Episode Overview

Georgia Today’s December 15, 2025 episode covers Georgia leaders’ responses to a tragic anti-Semitic terror attack in Sydney, Australia, the potential impacts of a pivotal Supreme Court voting rights case, the effect of Trump-era tariffs on small businesses in Georgia, and other major state news. The episode features interviews, quotes from public officials, and on-the-ground perspectives from local business owners.

Major Topics & Key Insights

1. Georgia Reacts to Sydney Anti-Semitic Attack

• [00:43] Host Orlando Montoya reports on the recent terror attack during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, which resulted in at least 16 deaths.
  • Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA): “This brutal attack has shaken the Jewish community in Georgia and nationwide, but Jews refuse to be intimidated by cowardly anti-Semitic violence.”
  • Rabbi Eliyahu Shusterman (Chabad Intown Atlanta): “The way to navigate this is not to negotiate with the darkness but to succeed at shining bright.”
  • Chabad of Georgia Statement: Encouraged public Hanukkah celebration as a show of unity and resilience.

2. Supreme Court Considers Voting Rights Act Case

• [02:08] Reporter Sarah Kalis covers the pending Supreme Court case from Louisiana, which could significantly weaken protections against racial gerrymandering in the Voting Rights Act.
  • Fair Fight (Advocacy Group): Predicts up to 20 Democratic seats in Georgia’s legislature could flip to Republicans if protections are weakened.
  • Lauren Groh-Wargo (Fair Fight Executive Director): “We’re going to need to look at passing things like a state Voting Rights Act and other bills to create a fair representation system in the state.”
  • Timing: Arguments heard this fall, ruling expected by March 31.

3. Health Care Costs & ACA Subsidies

• [02:47] As ACA open enrollment ends, health care affordability takes the spotlight.
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock (GA), on NBC’s Meet the Press: Expresses concern over expiring ACA subsidies, especially impacting rural Georgia.
  • Florence Allen (Business Owner): Describes the risk to rural communities: “If you live in Claxton, Georgia... even if you have wealth and resources and you’re having a stroke and there’s no ICU within a reasonable distance because of these draconian cuts, you are impaired, your life is imperiled.” [03:13]

4. Trump Tariffs & Small Business Pressures

• [04:49] Peter Biello interviews Florence Allen of Williams Fun Smart Toys in Macon about how ongoing tariffs affect her small business.
  • Inventory & Pricing: Allen has absorbed average tariffs of ~15%. She pre-stocked inventory and tries to limit price hikes, but must plan carefully.
    • Quote: “Well, it’s about the same as it was back the last time we talked. I tried to bulk up my inventory before a lot of the tariffs hit, and since that time my average tariff hit is running about 15%. And, you know, we’re making price adjustments where we can.” [05:06]
    • Quote: “We’re trying to keep a handle on it... I wouldn’t say I’m knocking it out of the park this year, but I’m hitting the numbers that I thought I was going to hit this year considering the economic environment we’re in right now.” [05:53]
  • Holiday Season Trends: Little to no growth over last year, but an increase in new local customers and steady sales.
    • Quote: “We hit all our numbers that we hit last year. We were about the same. We didn’t get much of a big bump... More people are shopping local. We are picking up more local customers than it seems like last year.” [06:54]
  • Future Outlook:
    • Quote: “Right now I will say prices are going to have to go up. I may be able to delay that a little bit... The question will be how much of this inventory that’s left come January 1st is sellable inventory to take me into the first quarter, which would be good, or am I going to have to start reordering in mid to late January...” [08:33]

5. Other Georgia News Highlights

Healthcare Recognition and Data

• [09:30] U.S. News & World Report recognizes seven Georgia hospitals for maternity care quality.
  • Jennifer Winston (U.S. News & World Report Data Scientist): “The state’s best maternity care hospitals are hospitals that have met our really high standards for a number of metrics of quality. Most we most heavily weight C section and severe, unexpected newborn complications for that recognition.” [10:11]

Fort Stewart Shooting Case

• [10:39] Sgt. Cornelius Radford to face trial by court martial after August shootings at Fort Stewart.

Disaster Relief Funding

• [11:03] FEMA announces $350 million in disaster relief following Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debbie; additional agriculture aid pending.

World Cup Ticket Prices

• [12:33] FIFA faces backlash as World Cup ticket prices for Atlanta matches range from $140 to over $3,000, much higher than originally promised—a “monumental betrayal,” according to fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rabbi Eliyahu Shusterman: “The way to navigate this is not to negotiate with the darkness but to succeed at shining bright.” [00:43]
• Sen. Jon Ossoff: “Jews refuse to be intimidated by cowardly anti-Semitic violence.” [00:43]
• Florence Allen: “If you live in Claxton, Georgia... and there’s no ICU within a reasonable distance because of these draconian cuts, you are impaired, your life is imperiled. You are in trouble. We can do better than this.” [03:13]
• Florence Allen, on absorbing costs: “We’re making price adjustments where we can... We’re trying to keep a handle on it.” [05:06-05:53]
• On the necessity of future price hikes: “Right now I will say prices are going to have to go up. I may be able to delay that a little bit.” [08:33]
• Jennifer Winston: "We most heavily weight C-section and severe, unexpected newborn complications for that recognition." [10:11]

Timed Topic Guide

• 00:43 – Georgia leaders respond to Sydney terror attack
• 02:08 – Voting Rights Act Supreme Court case implications
• 02:47 – ACA subsidies and health care affordability
• 04:49 – Interview and check-in with small business owner Florence Allen on tariffs and retail challenges
• 09:30 – Recognition of hospitals for maternity care
• 10:39 – Update on Fort Stewart shooting case
• 11:03 – Disaster relief and FEMA aid update
• 12:33 – World Cup ticket pricing controversy

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today delivers a mix of immediate reactions to breaking international events as filtered through Georgia leaders, detailed coverage of legal and economic challenges affecting the state, on-the-pulse reporting from local businesses, and a snapshot of other top local news stories, all in a concise, information-rich format faithful to GPB’s tone and public service mission.