'Georgia's version of DOGE' passes Senate; BioLab fire health effects; ATL traffic

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode: 'Georgia's version of DOGE' passes Senate; BioLab fire health effects; ATL traffic
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Host: Sophie Gradas (in place of Peter Biello)
Produced by: Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Federal Scholarship Funding Restored for HBCUs

The episode opens with an update on the Trump administration restoring funding for a federal scholarship program aimed at supporting students from underserved and rural areas attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Georgia, including Fort Valley State University. US Senator Jon Ossoff announced the restoration following a federal judge's order to suspend an executive order that attempted to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

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2. Savannah Port Authority's Remarkable Growth

Benjamin Payne reports on Griff Lynch, CEO of the Georgia Ports Authority, delivering his annual State of the Port address. Despite a significant labor dispute on the East Coast that diverted cargo to the West Coast, Savannah emerged as the fastest-growing seaport on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts last year, with cargo traffic increasing by 12.5%.

"Savannah saw a 12.5% growth on a year where cargo was being diverted," — Sophie Gradas (02:06)

Lynch notably avoided discussing the Trump administration's new tariffs on Chinese, Canadian, and Mexican imports during his 45-minute address.

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3. Passage of Georgia’s DOGE-like Bill in the Senate

A significant legislative development saw the passage of SB28, dubbed Georgia’s version of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), through the Georgia Senate with a vote of 33 to 21 along party lines.

"It reduces red tape for small businesses," — Republican Senator Greg Dolezal (03:03)

The bill mandates state agencies to conduct an economic impact study of all their rules every four years and allows the Legislature to influence any proposed changes. While supporters view it as a means to streamline regulations, critics argue it may infringe on due process.

"One person's red tape might be another person's due process," — Sarah Kallis (03:07)

The bill now advances to the House for further consideration.

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4. Rudy Giuliani Satisfies Defamation Judgment

In legal news, documents reveal that Rudy Giuliani has fully satisfied a $148 million defamation judgment owed to former Fulton County election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shea Moss. This settlement resolves Giuliani's false accusations of election fraud against the pair following the 2020 presidential election.

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5. Ongoing Health Study on Conyers Biolab Fire

A new study, the Post Fire Public Health Recovery Project, has been launched to investigate the long-term health effects of the September fire at the Biolab chemical plant in Conyers. Spearheaded by the Morehouse School of Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia, and Community Action Now, the three-year study aims to track potential neurological and cancer risks among affected residents.

"We knew that there wasn't enough data... It's not inclusive like this," — Ifat Walker, Founder of Community Action Now (05:15)

The fire had previously caused the evacuation of over 17,000 people and initiated widespread shelter-in-place orders. A federal investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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6. Camden County Deputy Not Charged in Fatal Shooting

In a controversial decision, Camden County District Attorney Keith Higgins announced he would not pursue charges against a sheriff's deputy who fatally shot Leonard Cure, a black man, during a traffic stop in 2023. Cure had been previously exonerated from a wrongful imprisonment in Florida.

"The deputy's use of deadly force was objectively reasonable," — Keith Higgins (05:43)

Cure’s family attorneys have decried the decision as a "devastating failure of justice."

7. Retirement of Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice

Justice Michael Boggs, the Chief Justice of Georgia's Supreme Court, announced his retirement after a 21-year tenure, including three years as Chief Justice. His departure creates an opportunity for Governor Brian Kemp to appoint his successor.

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8. Business Updates

• Home Depot reported a surge in same-store sales for the fourth quarter, breaking a two-year slump. Revenues climbed to nearly $40 billion from $35 billion, driven by improved customer demand amidst a challenging housing market.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is set to welcome a new General Manager, Ricky Smith from the Maryland Aviation Authority, replacing Balram B. Biodari, who departed last June to join Michael Baker International.

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9. Atlanta Traffic Surge Due to Federal Employees Returning to Offices

Crash Clark, a former traffic reporter, highlights increased congestion on Atlanta’s major roadways as more federal employees return to in-office work following the Trump administration's return-to-work order.

"The rush hours are beginning early again," — Crash Clark (08:00)

Areas around the CDC are notably affected, with up to 78% of the agency’s employees previously working remotely.

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10. Sports Highlights

• Georgia Bulldogs are set to face the third-ranked Florida team in Athens, aiming to boost their NCAA aspirations.

