Georgia reacts to SCOTUS ruling; Burn ban still in place; New dental college

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Date: April 29, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (GPB News)
Episode Focus:

• Georgia’s reaction to the Supreme Court Voting Rights Act ruling
• Enforcement of the burn ban in coastal Georgia
• New mental health parity law tools
• The passing of Congressman David Scott
• Georgia Secretary of State primary debates
• Launch of the Dental College of Georgia in Savannah

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Main Theme

This episode captures Georgia’s swift and divided response to a groundbreaking Supreme Court decision on voting rights, major updates on local wildfire prevention, and efforts to enforce health parity laws, while highlighting political, educational, and community developments across the state.

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Key Topics and Insights

1. Georgia Reacts to Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Ruling

Timestamps: 00:50–02:12

• The Supreme Court struck down elements of the landmark Voting Rights Act, prompting immediate and polarized responses.
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock (D): Called the decision “a profound step backward for American democracy.”
    • Quote: “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. Without it, I… would not be standing here today … as a voice in the United States Senate for the people of Georgia.” (01:18)
  • Fair Fight Action: Warns Democrats could lose substantial representation across federal and state legislative seats if maps are redrawn.
  • Redistricting Process:
    • Special legislative session would be required (which is challenging mid-primary season).
    • David Becker (Center for Election Innovation and Research):
      Quote: “It’s going to be very, very difficult for the Legislature, who is out of session in Georgia, to be called back for redistricting. I don’t know if Governor Kemp has any intention of doing that whatsoever.” (02:01)
  • GOP Response:
    • Leading Republican gubernatorial candidates, Rick Jackson and Bert Jones, praised the ruling and pushed for immediate map redrawing.

2. Ongoing Burn Ban and Wildfire Concerns in South Georgia

Timestamps: 02:12–02:55

• Fire officials in coastal Chatham County have addressed over 40 illegal burn piles since a burn ban took effect.
  • The ban covers 91 counties and is a response to two major South Georgia wildfires.
  • Robert Katney (Chatham County Fire Department):
    Quote on public awareness: “When we’ve gotten on scene, they basically said, ‘we didn’t know that… there was a burn ban.’ So that now is not an excuse.” (02:42)
  • Penalties reach up to $500 and 30 days in jail.

3. Mental Health Parity Law – New Dashboard for Consumers

Timestamps: 02:55–04:25

• Georgia law requires health insurers to cover mental and physical health equally, but many insurers are not meeting standards.
  • Whitney Griggs (Georgians for a Healthy Future): Emphasizes the lack of consumer experience data:
    Quote: “What they don’t show you is the experience of the consumer trying to get that mental health care. Until we have that information, we’ll never really know how consumers are faring with the mental health parity law.” (03:49)
  • New “Parity Data Dashboard” grades insurers; over a dozen fined for violations.
  • Legislation to increase fines did not pass.

4. Passing of Congressman David Scott

Timestamps: 04:25–05:07

• David Scott, a long-serving congressman, will lie in state at the Georgia Capitol.
  • Service details: April 29th, 10am–5pm, with a tribute at 11am.
  • Per final wishes, burial will be in Atlanta; donations to his legacy foundation are encouraged.

5. Secretary of State Primary Debates & Election Integrity

Timestamps: 05:07–05:52

• Candidates from both parties debated election reforms.
  • Republican candidates: Called for a return to hand-marked paper ballots.
    • Quote (various GOP voices): “That’s why I want to come back to paper ballots… Every voter be able to verify their ballot on paper.” (05:19)
  • Gabriel Sterling: Highlighted national recognition for well-run elections.
  • Democrat Cam Ashling: Proposed making Election Day a state holiday.

6. Dental College of Georgia Breaks Ground in Savannah

Timestamps: 06:25–06:46

• Construction has started on a $178 million dental college at Augusta University in Savannah.
  • Expected opening: 2028, training 50 dentists per year.
  • Aimed at addressing the state’s shortage of dental providers.

