Georgia Today Podcast Summary Hosted by Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode: Ga. Sheriffs Offices to Comply with HB 105; Arbery Prosecutor Meddling Case Dismissed
Release Date: February 5, 2025

1. Immigration Enforcement Updates in Georgia

Governor Brian Kemp's administration has intensified immigration enforcement nationally, a move that local sheriff's offices in Georgia are gradually adapting to in accordance with HB 1105, a state law enacted last year. This legislation mandates that local law enforcement notify federal authorities when individuals without legal status are incarcerated and outlines protocols for their transfer to immigration detention facilities.

Grant Blankenship of GPB News elaborates on the implications of HB 1105:

"Georgia's HB 1105 requires local law enforcement to tell federal officials when they have someone without legal status in their jail and when they can transport them to immigration detention."
[01:03]

Despite these requirements, the expectation that local agencies would conduct immigration raids independently of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not materialized. Agreements between ICE and local agencies stipulate that only jailers, trained with ICE arrest powers, can perform immigration arrests, specifically targeting individuals already detained on local criminal charges.

David Davis, Bib County Sheriff, reflects on the limited impact of HB 1105 on his office’s operations:

"We've got gangsters and folks shooting up houses and doing things like that, that's kind of occupying our time right now. If I've got a person that's out there hard working whether they're illegal or not, and they're not breaking the law and not getting on our radar, then they're not going to be bothered by us."
[01:49]

As of now, ICE has not initiated any large-scale raids in Bib County, indicating a restrained application of HB 1105 by federal authorities.

2. Latino Community Responds to Federal Immigration Crackdowns

Amid increasing federal immigration crackdowns, the Latino community in Georgia has been actively voicing their concerns and resilience. At a recent event hosted by the Latino Community Fund, Democratic State Senator Jason Estevez addressed the community:

"Despite the fact that this president has attempted to divide us and to drive up fear and has caused pain in our community, our community will continue to thrive."
[02:25]

Conversely, conservative-leaning Latino groups held their own Latino Day celebration, where Republican Representative Ray Martinez expressed his sadness over the immigration raids:

"And what I tell the Hispanic community is that you have to focus on what the Trump administration is saying. They want to get rid of the bad apples first."
[02:56]

Sarah Kalis of GPB News reports that immigration remains a pivotal topic in Georgia's legislative agenda, reflecting the community’s divided yet unified stance on the issue.

3. Dismissal of Charges Against Former Prosecutor in Arbery Case

A significant development in the Ahmaud Arbery murder trial saw the dismissal of remaining charges against Jackie Johnson, the former District Attorney of Glynn County. Senior Judge John Turner delivered a directed verdict acquitting Johnson of the obstruction charge and subsequently dismissed the sole remaining charge of violation of oath of office.

Michael Hall from the Brunswick News, reporting with GPB’s Orlando Montoya, delves into the details:

"The directed verdict. I believe he used the word scintilla. He had not seen a scintilla of evidence that she had actually called the police that day."
[05:51]

Johnson faced allegations of interfering with the investigation by allegedly diverting the case to a neighboring DA and instructing police officers not to make arrests on the day of Arbery’s death. However, the judge found insufficient evidence to support these claims, leading to the dismissal of all charges.

Reactions:

• Prosecution (Georgia Attorney General Kris Carr’s Office): Maintains belief in the strength of their case despite the dismissal.

• Jackie Johnson: Remained steadfast in her denial of all charges, with support from numerous courtroom attendees and community members.

• Arbery’s Family: Expressed distrust towards the legal proceedings. Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, stated:

  "I believed Jackie Johnson was a party to covering up her son's murder and that she tried to delay it."
  [08:38]

  Marcus Arbery added:

  "While the family acknowledges the decision, they believe that inaction by the DA's office caused undue pain and stress to them..."
  [08:38]

The case’s resolution has sparked mixed reactions, highlighting deep-seated tensions within the community regarding the criminal justice system.

