'Good Trouble Day' protests across Georgia; Clinical trial to address HIV; Flood terms

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Episode: 'Good Trouble Day' Protests Across Georgia; Clinical Trial to Address HIV; Flood Terms

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Host: Orlando Montoya
Producer: Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)
Description: Georgia Today is the daily podcast from GPB News delivering compelling stories and in-depth reporting on topics that matter to Georgians. In this episode, host Orlando Montoya covers the nationwide protests in Georgia honoring John Lewis, a groundbreaking clinical trial addressing the state's high HIV rates, and essential information on flood terminology to enhance public safety.

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1. 'Good Trouble Day' Protests Honor John Lewis and Advocate Against Trump Policies

The episode opens with Orlando Montoya highlighting the significant protests that took place across Georgia against President Donald Trump's policies. These demonstrations were part of a national Day of Action titled "Good Trouble Lives On," paying homage to the legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis.

Key Highlights:

• Protest Objectives: The protests primarily targeted Trump's policies on mass deportations, Medicaid cuts, and reductions to safety net programs affecting the impoverished.
• Event in Atlanta: GPB's Sarah Kallis reports from Atlanta, where hundreds marched down Auburn Avenue. The march concluded with a rally featuring Andrea Young, Executive Director of ACLU Georgia.

Notable Quote:

"John Lewis took that torch over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We are still carrying that torch until our multiracial democracy is what he envisioned it to be."
— Andrea Young, ACLU Georgia Executive Director [01:53]

• Significance of the Date: The demonstration also commemorated the five-year anniversary of John Lewis's passing, reinforcing his enduring impact on civil rights and social justice movements.
• Wider Participation: Events weren't confined to Atlanta alone; other metropolitan areas and southeastern Georgia cities also held their own gatherings, showcasing widespread support and solidarity.

Additional Insights:

• Andrea Young's Remarks:

"I'm unhappy with the Republican stance on things. The current administration has alienated our allies, has turned the clock back the United States years and years and years. And I don't know how long it's going to take to get that momentum back."
— Andrea Young [02:24]

This statement underscores the protesters' frustration with the administration's direction and their commitment to revitalizing progressive momentum in the country.

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2. Innovative Clinical Trial Aims to Combat Georgia's High HIV Rates

Georgia faces one of the highest HIV rates in the United States, prompting significant public health initiatives. Orlando Montoya delves into a pioneering clinical trial designed to address this critical issue.

Key Highlights:

• Overview of the Trial: The clinical trial introduces a novel Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication administered once every six months, aiming to provide a more convenient and effective prevention method against HIV.
• Target Population: The study focuses on high-risk groups, particularly young Black individuals and members of the LGBTQ+ community, including gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary individuals.

Notable Quotes:

"Georgia has the highest rates of HIV in the country."
— Sarah Kalis [08:45]

"Our work at the three sites in Atlanta contributed significantly to the trial by enrolling the population at highest risk of for HIV, namely young Black populations."
— Valeria Cantos Lucio, Primary Investigator [09:13]

Additional Insights:

• Impact of the Trial: By targeting the populations most affected by HIV, the trial aims to significantly reduce new infections and provide a scalable model for other regions facing similar challenges.
• Geographical Focus: Early Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties, known for their high rates of new HIV diagnoses, are the primary areas of focus for this initiative.

Conclusion: This clinical trial represents a critical step forward in Georgia's fight against HIV, offering hope through innovative medical solutions and targeted community engagement.

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3. Understanding Flood Terminology to Enhance Public Safety

In light of recent severe weather events, including last year's Hurricanes Debbie and Helene, Orlando Montoya emphasizes the importance of understanding flood-related terms to ensure public safety during emergencies.

Key Highlights:

• Types of Flooding: The discussion covers flash flooding, river flooding, and coastal flooding, each posing unique risks and requiring specific preparedness measures.
• Educational Resources: Jennifer Klein, Coastal Hazard Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources in Brunswick, directs listeners to GPB’s website (coastalgadnr.org) for a comprehensive list of flood terms.

