EPA rule change on coal ash; Union Pacific - Norfolk Southern merger; Medicaid cuts

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Peter Biello
Source: Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) News

---

Environmental Protection Agency's Proposed Rollback on Coal Ash Regulations

In this episode, Peter Biello delves into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent proposal to relax regulations surrounding coal ash management. GPB's Grant Blankenship provides an in-depth analysis of the new rule, which grants utilities an additional three years until 2029 to install test wells for monitoring how coal ash pollution affects groundwater and, alarmingly, even reaches kitchen sinks.

Key Points:

• EPA's Proposal: The rollback extends the deadline for utilities to address coal ash pollution, potentially increasing environmental risks.
• Georgia's Stance: Georgia is one of the few states with its own stringent coal ash regulations. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has announced it will not adopt the EPA's extension, maintaining its commitment to stringent environmental standards.
• Public Impact: Andrea Goolsbee, a resident near Monroe County's Plant Shearer, voiced her concerns during EPA hearings. Despite her support for President Trump, Goolsbee expressed diminishing trust in the EPA's actions. She stated at [02:40]:

  “Whether you're Republican or Democrat it shouldn't matter. Clean water, the air that we breathe are all God-given things. They're free.” – John Ossoff

Stakeholder Responses:

• Georgia Power: The company affirmed that their coal ash management plans remain unchanged despite the EPA's proposed rollback.

Potential Merger Between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern

The podcast highlights significant developments in the railroad industry, with Union Pacific and Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern confirming their involvement in merger discussions. This potential consolidation aims to create North America's largest railroad network, spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Key Points:

• Scope of the Merger: The merger would combine two of the country's six major freight railroads, significantly altering the competitive landscape.
• Regulatory Hurdles: The consolidation faces uncertainty regarding approval from federal regulators, who will scrutinize its impact on competition and market dynamics.
• Industry Implications: Such a merger could lead to increased efficiency and expanded service areas but may also raise concerns about reduced competition and higher costs for shippers.

Medicaid Cuts and Their Impact on Georgia's Seniors

A significant portion of the episode addresses the federal reconciliation bill's implications for Georgia's Medicaid programs. The proposed changes overhaul how states operate Medicaid, eliminating opportunities for expansion and restricting coverage eligibility.

Key Points:

• Federal Reconciliation Bill: The bill aims to reduce federal spending on Medicaid by limiting expansions and narrowing who qualifies for coverage.

• State Response: According to GPB’s Sophie Gradis, Georgia lawmakers are unlikely to hold a special session to address these federal cuts. Additionally, the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission, which advises on healthcare solutions for low-income and uninsured Georgians, has not met this year, leaving strategies to mitigate the impact unaddressed.

• Potential Consequences: Whitney Griggs from Georgians for a Healthy Future expressed concern at [03:36]:

  “We have these big changes from HR1. We have these big changes from everywhere else. And you know, we have not thought at all about how can we maintain law or at least prevent as many coverage losses to Georgia as possible. And also think about the impacts that these changes have on our safety net health system.”

• Impact on Nursing Homes: U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff highlighted the personal toll of these cuts at [04:43]:

  “This is unnecessary and avoidable harm to seniors in Georgia. This is a policy decision that's been made in Washington in order to fund tax cuts, mostly for the very wealthy.”

  The proposed budget cuts threaten to close 37 nursing homes in Georgia, endangering approximately 70% of seniors in these facilities who rely on Medicaid.

Political Developments: John King Withdraws from Senate Race

John King, Georgia's Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, announced his decision to withdraw from the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Initially launching his campaign in May, King cited limited prospects for securing the Republican nomination as his reason for stepping back. He reaffirmed his commitment to his role as Insurance Commissioner. King holds the distinction of being the first Hispanic individual elected to a statewide position in Georgia.

Political Landscape:

• GOP Contenders: With King exiting the race, the Republican field remains crowded, featuring candidates like U.S. Representative Buddy Carter and U.S. Representative Mike Collins, who is hinting at a campaign.

Healthcare Initiatives: Restoring HIV Prevention Jobs and New Co-Responder Program

Restoring HIV Prevention Jobs: The Fulton County Board of Health has reinstated 14 positions focused on HIV prevention and treatment after 17 jobs were lost in May due to federal funding delays. The current budget for these programs is set at just over $26 million through September next year. Notably, Georgia ranks among the highest in HIV rates nationally, underscoring the critical nature of these services.