7. Atlanta Braves Sports Update

Timestamps: 06:46–07:30

• The Braves continue a winning streak, facing the Detroit Tigers.
  • Highlight performances from Ozzy Albees, Ronald Acuña Jr., and rookie pitcher JR Richie.

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Memorable Quotes

• Raphael Warnock:
  “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. Without it, I… would not be standing here today … as a voice in the United States Senate for the people of Georgia.” (01:18)
• Whitney Griggs:
  “What they don’t show you is the experience of the consumer trying to get that mental health care. Until we have that information, we’ll never really know how consumers are faring with the mental health parity law.” (03:49)
• Robert Katney:
  “When we’ve gotten on scene, they basically said, ‘we didn’t know that… there was a burn ban.’ So that now is not an excuse.” (02:42)
• GOP Primary Candidates:
  “That’s why I want to come back to paper ballots… Every voter be able to verify their ballot on paper.” (05:19)
• David Becker:
  “It’s going to be very, very difficult for the Legislature, who is out of session in Georgia, to be called back for redistricting.” (02:01)

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:50 | Georgia’s reaction to Supreme Court ruling | | 01:18 | Raphael Warnock statement | | 02:01 | Expert analysis on redistricting chaos | | 02:12 | GOP gubernatorial candidates’ reactions | | 02:12 | Burn ban enforcement in Savannah | | 02:42 | Chatham County Fire Department on public ignorance | | 03:31 | Mental health parity law issues | | 03:49 | Mental health advocate’s key quote | | 04:25 | David Scott’s passing and tribute | | 05:07 | Secretary of State debate summary | | 05:19 | GOP calls for paper ballots | | 05:45 | Cam Ashling’s new election reform idea | | 06:25 | Dental College groundbreaking in Savannah | | 06:46 | Braves/Tigers baseball preview |

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Tone and Style

• The language remains factual, direct, and informative.
• All voices are kept in their original tone, balancing both urgency (voting rights, wildfire risks) and optimism (educational investments, bipartisan election integrity efforts).
• The summary is structured for clarity and ease of reference, ensuring listeners stay informed on pressing Georgia news.

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Transcript

[GPB Announcer]

GPB belongs to Georgia and you are the center of everything we do. Become a GPB sustainer today or increase your monthly gift to fortify our work enriching Georgians of all ages. Visit gpb.org to donate today and thanks.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom on today's episode. Georgia reacts to today's landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act Fire officials near Georgia's coast respond to dozens of illegal burn piles, and there are new tools to make sure parity laws are being followed.

[Whitney Griggs]

What they don't show you is the experience of the consumer trying to get that mental health care. Until we have that information, we'll never really know how consumers are faring with the mental health parity law.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Wednesday, April 29th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Georgia's reaction to today's landmark Supreme Court ruling striking a blow to the Voting Rights act has been swift and divided along party lines. Georgia Democratic US Senator Raphael Warnock is blasting the decision, calling it a profound step backward for American democracy.

[Raphael Warnock]

The Voting Rights act of 1965 is the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. Without it, I quite I literally would not be standing here today in front of you as a voice in the United States Senate for the people of Georgia.

[Peter Biello]

The left leaning group Fair Fight Action, based in Atlanta, says Democrats could lose two seats in the U.S. house, 17 seats in the Georgia House and eight seats in the Georgia Senate if state lawmakers were to redraw the state's political maps. Based on the decision, governor Brian Kemp would have to call a special session to redistrict before the November midterms primary elections are already underway. David Becker of the center for Election Innovation and Research says redistricting now would create chaos.

[David Becker]

It's going to be very, very difficult for the Legislature, who is out of session in Georgia, to be called back for redistricting. I don't know if Governor Kemp has any intention of doing that whatsoever.

[Peter Biello]

At least two GOP candidates seeking Kemp's office, frontrunners Rick Jackson and Bert Jones, praised the decision and called on state lawmakers to redraw the maps. Fire officials in Savannah's Chatham county say they've responded to more than 40 illegal burn piles since the Georgia Forestry Commission issued a burn ban last week. That's despite two massive South Georgia wildfires that have sent smoke into the area and warnings from authorities about the danger of outdoor burning in drought conditions. Robert Katney speaks for the Chatham county Fire Department.