Notable Quotes:

"Flash flood, it's potentially life-threatening. It's usually water going into a typically dry area. For instance, on the coast, it's those roads. Our roads are typically dry. And when you have a quick downpour of rain, that creates flash flooding because the water can't move fast enough and we don't want people to drive through that."
— Jennifer Klein [03:31]

"If you get something along those lines, it's really just emphasizing the need to stay indoors from where a lot of this is happening."
— Jennifer Klein [05:07]

Detailed Explanations:

• Flood Watches vs. Warnings:

  • Flood Watch: Issued when conditions are favorable for flooding to occur.
  • Flash Flood Warning: Indicates that flooding is imminent or already occurring.
  • Flash Flood Emergency: A more severe warning signaling life-threatening conditions and the need for immediate action.

• Actionable Advice:

  • Stay Indoors: During a flash flood warning or emergency, if you are at home, remain inside until all warnings have been lifted.
  • Driving Precautions: If caught driving during a flash flood warning, continue to your destination safely instead of pulling over. Avoid driving through flooded roads, as even shallow water can be hazardous.

Additional Insights:

• Terminology Clarification:

"We encourage people to use 'higher than high tide flooding' rather than 'king tide,' which is a non-scientific term."
— Jennifer Klein [05:41]

This clarification helps ensure consistent communication among professionals and the public, reducing confusion during emergency situations.

• Personal Accounts: Orlando Montoya shares his personal experience with flooding risks in Atlanta, emphasizing that severe flooding can occur inland, not just on the coasts.

• Community Preparedness: Jennifer Klein stresses the importance of family discussions about flood-prone areas, understanding warning systems, and knowing evacuation routes to enhance community resilience against flooding events.

Conclusion: Understanding flood terminology and appropriate responses is crucial for public safety. GPB encourages all listeners to familiarize themselves with these terms and to stay informed through reliable resources like coastalgadnr.org.

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Final Remarks: In this episode, Georgia Today effectively addresses pressing issues affecting Georgia residents, from political protests honoring civil rights legacies to innovative health initiatives and essential safety information on natural disasters. Host Orlando Montoya, along with insightful contributions from reporters and experts, provides a comprehensive overview of topics that are vital for the well-being and informed citizenship of Georgians.

For more detailed reports and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit GPB News or subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

These days there's so much news it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family and your community. The Consider this Podcast from NPR features our award winning journalism. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. We get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider this podcast from npr.

[Orlando Montoya]

Hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, protests against President Donald Trump take place across Georgia. A clinical trial aims to address the state's high rates of hiv. And knowing the difference between flooding terms could help keep you safe in an emergency.

[Jennifer Klein]

We do have on our website under coastalgadnr.org we do have a whole list of flood terms.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Friday, July 18th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Protests and events against President Donald Trump's policies, including mass deportations and cuts to Medicaid and other safety net programs for the poor, took place at locations across Georgia yesterday. The national day of Action called Good Trouble Lives on was held in honor of the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports from an event in Atlanta.

[Sarah Kalis]

Hundreds of demonstrators marched down Auburn Avenue to protest the Trump administration and honor the late U.S. representative John Lewis. The march concluded with a rally where ACLU Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young said the crowd must continue Lewis's legacy.

[Andrea Young]

John Lewis took that torch over the Edmund Pettus Bridge. We are still carrying that torch until our multiracial democracy is what he envisioned it to be.

[Sarah Kalis]

The demonstration also marked the five year anniversary of Lewis death. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[Orlando Montoya]

Events were planned in other metro Atlanta cities and in southeast Georgia. Sarah Savannah resident Ann Fenstermacher attended the rally in her city.

[Andrea Young]

I'm unhappy with the Republican stance on things. The current administration has alienated our allies, has turned the clock back the United States years and years and years. And I don't know how long it's going to take to get that momentum back.

[Orlando Montoya]

The phrase good trouble was coined by Lewis, the youngest and last survivor of The Big Civil Six Civil Rights Activists, a group led by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The deadly flooding in Texas reminds us just how quickly storms can trigger severe flooding. But devastation from high water can happen anywhere, including Georgia. Last year's hurricanes Debbie and Helene caused significant damage. We have flash flooding, river flooding and coastal flooding that can lead to flood watches, warnings and emergencies. But what's the difference between these terms? Knowing them can keep you safe. So this week I spoke with Jennifer Klein, the coastal hazard specialist with the Department of Natural Resources in Brunswick. I asked her to define my most troublesome flash flooding.

