Former Lt. Gov. switches parties; Nonprofit preps for more patients due to fed. cuts

Summary

Georgia Today: August 5, 2025 – Comprehensive Episode Summary

Hosted by Orlando Montoya and featuring reports from Sarah Kalis, Amanda Andrews, and an exclusive interview with A.R. Rahman.

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1. Former Lieutenant Governor Jeff Duncan Switches to the Democratic Party

In a significant political development, former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Jeff Duncan announced his affiliation change from the Republican to the Democratic Party. This announcement was formalized through an editorial published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

• Context and Impact:

  Despite Duncan's previous endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 elections and his criticism of former President Donald Trump, he identified himself as a Republican up until his party switch. University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock commented on the move, suggesting it might resonate with moderate Republicans who are disillusioned with the current Republican leadership.

  "Generally still think of themselves as Republicans but have a hard time supporting Donald Trump... they might take cue from what Jeff Duncan has done here."
  — Prof. Charles Bullock, University of Georgia, [01:50]

• Repercussions:

  Earlier in the year, Georgia's state Republican Party officially expelled Duncan, a move that likely influenced his decision to switch parties.

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2. Nonprofit Health Center Braces for Increased Patient Load Amid Federal Insurance Cuts

A Christian ministry-based nonprofit, Mercy Health Center, located in Northeast Georgia, is preparing for a surge in patients due to anticipated federal reductions in health insurance coverage.

• Operational Challenges:

  Dr. Cole Phillips, CEO and Medical Director of Mercy Health Center, highlighted the current strain on their services:

  "Our wait list right now is three months for a new patient appointment on the medical side. On the dental side, it's about three or four weeks."
  — Dr. Cole Phillips, [03:06]

  The center is actively seeking additional healthcare providers and financial donations to expand their capacity. Additionally, they plan to involve medical students to assist in managing the increased patient influx.

• Strategic Plans:

  To sustain their operations and meet the growing demand, Dr. Phillips emphasized the need for more dentists, nurse practitioners, and counselors.

  "Find providers, going to donors and saying, I need a dentist, I need another nurse practitioner, I need another counselor."
  — Dr. Cole Phillips, [03:38]

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3. Southwest Atlanta Construction Spurs Local Business Concerns

Residents and business owners in Southwest Atlanta are voicing frustrations over ongoing construction projects, which they claim are adversely affecting local commerce.

• Impact on Businesses:

  Trinket Lewis, owner of a juice bar on Cascade Road, detailed the financial strain caused by the construction:

  "I've had to change my hours because I can't afford after school care. I live off of Cascade in Lyndhurst. I've had to change my tires three times within the last 13 months."
  — Trinket Lewis, [05:17]

  The construction is part of Atlanta's Safe Streets project, an initiative under the Vision Zero goal aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by 2024. Design alterations by the Atlanta Department of Transportation have delayed the project's completion, now expected by December.

• Community Response:

  Residents are demanding greater transparency and financial assistance from the city to mitigate the negative effects on their businesses.

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4. Grand Jury Declines to Indict Former Atlanta Police Officer in Johnny Holman Case

Fulton County's grand jury decided not to indict former Atlanta police officer Kieran Kimbrough on manslaughter charges related to the death of church deacon Johnny Holman in August 2023. Holman's autopsy confirmed his death as a homicide, with heart disease contributing.

• Legal Perspective:

  Kimbrough's attorney maintains his innocence, while District Attorney Fani Willis indicated the possibility of seeking an indictment again in the future.

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5. Georgia Attorney General Supports Lawsuit Challenge to Savannah’s Gun Storage Ordinance

Georgia Attorney General Kris Carr has thrown his support behind a new lawsuit initiated by a gun rights organization. The lawsuit contests a Savannah city ordinance that prohibits the storage of firearms in unlocked vehicles.

• Legal Argument:

  In a brief filed last week, Carr argued that the Savannah ordinance is preempted by state laws that restrict local governments from regulating firearms possession, transport, or carrying.

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6. $4 Billion Funding Allocated for Express Lanes on Georgia 400

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a substantial investment of nearly $4 billion aimed at developing express lanes on Georgia State Route 400, spanning 16 miles from Sandy Springs to Forsyth County.

• Project Details:

  The express lanes will feature variable price tolls, allowing drivers to opt for less congested routes. Additionally, the project includes provisions for bus rapid transit services in collaboration with the region's public transit agency, MARTA.

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7. Georgia State University Proceeds with Demolition of Historic Substation

Despite opposition from preservationists and local leaders, Georgia State University (GSU) is moving forward with demolishing a century-old Georgia Power substation on Edgewood Avenue, situated within the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District.

