcement – 07:06-07:48
• Statewide Economic and Infrastructure Updates – 07:48-08:55
• Georgia State Stadium & Braves Moves – 08:55-10:15

Episode Highlights

This episode delivers a brisk, information-packed look at pressing Georgia stories, moving from high-level national policy (ACA subsidies) to local innovations (Yaupon tea) and homegrown business and sports news. The Yaupon tea segment, in particular, stands out for its relevance to sustainability and regional identity, while the Coca-Cola segment underscores Georgia’s ongoing role in global business leadership.

The hosts maintain a balanced, informed, and accessible tone throughout, making the podcast approachable for all listeners.