[Jennifer Klein]

We do have on our website under coastalgadnr.org we do have a whole list of flood terms. So I would encourage anyone to check it out. These have been identified as terms that we wanted to make sure is consistent among professionals so that they are using the same terms. But flash flood, it's potentially life threatening. It's usually water going into a typically dry area. For instance, on the coast, it's those roads. Our roads are typically dry. And when you have a quick downpour of rain, that creates flash flooding because the water can't move fast enough and we don't want people to drive through that. A 6 inch rain event could carry a car away or an adult away. And that can happen pretty quickly.

[Orlando Montoya]

So tell me about the difference between a flash flood warning and a flash flood emergency and what action people should take in each of those.

[Jennifer Klein]

Well, so the first phase would be a flood watch that the National Weather Service would issue. And that just says that there is a potential, the conditions are there for that to happen. Potentially the warning is it's happening and so it's imminent.

[Orlando Montoya]

And then we get that flash flood emergency alert happens while we're driving. It happens when we're at home. What action should you take when you get one of those?

[Jennifer Klein]

If you get something along those lines, it's really just emphasizing the need to stay indoors from where a lot of this is happening.

[Orlando Montoya]

But I'm driving, should I pull over?

[Jennifer Klein]

Well, I would say no. Same instance when you get those on your phone for a tornado, it's get to your destination and then get somewhere safe.

[Orlando Montoya]

Noah has predicted another above normal Atlantic hurricane season this year. So what should listeners know about flash flooding and hurricanes?

[Jennifer Klein]

Sure. You know, one thing we haven't talked about is here on the coast is our high tides. One of the terms that we discourage people from using is king tide. King tide is a non scientifically defined term. And so when people use it, they use it to mean different things. We encourage people to use higher than high tide flooding. And then when we also have hurricanes, we have that storm surge that is coming up from the ocean. And so a lot of times we can have high tide flooding event with the storm surge. And so just knowing that those levels are even higher.

[Orlando Montoya]

Yeah, I lived on the coast for 23 years. So living in Savannah So when I moved here to Atlanta, I really didn't appreciate at first the flooding risk here in Atlanta because those creeks can rise, that rain can fall. And you know, I've seen, you know, we've seen news events where people are getting washed away. So it can happen anywhere.

[Jennifer Klein]

Absolutely. I think, I think one thing that's important is to really kind of talk to your family and talk about where some of those flood prone areas would be in your normal routine and know what the warning, the watches and the warning signals are and those evacuation routes are really important, as we saw with Helene, that impacted the, you know, the entire state of Georgia. And then whenever there is water over a road, turn around, do not go through it, even if it seems like a couple of inches, especially here on the coast, you might be driving through salt water and you don't even know it.

[Orlando Montoya]

Well, this has been incredibly informative and important and I thank you very much for talking with me today.

[Jennifer Klein]

Yeah, thank you for asking.

[Orlando Montoya]

That was Jennifer Klein, coastal hazard specialist with the Department of Natural Resources in Brunswick. Governor Brian Kemp has suspended the mayor of a small south Georgia city who's facing felony charges stemming from efforts to halt a local election after one of the mayor's allies was disqualified from a city council race. Kemp's executive order yesterday suspends Mayor Kelvin Owens of Camilla, about 30 miles south of Albany. Owens and two other officials were charged with election interference and conspiracy to commit election fraud. And chaos roiled special elections in Camilla last November amid a long running legal battle over local politics in the town, a farming community of about 5,000 people. A clinical trial in Georgia aims to address the state's high rates of HIV. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports the so called prep drug offers more options for preventing the disease.

[Sarah Kalis]

The most recent data show Georgia has the highest rates of HIV in the country. Lena Capavere is the first and only PREP or pre exposure prophylaxis medication administered once every six months. Valeria Cantos Lucio is one of the study's primary investigators. She says their work at the three sites in Atlanta contributed significantly to the trial by enrolling the population at highest risk of for hiv, namely young black.

[Mohanad El Shaki]

Populations, including gay, bisexual, transgender and gender non binary people.

