Georgia Today – January 21, 2026

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode of the Georgia Today podcast, hosted by Peter Biello, covers several pressing news stories impacting Georgia: a high-stakes legal fight over a Georgia-born Federal Reserve governor's job security, the state's forecast for slowing economic growth, preparations for incoming winter weather, and additional state news on local governance, health funding, caregiver support, and a historic Hall of Fame induction.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Winter Weather Alert for Georgia

• Segment Start: [00:06]
• Details:
  • A winter storm watch has been issued for North Georgia, with forecasts predicting up to 4 inches of snow and significant ice accumulations beginning as early as Saturday morning.
  • National Weather Service meteorologist Carmen Hernandez warns:

    “We're expecting wintry precip to begin filtering in from the northwest as early as Saturday morning...continuing through Sunday evening into early, early Monday morning.” [00:53]

  • Forecasters suggest that ice may cause power outages and tree damage, recommending against travel over the weekend.
  • Governor Brian Kemp, currently abroad, has issued a video urging preparedness:

    “Hopefully that plays out and doesn't happen, but this is a good time to start preparing for this weekend should that happen. If you need batteries, food, gas in your vehicles and other things, it's got plenty of time.” [01:38]

  • 21 counties are immediately affected; updates available on the GPB News website.

2. Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Faces Dismissal Attempt

• Segment Start: [01:49]
• Details:
  • The US Supreme Court heard arguments on President Trump’s attempt to remove Lisa Cook, a Georgia native, from her role as Federal Reserve Governor amidst allegations of mortgage fraud (which she denies).
  • The justices appeared skeptical of the administration’s attempt to assert control over the Fed.
  • Cook’s attorney, Paul Clement, emphasized the critical independence of the Fed:

    “Congress…knew better than anyone that the short term temptations to lower interest rates and have easy money are was a disaster in the long term, but was going to be irresistible. And so they tied their own hands by taking the Fed out of the appropriations process and they tied the president's hand…” [02:30]

  • At least six of nine Supreme Court justices expressed doubts about the administration’s position.

3. Georgia Outlook: Slowing Growth & Persistent Inflation

• Segment Start: [03:13]
• Reporter: Sara Kalis
• Details:
  • State economist Robert Bushman predicts slowing economic growth with continued inflation in Georgia.
  • Pessimism among both CEOs and consumers is prevalent.
  • Bushman highlights:

    “The real problem is that incomes for most Americans have not really kept up with inflation over the recent years.” [03:20]

  • Ongoing tariffs are expected to further drive inflation, disproportionately impacting consumers.
  • Despite these challenges, Georgia maintains low unemployment and Bushman does not foresee a recession.

4. State Agencies’ Health Funding Requests

• Segment Start: [03:54]
• Reporter: Sophie Gradis
• Details:
  • Health departments’ spending remains high, at about 40% of state expenditures.
  • Challenges include:
    • Reduction in placements for foster children but rising costs due to complex care requirements.
    • Commissioner Candace Brose explains:

      “We have under 10,000 children in foster care right now. With that slight downward trend, we still see this increase in cost.” [04:24]

    • $46 million needed to fill a federal funding gap for nutrition services.
    • New spending planned for disability services and maternal health program expansions.

5. Local Referendum Blocks Overdevelopment on Sapelo Island

• Segment Start: [04:51]
• Details:
  • Voters in McIntosh County overruled a county commissioner decision that would have doubled the maximum home size on Sapelo Island’s Hog Hummock, helping maintain affordability and cultural heritage for the historic Gullah Geechee community.

6. Alzheimer’s Association Seeks Support for Caregivers

• Segment Start: [05:33]
• Reporter: Ellen Eldredge
• Details:
  • Georgia’s chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association requests $2 million from the General Assembly to support roughly 400,000 unpaid caregivers.
  • Nancy Pieter, Alzheimer’s Association:

    “They can provide respite, which is what we hear a lot of caregivers needing, especially caring for someone with Alzheimer's, you know, getting that break so that you don't get burnout, so that you can take care of your own health.” [05:44]

  • Stakeholders plan to meet with legislators to advocate for funding.

7. Leadership Instability at Morris Brown College

• Segment Start: [06:11]
• Details:
  • Morris Brown College reversed a prior decision to fire its president, Kevin James, after a “mutually agreed upon resolution.” Despite this, trustees acknowledge persistent concerns about workplace culture and trust at the historically Black Atlanta institution.

8. CNN’s Financials Go Public

• Segment Start: [06:40]
• Details:
  • Warner Bros. Discovery has disclosed CNN’s projected standalone revenue for 2026 at $1.8 billion, providing insight into the Atlanta-based network’s specific financial status for the first time in years.

9. Andrew Jones Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

• Segment Start: [07:24]
• Details:
  • Former Braves outfielder Andruw Jones, lauded for his defense, is set for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, surpassing the election threshold on his ninth ballot.
  • He joins fellow inductee Carlos Beltran and reflects:

    “To be in a class with all those greats, all those legends that play, you watch videos, some of those guys that you idolize, guys that you follow for a long time, be on the same porium with them is just a great honor.” [07:55]

  • Induction will occur in July in Cooperstown, NY.

Notable Quotes

• On Winter Prep:
  • Governor Kemp:

    “If you need batteries, food, gas in your vehicles and other things, it's got plenty of time.” [01:38]

• On Federal Reserve Independence:
  • Paul Clement (Cook’s Attorney):

    “They tied the president's hand in a pretty significant way.” [02:30]

• On Economic Pressures:
  • Economist Robert Bushman:

    “Incomes for most Americans have not really kept up with inflation over the recent years.” [03:22]

• On Foster Care Funding:
  • Commissioner Brose:

    “We still see this increase in cost.” [04:24]

• On Caregiver Burnout:
  • Nancy Pieter (Alzheimer's Association):

    “You don't get burnout, so that you can take care of your own health.” [05:44]

• On Hall of Fame Induction:
  • Andruw Jones:

    “Be on the same porium with them is just a great honor.” [07:55]

Additional Information

• Storm coverage and continuous updates are available at GPB.org.
• The episode concludes with Peter Biello emphasizing winter safety and teasing more news in upcoming editions.

Segment Timestamps (For Quick Access)

• [00:06] – Winter storm forecast and preparations
• [01:49] – Federal Reserve governor legal battle
• [03:13] – Georgia’s economic outlook
• [03:54] – State budget and health funding
• [04:51] – Sapelo Island referendum
• [05:33] – Alzheimer’s caregiver support proposal
• [06:11] – Morris Brown College president reinstatement
• [06:40] – CNN financials revealed
• [07:24] – Andruw Jones elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

This summary captures the major stories and nuanced discussions from the episode, providing context, direct quotes, and easy navigation for listeners and non-listeners alike.