• In the NBA, Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks with 11 points and 14 assists, helping the team snap a three-game losing streak by defeating the Miami Heat 98-86.

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11. Rare Gray Seal Sighting in Georgia Waters

A gray seal was spotted off the Georgia coast—a rare occurrence far south of their typical range. The sighting occurred in the creek between Saplo Island and Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge.

"It's hard to say, but the seal could be looking for food or simply exploring," — Mark Dodd, DNR Wildlife Biologist (08:51)

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is monitoring the unusual presence of the seal, which is more commonly found from the Mid-Atlantic to the Baltic Sea.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sophie Gradas (02:06): "Savannah saw a 12.5% growth on a year where cargo was being diverted."
• Senator Greg Dolezal (03:03): "It reduces red tape for small businesses."
• Sarah Kallis (03:07): "One person's red tape might be another person's due process."
• Ifat Walker (05:15): "We knew that there wasn't enough data... It's not inclusive like this."
• Keith Higgins (05:43): "The deputy's use of deadly force was objectively reasonable."
• Crash Clark (08:00): "The rush hours are beginning early again."
• Mark Dodd (08:51): "It's hard to say, but the seal could be looking for food or simply exploring."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the February 25, 2025, episode of Georgia Today. For more detailed information on these stories, visit gpb.org/news.

Transcript

[Sarah Kallis]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians that the 988 lifeline can help those worried about opioid and stimulant misuse. The three digit number is free and confidential. Help is available 24. 7 More [e-mail].

[Sophie Gradas]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast from GPB news. Today is 25 February 2025 on Sophie Gradas in for Peter Biello. On today's episode, we'll hear about a response from scientists to understand fallout from the Conyers Biolab plant fire and a brief update on why you might be seeing more traffic on Atlanta's major thoroughfares.

[Crash Clark]

Now that more and more folks are getting back to the office. The rush hours are beginning early again.

[Sophie Gradas]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. The Trump administration is restoring funding for a federal scholarship aimed at boosting students from underserved and rural areas attending historically black colleges and universities, including Georgia's Fort Valley State University. US Senator Jon Ossoff announced the funding restoration this afternoon, days after the U.S. department of Agriculture put the scholarship on hold amid a federal review of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Applications for the scholarship program reportedly reopened following orders from a federal judge to suspend portions of the executive order attempting to ban dei. The head of the Georgia Ports Authority gave his annual State of the Port address in Savannah today. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

[Benjamin Payne]

Georgia Ports Authority CEO Griff lynch told a capacity crowd of business leaders at the Savannah Convention center that Savannah was the fastest growing seaport last year of any on either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts. That was even amid a major labor dispute between east coast ports and dock workers, which forced many exporters to divert their containers to the West Coast. Despite that, Savannah's Cargo traffic saw 12.

[Sophie Gradas]

And a half percent growth on a year that we had cargo being diverted. Our team was at a major conference.

[Crash Clark]

Last week and the customers were apologizing.

[Benjamin Payne]

During his 45 minute talk, lynch made no mention of the Trump administration's new 10% tariffs on Chinese imports now. Nor did he discuss the president's planned 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, which are expected to go into effect next week. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Sophie Gradas]

A bill branded as Georgia's version of the Department of Government efficiency, or DOGE, passed the Georgia Senate yesterday. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kallis]

SB28 would require state agencies to conduct an economic impact study of all of its rules every four years and allow the Legislature to have a say in any changes agencies may want to implement. Republican Senator Greg Dolezal says it reduces red tape for small businesses.

[Ifat Walker]

Having lawmakers with a seat at the table in the rulemaking process is is.

[Sarah Kallis]

Probably a good idea, but Democrats like Senator Josh McLaurin say the bill is unnecessary.

[Sophie Gradas]

One person's red tape might be another person's due process.

[Sarah Kallis]

The bill was passed 33 to 21 along party lines and now moves to the House. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallis at the state Capitol.

[Sophie Gradas]

In the case of a lawsuit against two former Fulton county election workers, Donald Trump's former attorney Rudy Giuliani has, quote, fully satisfied the $148 million defamation judgment he owed the two workers. Documents filed yesterday with a federal court in New York show Giuliani satisfied the award to former Fulton county election workers Ruby Freeman and Shea Moss. Last week, Giuliani falsely accused the mother daughter pair of election fraud after Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. He settled with them last month in a deal that lets the cash strapped Giuliani keep his homes and belongings in exchange for unspecified compensation and a promise not to defame them again. The document filed yesterday did not indicate how much Giuliani paid to, quote, fully satisfy the judgment. A new study is underway to track the ongoing health effects of last year's fire at the Biolab chemical plant in Conyers, east of Atlanta. GPB's Pamela Kirkland reports.