• Preservation vs. Development:

  Preservation advocates sought to retain the historic building, but GSU plans to replace it with a green space commemorating the university’s Greek life history. The university has committed to reusing some of the building's bricks and incorporating a mural tribute into the new design.

• Campus Redevelopment:

  This initiative is part of GSU’s $107 million Collegetown Downtown redevelopment project.

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8. Georgia Bright Solar for All Program Offers Free Solar Panels to Homeowners

As part of a federally funded initiative, approximately 400 Georgia homeowners will receive free solar panels through the Georgia Bright Solar for All program. Applications opened on August 4th and will remain open until September 7th.

• Eligibility and Benefits:

  Homeowners must have an income at or below 80% of the median income for their county and household size to qualify. The program, backed by a $156 million grant from the Biden administration, aims to reduce participants' electric bills by 50 to 70%.

  "This really gets at the core of some of the things that we all share, like we all want energy that we can afford, we all want energy that is reliable, we all want good jobs. We all want to save money."
  — Alicia Brown, Georgia Bright Director, [07:21]

• Future Plans:

  Another round of 400 solar panel leases will be available through a lottery next spring.

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9. Fern Bank Museum Embarks on Major Renovation

Atlanta's Fern Bank Museum is set to undergo its largest renovation in its 33-year history, with $27 million raised to revamp exhibits and enhance guest engagement across all three floors.

• Renovation Highlights:

  The project includes the introduction of a new signature exhibit titled "Changing Earth" and a complete overhaul of the Star Gallery, rebranded as "Our Place in the Cosmos." Accessibility improvements are also a key focus, with the renovation expected to proceed in stages over the next two years.

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10. Georgia Farmers Market Week Celebrates Local Agriculture

Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper proclaimed the week as Georgia Farmers Market Week to honor local markets and vendors throughout the state. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to support farm families and agribusiness, featuring:

• Interactive and Educational Efforts:

  • Launch of a new interactive map showcasing Georgia Grown certified markets.

  • Partnership with the nonprofit Generation Gap to bolster agricultural support.

  For more information on the Georgia Grown program, visit georgrown.com.

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11. Exclusive Interview with A.R. Rahman

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Oscar and Grammy-winning actor and musician A.R. Rahman, discussing his illustrious career, musical philosophy, and spiritual influences.

• Musical Journey and Philosophy:

  Rahman emphasized his commitment to quality over accolades, stating:

  "I was more for quality and I was trying to reach and actually... I was more in a zen mode which I didn't care about success, but I cared about quality."
  — A.R. Rahman, [13:02]

  He discussed breaking language barriers in his performances to appeal to a global audience, particularly highlighting his "Wonderment" tour's inclusive approach.

  "Wonderment is about the wonder of every breath, the wonder of love which they give to me, and the wonder of me existing."
  — A.R. Rahman, [11:06]

• Spiritual Influences:

  Rahman attributed much of his personal and artistic development to his adherence to Sufi Islam, which provided him solace and detachment amid personal challenges.

  "I was influenced by Sufi Islam... it helped us to be detached from success or failure or evil or good anything."
  — A.R. Rahman, [13:54]

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Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today provides a multifaceted exploration of current events affecting Georgia, from political shifts and public health challenges to infrastructure projects and cultural endeavors. The exclusive interview with A.R. Rahman adds a unique artistic perspective, rounding out a comprehensive overview of the state's dynamic landscape.

For more detailed reports and ongoing coverage, visit GPB News.

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.

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On Today's episode, former Lt. Gov. Jeff Duncan announces he's switching to the Democratic Party. A non profit health center prepares for more patients ahead of federal cuts to health insurance. And southwest Atlanta residents want answers on ongoing construction that they say is impacting local businesses.

[Sarah Kalis]

I've had to change my hours because I can't afford after school care. I live off of Cascade in Lyndhurst. I've had to change my tires 3 within the last 13 months.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Tuesday, August 5th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Jeff Duncan says he is now part of the Democratic Party. He made the official announcement in an editorial published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution today. GPB Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Despite Duncan's endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and criticism of President Donald Trump, he still considered himself a Republican. University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock says Duncan's move could resonate with some more moderate Republicans on individuals who.

[A.R. Rahman]

Generally still think of themselves as Republicans but have a hard time supporting for Donald Trump or providing support for, say, candidates closely associated with Donald Trump. They might and cue off of what Jeff Duncan has done here.

[Sarah Kalis]

Georgia's state Republican Party officially expelled Duncan at the beginning of this year. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis.

