Flock cameras destroyed; FIFA World Cup celebration; Apalachee high school court case

Summary

Georgia Today — July 23, 2026

Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)
Episode Focus: Flock cameras destroyed in Albany, Atlanta’s World Cup celebration and soccer legacy, upcoming Apalachee High School court case, and other Georgia news highlights

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Episode Overview

This episode offers a comprehensive look at several key stories shaping Georgia: the criminal destruction of Flock safety cameras in South Georgia, Atlanta’s successful experience hosting the FIFA World Cup and the city’s pioneering soccer history, legal updates on the Apalachee High School shooting, and major economic developments including new data centers and railroad mergers. The tone is informative, community-minded, and locally engaged.

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Main Stories & Key Discussion Points

1. President Trump Visits Marietta, Addresses Losses in Iran Conflict

[00:25–01:12]

• President Trump visited Wheeler High School in Marietta, expressing condolences to families of four U.S. service members killed in the ongoing war with Iran.
  • Notably, first lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, a Georgia native, was among those honored.
  • Trump directly addressed Feehan's parents:

    "We will carry Tyler's memory and our hearts forever. And I just want to thank you. It's an honor to have you here today." — Donald Trump ([01:05])

• Visit also aimed at reaffirming political endorsements (Mike Collins for Senate, Rick Jackson for governor).
• Democrats labeled the visit "failed damage control."

2. Data Centers Under Scrutiny and Expansion in Georgia

[01:12–04:23]

• White House Unveils New Data Center Commitments:
  • In response to backlash over data center energy use and property tax impacts, major utilities and tech companies agreed to higher cost contributions.
  • Governor Brian Kemp called data centers “critical for U.S. competitiveness.”
  • Chris Womack (Southern Co. CEO) addressed public concerns:

    "We all have got to do a much better job of fighting and telling the truth about data centers and confronting the misinformation that we see all across the marketplace." — Chris Womack ([01:54])

• OpenAI Announces Major Facility:
  • Plans for Georgia’s largest data center unveiled for Effingham County, serviced by Georgia Power.
  • Environmental concerns raised:

    "There needs to be some really hard questions about what we think is actually going to be left in the Savannah river after all of this, because it's not just Effingham." — Tanya Benita Tibus, Savannah Riverkeeper Executive Director ([04:13])

  • Potential for up to 1,000 permanent jobs ([04:23]).

3. Albany’s Flock Safety Cameras Targeted

[02:03–02:49]

• Two Flock safety cameras were reportedly destroyed by explosion, now classified by police as criminal property damage.
• Transition from suspected equipment failure to active criminal investigation.
• Incidents coincide with national debates on privacy and camera misuse.

4. Apalachee High School Shooting Court Case

[02:49–03:36]

• Colt Gray, accused of killing four (two teachers, two students) and injuring nine, will enter a non-negotiated plea, avoiding a jury trial.
  • Faces life sentence; parole eligibility will be determined at sentencing.
• Father, Colin Gray, was convicted for supplying the weapon, with his sentencing set for July 28 ([03:36]).
• Victims include teachers Christina Irami & Richard Aspinwall, and students Christian Angelo & Mason Schermerhorn.
  • "He faces a life sentence for the charges against him, but sentencing will determine a possibility for parole." — Chase McGee ([02:49])

5. Atlanta’s FIFA World Cup Retrospective

[05:25–06:13]

• City Leadership Celebrates Post-World Cup Gains:
  • Over 4 million MARTA rides during the event.
  • 60% reduction in downtown potholes.
  • Crime dropped 18% from previous year.
  • Mayor Andre Dickens anticipates continued positive effects:

    "People will remember these patterns of how to get downtown without a car, how to ride MARTA, where you might go to eat, where you might go to hang out. But that then informs us where to send those resources of the police and fire rescue." — Mayor Andre Dickens ([05:50])

• Atlanta prepares for future major events, including the 2028 Super Bowl.

6. Atlanta’s Soccer Legacy: From Chiefs to World Cup Host

[06:13–09:34]

• Historical Perspective:
  • Atlanta was a pioneer in youth soccer, starting in 1967 with clinics by the Atlanta Chiefs and the YMCA, leading to what is considered the first organized youth soccer league in the US.
  • Loren Koontz, YMCA of Metro Atlanta President:

    "Soccer was not a sport that was really being played in the US and in 1967, Atlanta got its first professional soccer team called the Atlanta Chiefs." ([07:19])

  • First youth-league players such as Mark Smith reflect on the sport’s impact on their lives:

    "I am 66 years old and I'm still coaching. Every year it pulls a little more out of my soul. I get emotional because I put my heart on my sleeve." — Mark Smith ([08:37])

  • Scott Schottl recalls being inspired by YMCA outreach in 1976:

    "I was in class, got the pamphlet, saw a soccer ball, went home and I said, hey, Dad, I want to try this sport." — Scott Schottl ([08:53])

  • The significance of Atlanta’s soccer growth is observed:

    "It's truly a full circle moment to have really been the organization with the first youth soccer league in the YMCA and then 60 years later to be hosting the World Cup." — Loren Koontz ([09:24])

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Additional Georgia Headlines