[Pamela Kirkland]

The Post Fire Public Health Recovery Project is a collaborative effort between the Morehouse School of Medicine, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Georgia, and local nonprofit Community Action Now. The three year study will track long term health impacts on residents as a result of the fire at the Biolab plant. Researchers say while immediate effects like respiratory issues and irritation are apparent, long term implications like neurological effects and potential cancer risks are largely unknown. The initiative was introduced at a community forum Monday night in Conyers. Ifat Walker is the founder of Community Action Now.

[Ifat Walker]

We knew that there wasn't enough data. We knew that it's never been done in this manner. In particular for the research that is out there. It does. It's not inclusive like this.

[Pamela Kirkland]

The September fire at Biolab forced more than 17,000 people to evacuate and led to widespread shelter in place orders. A federal investigation into the fire remains ongoing. For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[Sophie Gradas]

Down in coastal Georgia, the district attorney for Camden county says he won't pursue charges against a sheriff's deputy who fatally shot a black man during a traffic stop that spiraled into violence. Leonard Cure was killed in 2023, three years after being released from a prison in Florida where authorities concluded he was locked up for a crime he did not commit. District Attorney Keith Higgins said today that he determined the deputy's use of deadly force was, quote, objectively reasonable. Attorneys for Cure's family called the decision, quote, a devastating failure of justice. One more piece of news on the justice system. The chief justice of Georgia's Supreme Court is retiring. Justice Michael Boggs announced his decision this afternoon, ending a 21 year judicial career, including three as Chief Justice. He'll step down when the court's term ends in late March, setting up an opportunity for Governor Brian Kemp to name a replacement. And now for some business stories. Home Depot broke a two year slump in same store sales during the fourth quarter as customer demand improved in a housing market that has been buffeted by soaring mortgage rates and a scarcity of homes for sale. The Atlanta based retail giant said today that its revenues climbed to nearly $40 billion from nearly $35 billion. Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport is getting a new general manager in April. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens today announced Maryland Aviation Authority CEO Ricky Smith as the next GM at atl. The appointment ends an eight month search for a new permanent leader at the world's busiest airport following the departure of Balram B. Biodari last year in June. In August, Biodari joined Pittsburgh based engineering, planning and consulting firm Michael Baker International. Seeing more traffic than usual on your commute? Well, the Trump administration's return to work order is putting more federal employees on already jammed Atlanta roadways. 99 ex traffic reporter Crash Clark says the difference is noticeable not just in traffic volume, but in the time of the rush hour.

[Crash Clark]

As we were post Covid and slowly moving away from that, we did see the return of some of the rush hour, mainly when school was back in session. But now that more and more folks are getting back to the office, the rush hours are beginning early again.

[Sophie Gradas]

Pinch points include areas around the CDC where as many as 78% of the agency's full time employees were working, working remotely in 2022.

[Ifat Walker]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh. Up First From NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sophie Gradas]

In Georgia sports, there's lots of basketball today. The Georgia Bulldogs could give their fading NCAA hopes a big lift by beating third ranked Florida at home in Athens tonight. Georgia has gone 133 at home but have lost four straight and are 2 and 11 against Quad 1 opponents. And in the NBA, Trae Young had 11 points and 14 assistance assists as the Atlanta Hawks snapped a three game losing streak. They beat the Miami Heat 98 to 86 at home in Atlanta last night, allowing their fewest points in nearly four years. Here's something exciting to close out the day in a rare sighting this far south, A gray seal was spotted earlier this month off the Georgia coast. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources says a charter boat captain and a U.S. fish and Wildlife Service staff spotted the seal in the creek between Saplo island and Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge. Gray seals are typically found from the mid Atlantic to the Baltic Sea. So why so far from home? DNR wildlife biologist Mark Dodd said in an agency newsletter that it's hard to say, but the seal could be looking for food or simply exploring. That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. Thanks for listening. If you would like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news Want to stay informed? Well, if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment right now and we can show up on your podcast feed. We'd also love to hear feedback. Email us at Georgia [e-mail] I'm Sophie Gradas. We'll see you tomorrow.