Georgia abortion attempted murder charges, Gabbard's Fulton testimony, Gas tax relief

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary
Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

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Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers the latest news affecting the state, tackling major legal, political, and social stories. Key subjects include the first attempted murder charge against a woman under Georgia’s abortion laws, Tulsi Gabbard’s testimony regarding a high-profile raid on a Fulton County elections warehouse, suspension of the state gas tax amidst rising fuel prices, landmark advances in public health, and significant updates in sports and education.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Attempted Murder Charge Under Georgia Abortion Law

• [00:30]
  • Story: Alexia Moore, a 31-year-old US Army veteran, is the first mother in Georgia charged with attempted murder under the state’s restrictive abortion law.
  • Background: Moore was hospitalized two months prior while pregnant and in severe pain; her premature baby tragically survived for only two hours.
  • Legal Action: Police charged Moore with attempted murder and possession of controlled substances, alleging an illegal abortion attempt.

2. Tulsi Gabbard Testifies on Fulton County Elections Warehouse Raid

• [01:31] (Reporter: Chase McGee)
  • Event: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies before a Senate committee about her role in a January raid on a Fulton County elections warehouse.
  • Key Testimony: Gabbard states she was directed by President Donald Trump to oversee the operation.
  • Expert Opinion:
    • “It’s unusual for the president to be involved in or even know about a DOJ search warrant in advance.”
      — David Becker, former DOJ attorney [01:56]
    • Concerns Raised: Advance knowledge and involvement by the president raise questions about propriety and operational security.
  • Legal Update: A judge has ordered federal and Fulton County officials into mediation over seized materials.

3. Gas Tax Suspension Amid Surging Prices

• [02:20]
  • Situation: Gas prices have soared to $3.76/gallon, an increase of $1.05 within a month, coinciding with the US-Israel war against Iran.
  • Legislative Relief: State lawmakers voted to suspend the gas tax for 60 days.
  • Quote:
    • “That saves the average Georgian probably about five or six dollars when they fill up.” — Rep. John Carson [02:43]
    • “It’s going to save 34 cents per gallon for the next 60 days.” — [02:48]
  • Next Steps: Bill passes Senate; awaits Governor Brian Kemp’s signature.

4. Decades-Old Cold Case Solved

• [03:18]
  • Breakthrough: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified ‘Seminole County John Doe’ (remains from 1976) as Curtis Lee Jones through advanced genetic technology and family cooperation.
  • Status: Cause of death still undetermined.

5. Major Health System Expansion in Fulton County

• [03:49]
  • Development: Grady Health System announced plans for a new south Fulton County campus ($1 billion investment), including a 200-bed hospital, surgery center, specialty clinics, and medical offices.
  • Funding Sources: County bonds, Grady financing, philanthropy.

6. Kennesaw State University: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

• [04:08] (Reporter: Ellen Eldredge)
  • Event: KSU, in partnership with ActiveMinds, hosted the “Send Silence Packing” display—100 backpacks each with a personal story of suicide loss.
  • Quote:
    • “As you read them, a common theme is a lot of them feel like they were alone in their struggles. They couldn’t reach out for help. And that’s why we come out…to bring out resources.”
      — Eric Rockwood, ActiveMinds [04:28]
  • Message: Emphasizes that mental health struggles are not to be faced alone, highlighting availability of national crisis resources.

7. State of the City: Atlanta’s Progress and Challenges

• [05:03] (Reporter: Amanda Andrews)
  • Speaker: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens
  • Highlights: Investments in youth, public safety, increased graduation rates (90.5%), focus on underserved neighborhoods.
  • Quote:
    • “We must be honest about the true scale of this challenge. Think about this. There is no hospital in Atlanta south of I20. That’s chaos, not community.” — Mayor Andre Dickens [05:29]
  • Call to Action: Urged business leaders to invest in developing neighborhoods.

8. Making Defibrillators More Accessible – Legislation Moves Forward

• [05:58] (Reporter: Sarah Kallis)
  • Bill: Senate Bill 399 (Mason Sells AED Coordination Act), named after a student who died from cardiac arrest.
  • Key Provisions: Statewide map of defibrillators; 911 training to guide public use.
  • Quote:
    • “Our actions today can’t save Mason, but they can impact future young people and their parents.” — Scott Sells, Mason’s father [06:29]
  • Impact: AEDs are 90% effective in the first minute of cardiac arrest; bill headed to governor’s desk.

9. Cumberland Island Land Swap Rejected

• [06:53] (Reporter: Orlando Montoya)
  • Issue: National Park Service proposal to swap 142 acres with private landowners at Cumberland Island.
  • Concerns: Environmental groups fear future development.
  • Quote:
    • “If there aren't protections in place to prevent that, then that might be something that future landowners…could contemplate.”
      — Zachary Hennessy, Southern Environmental Law Center [07:24]
  • Outcome: Camden County commissioners voted down support.

