Election board update; Apalachee shooting anniversary; Kennedy grilled on health care

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Topics: Election board nominees in Fulton County; Anniversary of the Apalachee High School shooting; Senators grill Secretary Kennedy on health care; Changes at Emory University; Advances in mental health care; Waffle House anniversary; Georgia sports updates.

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1. Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers concise, in-depth coverage on pivotal issues across the state, including heated political battles over Fulton County election board nominees, the somber anniversary of a mass school shooting in Winder, the political firestorm surrounding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., changes in university diversity programs, mental health treatment innovations, and a nostalgic look at the Waffle House’s cultural legacy.

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2. Key Discussion Points and Insights

A. Fulton County Election Board Nominees

• The Fulton County Board of Commissioners delays confirmation of two controversial Republican election board nominees.
• Context: A Fulton Superior Court held the commissioners in contempt for failure to appoint nominees, but fines are paused pending appeals.
• Chairman Rob Pitts explains the Board’s approach:

  "I make my own decisions. I do my research and use my best judgment... we resolve disagreements like this in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion." — Rob Pitts, Chairman (03:47)

B. Apalachee High School Shooting: One-Year Anniversary

• The community marks a year since the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, where two teachers and two students were killed.
• Survivors and recent graduates spoke at the Georgia Capitol, sharing personal trauma and calling for action.
• Soundbite from survivor Kira McConatha (01:42):

  "The minutes we sat there in the dark, hot, compacted classroom felt like hours waiting for someone to come in and rescue us. I have never been put into such a tragic, traumatizing, evil situation."

• The event prompted a new Georgia law expanding collaboration between schools and law enforcement for safety.

C. Health & Human Services Secretary Kennedy Grilled Over Public Health Failures

• During a Congressional hearing, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. justified the controversial firings at the CDC, framing it as part of a mission to tackle chronic disease:

  "We are the sickest country in the world. That's why we have to fire people at cdc. They did not do their job. This was their job to keep us healthy." — Kennedy (02:43)

• Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock challenges Kennedy, citing a resurgence in childhood measles deaths:

  "...for the first time, we're seeing deaths from children, from measles. We haven't seen that in two decades. We're seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard." — Senator Warnock (00:35, 03:00)

• Senator Jon Ossoff also calls for Kennedy’s resignation (03:12).

D. Emory University Ends DEI Programs

• In response to new federal rules threatening funding, Emory University is closing its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices and programs.
• Interim President Leah Ward Sears states compliance with federal standards is mandatory, promising support for impacted staff (04:20).

E. Mental Health Progress: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

• TMS, a non-invasive therapy using magnetic fields to stimulate brain regions associated with emotional regulation, is discussed as a promising treatment for depression and anxiety (04:50–08:52).
• Patient Testimony: Jenna Habe recounts years of failed treatments and newfound hope with TMS:

  "Because I've tried the medications and they may work for a couple weeks, then they stop working." (05:39) "I don't know how, but somehow it helped. Now I'm able to get through a workday and get everything done that I need to get done that day." — Jenna Habe (08:42)

• Expert Insights:
  • Dr. Peter Rosenquist emphasizes the precision and reduced invasiveness compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT):

    "The brain is a sort of interconnected series of processing centers." (07:13)
    "ECT is known for affecting the entire brain. It's hard to aim electrical energy and so you get a seizure..." (07:45)

F. Waffle House 70th Anniversary

• Waffle House, a cultural icon in Georgia and the South, reaches its 70th year (10:07).
• Professor Ty Matiasky remarks on Waffle House’s legendary status:

  "When you hear the term Waffle House, oftentimes food is not the first thing you think of... you might think of some kind of wild goings on after dark..." (10:07)
  "It's seen as like a no nonsense, affordable restaurant that's always there for you. Like it's open 24, 7, 365 days a year..." (10:37)

• The signature yellow and black color scheme was inspired by school buses for visual recognition (11:08).

G. Business and Georgia Sports Updates

• Home Depot progresses toward acquiring GMS Inc., a building materials firm, for $5.5 billion (09:01).
• Atlanta Falcons, Dream, Braves:
  • Falcons may field four rookie starters in upcoming NFL game (11:31).
  • Atlanta Dream climbs WNBA standings with a win over the Sparks.
  • Braves defeat Chicago Cubs, highlighted by Bryce Elder’s pitching and Ha Seong Kim’s home run.

