Election Day preview; SNAP benefits will partially resume; LaGrange cricket stadium

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast — November 3, 2025

Host: Chase McGee (GPB)
Main Topics: Election Day Preview, SNAP Benefits Update, Major Cricket Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia Layoffs, Caregiver Wellness, Spelman College Donation, Sports Highlights

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today covers the key political races ahead of Election Day in Georgia, discusses the partial resumption of SNAP benefits amidst the ongoing federal shutdown, and dives into the launch of a 10,000-seat cricket stadium in LaGrange. The show also reports on recent major layoffs, an upcoming caregiver event for Parkinson’s disease, Spelman College’s transformative $38M donation, area sports news, and a recap of Paul McCartney’s Atlanta concert.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SNAP Benefits Amid Federal Shutdown

• Background: The Trump administration announced a partial resumption of SNAP benefits after court orders; only half the usual amount will be paid out.
• Political Response:
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock voiced strong support for SNAP recipients and healthcare, highlighting the shutdown’s toll.
    • Quote (Sen. Warnock, 01:00):
      “I'm going to continue to fight for health care because it's a matter of life and death and I'm going to keep fighting for these SNAP recipients because food is a matter of life and death.”
  • Gov. Kemp stated state surplus funds cannot be used legally to supplement the program.
• Context: The fight over food access continues during the protracted government shutdown, with state and federal officials at odds over solutions.

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2. Election Day Preview & Races to Watch

• Key Races (Sarah Kalis, 01:27):
  • Two Public Service Commission (PSC) seats are contested by incumbents (Republicans Tim Echols, Fitz Johnson) and Democrats (Alicia Johnson, Peter Hubbard).
  • Mayoral, city council, and county commission elections across Atlanta, Augusta, McDonough, Americus.
  • Special election in State House District 106 to replace Shelly Hutchinson.
• Voter Info:
  • Polls open: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Resource: My Voter Page for polling locations.
• Quote (Sarah Kalis, 01:27):
  “The PSC regulates the rates consumers pay for many utilities, including electricity.”

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3. High-Profile Retrial in Washington County

• Case Summary:
  • Retrial begins for three former sheriff’s deputies accused of murder in the 2017 electrocution death of Yuri Martin, a mentally ill man.
  • Incident followed a call by a homeowner; deputies used Tasers for nearly 1.5 minutes.
  • Previous 2021 trial ended with a hung jury.
• Upcoming: Prosecution now handled by Muscogee County DA; trial starts Nov. 12.
• Quote (Grant Blankenship, 02:31):
  “Martin would be electrocuted for about a minute and a half total before he died.”

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4. Economic Update: Major Layoffs in Georgia

• Companies & Impact:
  • Carter’s: 189 HQ layoffs in Atlanta, beginning December.
  • Integrated Health Resources: 107 layoffs after losing a state contract, affecting behavioral health and autism services.
  • Mannington’s Carpet Business: Over 200 positions lost with Dalton and Chatsworth plant closures due to decreased demand.
• Broader Trend: Market pressures, tariffs, and decreased demand hitting local businesses and workers.

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5. Support for Parkinson’s Caregivers

• Event:
  • “The Caregiver’s Guide to Wellness” at Marcus Jewish Community Center, Dunwoody, Nov. 8 (free, registration required).
• Goal: Offer self-care resources, community, and connection for Parkinson’s caregivers.
• Quote (Barbara Mooney, 05:15):
  “Can include mental health, wellness, their own physical care and maintaining their own independence and their own likes and dislikes.”

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6. Spelman College Receives $38 Million Gift

• Donor: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.
• Impact:
  • The “transformative” gift will boost student access, affordability, technology, and overall academic experience.

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7. Major Cricket Stadium Coming to LaGrange

• Project Details:
  • 10,000-seat, multi-use stadium to break ground this week, led by developer Siddharth Das.
  • Supported by ICC, USA Cricket, Selig Enterprises, featuring a FIFA-compliant soccer field, hotel, and food options.
• Vision:
  • Designed for cricket matches, training camps, concerts, and community events.
• Passion for Cricket:
  • Quote (Siddharth Das, 06:46):
    “Since we announced the stadium in Lagrange, obviously everybody's like why cricket? Why Lagrange? But they just haven't seen it. They haven't seen how passionate we are about it and the excitement around the game.”
  • On stadium’s versatility (07:21):
    “One of the exciting things that I always envision happening is monster truck [shows] being here at the stadium because of the space...”
• Cricket’s Appeal:
  • Short versions (T20s) likened to baseball/football in length and excitement.
  • Quote (Siddharth Das, 08:18):
    “...the beauty of all of this is if folks don't know that baseball actually came out of cricket...”
• Timeline: Stadium completion anticipated by 2027.