10. Girls Flag Football Expansion

• [07:54]
  • News: 300+ Georgia high schools will receive funding from the Arthur M. Blank Foundation and Atlanta Falcons, launching 27 new girls’ flag football programs and supporting nearly 300 existing ones.
  • Legacy: Falcons boosted the sport’s growth since 2018; Georgia among first states to officially sanction it.

11. Jurickson Profar Suspension in Major League Baseball

• [08:28]
  • Update: Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar will miss 2026 season/postseason after a second failed drug test.
  • Consequences: Forfeits his $15 million salary for the year; previous lost salary outlined.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Becker on DOJ Search Warrant Transparency:
  “The fact that [President Trump] clearly knew about it before its execution raises real questions…about how he knew about it, who he heard it from and why he thought it was appropriate…” [01:56]

• Rep. John Carson on Tax Suspension:
  “That saves the average Georgian probably about five or six dollars when they fill up.” [02:43]

• Eric Rockwood on Mental Health Outreach:
  “A common theme is a lot of them feel like they were alone in their struggles. They couldn’t reach out for help.” [04:28]

• Mayor Andre Dickens on Healthcare Inequality:
  “Think about this. There is no hospital in Atlanta south of I20. That’s chaos, not community.” [05:29]

• Scott Sells on AED Legislation:
  “Our actions today can’t save Mason, but they can impact future young people and their parents.” [06:29]

• Zachary Hennessy on Cumberland Island Swap:
  “If there aren't protections in place…future landowners…could contemplate [development].” [07:24]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 – Abortion law attempted murder charge
• 01:31 – Tulsi Gabbard’s Senate testimony on the Fulton raid
• 02:20 – Gas tax suspension passage
• 03:18 – Identification of 1976 cold case remains
• 03:49 – Grady Health System’s new campus announcement
• 04:08 – Kennesaw State mental health event
• 05:03 – Mayor Dickens’ State of the City address
• 05:58 – Defibrillator legislation (Senate Bill 399)
• 06:53 – Cumberland Island land swap debate
• 07:54 – Girls flag football funding
• 08:28 – MLB player Jurickson Profar’s suspension

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Conclusion

This episode delivers hard news and deep context on issues spanning criminal justice, public health, education, sports, and energy—and includes direct voices from lawmakers, activists, and community members. The episode’s tone remains press-neutral, community-focused, and dedicated to public knowledge, reflecting its Georgia Public Broadcasting origin.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a Georgia woman has been charged with attempted murder under the state's abortion law. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testifies on her role in the raid on a Fulton county elections warehouse and soaring gas prices prompt state lawmakers to suspend the state's gas tax that saves the

[B]

average Georgian probably about five or six

[A]

dollars when they fill up.

[B]

It's going to save 34 cents per

[A]

gallon for the next 60 days. Today is Thursday, March 19th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. A 31 year old US army veteran from southeast Georgia has been charged with attempted murder under the state's strict abortion law. It's the first time a mother has been charged under the law. GPB Media Partner the current reports the arrest comes two months after the woman, Alexia Moore, was rushed to a Camden county hospital while pregnant and in extreme pain. Police say doctors delivered a premature baby girl who lived for about two hours. Earlier this month, police in Kingsland charged Moore with attempted murder and possession of controlled substances for what they allege was an attempted illegal abortion. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified in front of a Senate committee yesterday about her role in the January raid on a Fulton County Elections Warehouse. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[C]

GABBARD joined intelligence officials from a variety of agencies for the annual worldwide threats hearing. She told Senator Jon Ossoff that she was directed by President Donald Trump on the day of the raid to oversee the operation. David Becker is a former Department of Justice civil rights attorney and now runs a nonprofit focusing on elections. He says it's unusual for the president to be involved in or even know about a DOJ search warrant in advance.

[B]

And the fact that he clearly knew about it before its execution raises real questions for the president about how he knew about it, who he heard it from and why he thought it was appropriate to start sharing that this search warrant was going to be executed prior to its execution.

[C]

A judge has ordered the federal government and Fulton county into mediation over the material seized in the raid. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[A]

Soaring gas prices are prompting state lawmakers to suspend the state's gas tax. Auto Club AAA says the state's average for a gallon of regular is $3.76 as of today. That's up $1.05 from a month ago before the start of the US Israel war against Iran. Yesterday, the State House voted to suspend the tax. Marietta Republican State Representative John Carson says Georgians need relief now.

[B]

That saves the average Georgian probably about

[A]

five or six dollars when they fill up.