[04:34–05:25]

• Railroad sector update: Union Pacific strikes deal for Norfolk South merger, with some industry division.
• Georgia Peanut Commission announces contest for new peanut product innovations (10,000 USD prize for food products less than a year old).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump's Address to Grieving Parents:
  “We will carry Tyler's memory and our hearts forever.” ([01:05])
• Data Center CEO on Public Perception:
  “We all have got to do a much better job of ... confronting the misinformation.” — Chris Womack ([01:54])
• Savannah Riverkeeper on Environmental Impact:
  “There needs to be some really hard questions about what we think is actually going to be left in the Savannah river.” — Tanya Benita Tibus ([04:13])
• Mayor Dickens on World Cup's Legacy:
  “People will remember these patterns ... That then informs us where to send those resources.” ([05:50])
• First Youth Soccer Coach on Lifelong Impact:
  “Every year it pulls a little more out of my soul. I get emotional because I put my heart on my sleeve.” — Mark Smith ([08:37])
• YMCA CEO on Atlanta's Soccer Journey:
  “It’s truly a full circle moment ... 60 years later to be hosting the World Cup.” — Loren Koontz ([09:24])

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Key Timestamps

• 00:25–01:12 — Trump’s Marietta visit and remarks on Tyler James Feehan
• 01:12–04:23 — Data centers: public backlash, environmental concerns, OpenAI’s Effingham County project
• 02:03–02:49 — Flock camera explosions in Albany
• 02:49–03:36 — Apalachee High School shooting legal update
• 05:25–06:13 — Atlanta’s World Cup safety and transit recap
• 06:13–09:34 — Atlanta’s youth soccer roots and multi-generational legacy

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Overall Tone & Style

• The episode carries a straightforward, news-oriented tone, with segments blending hard news (crime, court cases, economic development) and community focus (sports history, national service remembrances).
• Voices range from matter-of-fact (reporters, officials) to heartfelt (family tributes, longtime coaches).

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This summary offers a comprehensive guide to the July 23, 2026 edition of "Georgia Today," ideal for listeners who wish to catch up on pivotal statewide events and illuminating local stories.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, someone's destroying flock cameras in South Georgia. Atlanta leaders celebrate a successful World cup, and the teenager accused of killing classmates and teachers in a high school shooting two years ago is set to appear in court tomorrow.

[B]

He faces a life sentence for the charges against him.

[A]

Today is Thursday, July 23rd. Hi, I'm Peter Biello, and this is Georgia Today. President Donald Trump expressed condolences yesterday to the families of the four U.S. service members killed in the war with Iran. Trump was speaking in Marietta during a visit to Wheeler High School. He called the war, which has dragged on for months, a skirmish. Before his visit to Georgia Yesterday, Trump visited Dover Air Force Base to receive the bodies of the service members, including first lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, who CNN reports lived primarily in Georgia. Trump addressed Feehan's parents directly during yesterday's event.

[C]

It's the toughest thing I do, but

[A]

to Sherry and Steven and David, we

[C]

will carry Tyler's memory and our hearts forever. And I just want to thank you. It's an honor to have you here today.

[A]

Trump also reaffirmed his endorsements in Georgia, including Congressman Mike Collins, who is running for Senate. He also showed his support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson. Democrats criticized the visit, calling it failed damage control. Three Georgians joined President Donald Trump today for an unveiling of new commitments aimed at quelling the backlash against data centers. The administration says the nation's largest utilities and technology companies have agreed to pay more for the cost of data centers. At a news conference in Washington this afternoon, Governor Brian Kemp said data centers are critical for U.S. competitiveness.

[D]

Critical.

[A]

Chris Womack, the CEO of Southern Co. Georgia Power's parent company, also spoke at the event.

[C]

We all have got to do a much better job of fighting and telling the truth about data centers and confronting the misinformation that we see all across the marketplace.

[A]

Columbia County Commission Chairman Doug Duncan said data centers help alleviate local property taxes. Police in Albany's Doherty county say the apparent explosion of two Flock safety cameras was the result of criminal property damage. Authorities initially thought the fire incidents on Tuesday might have been a battery malfunction or other equipment failure. But yesterday they reclassified the case as a criminal investigation and asked for the public's help with information about it. The incidents come as the cameras come under national scrutiny over privacy concerns and reports of misuse by law enforcement. The suspect accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow county is set to appear in court tomorrow. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[B]

Colt Gray is set to enter a non negotiated plea for charges including four counts of felony murder. That's a change from his previous not guilty plea, which means he'll avoid a jury trial in Augusta this fall. It also means his defense attorneys and prosecutors did not reach an agreement for sentencing. He faces a life sentence for the charges against him, but sentencing will determine a possibility for parole. The shooting killed four people, including teachers Christina Irami and Richard Aspinwall and students Christian Angelo and Mason Schermerhorn. Nine others were hospitalized. His father, Colin Gray, was found guilty of two counts of second degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter for providing a rifle to his son. His sentencing will begin on July 28th. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[A]

Artificial intelligence company OpenAI plans to open what could be the state's largest data center campus in effingham county, just 12 miles from the Port of Savannah. GPB's Jillian Magtoto reports. The announcement comes ahead of a public meeting tonight.