New Co-Responder Program in Decatur County: Ellen Eldredge reports on a pioneering mobile response initiative aimed at improving responses to mental health crises. Robert Hearn, CEO of Georgia Pines Community Service Board, explained at [05:43]:

“The co-responder program is where we team a licensed therapist with an officer with law enforcement and they go out on scenes that involve mental health, substance abuse issues and then they kind of plan is to divert them from the jail system and back into the community.”

This program, funded by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, targets Decatur County’s high incarceration and poverty rates, seeking to divert individuals in crisis away from the criminal justice system and toward supportive community resources.

Economic Development: Pilgrims' New Food Facility

Poultry giant Pilgrims is set to invest $400 million in a new prepared foods facility located in Walker County, northwest Georgia. Scheduled for completion by 2027, the Lafayette plant will create 630 jobs, bolstering Georgia's robust agriculture sector. Pilgrims currently operates seven food production facilities across the state, supporting approximately 7,000 Georgia workers.

Community and Sports Highlights

HIV Program Funding and Nursing Homes: Reiterating the pressing issues surrounding healthcare funding, the podcast underscores the dichotomy between the restoration of HIV prevention roles and the looming threat to nursing home facilities due to Medicaid cuts.

Atlanta Dream Triumphs Over Phoenix Mercury: In a spirited sports update, Brittney Griner led the Atlanta Dream to a 90-79 victory against the Phoenix Mercury, scoring 17 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Griner, a former Mercury star, expressed emotional gratitude during a tribute at [07:58]:

“Said I wasn't going. I was going to hold my tears to the end, but they got me, they got me a little bit. Something was in the eye.”

Despite the absence of Ryan Howard, Atlanta's second-leading scorer, Alicia Gray shone brightly with her tenth 20-point game of the season, further energizing the Dream as they prepare to face the Minnesota Lynx.

Closing Remarks

Peter Biello concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to stay informed through GPB News’ extensive coverage available at gpb.org/news. He also invites audience engagement by requesting feedback or story ideas via email at [e-mail].

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the multifaceted discussions of the July 24, 2025, episode of Georgia Today, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the pressing environmental, political, healthcare, economic, and community issues affecting Georgia.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

These days there's so much news it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family and your community. The Consider this Podcast from NPR features our award winning journalism. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. We get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider this podcast from npr.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the EPA proposes a rollback of rules on coal ash Union Pacific and Atlanta based Norfolk Southern are confirming they're in merger talks and cuts to Medicaid could harm seniors who rely on it for their nursing home care.

[John Ossoff]

This is unnecessary and avoidable harm to seniors in Georgia. This is a policy decision that's been made in Washington in order to fund tax cuts, mostly for the very wealthy.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Thursday, July 24th. Peter I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King is pulling out of Georgia's 2026 U.S. senate race. The Republican announced his campaign in May, but in a social media post this afternoon, he said there's little path forward to the nomination. He said he would run for reelection as insurance commissioner. King became the first Hispanic person elected to statewide position in Georgia when he won the post in 2022. He was one of several Republicans in what's expected to be a crowded field of GOP contenders for the nomination. Incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff is considered to be vulnerable in the 2026 cycle. US Representative Buddy Carter is in the race. US Representative Mike Collins is strongly hinting at a campaign and other Republicans are reported to be considering a run. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rollback of some rules around the management of the toxic material left after burning coal to generate electricity, so called coal ash. GPB's Grant Blankenship explains the new EPA.

[Grant Blankenship]

Rule would give utilities an extra three years until 2029 to install test wells to monitor how coal ash pollution travels through groundwater and sometimes to kitchen sinks. But Georgia is among a handful of states with its own coal ash rules. Georgia's Environmental Protection Division says it will not take up the extension. Minutes before publishing the new rule, the EPA heard testimony from people like Andrea Goolsbee, who lives near Monroe County's Plant Shearer, one of the nation's largest coal burning power plants. She says she voted for President Trump, but her faith in this EPA is shaken.

[John Ossoff]

Whether you're Republican or Democrat it shouldn't matter. Clean water, the air that we breathe are all God given things. They're free.

[Grant Blankenship]

Georgia Power says their coal ash management plans are unchanged. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

The federal reconciliation bill overhauls the way states can operate their own Medicaid programs. So far, it has removed opportunities for Medicaid expansion and limited who can be covered. Georgians might not feel changes immediately, and as GPB's Sophie Gradis reports, state plans for when they do seem hard to come by.

