Georgia Today – November 7, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Georgia Today, hosted by Peter Biello, delivers in-depth coverage of several pressing issues in Georgia: the far-reaching effects of the ongoing government shutdown on foster care and SNAP recipients, a high-profile Starbucks workers’ strike, innovation in prosthetics led by a Georgia Tech student, key economic developments, and cultural highlights in the region.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Impacts Georgia's Foster Care System

• Federal funding disruptions risk delaying the reunification of children with their parents in foster care.
• The uncertainty over SNAP (food stamps) is causing acute distress for families and young people transitioning out of foster care.
• Kate Blair (Brightside Child and Family Advocacy, Savannah) highlights the legal and emotional dilemma:
  • "A judge cannot return a child to an environment where they cannot have a house and food and schooling right, like they're required to provide these needs. That is what I anticipate. That will be the impact if this continues and these families are without these much needed benefits." (Kate Blair, 01:01)
  • Young adults transitioning out of the system are reportedly the first to feel the strain, turning to advocacy groups for urgent help.

[00:31–01:19]

2. Community and Celebrity Support Amid SNAP Crisis

• Over one million Georgians relying on SNAP face ongoing uncertainty.
• Tyler Perry’s intervention: The media mogul has donated almost $1.4 million to local organizations supporting affected families (e.g., Atlanta Community Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Atlanta).
  • Perry commented, "Compassion is not political, it's humanity." (Paraphrased from media coverage)

[01:19–01:53]

3. Mercer University: Investing in Rural Health Education

• Mercer University’s medical school is slated to move into a new $80 million facility in Macon as part of a larger downtown redevelopment.
• The development will include apartments, retail, and a conference center; completion expected in three years.
• Dean Dr. Jean Sumner underscores the school's role:
  • "We're about 50% rural, 70% outside of metropolitan Atlanta, and those students are as good as any student you can find in this country. They have work ethic, they have resilience, and they want to go home." (Dr. Jean Sumner, 02:36)
• The school focuses on training doctors from rural Georgia to serve in rural communities.

[02:10–02:48]

4. Starbucks Workers' Strike Looms in Georgia

• Union members at Starbucks have voted to strike starting November 13 (Red Cup Day), a major promotional day.
• Starbucks Workers United represents dozens of Georgia locations, but the number of stores participating remains unclear.
• The core issue: Ongoing delays in finalizing a contract agreement with management.

[02:59–03:28]

5. Economic News: Lumber Mill Closure in Augusta

• West Fraser, a Canadian timber company, is closing its Augusta plant, resulting in 130 job losses, citing "challenging lumber demand."
• Follows similar closures in Canada due to tariffs; reported alongside a spike in layoffs in Georgia.

[03:28–03:55]

6. Georgia Tech Student Pioneers Smarter Prosthetics

• Nathan Wallace, who lost his foot as a child, now works at Georgia Tech's Exoskeleton and Prosthetic Intelligent Control Lab.
• He leverages his personal experience to improve prosthetic leg technology, focusing on devices that learn from their users’ movements.
• Memorable reaction to the lab's dedication:
  • "I almost wanted to cry just seeing how much time and how much energy and the passion that the people have in the lab towards this kind of field." (Nathan Wallace, 04:16)
• Wallace aspires to an academic career to further this work.

[03:55–04:40]

7. Upcoming Investigative Podcast: The BioLab Disaster

• Brief teaser for a new season of Manufacturing the Biolab Story—an investigative series covering the BioLab disaster in Conyers, Georgia.
• The show promises whistleblower testimony and stories of community advocacy.

[04:40–05:13]

8. Culture Spotlight: Atlanta Opera’s La Traviata

• The Atlanta Opera opens its production of Verdi’s La Traviata at Cobb Energy Center.
• Guest conductor Evan Roger (Denmark-based), reflects on the challenges and joys of conducting opera:
  • "Well, I will say opera is simply almost twice as hard as doing symphonic work, but I'll tell you, that is it still feels to me, I still feel like that 4 year old getting to do his dream job is like playing in a candy shop." (Evan Roger, 05:34)
• Interview with Roger available on GPB Classical.

[05:13–05:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kate Blair (Brightside Child and Family Advocacy):
  "A judge cannot return a child to an environment where they cannot have a house and food and schooling right, like they're required to provide these needs. That is what I anticipate. That will be the impact if this continues and these families are without these much needed benefits." (01:01)

• Nathan Wallace (Georgia Tech student):
  "I almost wanted to cry just seeing how much time and how much energy and the passion that the people have in the lab towards this kind of field." (04:16)

• Dr. Jean Sumner (Mercer University Medical School):
  "We're about 50% rural, 70% outside of metropolitan Atlanta, and those students are as good as any student you can find in this country. They have work ethic, they have resilience, and they want to go home." (02:36)

• Evan Roger (Atlanta Opera guest conductor):
  "Opera is simply almost twice as hard as doing symphonic work, but...I still feel like that 4 year old getting to do his dream job is like playing in a candy shop." (05:34)

Important Timestamps

• Foster care & SNAP crisis: 00:31–01:19
• Tyler Perry’s donations: 01:19–01:53
• Mercer Medical School move: 02:10–02:48
• Starbucks workers strike: 02:59–03:28
• Lumber mill closure: 03:28–03:55
• Innovative prosthetics at Georgia Tech: 03:55–04:40
• BioLab disaster podcast teaser: 04:40–05:13
• Atlanta Opera’s La Traviata preview: 05:13–05:48

Conclusion

This episode masterfully threads together stories of hardship, resilience, and innovation shaping communities across Georgia. From policy-driven challenges in child welfare and labor to inspiring advancements in medical technology and the arts, it provides listeners with a clear window into the lives, struggles, and ambitions of Georgians today.