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8. Sports Highlights

• Baseball:
  • Braves’ Matt Olson wins third Gold Glove Award, first with the team since 2022.
• Football:
  • Falcons lose to Patriots 24–23; three-game losing streak.
• Music:
  • Paul McCartney’s Atlanta show draws 18,000 fans; notable multigenerational presence.
  • Quote (Becky Cristo, 10:15):
    “It's just wonderful that he is still, still here and still doing this. And really it's about peace and love and doing the songs that everybody can relate to. We need more of that, especially in these times.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Raphael Warnock on SNAP (01:00):
  “I'm going to continue to fight for health care because it's a matter of life and death and I'm going to keep fighting for these SNAP recipients because food is a matter of life and death.”
• Siddharth Das on cricket's future in LaGrange (06:46):
  “They just haven't seen how passionate we are about it and the excitement around the game.”
• Barbara Mooney on caregiver needs (05:15):
  “Can include mental health, wellness, their own physical care and maintaining their own independence and their own likes and dislikes.”
• Becky Cristo on McCartney/Beatles legacy (10:15):
  “It's just wonderful that he is still, still here and still doing this. And really it's about peace and love and doing the songs that everybody can relate to. We need more of that, especially in these times.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• SNAP benefits update: 00:34–01:12
• Election Day preview & races: 01:27–02:15
• Washington County retrial: 02:15–03:18
• Georgia layoffs update: 03:18–04:51
• Parkinson’s caregiver event: 04:51–05:38
• Spelman College donation: 05:38–06:20
• LaGrange cricket stadium feature: 06:20–08:46
• Sports highlights (Braves/Falcons/McCartney): 08:55–10:31

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode covers a breadth of important Georgia news, balancing urgency (SNAP, layoffs, trials) with community focus (elections, caregiving, cultural growth). The tone remains informative, compassionate, and occasionally celebratory, especially regarding arts, education, and sports achievements. There’s an undercurrent of resilience—from those pushing for hunger relief and wellness to the passionate cricket developer aiming to grow a new sport in Georgia.

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Transcript

[Chase McGee]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom on today's episode. Tomorrow is Election Day in Georgia. We'll explain some of the key races SNAP payments will partially resume as the federal government shutdown continues and this week construction will begin on a new 10,000 seat cricket stadium in Lagrange.

[Siddharth Das]

Obviously everybody's like, why cricket? Why Lagrange? But they just haven't seen it. They haven't seen how we are about it and the excitement around the game.

[Chase McGee]

Today is Monday, November 3rd. I'm Chase McGee and this is Georgia Today. The Trump administration has announced it will resume SNAP benefits but will only pay out half the amount people normally receive. This after two federal judges ordered the White House to release emergency funding for food assistance. US Senator Raphael Warnock says that SNAP recipients should not be caught in the middle of the government shutdown.

[Raphael Warnock]

I'm going to continue to fight for health care because it's a matter of life and death and I'm going to keep fighting for these SNAP recipients because food is a matter of life and death.

[Chase McGee]

Governor Kemp has said he can't legally use state surplus money to fill in the gaps in snap. Tomorrow is Election Day in Georgia. GPB Sarah Kalis explains some of the key races on the ballot.

[Sarah Kalis]

Voters in all parts of the state will vote for two Public Service Commission seats. The seats are currently held by Republicans Tim Echols and Fitz Johnson, who are being challenged by Democrats Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard, respectively. The PSC regulates the rates consumers pay for many utilities, including electricity. Mayors, city councilors and county commissioners will also be on the ballot in several cities, including Atlanta, Augusta, McDonough and Americus. Voters in State House District 106, previously held by former state Representative Shelly Hutchinson, will vote for her replacement after she vacated her seat earlier this year. Polls are open from 7am to 7pm Voters can check the My Voter Page website to find their polling place. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis.

[Chase McGee]

Jury selection is underway and the retrial of three former Washington county sheriff's deputies accused of murder in the 2017 electrocution death of a mentally ill man who was walking down a country road on a summer day, GPB's Grant Blankenship explains.

[Grant Blankenship]

When Yuri Martin asked for a drink of water on a blistering day at a house west of Sandersville, the homeowner deemed him suspicious and called 911. When deputies Rhett Scott, Henry Lee Copeland and Michael Howell found Martin, they ordered him off the road. When Martin, with a history of schizoaffective disorder, didn't obey the deputies deployed Tasers. Martin would be electrocuted for about a minute and a half total before he died. The 2021 jury was deep into deliberation when they asked to watch officers dash camera and bystander footage of the encounter before saying they could reach no verdict. The lack of verdict means the deputies can be tried again. This time, the Muscogee County District attorney will handle prosecution in the trial expected to begin in earnest on November 12th. For GPB news, I'm Grant Blankenship and MACON.

[Chase McGee]

There have been a number of layoffs in Georgia in the past week, according to documents submitted to the state. Atlanta based clothing retailer Carter says it is laying off nearly 200 workers. The company late last week says 189 employees at its Atlanta headquarters will be laid off starting in December, with other groups of employees scheduled to lose their jobs in late winter or early spring. The move comes after the company reported profit of $11.6 million in its third quarter and cited higher tariffs as one factor cutting into profits. Also, Atlanta based Integrated Health Resources is laying off more than 100 workers after losing a state contract. The company is eliminating 107 positions at the end of the year, including specialists trained to provide community based rapid response services to children and adults with behavioral health conditions and consultants helping people with autism spectrum disorder. And in North Georgia, a carpet company is laying off workers at two facilities. Mannington's retail carpet business will be closing plants in Dalton and Chatsworth late next month, permanently laying off more than 200 workers. The company says the layoffs are a result of the continual decline in demand and unfavorable market conditions. Those caring for a family member with a serious illness often face stress, burnout and health issues of their own. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports on an upcoming event designed to help people caring for someone with Parkinson's disease.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The Caregiver's Guide to Wellness program recognizes the impact of families and the community when a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinson disease. The Georgia chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease association is hosting an event where people can connect with other caregivers and learn about self care. Barbara Mooney is the Georgia Chapter coordinator. She says caretaker stress includes taking on the responsibilities once shared by two that.