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Raphael Warnock on Kennedy:

  "You are a hazard." (00:35, 03:00)

• Kira McConatha (Apalachee survivor):

  "The minutes we sat there in the dark...felt like hours..." (01:42)

• Rob Pitts (Fulton County Chair):

  "In our society, we resolve disagreements like this in a court of law..." (03:47)

• Waffle House insight from Ty Matiasky:

  "When you hear the term Waffle House, oftentimes food is not the first thing you think of..." (10:07)

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4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fulton County Election Board Delay: 00:05–00:35, 03:12–04:04
• Apalachee High School Shooting Anniversary & Vigil: 00:44–02:17
• Kennedy Congressional Hearing: 02:17–03:12
• Emory DEI Program Closure: 04:04–04:50
• TMS Mental Health Spotlight: 04:50–08:52
• Home Depot Acquisition: 09:01–10:07
• Waffle House Anniversary Feature: 10:07–11:31
• Georgia Sports News: 11:31–end

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5. Tone and Language

The episode maintains a clear, empathetic, and fact-driven tone, with moments of candid emotion (particularly from survivors and advocates). The reporting style is brisk but compassionate, with a focus on public interest and community impact.

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For further updates and in-depth Georgia news, visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners votes to delay the confirmation of two controversial nominees to the county's election board. A vigil is planned on the one year anniversary of the shooting at Apalachee High School. And Georgia senators call for the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. How am I as Secretary Kennedy?

[B]

For the first time, we're seeing deaths from children, from measles. We haven't seen that in two decades. We're seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard.

[A]

Today is Thursday, September 4th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Today marks one year since two teachers and two students were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, northeast of Atlanta. Students and staff are in the classroom today, although students that wished to stay home were excused. The principal says they want today to be a day of giving back, receiving support and growing closer with one another. A community vigil is planned for tonight at the school's flagpole. Students and recent graduates who survived the shooting spoke at the Georgia Capitol to commemorate the occasion. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[C]

Kira McConaughtho was a senior at Appalachee High School when she heard shots ring out in the hallway. She says she texted her family goodbye while on lockdown.

[D]

The minutes we sat there in the dark, hot, compacted classroom felt like hours waiting for someone to come in and rescue us. I have never been put into such a tragic, traumatizing, evil situation.

[C]

McConatha says the trauma from the shooting continues to impact her as a college student. Meanwhile, the shooter and his father are awaiting trials for the incident. The shooting inspired a new school safety law in Georgia that expands collaboration between schools and law enforcement. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis. At the State Capitol.

[A]

A hearing on President Donald Trump's health care agenda today spotlighted concerns around the management of the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During his testimony to members of a congressional finance committee, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Justified the firing of hundreds of public health workers and high level epidemiologists over the agency's new mission to address chronic disease.

[E]

We are the sickest country in the world. That's why we have to fire people at cdc. They did not do their job. This was their job to keep us healthy.

[A]

During the hearing, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock pushed back, later calling on the president to fire Kennedy.

[B]

How am I a threat Secretary Kennedy, for the first time, we're seeing deaths from children, from measles. We haven't seen that in two decades. We're seeing that under your watch. You are a hazard.

[A]

Hello. Georgia Democrat U.S. senator Jon Ossoff also issued a statement today calling for Kennedy to resign. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners has voted to delay the confirmation of two controversial Republican election board nominees. The vote comes after a Fulton Superior Court decided to hold the commissioners in contempt for not appointing the nominees to the board. But the fines he imposed are on hold until the appellate court rules on the case, and Chairman Rob Pitts was one of five commissioners who voted to table the confirmation.

[F]

I make my own decisions. I do my research and use my best judgment in terms of what I believe is in the best interest of the people of Fulton County. But in our society, we resolve disagreements like this in a court of law and not in the court of public opinion.

[A]

The commissioners said they will take the motion up once the court rules on the case that will decide whether they are required required to confirm the nominees. Emory University says it will discontinue its diversity, equity and inclusion programs due to changing federal requirements that could threaten academic funding. Interim Emory President Leah Ward Sears said federal laws and mandates have been implemented that require higher education institutions to alter or close offices and programs focused on dei. She said the standards are clear and we must act accordingly, and the university is promptly closing its current DEI offices and programs. Sears says they'll work closely with each impacted employee to provide appropriate support and assistance through the transition. The mapping of the human brain has led to real changes in mental health care, including new ways of targeting care for depression and anxiety. One method growing in use is called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. GPB's. Ellen Eldridge has more on the technique, which can even provide relief for some people for whom other therapies have failed.

[G]

Jenna Haibe was 12 years old when she started struggling with her mental health.

[D]

I couldn't really focus on my work. I could not multitask at all. I just, I was struggling to even watch, like a movie.

[G]

Nothing worked to treat her depression and anxiety throughout her teens.

[D]

Because I've tried the medications and they may work for a couple weeks, then they stop working.

[G]

She's 26 now and trying transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS.

[D]

And I figured it's like, it's a good, it's a good shot.

[F]

Why not?

[G]

TMS use uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in specific areas of the brain related to emotional processing. She visits Serenity Mental Health center for the therapy five days a week.

[D]

No caffeine this morning? Nope. No nicotine? Nope.

[G]

Sarah Awad is a TMS technician with the center. She's demonstrating the treatment Habe receives with Jillian DiMarco, who also works with the clinic. DeMarco sits with her hands in her, her lap, palms facing up. Something that looks like a shower cap goes on DeMarco's head. That's sort of the map for the device that sends the magnetic waves to the brain. It looks like one of those full head hair dryers in a beauty salon. Tricia Pease is the Serenity Center's chief operating officer and co founder. She says magnetic stimulation is like a gym workout for the brain.