4. Expansion of Weapons Detection in Barrow County Schools

In response to the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder last September, Barrow County Schools announced the expansion of its weapons detection program to include middle schools. James Bowen, the district's top support services official, detailed the rollout:

"With the high school scanning program in place, we would now like to add middle schools. I'm happy to share that the middle schools will be receiving their devices in the next week, followed by a day of training on Monday, February 17, and scanning will begin on February 18."
[09:54]

This initiative aims to enhance school safety by preventing weapons from entering educational environments, reflecting a proactive approach to mitigating potential threats.

5. Resignation of Rockdale County Fire Chief Marion McDaniel

Marion McDaniel, Rockdale County's first female and first Black fire chief, announced her resignation four months after the county's response to a chemical fire at the Biolab facility in Conyers. Despite the significant emergency response, county officials clarified that her resignation was unrelated to the incident. McDaniel stated:

"I submitted my resignation after being advised that the chairperson, with the support of the other two commissioners, wanted to go in a different direction, and that direction did not include Indian Apache."
[10:45]

Her departure marks a notable change in Rockdale County’s leadership within its fire department.

6. State House Approves $40 Billion Mid-Year Budget

Georgia’s State House has greenlit a substantial $40 billion mid-year budget, capitalizing on a significant state surplus. This budget prioritizes enhancing state prisons and providing disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. The approved spending plan reflects Governor Brian Kemp's fiscal strategy, increasing overall state expenditure by $4 billion compared to the previous fiscal year's budget.

7. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Station to be Built in Savannah

Hydro Fleet, a North Carolina-based company specializing in hydrogen fuel cell technology, announced plans to construct a $33 million hydrogen truck fueling station in Pooler, Savannah. This facility aims to support up to 50 trucks daily, primarily serving the Port of Savannah and the Hyundai Electric vehicle plant in Bryan County. Hydrogen fuel cells represent a promising technology for reducing transportation-related emissions by enabling quicker recharges for heavy electric vehicles compared to traditional fossil fuels.

8. LGBTQ Business Event Relocated Due to Federal Review

An LGBTQ business event scheduled at the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank in April has been moved following an order from President Donald Trump to review programs focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The Out Georgia Business Alliance, the event’s sponsor, issued a statement confirming the relocation necessity, highlighting the adverse impact of federal scrutiny on their initiatives.

9. Georgia Universities Ranked Among Most Beautiful Campuses

Four Georgian universities have received national recognition in U.S. News and World Report's "Most Beautiful College Campuses" list:

• Berry College (Northwest Georgia) – Ranked #3
• Georgia Tech – Ranked #7
• Spelman College – Ranked #16
• Mercer University (Macon) – Ranked #11

Georgia leads with the highest number of representations, followed by California with three universities on the list.

10. Sports Highlights

• Basketball: The Atlanta Hawks aim to break a four-game home losing streak with an upcoming game against San Antonio.

• Women's Basketball: The Atlanta Dream has signed Holly Winterburn, a distinguished guard from Northampton, England. Winterburn's accolades include being a three-time WBBL Young Player of the Year, the 2024 Eurocup Women Champion, and receiving All-Star honors at the U20 European Championships.

• Baseball: Ramon Loriano, an outfielder, has departed the Atlanta Braves to join the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $4 million contract. Loriano achieved a .259 batting average with 11 home runs in the previous season.

• Volleyball: The Atlanta Vibe are set to host the Orlando Valkyries tomorrow night, seeking redemption after a recent 3-1 loss to Las Vegas.

11. Romantic Getaways: Georgia's Top Hotels

Ahead of Valentine's Day, Historic Hotels of America unveiled its top 25 most romantic hotels. Two locations in Georgia made the list:

• Bellwether House of Savannah: Offers a luxurious, kid-free experience for guests aged 21 and over.

• King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort (St. Simon's Island): Features a candlelit dinner experience available on the beach or beachfront patios.

These establishments provide idyllic settings for couples seeking memorable romantic retreats.

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today delivered comprehensive coverage on a range of significant issues affecting the state, from immigration enforcement and community responses to high-profile legal cases and educational safety measures. Additionally, updates on local governance, environmental initiatives, cultural recognitions, and sports highlights provided listeners with a well-rounded view of current events in Georgia.

For more detailed updates, subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast and visit georgiatodaypb.org/news.