[Becky Cristo]

Can include mental health, wellness, their own physical care and maintaining their own independence and their own likes and dislikes.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The Nov. 8 event at the Marcus Jewish Community center in Dunwoody is free with registration for GPB News I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Chase McGee]

Spelman College in Atlanta has announced it's receiving a $38 million gift by philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. The college calls the donation transformative and says it will go towards strengthening student access and affordability. In a release, the school said the unrestricted gift will help students regardless of their financial background and serve as an investment in technology that will enhance the academic experience, among other things. A New Jersey based developer plans to break ground this week on a 10,000 seat stadium in West Georgia's LaGrange. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports it's expected to become a destination for fans of the world's second most popular sport.

[Orlando Montoya]

Beloved especially in South Asia, cricket also has a large following in this country. That was evident during the Cricket World cup held in the US Last year when hundreds of thousands of supporters attended matches in Florida, Texas and New York. Developer Siddharth Das says that enthusiasm is now we'll come to a city about an hour's drive from the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

[Siddharth Das]

Since we announced the stadium in Lagrange, obviously everybody's like why cricket? Why Lagrange? But they just haven't seen it. They haven't seen how passionate we are about it and the excitement around the game.

[Orlando Montoya]

Das is the driving force behind Das Cricket Academy in New Jersey, the New Jersey Black Caps and the Atlanta Black Caps, a professional cricket franchise team for cricket's US Premier League. He's working with the sport's governing bodies, the International Cricket Council and USA Cricket, to promote the lagrange stadium for games and training camps, but he's also promoting the venue for other events.

[Siddharth Das]

One of the exciting things that I always envision happening is monster truck being here at the stadium because of the space that we can provide, the way the stadium is being designed from an audiovisual standpoint, the lighting, all of that is being done in order to ensure that we can actually host concerts, cultural events. We'll open up it to everybody whoever wants to host an event there.

[Orlando Montoya]

Plans also include a FIFA compliant soccer field, a hotel, food and beverage opportunities and other projects backed by real estate giant Selig Enterprises. Selig already has developed a nearby resort and water park, Great Wolf Lounge. The new developments are expected to have a huge impact on Troop County. As to why cricket lovers are so passionate about the sport. Das pointed to its camaraderie as in any popular game like tailgating events or watch parties for soccer or football, and he notes there is a shorter version.

[Siddharth Das]

Of the game because when you think about cricket. Everybody thinks it goes on for days. Yes, that is true. There is a version of the game that goes on for up to five days and then you have a one day game and then you have a T20 game which is a three and a half hour game, very similar to a football game or a baseball game. So it does not take that long. It's very exciting. It keeps moving. And the beauty of all of this is if folks don't know that baseball actually came out of cricket, the stadium.

[Orlando Montoya]

Is expected to be complete by 2027. For GPB news, I'm Orlando Montoy.

[Chase McGee]

In other sports news, Braves first baseman Matt Olson has won his third Gold Glove Award. It's the third time Olson has won the award for the best player by position in each league. He played every game last season and committed only five errors while preventing 17 runs. It's also the first time he's won it since joining the Braves in 2022. And in the NFL, the Falcons lost to the Patriots 2423 yesterday. Atlanta has now lost three straight games. The Falcons had a chance to tie the game after Michael Pennix Jr. Connected with Drake London for a touchdown, but Parker Romo's missed kick sealed their fate. The Falcons head to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Sunday the 9th. Paul McCartney will play his second concert tonight in Atlanta. On Sunday he performed Beatles classics and some of his solo hits at State Farm Arena. 18,000 fans across four generations attended the two and a half hour spectacle which included the piano ballad Let It Be, Wings, rock anthem Jet and a confetti drop during an encore from the Beatles Abbey Road album. Becky Cristo and her identical twin sister June saw the Beatles perform in Atlanta in 1965 and attended the Got Back tour show together on Sunday.

[Becky Cristo]

It's just wonderful that he is still, still here and still doing this. And really it's about peace and love and doing the songs that everybody can relate to. We need more of that, especially in these times.

[Chase McGee]

Yeah. McCartney last played Atlanta in 2017. Finally tonight on GPB TV, watch the powerful new documentary the President and the Dragon which chronicles former US President Jimmy Carter's decades long fight to eradicate guinea worm disease. That starts tonight at 9 on GPB TV. More [e-mail] television 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 hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. If you've got feedback. We'd love to hear it. Email us at Georgia [e-mail] I'm Chase McGee and we'll see you tomorrow.