Georgia Today Podcast — Episode Summary

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes:

• Potential for Fulton County taxpayers to pay Donald Trump’s legal fees
• Shrinking Atlanta Public School enrollment and redistricting impacts
• Push for need-based college scholarships in Georgia
• Updates on local elections, foster care housing, AI in college admissions, MLB drug testing, and a lawsuit involving Johnny Cash’s likeness

Overview

This episode of Georgia Today focuses on pressing statewide stories: controversial fallout from the dismissal of Trump’s Fulton County election case, urgent calls to reform college financial aid, Atlanta public school closures amid declining enrollment, and other significant local news updates.

Detailed Breakdown & Key Discussion Points

Fulton County Taxpayers and Trump’s Legal Fees

[00:29 – 01:25]

• State Law Implications: A recently passed law allows a county to be forced to pay a defendant’s legal fees if the District Attorney is disqualified for improper conduct and the case is dismissed.
• This law could now apply to Donald Trump and others after the election interference case in Fulton County, originally prosecuted by DA Fani Willis, was dismissed.
• Expert Analysis:
  • Dr. Tammy Greer (Georgia State University Political Science Professor) calls attention to the fairness of the criminal justice system:

    “The glaring part that goes through my mind is what does this say about how we view the criminal justice system? Who the criminal justice system is intended to provide consequences to?” — Tammy Greer [01:09]

• Next Steps: Trump and co-defendants must petition the court to have their fees covered.

College Affordability & Need-Based Scholarships

[01:34 – 02:05]

• State Senate Panel Findings: A need-based scholarship is strongly recommended, highlighting that Georgia’s existing HOPE Scholarship (merit-based) doesn’t close the full financial gap for many students.
• Quote:

  “We’ve invested heavily in the HOPE scholarship and we know now that with the economy and the realities that does not even get the job done. People are still left with 5, 6, 6, 10, $12,000 gap to fill.” — Sen. Nan Orrock (Atlanta Democrat) [01:50]

• The legislature will consider related policy changes in January.

Atlanta Public School Enrollment Declines & Redistricting

[02:05 – 05:49]

• Shrinking Enrollment: While suburbs expand, the number of students in Atlanta proper continues to drop post-pandemic, putting pressure on budgets and infrastructure.
• Community Pushback:
  • Parents, advocates, and students filled a Board of Education meeting to oppose closures.
  • Claire Dozier criticizes the disproportionate impact on Black children and under-resourced communities:

    “When you say that sacrifices must be made, we see that those sacrificed are black children in communities with the fewest resources.” — Claire Dozier [02:44]

• Details of Redistricting Plan:
  • 16 schools targeted for closure or conversion under the APS Forward 2040 Facilities Plan.
  • Consulting data: There are 20,000 extra “desks” (seats) versus enrollment.
  • Closure plan would save ~$25 million/year in operations and $70 million in deferred maintenance.

    “Those dollars get redirected… we spend it on students, we spend it on teachers, we spend all the resources that students need.” — Tracy Richter, consultant [03:53]

• Controversial Arts School Plan:
  • Carver Early College High School will become a district-wide performing arts school for grades 6-12.
  • Criticism from community member Monique Nunneley over access:

    “If it’s not for the kids that can stare at their front yard at this high school, then you’re doing a disservice to my neighborhood because these kids just gonna go and not have what they need... These are my babies, these are my kids, these are my streets. I live here.” — Monique Nunneley [04:23] “An application is a gatekeeper. It’s a barrier. It’s a roadblock. If you ain’t coaching folks all the way through that thing, it’s not going to work.” — Monique Nunneley [04:57]

  • Weighted preference given to local students, but no guarantee of admission.
• Voting Timeline: The Atlanta Public School Board votes on school closures Wednesday.

Local Elections Update

[06:07 – 07:04]

• Three Atlanta Board of Education seats are on the ballot, plus key mayoral and legislative races in metro Atlanta, Gwinnett, Cordele, and more.
• Cordele City Commission race features candidate Royce Reeves, recently suspended due to an indictment.

Foster Care Housing for Young Adults

[07:04 – 07:51]

• Wellroot Organization: Opening new housing in Decatur for 18–21+ year-olds transitioning out of foster care.
• CEO Allison Ash:

  “The property, when it opens fully later this month, will have space for 29 young people. So we will be able to keep youth past their 21st birthday, which we’re super excited about.” — Allison Ash [07:35]

• 11,000 kids in Georgia’s foster care system; 600+ lose access to care at age 18 each year.

Johnny Cash Lawsuit Against Coca-Cola

[07:51 – 08:30]

• Johnny Cash’s estate is suing Coca-Cola for alleged unauthorized use of a voice “remarkably similar” to Cash’s in a commercial, citing Tennessee’s new “Elvis Act.”

Georgia Tech Uses AI for Transfer Credit Review

[08:30 – 09:00]

• AI tool will automate review of transfer student transcripts, reducing manual work and providing faster answers.
• Georgia Tech plans to expand this system to all high school transcripts.
• Schools clarify that AI assists data processing, not admissions decisions.

MLB Drug Testing Program Update

[09:00 – 09:40]

• Annual Major League Baseball report: 11,700 drug tests, two adverse cases (including Braves outfielder Jurkson Profire, 80-game suspension).
• Most therapeutic exemptions for ADHD treatment.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Redistricting and Racial Disparities:

  “When you say that sacrifices must be made, we see that those sacrificed are black children in communities with the fewest resources.” — Claire Dozier [02:44]

• On Barriers to School Access:

  “An application is a gatekeeper. It’s a barrier. It’s a roadblock.” — Monique Nunneley [04:57]

• On Educational Investment and Student Gaps:

  “We’ve invested heavily in the HOPE scholarship ... People are still left with ... $12,000 gap to fill.” — Sen. Nan Orrock [01:50]

• On Community Disempowerment:

  “Once Atlanta takes over, the Atlanta Way steps in ... the powerful, influential establishment folks come to the table and ... it’s all done.” — Monique Nunneley [05:33]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump Legal Fees Law Impact: [00:29 – 01:25]
• Need-Based College Scholarships: [01:34 – 02:05]
• Atlanta School Closures Debate: [02:05 – 05:49]
• Local Election Highlights: [06:07 – 07:04]
• Foster Care Housing Update: [07:04 – 07:51]
• Johnny Cash v. Coca-Cola Lawsuit: [07:51 – 08:30]
• Georgia Tech AI Transcript Review: [08:30 – 09:00]
• MLB Drug Testing Update: [09:00 – 09:40]

Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains a factual, evenhanded tone but undercurrents of community anxiety and urgency are evident, especially around education equity and political decisions affecting vulnerable populations.

For listeners:
This episode delivers crucial updates on legal, educational, and community issues facing Georgia, spotlighting how legislation, district planning, and new tools like AI are shaping lives statewide.