Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: August 8, 2025 | Host: Peter Biello

1. Georgia Milestone Test Results

Georgia's educational landscape saw a mix of progress and ongoing challenges in the latest Milestone assessments. While there was an increase in student performance compared to the previous year, scores remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels.

• Alison Timberlake, Deputy Superintendent for Assessment and Accountability, highlighted, “proficiency rates improved for most subjects” (00:50).

• Sarah Kalis reported, “Results increased or held steady on 13 of the 20 assessments we administer in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies” (00:58).

The Department of Education is aiming to build on this progress by training teachers in the science of reading and providing a free universal reading screener to all school districts. These initiatives are part of a state legislative push to enhance literacy statewide.

2. McDonough Meteorite Impact

A fascinating astronomical event captivated Georgia when the newly named McDonough meteorite streaked across the sky in June, eventually crashing through the roof of a home in Henry County.

• Scott Harris, a UGA researcher, detailed the aftermath: “To this day, the homeowner is still pulling dust out of the fabric of their living room sofa” (00:22).

• Further analysis revealed that the meteorite is older than Earth itself, dating back more than four and a half billion years.

This rare occurrence has provided scientists with unique material to study, offering insights into the early solar system.

3. Nerd Store's Relocation in Albany

Albany's vibrant gaming community faces a bittersweet moment as the beloved Nerd Store prepares to relocate due to high rent costs.

• Daniel Vinotagam, owner of Nerd Store, shared the financial challenges: “About 25,000 of that would be ideally allocated towards a down payment on a mortgage so that we do not lose our space ever again” (02:48).

The store, which has become a safe space for the LGBTQ community and a hub for trading card and tabletop gaming events, is seeking support through an online fundraising goal of $65,000. They are eyeing a new location 10 miles north in Leesburg and plan to host events at public venues during the transition.

4. Senate Committee Tackles Chronic Absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism remains a pressing issue in Georgia's schools, with a Senate study committee investigating the root causes and potential solutions.

• Grant Blankenship, GPB's correspondent, explained, “Chronic absenteeism is when a student misses at least 10% of the school year” (03:19).

• Hetty Chang from Attendance Works emphasized systemic issues: “There's lack of access to health care, unaffordable transportation, not going to school because they're trying to work to add to the family income” (03:37).

Deputy State Superintendent Justin Hill noted that addressing these fundamental needs, although costly, is the most effective way to improve attendance. The committee, composed mainly of former principals, plans to meet three more times before submitting their findings in the next legislative session.

5. Animal Shelter Overcrowding in Bartow County

Bartow County faces a dire situation with overcrowded animal shelters, leading to the heartbreaking necessity of euthanizing some animals.

Officials stated that sick, injured, or behaviorally problematic animals would be prioritized for euthanasia. This crisis mirrors similar struggles in metro Atlanta, where shelters in Fulton County are also at capacity, urging the community to adopt or foster pets in need.

6. EPA Cancels Georgia Bright Solar Savings Program

In a controversial move, the EPA abruptly canceled the Georgia Bright Solar Savings Program, which aimed to assist low-income families in installing rooftop solar panels.

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin declared on X, “EPA no longer has the authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive” (05:14),

• Leading to criticism that the termination is an attack on affordable energy in the South and potentially illegal.

Despite the cancellation, Georgia Bright continues to accept applications. The state currently ranks 47th in the nation for rooftop solar adoption, highlighting the program's significance. Initially, over 500 Georgians signed up within the first 24 hours, reflecting strong community interest.

7. Indictment of Former Deputy Buck Aldridge

A significant legal development involves the indictment of former Camden County Deputy Buck Aldridge on 13 counts, including excessive force and falsifying police reports.

• The charges cover incidents from 2021 to 2022, preceding the fatal shooting of Leonard Cure in a 2023 traffic stop, for which no charges were filed.

• The Justice Department outlined that Aldridge’s actions were in violation of civil rights, leading to his relief from duty pending legal proceedings.

8. NOAA Forecasts Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has updated its forecast, predicting an above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic.

• The agency anticipates 13 to 18 named storms, with five to nine potentially becoming hurricanes (04:55).

• To date, there have been four named tropical storms with no hurricanes.

As the season approaches its historically peak period, communities are advised to stay informed and prepared for potential storm impacts.

9. Sports Highlights: Braves vs Marlins & MLB's First Female Umpire

Baseball enthusiasts have much to look forward to as the Atlanta Braves prepare to face the Miami Marlins in a highly anticipated game.

• Recently, Drake Baldwin and Marcel Ozuna delivered stellar performances, with Baldwin homering twice and driving in five runs (04:55).

• The upcoming doubleheader is historic as Jen Powell becomes the first woman to serve as an umpire in a regular-season Major League Baseball game. Powell, a seasoned umpire with over 1,200 minor league games, will umpire at the bases during the doubleheader and behind home plate on Sunday.

This milestone follows significant strides in sports, including the NBA's 28-year wait for female officials and the NFL’s and Men's Soccer World Cup’s integration of female referees.

10. Community Event: NAACP Book Bag Giveaway

In a final note, the Troup County NAACP is hosting a free book bag event for LaGrange area students.

• Scheduled for tomorrow from noon to 4 PM at the park and Live Oak community, the event provides book bags filled with school supplies on a first-come, first-served basis.

• This initiative aims to support students as they prepare for the academic year, ensuring they have the necessary tools for success.

Conclusion The August 8th episode of Georgia Today delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing educational issues, community challenges, environmental initiatives, legal matters, and significant milestones in sports and local events. Through in-depth reporting and insightful interviews, host Peter Biello and the GPB News team provide listeners with a thorough understanding of the stories shaping Georgia today.

For more detailed coverage, visit gpb.org/news, and don't forget to subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast for future updates.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript for reference.