[D]

Instead of just seeing the neural pathways acting, we can actually interact with them. So we, we pulse the magnet towards the neural pathway and it tells that neural pathway to fire 2, 1. And we just do that rapidly hundreds of times in a quick 25 minute session.

[G]

Dr. Peter Rosenquist is a professor of psychiatry at the Medical College of Georgia.

[E]

The brain is a sort of interconnected series of processing centers.

[G]

Rosenquist says he's been researching TMS for two decades. He says when the waves are properly targeted, they can either turn up or turn down functions of the brain.

[E]

And so if you, if you stimulate and excite one region or with tms, you can actually use a low frequency stimulation paradigm and inhibit that region of the brain.

[G]

He calls the treatment the grandchild of electroshock therapy or ect. He says TMS is far less invasive.

[E]

ECT is known for affecting the entire brain. It's hard to aim electrical energy and so you get a seizure and you also get effects that are beneficial and effects that may contribute only to side effects.

[G]

As the therapy continues, the technician asks the patient to focus her attention on gratitude activity.

[D]

This is overall peace.

[G]

Says positive thinking can ease stress responses.

[D]

Our body is getting healing chemicals when we express gratitude and we can use that to heal our depression or anxiety or OCD or whatever. So gratitude's a powerful tool.

[G]

Rosenquist research supports that idea.

[E]

Enhancing the cortical control of emotion is, is what we're trying to do when we're doing therapy, trying to encourage cognitive reappraisal of emotional situations.

[G]

People like Jenna Habe are grateful for the opportunity to regain focus and quiet anxiety.

[D]

I don't know how, but somehow it helped. Now I'm able to get through a workday and get everything done that I need to get done that day.

[G]

And Habe says that's quite nice for gpb. News. I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

Home Depot is one step closer to completing a multi billion dollar acquisition of Tucker based building materials supplier GMS Incorporated. Home Depot is the largest publicly traded company in the the state and is acquiring GMS for $5.5 billion. GMS is a distributor of building products including drywall, ceilings, steel framing and products related to residential and commercial construction projects. Home Depot has been given clearance from the Canadian Competition Bureau to pursue the purchase. A staple of Southern comfort foods will celebrate its 70th anniversary tomorrow. Georgia's very own Waffle House started with a restaurant in Avondale Estates near Atlanta on September 5, 1955. University of Central Florida anthropology professor Ty Matiasky wrote a book about the chain in Smothered and Waffle House and the Southern Imaginary, published by University of Alabama Press. He says Waffle House is more than just a restaurant.

[H]

When you hear the term Waffle House, oftentimes food is not the first thing you think of. Typically, you might think of some kind of wild goings on after dark where people are not exactly sober, stuff that ends up on social media.

[A]

Or maybe you think of the restaurant's reliability. The Waffle House Index, how quickly restaurants open after a tropical storm, famously measures a storm's intensity.

[H]

It's seen as like a no nonsense, affordable restaurant that's always there for you. Like it's open 24, 7, 365 days a year. So it's like dependable, it's reliable, you know what you're going to get, madiaski says.

[A]

The eight standard toppings for Waffle House's golden hash browns, including scattered, smothered and covered, came from line cooks and the restaurant's yellow block signs came from public education.

[H]

Its distinctive yellow black color scheme was based on like the colors of a school bus. So it was kind of conceptualized that when people see a school bus, they're kind of conditioned to slow down or notice it. So those type of thoughts went into the design of the Waffle House sign.

[A]

Waffle House will celebrate its 70 years with a rare open house of its original location on Saturday from 11 o' clock until two participating locations also will have a limited edition birthday cake waffle on the menu in Georgia. Sports in football, the Atlanta Falcons may start as many as four rookies against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, including first round picks Jalen Walker and James Pierce Jr. Falcons coach Raheem Morris says the Buccaneers defense, led by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, will be an unbelievable test for the rookies. In basketball, the Atlanta Dream beat The Los Angeles Sparks 8675 last night to move into sole possession of second place in the WNBA standings. Atlanta has won five of its last six games. The dream moved a half game ahead of Las Vegas in Phoenix with three games remaining. And in baseball, the Atlanta Braves rallied for a 51 win over the Chicago Cubs. In Chicago last night, Ha Seong Kim hit a three run homer, Bryce Elder pitched seven innings, a four hit ball and Ozzy Albies added a solo shot in the eighth and a single in the seventh. That broke up a combined no hit bid by Chicago. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. Keep up with the latest Georgia news by going to our webpage gpb.org news also find us on social media. We are pbnews on Facebook and Twitter. You'll find the latest there. If you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast. We ask you to do that right now. That'll help you to keep us current in your feed. And as always, we welcome feedback Eorgia today and at gpb.org I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll be back again tomorrow with another Georgia Today.