Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary Date: March 3, 2026
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Main Focus: Parental conviction in Apalachee shooting, Hawks/Magic City controversy, election season kickoff in Georgia, and a roundup of major news stories statewide.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers significant updates on criminal liability in school shootings, political developments as candidate qualifying begins, civic controversy involving the Atlanta Hawks and Magic City, a potential U.S.–Iran conflict, and several local interest stories—ranging from public safety to wildlife health. Host Peter Biello provides context-rich reporting, expert commentary, and key sound bites from legal, political, and community voices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Conviction of Apalachee High School Shooter’s Father

Timestamps: 00:33–01:39

• Colin Gregg, father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter, convicted on over two dozen charges, including second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, and cruelty to children.
• Jury from Hall County deliberated for just two hours, signaling consensus.
• Precedent-Setting: First such conviction in Georgia holding a parent criminally liable in a case like this, triggering debates over the boundaries of parental accountability (e.g., providing a weapon or, by analogy, a car).
  • Quote (Michael Moore, Former US Attorney):

    "Will that parent now be responsible criminally for essentially putting a vehicle weapon into the hands of their child? Should that child then kill somebody in a car?" [01:23]

• The teen, Colt Gray (16), awaits trial.
• This case could have broad legal implications statewide and nationally.

2. Election Season Kickoff

Timestamps: 01:39–02:45

• Candidate Qualifying Period: Official campaign season in Georgia begins, running until noon Friday.
  • Over 300 candidates filed on the first day.
  • Major figures appearing:
    • Jon Ossoff (US Senator), Buddy Carter (Congressman, Republican challenger), Keisha Lance Bottoms (former Atlanta Mayor), Jason Estevez (former State Senator), and Kris Carr (Republican Attorney General running for governor).
  • Kris Carr on campaign strategy:

    "Getting out and working, getting out into the state, meeting people, making phone calls. It's about establishing that relationship. And in a campaign you got to be able to raise money and you have to organize and we know how to do both." [00:21, 02:33]

• DNC narrows 2028 Convention host cities to five, including Atlanta; evaluation teams will visit this spring.

3. Atlanta Police & Juvenile Crime Crackdown

Timestamps: 03:45–04:12

• 17 teens arrested on Atlanta’s Beltline for curfew, handgun, and marijuana violations—part of efforts to curb “unauthorized gatherings.”
• Law enforcement shifting accountability to parents, including criminal charges.
  • Quote (Chief Darren Sheerbaum):

    "The youngest person we encountered unaccompanied was 13 years of age." [04:06]

4. Hawks/Magic City Promotion Controversy

Timestamps: 04:12–05:30

• Atlanta Hawks collaborating with Magic City (iconic Atlanta strip club) for a game promotion draws criticism from Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs.
  • Kornet and other NBA players argue this reflects poorly on league values and is "complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women."

    "Allowing the March 16 event during the Hawks game against the Orlando Magic... would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society." [04:37]

  • Hawks did not acknowledge Magic City’s status as a strip club in their announcement.

5. U.S.–Iran Tensions & War Powers Debate

Timestamps: 05:30–09:49

• As Congress debates a war powers resolution following President Trump’s weekend attack on Iran, most Republicans support the President, while Democrats insist on Congressional approval.
• Legal perspective from Laurie Blank (Emory University):
  • President’s authority is limited; not all military operations require Congressional approval, but this case warrants it.

    • "It's not required in all instances. But in a case of this magnitude, I think ... it's constitutionally required..." [05:40]

  • Distinguishes between imminent defensive force vs. offensive actions.

    • "...if that authority rests on repelling an attack on the United States, then there has to be an attack, not something, however awful, that happened 10 years ago or 30 years ago or even one year ago." [06:58]

  • Congressional consequences and limitations:

    • "It's extremely difficult for a Congress, regardless of political party, to oppose and take real steps to oppose American military operations once they have already been launched." [07:38]

  • Potential congressional actions range from full authorization, blanket prohibition, to conditional or limited support.

6. Race Mishap at Atlanta Half Marathon

Timestamps: 10:00–10:58

• Jess McLean, leading runner, was misdirected by a guide vehicle; finished ninth, missing qualification for the 2026 World Road Running Championships.
• Atlanta Track Club accepts responsibility, but USA Track and Field states results are final (subject to further review).
  • McLean asks that the club “somehow make it right for the athletes.”

7. Wildlife Health: Avian Influenza Among Black Vultures

Timestamps: 10:58–11:45

• UGA study finds 84% of 134 black vulture carcasses tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.
• Major concern for scavenger population and ecological balance.
  • Quote (Nicole Nemeth, UGA):

    "We don't feel these impacts until some years later when populations decline, you know. And that was some of the concern in the bald eagles because a lot of bald eagle nests failed because of this virus." [11:27]

8. Community Reentry Program for the Formerly Incarcerated

Timestamps: 11:45–12:15

• “Operation New Hope” opens unit at West Central Georgia Regional Hospital, offering therapy and transitional housing for people with mental illness leaving jail.
• Aims to reduce jail populations and recidivism; similar units exist in Savannah and Milledgeville.

9. Other Notable Headlines

• Historic American Documents Tour: Treaty of Paris, Articles of Association head to Atlanta’s History Center as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
  (Timestamps: 02:45–03:45)

• Alcohol Sales for Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day: One-time Sunday approval for bar sales on March 15th ahead of the city’s parade.
  (Timestamps: 12:15–12:45)

• Jerkson Profar’s MLB Suspension: Atlanta Braves outfielder faces full-season ban after a second positive PED test.
  (Timestamps: 12:45–13:15)

Memorable Quotes

• On Parental Responsibility:

  "Will that parent now be responsible criminally for essentially putting a vehicle weapon into the hands of their child?"
  – Michael Moore, former U.S. attorney [01:23]

• On Campaigning:

  "You got to be able to raise money and you have to organize and we know how to do both."
  – Kris Carr, Georgia Attorney General [02:33]

• On Hawks/Magic City:

  "Allowing the March 16 event... would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community..."
  – Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs [04:37]

• On War Powers:

  "It's not required in all instances. But in a case of this magnitude, I think it would be wise..."
  – Laurie Blank, Emory University [05:40]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Apalachee Shooting Conviction Discussion: 00:33–01:39
• Candidate Qualifying & Political Update: 01:39–02:45
• Juvenile Arrests/Parental Accountability: 03:45–04:12
• Hawks/Magic City Controversy: 04:12–05:30
• U.S.–Iran and War Powers Analysis: 05:30–09:49
• Atlanta Marathon Mishap: 10:00–10:58
• Avian Influenza Study: 10:58–11:45
• Community Reentry Program: 11:45–12:15
• Historic Documents Tour, Savannah Alcohol Law, Braves Suspension: 02:45–03:45, 12:15–13:15

This episode balances high-profile legal precedent, hot-button civic issues, major sporting controversies, and important local news, delivering context, depth, and multiple community perspectives for Georgia residents.