[Raphael Warnock]

When we've gotten on scene, they basically said we didn't know that it was there was a burn ban. So that now is not an excuse.

[Peter Biello]

The first of its kind ban includes 91 South Georgia counties, including Chatham. The county police chief says citations for illegal burning carry fines of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. Parity laws require health insurers to cover medically necessary physical and mental health care equally. GPB's Sophie Gratis has more on new tools that can help consumers navigate how well their own insurers are doing.

[Sophie Gratis]

Insurers are required by state and federal law to report how well they're enforcing parity. But in Georgia, many are falling short on vital metrics, including that reporting. Whitney Griggs with Georgians for a Healthy Future says that's partially what's behind the F grades they're assigning to some insurers in their new public Parity Data Dashboard.

[Whitney Griggs]

What they don't show you is the experience of the consumer trying to get that mental health care. Until we have that information, we'll never really know how consumers are faring with the mental health parity law.

[Sophie Gratis]

The dashboard covers Medicaid and commercial marketplace plans. Over a dozen Georgia insurers were fined millions this year by the state for parity violations. A bill that would have increased fines for such violations did not pass the Legislature. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gratis.

[Peter Biello]

The late Congressman David Scott will lie in state at the Georgia State Capitol on Friday from 10am to 5 in the evening. A tribute service is planned for 11am at the Capitol. Scott died in Washington, D.C. last week at the age of 80. Per his final wishes, Congressman Scott will be laid to rest in his home city of Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the David A. Scott Legacy foundation, which was established to provide financial support to graduating seniors within Georgia's 13th congressional district. Attending a historically black college or university. Candidates hoping to become Georgia's top elections officer brought their campaigns to a debate stage yesterday. GPB's Grant Blankenship reports on the Republican and Democratic primary debates for secretary of state.

[Grant Blankenship]

There was bipartisan agreement that Georgia voting machines need to be altered to restore faith in elections six years after the 2020 presidential election for Republicans Vernon Jones, Kelvin King and Ted Metz.

[Peter Biello]

That's why I want to come back to paper ballots.

[Raphael Warnock]

Every voter be able to verify their ballot on paper. How to hand count and certify elections using paper ballots.

[Grant Blankenship]

That meant hand marked paper ballots. Gabriel Sterling instead pointed out the conservative Heritage foundation already claims Georgia elections are among the best run in the country. Democrats burned much of their clock on the details of what, besides removing touchscreens,

[Peter Biello]

could restore voter faith.

[Grant Blankenship]

Democrat Cam Ashling also had one new idea, making Election Day a state holiday. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

The debate was presented by the Atlanta Press Club and GPB. Find all 18 debates for the May primary elections at gpb.org news you know

[NPR Up First Host]

every day on Up First, NPR's Golden Globe nominated morning news podcast. We bring you three essential stories. the heart of each story are questions what really happened? What really mattered? What happens next? At npr, we stand for your right to be curious and to follow the facts. Follow up first wherever you get your podcasts and start your day knowing what matters and why.

[Peter Biello]

Construction officially has begun on a $178 million project aimed at addressing a shortage of dental providers in Georgia. Augusta University and state officials today celebrated the groundbreaking for the Dental College of Georgia in Savannah. It's expected to open in 2028 and train 50 dentists a year. In sports in baseball, two time Cy Young Award winner Tarek Skubal of the Detroit Tigers takes on the Atlanta Braves at home tonight at Truis Park. This follows the Braves win over the Tigers last night for their 11th win in the last 13 games. Ozzy Albee's hit a two run homer and Ronald Acuna Jr. Was 2 for 3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored. Mike Ostremski was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. On the mound for the Braves tonight will be rookie JR Richie who will be making his home debut. He won on the road last week against the Washington Nationals. That is a wrap on Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. Make sure you come on back tomorrow. We'll have more of the latest news and remember to subscribe to this podcast so we pop up automatically in your feed. You can check gpb.org news for the latest updates. If you've got feedback or a story idea, we'd love to hear from you. The best way for you to reach us is email. Send the Note to Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.