Georgia Today — December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers in-depth reporting on several key topics: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis's testimony before a state Senate committee, funding challenges for Georgia homeless service organizations, a new affordable housing project in Macon, school improvement designations, layoffs, local purchasing power, and crucial advice for consumers on avoiding holiday scams.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis Testifies Before Senate Committee

Theme:
A tense hearing saw Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis defend her record amidst an ongoing investigation into her office by a predominantly Republican state Senate committee.

Key Details & Discussion Points:

• The committee focused on Willis's hiring of a special prosecutor—someone she had a personal relationship with—for the high-profile election interference case involving former President Donald Trump.
• The line of questioning was intense, with some senators accused of trying to intimidate Willis.
• Willis remained firm in her responses, refusing to be swayed or intimidated.

Notable Quotes:

• Willis (to committee):

  “You all want to intimidate people from doing the right thing and you think that you’re going to intimidate me. You all have been trying to intimidate me for five years.” (01:11)

• Former Governor Roy Barnes, Willis’s attorney:

  Called the questioning a “witch hunt” (01:19 paraphrase)

• Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch:

  “She owes it to the taxpayers and to the citizens of Fulton County to answer the questions.” (01:26)

Timestamps:

• Committee hearing coverage: [00:57] - [01:42]

Georgia Election Update

Theme:
A local special election saw a new representative secure a seat at the state Capitol.

Details:

• Dentist and former school board member Jaha Howard narrowly defeated Roger Bruce.
• Howard will represent a metro Atlanta district, filling a vacancy left by Jason Estevez.

Timestamps:

• Election update: [01:42] - [02:24]

Homeless Service Organizations Face Funding Concerns

Theme:
Georgia’s homeless service providers are uncertain about future funding due to changes in federal housing policy and ensuing legal challenges.

Key Points:

• Traditional “housing first” models may lose support if the Trump administration’s preference for “treatment first” policies takes hold.
• Providers, such as United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley, saw drastic funding cuts, severely hampering efforts to rehouse those in need, particularly domestic violence victims.

Notable Quote:

• Pat Fry, United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley:

  “So our community alone was turned upside down. We went from having, you know, 1.4 million or 1.5 million to just over $500,000.” (03:00)

Timestamps:

• Housing policy segment: [02:24] - [03:18]

Macon Affordable Housing Project Moves Forward

Theme:
Affordable housing in Macon gets a boost as local government steps in to provide crucial funding.

Key Points:

• The Pleasant Hill Landing development will add 64 affordable units on a historic site.
• Construction was delayed for financial reasons, but the Macon-Bibb County Commission is now stepping up with direct funding.

Notable Quote:

• Mike Austin, CEO of Macon Housing Authority:

  “Be in a position to start construction and hopefully that will start in January or February of ‘26 and we’re really excited. 64 brand new units of affordable housing in Pleasant Hill so this is really the last piece of money that needs to come into place.” (04:01)

Timestamps:

• Affordable housing coverage: [03:18] - [04:15]

Georgia School Support and Improvement Lists

Theme:
Recent updates on school performance highlight both progress and areas needing support.

Key Points:

• Four schools exited a triennial support list; 55 exited an annual list.
• 43 schools recognized for making progress; 87 designated for targeted support.
• The designations intend to help—not stigmatize—underperforming schools.

Timestamps:

• School support details: [04:15] - [04:58]

Major Layoffs at QUAD Printing Plant

Theme:
Significant job losses mark a difficult economic trend in Upson County.

Key Points:

• QUAD, a commercial printing business, will close its Thomaston plant, eliminating 240 jobs.
• Statewide layoffs for the year surpass 15,000—double the previous two-year average.

Timestamps:

• Layoff coverage: [04:58] - [05:25]

Purchasing Power Varies Across Georgia

Theme:
How far does a dollar go in different parts of Georgia?

Key Insights:

• Non-metro areas stretch $100 to an equivalent of $115 in goods or services.
• Metro Atlanta is priciest in-state: $100 gets you $99 worth.
• This is still more purchasing power than in large cities across California, New York, and Florida.

Timestamps:

• Purchasing power: [05:25] - [06:45]

Avoiding Holiday Scams: Expert Advice from the FBI

Theme:
With the holiday season in high gear, state and federal officials urge Georgia consumers to stay vigilant against holiday scams.

Key Discussion Points:

• FBI Special Agent Daniel Polk explains the prevalence of scams targeting holiday shoppers—often through fake ads and spoofed sites on social media.
• Scams have become extremely sophisticated, with scammers preying on generosity during the holidays and even executing extended “long con” relationship-based scams, often targeting seniors.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Polk:

  “It is a $50 billion industry year over year. … My mom just the other day was on Instagram. She saw an ad for a dress that she really wanted from a brand that she trusted, looked like the dress was 80% off. … She tapped that ad … money was gone. Dress never shows.” (07:45) “If you believe you’ve fallen for one of these scams, the first thing you need to do is go to ic3.gov—think of that almost as 911.” (08:45) “What I’m alarmed by … is I’m seeing what I would call the long con where … parents and grandparents … will develop friendships … online with some of these scammers. … They end up giving away what turns out to be their life savings.” (10:05) “When I think about the holidays, this is a time when we’re really trying to be generous, philanthropic, kind, and scammers will recognize that and they prey upon our best instincts.” (00:26 & 10:05)

Advice & Resources:

• Report scams quickly at ic3.gov; acting within 48-72 hours increases chances of recovering lost funds.
• The FBI offers an educational resource (“HolidayTalk”) for families to discuss scams and stay alert: FBI.gov HolidayTalk

Timestamps:

• Holiday scam discussion: [07:08] - [10:57]

Memorable Moments

• Fani Willis’s forceful rebuttal to the Senate committee (01:11)
• Personal scam anecdote from FBI Agent Polk about his mother (07:45)
• Recommendations for family holiday conversations around scam prevention (08:45)

Episode Highlights

• Accountability and Transparency: Fani Willis’s hearing underscores political tensions around election investigations.
• Social Services Under Strain: Homeless services and affordable housing face funding and policy hurdles.
• Consumer Vigilance: FBI and state officials jointly warn Georgians about prevalent and sophisticated scams during the holiday season.

For Further Information

• Visit GPB News for the latest reports and detailed local coverage.

This summary captures all substantive topics from the episode, excluding advertisements and non-content sections.