[D]

Georgia Power announced it will service the 3.2 gigawatt data center, making it one of the largest single facility agreements in the country. The 1,400acre property located at Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, is within 5 miles of the Savannah River. Savannah Riverkeeper Executive Director Tanya Benita Tibus says major data centers on both sides of the river seem to be popping up within days of each other.

[A]

Well, I think there needs to be

[E]

some really hard questions about what we think is actually going to be left

[A]

in the Savannah river after all of this, because it's not just Effingham.

[D]

OpenAI says the new facility could eventually create up to 1,000 permanent jobs for GPB News, I'm Jillian Magtoto.

[A]

Union Pacific has struck a deal with Canadian national to secure that rival support for its proposed $85 billion acquisition of Atlanta based Norfolk South. The merger to create a coast to coast railroad has been divisive within the industry. CSX and other railroads oppose it, while the Canadian giant said yesterday it'll support the merger after winning concessions. The Georgia Peanut Commission is looking for unique and viable new product concepts inspired by Georgia peanuts. The commission last week announced a new award and $10,000 cash prize to be announced in October. The idea must be a food product in either a prototype or on the market for the less than a year. After months of careful planning, Atlanta leaders celebrated the success of the World cup yesterday with a recap at City Hall. GPB's Amanda Andrews brings us some of the data for public safety and transportation.

[E]

Remarks were delivered by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Transportation Commissioner Solomon Cavanas, Atlanta COO Lashandra Burks and Atlanta Police Chief Darren Shirebaum. The latest numbers show over 4 million riders took MARTA during the World Cup. 60% of potholes downtown were filled and crime decreased 18% compared to the same time last year. Dickens says he expects those same habits from the World cup will apply to the next major event.

[C]

People will remember these patterns of how to get downtown without a car, how to ride, how to ride marta, where you might go to eat, where you might go to hang out. But that then informs us where to send those resources of the police and fire rescue.

[E]

Atlanta will prepare to host more major events going forward, including the Super bowl in 2028. For GPB news, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[F]

And

[A]

the World cup is over, and maybe you were lucky enough to see superstars like Lionel Messi when they played in Atlanta. There was a time when even legends like Messi were just kids trying to figure out the game. And it Turns out almost 60 years ago, Atlanta was one of the first places in the country where kids were introduced to soccer. GPB's Ivana Gonzales brings us that history.

[G]

A hot Georgia day means two soccer teams have taken their game indoors to the gym. Players on these teams here at the McCluskey East Cop YMCA are no older than 8 years old, and they are dressed out as World cup teams, USA and Portugal. They only get three passes before they have to shoot. It's part of teaching the fundamentals of a game. A cluster of kids are all after the ball when it rolls out and someone. Scores a goal. Today, scenes like this are pretty common across the country. But the YMCA of Metro Atlanta President and CEO Loren Coonz says 60 years ago, that wasn't true.

[F]

Soccer was not a sport that was really being played in the US and in 1967, Atlanta got its first professional soccer team called the Atlanta Chiefs. And they put together just a fantastic team of, you know, really players from all over the world.

[G]

But this was a time when the only sports people knew about were football, basketball and baseball. So the Atlanta Chiefs had to build their own fan base in Atlanta. They had to teach Atlantans about the game. Koontz says they decided to start with kids.

[F]

They actually reached out to the YMCA in Decatur, this is in 1967, and said, we'd love to come teach some clinics to kids and help people learn about soccer. And that's exactly what happened. They reached out, clinics began to take place. They helped the Y organize its first youth soccer league.

[G]

Other youth soccer efforts were popping up in other parts of the country, but Koontz says this was the first organized youth soccer league in the United States. Mark Smith was among some of those early players. He was seven when he was shown a soccer ball.

[C]

It was different, it was new, it was fun. I was good at it and my friends played and we just had fun.

[G]

Soccer has been a huge part of Smith's life ever since. Today, he's the head coach of the varsity team at Lakeside high school in DeKalb County.

[C]

I am 66 years old and I'm still coaching. Every year it pulls a little more out of my soul. I get emotional because I put my heart on my sleeve.

[G]

Scott Schottl was in the first grade in 1976 when someone put a YMCA pamphlet in his hands.

[C]

I was in class, got the pamphlet, saw a soccer ball, went home and I said, hey, Dad, I want to try this sport.

[G]

Schottl started playing that year like Mark Smith. Today, Schottl leads youth soccer at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.

[C]

I've always had the approach with my players when I was coaching, you know, year round was, hey, if I can get 5% of these kids to want to come back and give back the way I've been able to, then I've succeeded.

[G]

Ymca CEO and president Lauren Koontz says these early players were missionaries for the game of soccer.

[F]

It's truly a full circle moment to have really been the organization with the first youth soccer league in the YMCA and then 60 years later to be hosting the World Cup.

[G]

That, she says is magical. For GPB News, I'm Ivana Gonzalez.

[A]

And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news and if you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet, take a moment. Do it now. It'll keep us current in your podcast feed. If you've got feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an email. That's the best way to reach us. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.