[Sophie Gradis]

State lawmakers likely won't convene a special session to deal with federal cuts. Meanwhile, a key state commission that advises them on health care hasn't met all year. The Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission was created to find solutions for low income Georgians and the 11% of adults and kids who are uninsured. Whitney Griggs with Georgians for a Healthy Future worries lawmakers won't have a strategy.

[Whitney Griggs]

We have these big changes from HR1. We have these big changes from everywhere else. And you know, we have not thought at all about how can we maintain law or at least prevent as many coverage losses to Georgia as possible. And also think about the impacts that these changes have on our safety net health system.

[Sophie Gradis]

Hospitals would likely foot the bill if people fall through the cracks. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradis.

[Peter Biello]

The Fulton County Board of Health will restore the jobs of 14 staff members who had been working in HIV prevention and treatment. 17 lost their jobs in May amid delays in federal funding. The budget for the state's HIV prevention and treatment programs through next September now stands at just over $26 million. Georgia has one of the highest HIV rates in the country, a recent Brown University study says. The recently passed US budget bill puts 37 nursing homes in Georgia at risk of closing because of expected cuts to Medicaid spending. U.S. senator Jon Ossoff says that about 70% of Georgia seniors in nursing homes are covered by Medicaid.

[John Ossoff]

This is unnecessary and avoidable harm to seniors in Georgia. This is a policy decision that's been made in Washington in order to fund tax cuts, mostly for the very wealthy.

[Peter Biello]

The facilities most at risk for closure have the highest percentage of patients on Medicaid, and most are in urban areas. The trial for the father of the student accused of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School last fall has been delayed. The the trial for Colin Gray had been scheduled for September 8, but because his attorneys are unavailable that day, a new date must be set. Gray is facing 29 counts including two counts of second degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say he gave his son the assault style weapon used in the shooting. Police officers are often the first to respond to someone experiencing a mental health crisis, but many don't have the training or resources to handle the situation. A new mobile response program in southwest Georgia could help. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Robert Hearn]

Decatur county has one of the highest incarceration rates in the state, and the number of people living in poverty is about double the national average. Robert Hearn is the CEO for Georgia Pines Community Service Board. He says the new co responder program is designed to help during a behavioral health crisis.

[Decatur County Officer]

The co responder program is where we team a licensed therapist with an officer with law enforcement and they go out on scenes that involve mental health, substance abuse issues and then they kind of the plan is to divert them from the jail system and back into the community.

[Robert Hearn]

The program is funded by a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb foundation meant to improve global health. For GPB news, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Peter Biello]

Poultry food producer Pilgrims plans to build a $400 million prepared foods facility in northwest Georgia's Walker county, the company said today. The plant in Lafayette will create 630 new jobs and is expected to be complete by 2027. Pilgrims already operates seven food production facilities that support about 7,000 Georgia workers, all tied to Georgia's top industry, agriculture. The Walker county plant will produce a variety of fully cooked chicken products. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are confirming they're in merger talks that would create North America's largest railroad with service from the east coast to the West Coast. The Associated Press reported last week that the companies were discussing a union, but neither company confirmed it until this morning. The potential merger would combine two of the country's six major freight railroads, and it's unclear if federal regulators would approve the consolidation. In sports and basketball, Brittney Griner had 17 points and eight rebounds against her former team as the Atlanta Dream beat the Phoenix Mercury last night. 90 79. Griner played 11 seasons with the Mercury, helping lead them to the 2014 WNBA title and and an appearance in the 2021 Finals. The Mercury honored Greiner with a tribute video before the game. Griner says it felt good being back on the court, where she spent most.

[Brittney Griner]

Of her career hearing old stories, seeing, you know, signing jerseys that I've signed like a thousand times. It's been.

[Decatur County Officer]

It was really good.

[Brittney Griner]

It's a good feeling. Said I wasn't going. I was going to hold my tears to the end, but they got me, they got me a little bit. Something was in the eye.

[Peter Biello]

Ryan Howard, Atlanta's second leading scorer at 16 and a half points per game, did not play. Alicia Gray made 10 of 16 shots for her 10th 20 point game this season. The dream now head to Minnesota to face the Lynx on Sunday. And that is a wrap on Georgia Today. Thanks so much for listening and thanks to Orlando Montoya for hosting the podcast while I was away. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out gpb.org news we're also posting news stories there all the time. And make sure you subscribe to this, this podcast because we're coming back at you tomorrow with all the latest headlines. Now if you have feedback or a story idea, something you think we should be covering, we love hearing from you. So send us an email now. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[NPR Host]

These days there's so much news it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family and your community. The Consider this Podcast from NPR features our award winning journalism. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. We get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider this Podcast from NPR.