[B]

It's going to save 34 cents per

[A]

gallon for the next 60 days. The state Senate approved the bill today, and it now goes to governor Brian Kemp's desk. GBI agents have identified the remains of a man who has been known since 1976 as Seminole County John Doe. Agents used genetic technology to identify Curtis Lee Jones, whose remains were found by hunters in December 1976 near the Chattahoochee River. Despite a lengthy investigation, his remains could not be identified and his case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Texas based forensic company Othraman Jones relatives helped the GBI identify the remains. His cause of death is still unknown. Grady Health System announced plans yesterday for a new medical center campus in south Fulton County. Grady says the campus will have a medical office building with a surgery center, specialty clinics as well as a 200 bed acute care hospital. Grady says the project is expected to cost more than a billion dollars and will be funded through $300 million in Fulton county bond funding as well as Grady financing and philanthropic support. Kennesaw State University earlier this week held an event to share mental health resources with students. The immersive experience also was meant to raise awareness about suicide prevention. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[D]

KSU partnered with the nonprofit organization ActiveMinds for their quote send silence packing display of about 100 backpacks placed on clothes hangers. Each one includes a personal story from someone who lost a loved one to suicide. Eric Rockwood is with active minds.

[B]

As you read them, a common theme is a lot of them feel like they were alone in their struggles. They couldn't reach out for help. And that's why we come out. We partner with the local community and schools to bring out resources so we have national resources here at this table. 988 Crisis Text Lines Rockwood says it's

[D]

important for people to know if they are struggling with their mental health. They are not alone and should reach out when they need help. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

Atlanta Business leaders and politicians gathered last night for the annual State of the city address. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

[E]

In his remarks, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens highlighted Atlanta's investments in housing, public safety and opportunities for youth. Atlanta Public Schools saw record graduation rates, with 90.5% of high school seniors receiving a degree. Dickens touted the neighborhood reinvestment initiative he created last year to focus city resources on underserved areas. He said resolving those inequalities is the priority for the remainder of his term.

[B]

We must be honest about the true scale of this challenge. Think about this. There is no hospital in Atlanta south of I20. That's chaos, not community.

[E]

He ended by challenging business owners to expand into developing neighborhoods. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[A]

Georgia state senators have given final passage to a bill that could make defibrillators more accessible. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[F]

Senate Bill 399 would create a map of defibrillators and train 911 operators to walk people through how to use them over the phone. The bill, called the Mason Sells AED Coordination act, was named after a Mercer University student who died from cardiac arrest after being hit in the chest with a soccer ball. Scott Sells, Mason's father, approached Senator Marty Harbin about passing AED legislation after Mason's death.

[B]

Our actions today can't save Mason, but they can impact future young people and

[C]

their parents and the like.

[F]

AEDs have a success rate of about 90% if used in the first minute of cardiac arrest. The bill now heads to governor Brian Kemp's desk to be signed into law. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[A]

Commissioners in southeast Georgia's Camden county are rejecting plans by the National Park Service to swap public and private land at Cumberland island National Seashore. GPB's Orlando Montoya has more.

[G]

The agency wants to swap 142 acres of parkland with private landowners to, quote, improve manageability. Advocates for the largely undeveloped seashore fear development might be driving the proposal. Southern Environmental Law center attorney Zachary Hennessy says there are too many unanswered questions about it.

[B]

It may well be the case that that's not the intention of the Park Service or the private landowners that are part of this exchange. But if there aren't protections in place to prevent that, then that might be something that future landowners who inherit the property or receive the property through sales could contemplate.

[G]

Commissioners voted down a letter of support for the plan on Tuesday. Advocates say they'll be watching to make sure it doesn't resurface. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya.

[A]

More than 300 Georgia high schools will receive funding for girls flag football for the coming season from the Arthur M. Blank foundation and the Atlanta Falcons. The funding will help launch 27 new programs and and support almost 300 existing programs. Falcons have been boosters of girls flag football in the state since launching a pilot program for 19 high schools in Gwinnett County. In 2018, Georgia became the fourth state to sanction girls flag football as an official high school sport in 2020. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will miss the 2026 season and postseason. That's after the resolution of his appeal of a 162 game suspension by major League Baseball for for a second failed drug test, the AP reports. Sources spoke on condition of anonymity today because no official announcement has been made. Following the announcement of the discipline on March 3, Profar initially asked the Players association to file a grievance appealing to baseball's independent arbitrator. The discipline followed Profar testing positive for testosterone that was not produced in his body. Profar will lose his $15 million salary for the year as part of a 42 million three year contract through 2027. He lost half his $12 million salary last year due to the initial suspension. That is it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out gpb.org news and if you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet, make sure you do it now because we'll be back tomorrow afternoon with all the latest news. Send your feedback to us by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.