[Orlando Montoya]

A grand jury has declined to indict a former Atlanta police officer on manslaughter charges in the death of church deacon Johnny Holman. Holman died in August 2023 in a struggle with Officer Kieran Kimbrough following a car crash. An autopsy determined Holman's death was a homicide, with heart disease as a contributing factor. Fulton county grand jurors yesterday found too little evidence against Kimbrough to bring criminal charges. Kimbrough's lawyer says he did nothing wrong. A spokesperson for District Attorney Fani Willis says she might try again to seek to indict Kimbrough. A non profit health center in northeast Georgia is preparing to see more patients ahead of federal cuts to health insurance programs. WUGA'S Emma Auer has more Mercy Health.

[Sarah Kalis]

Center is a Christian ministry that offers free health care to the uninsured in Northeast Georgia. It was one of several groups that participated in a health care symposium in Athens over the weekend. Dr. Cole Phillips is the chief executive officer and medical director at the organization. He says that Mercy Health center is bracing for an influx of patients as more Georgians will likely lose health insurance in the coming months.

[Orlando Montoya]

Our wait list right now is three months for a new patient appointment on the medical side. On the dental side, it's about three or four weeks.

[Sarah Kalis]

So for me it's how do we.

[Orlando Montoya]

Find providers, going to donors and saying, I need a dentist, I need another nurse practitioner, I need another counselor.

[Sarah Kalis]

Dr. Phillips says he also plans to enlist medical students to help get new patients in the door. For GPB News, I'm Emma Auer in Athens.

[Orlando Montoya]

Georgia Attorney General Kris Carr is supporting a new lawsuit brought by a gun rights organization challenging a Savannah ordinance restricting the storage of firearms inside the city. Savannah City Council passed the measure last year to prohibit storing guns in unlocked vehicles. In a brief filed last week, Carr wrote that that ordinance is superseded by a state law that bars local governments from regulating the possession, transport or carrying of firearms. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his agency will loan nearly $4 billion to a public private partnership to build express lanes on a highway north of Atlanta. The announcement today provides funding for express lanes on 16 miles of Georgia 400 between Sandy Springs and Forsyth County. The new express lanes will have variable price tolls that offer a choice for drivers to bypass congestion. They also are expected to be used by the region's public transit agency, marta, for a bus rapid transit service. Residents in southwest Atlanta are demanding transparency and financial relief from the city, GPB's Amanda Andrews reports. They say ongoing construction has negatively impacted local businesses.

[Sarah Kalis]

Cascade Road in southwest Atlanta is being redesigned for the city's Safe Streets project. It's part of Atlanta's quote, Vision Zero goal to improve roads for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists and reach zero traffic deaths in the city by 2024. Trinket Lewis owns a juice bar on Cascade Road. She says construction is hurting her business and costing her money. I am a mom of a 10 year old son. I've had to change my hours because I can't afford after school care. I live down the street from the Juice park off of Cascade and Lyndhurst. I've had to Change my tires three times within the last 13 months. Design changes by the Atlanta Department of Transportation have delayed construction, but the organization reports the road will be substantially complete by December. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

Despite pushback from preservationists and local leaders, Georgia State University will move ahead with plans to demolish a 100-year-old former Georgia Power substation on Edgewood Avenue in Atlanta. The building sits within the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District, but the university says the long vacant building will be replaced with a new green space honoring the university's Greek life history. Preservation advocates had hoped the building could be saved, but GSU says it will reuse some bricks and include a mural tribute in the new design. The project is part of a $107 million campus redevelopment called Collegetown Downtown. About 400 Georgia homeowners will be getting free solar panels as part of a federally funded program. Applications for the Georgia Bright Solar for All lottery opened up yesterday. Funded by a $156 million grant awarded during the Biden administration, the program will continue taking applications until September 7th. Georgia Bright Director Alicia Brown says most participants will see their electric bills drop by 50 to 70%.

[Kristi Wooten]

This really gets at the core of some of the things that we all share, like we all want energy that we can afford, we all want energy that is reliable, we all want good jobs. We all want to save money.

[Orlando Montoya]

Qualifying Georgia homeowners must have an income at or below 80% of the area, median income for their county and household size. Another round of 400 solar panel leases will be awarded by lottery next spring. Atlanta's Fern Bank Museum is planning a major renovation, the largest in its 33 year history. The natural History and Science Museum said today that it has raised $27 million to transform its exhibits and reimagine how it engages with guests across all three of its floors. The project also includes accessibility improvements and is expected to be completed in stages over the next two years. Highlights include a new signature exhibit called Changing Earth and a complete redesign of its Star Gallery to be called Our Place in the Cosmos. This week is Georgia Farmers Market Week, a new proclamation from Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper celebrating local markets and vendors across the state. The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the effort is part of a broader push to support farm families and agribusiness, including a new interactive map of Georgia Grown certified markets and a partnership with the nonprofit Generation Gap. To learn more about the Georgia grown program, visit georgrown.com Oscar and Grammy winning actor and musician A.R. rahman makes a stop on his North American tour tonight in Duluth, northeast of Atlanta. Known from Bollywood to Hollywood, he has scored more than 100 films from Slumdog Millionaire to the one that started his career, 1991's Roja. He spoke with GPB's Christy Wooten about his storied career.

[A.R. Rahman]

My main motto was, like, what stops people listening to our music? Then I went to did research, and it was a production, it was a recording quality, and it was the vibe. So strangely, because I was. Even though I was in the South Indian film industry, what I was listening to was world music, world records and everything. So I think it naturally came without even trying. The vibe came to me. And even if you look at my first interviews back in 91, I said, I want Tamil songs to reach every part of the world, which is happening now. You see choirs from all over the world adapting Balalaka or Hasbi Rabbi or Matuji Salaam singing all this stuff. And it's heartening to see that the universe makes it happen in unusual ways. I think if you have a good intention and then no intention is big enough, I think, you know, we can manifest anything, and good intentions do manifest.

[Kristi Wooten]

One of the things I wanted to ask you about, metro Atlanta, especially has a large Indian population. A lot of Indian influence and culture in Atlanta, with clothing, with music, with food. So I know the audiences are very excited to attend the Wonderment tour tomorrow night in Gwinnett County. These suburban areas in America where there's a large Indian population, is that where you kind of target your tour to reach those audiences?

[A.R. Rahman]

Because I'm cross country, I do multiple languages like Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Those audiences from all three, you know, languages used to come. And over years, I've decided to break the language barrier, make mine more as an, you know, like an entertaining concert for the whole world rather than just for Indians. And that seemed to have worked out in the Wonderment. We purposely oriented the whole vibe of the show to be bigger than India, crossing the barriers of the language and everything. So my show is to bring all those memories and values and respect, what they give me as a core for them to enjoy. That's why it's called Wonderment. Wonderment is about the wonder of every breath, the wonder of love which they give to me, and the wonder of me existing.

[Kristi Wooten]

Your first sort of inklings of when you knew you wanted to be a composer and to. And to do music. How young were you when that. When that happened to you?

[A.R. Rahman]

I didn't know that I was capable of composing till maybe I was 18, 19, when I was offered a jingle. And then after building my studio, my whole life changed. Panchitan studio in 89, where I could do things without being judged, people watching me. I was a sound engineer, I was a producer, I was artist all myself. So that being lonely and in solitude actually kind of helped.

[Kristi Wooten]

You are pretty much one of the most decorated composers out there now with the Academy Awards and your grand me, Globe, Golden Globe bapta. I mean it goes on and on. Did you always envision that manifesting those type of things for yourself or was it a surprise?

[A.R. Rahman]

No, I never, I, I was not behind awards. I was more for quality and I was trying to reach and actually basically what happened after a while, you're young, you, you know, you, you become very ambitious. Back in the 90s, I think more I was more in a zen mode which I didn't care about success, but I cared about quality. I cared about self satisfaction, I cared about how can you reach where my mind wants to. Not for awards, but for quality.

[Kristi Wooten]

I wanted to talk to you about the spirituality that has kind of influenced your music as well. Because I know you, I believe I read that you converted to Islam at a younger age in your 20s and that did that change your composing at that point? Did it add a depth to your composing?

[A.R. Rahman]

Yeah, I was influenced by Sufi Islam because you know, in, in Chennai there are a lot of Sufi shrines. So there's a spiritual healer who led us to and he taught us like certain verses to, to fight all the evil because in my family went through a lot of dark phases like black magic and all this stuff. My dad and my mother always had this persecution complex. She will never let me eat anywhere because she was like that. So I think this led us to a kind of a zone where we felt safe and we felt protected and we were sincere in our prayers and all this stuff. So it helped us to be detached from success or failure or evil or good anything, be detached from everything so that we could handle life in a better way.

[Orlando Montoya]

That was GPB's Kristi Wooten talking with Oscar and Grammy winning actor and musician A.R. rahman. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. We invite you to Visit our webpage gpb.org news where you'll find many of the stories on this podcast in more detail. We always encourage you to hit subscribe on the podcast because that helps you to stay current with us in your feed. And if you have feedback for us, we welcome that at Georgia [e-mail] I'm Orlando Montoya. Join us again tomorrow for another edition of Georgia Today.

[Sarah Kalis]

Foreign.

[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.