[Sarah Kalis]

But's early Clayton, DeKalb and Fulton counties have the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in Georgia. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Orlando Montoya]

Landowners from a tiny coastal community founded by freed slaves were back in a Georgia court today fighting zoning changes that they say are racially discriminatory. Residents of Hog Hummock on Sapelo island have been trying for years to overturn the changes by officials in McIntosh County. They fear the new zoning will increase their taxes and weaken protections for the mostly black and poor community in Georgia. Business News Atlanta based Norfolk Southern and Nebraska based Union Pacific are in merger talks to create the largest railroad in North America. A person familiar with the discussions who isn't authorized to talk about them publicly said that talks began earlier this year. Both companies declined to comment. And a James Beard Award winning chef from Savannah has opened a restaurant in Paris. Masham Abaili of Savannah's critically acclaimed eatery the Grey opened across cultural French and Southern lunch Bistro Le Rey or the Stop on Tuesday.

[NPR Host]

These days there's so much news it can be hard to keep up with what it all means for you, your family and your community. The Consider this podcast from NPR features our award winning journalism. Six days a week we bring you a deep dive on a news story and provide the context and analysis that helps you make sense of the news. And we get behind the headlines. We get to the truth. Listen to the Consider this podcast from NPR.

[Orlando Montoya]

With news this week that the Late show with Stephen Colbert will end after next season. There's a lot of talk about the future of late night TV and what it means for political comedy. One person who works in that world is comedian and writer Mohaned El Shaki and you might know him from Colbert's show or from NPR's wait, wait, don't tell me. The Libyan born New York based comic is bringing his stand up to a show in Atlanta this weekend. He spoke with GPB's Pamela Kirkland.

[Pamela Kirkland]

I want to start with the Atlanta show. What can folks expect to hear from you when they come to see you at City Winery?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

Well, first of all, great joke. Yeah, that's what you're paying for. That's 100%. I mean this show is mostly a lot of like personal stories and whatnot and about living in Portland, living in New York, growing up in Libya, all of that stuff. Just like being in America and all. But like I said, overall they're just gonna have a great time.

[Pamela Kirkland]

How would you describe your comedy in your own words?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

I mean the way I would describe my standup comedy. Like you said, it is laid back, it is chill. I'd say my style is like very plot twisty because I love plot twists. So like every joke has like an ending that is different from what one would expect. Or like whatever you think the story was going, it's going into a Different direction. So I try and do a lot of that, but overall it's just like, pretty chill.

[Pamela Kirkland]

You mentioned you were born in Libya and now live in New York. How have your personal experiences shaped a lot of your comedic material?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

Yeah, like you said, I was born in Libya and I feel like I came here to the states like 11 years ago and as an immigrant. So a lot of it is looking at America doing outside commentary, like, from someone who did not grow up here. So I think it's pointing out the absurd because people obviously are born here and raised here, so a lot of the stuff they're used to versus me coming at it from the outside, I'm like, I don't think this is normal. So I think when people see someone from the outside pointing stuff like that out, they're like, oh, yeah, I don't think that is normal too. And it's funny that you're bringing that up.

[Pamela Kirkland]

You've been in a lot of different spaces where comedy and politics meet. Like, you were writing and consulting for Love it or Leave it, that podcast. You've done Colbert and written for them. Do you think satire, political satire, is doing its job right now, or is it just harder to keep up with the news because of the fast paced cycle these days?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

I think it is hard now, yes. And like you said, I used to write for 11 early, but now I'm doing Wait, Wait, don't tell me on npr. And it is hard because sometimes the news is just like, very, very ridiculous to the point where it's like, what am I even making fun of here? This is like. And you know, it's funny because people always like, oh, yeah, jokes write themselves. I'm like, no, they do not. They do not write themselves. They take hours and hours of just looking at the news and being like, what am I even looking at right now? This is bad. Or this is too absurd to even make jokes about. I think, yeah, satire is like, we still need it, but it's just. It is just hard because people are like, not able to tell about, like, what is real and what's not anymore. So I feel like it's become harder to do satire because, like, people have to recognize it's satire, you know, and now it's very hard to recognize it's satire. So it's just like on you now to make it clear that this is a joke or just joking here. This is not what I actually think, or this is not the real thought process behind what's being delivered. So, yeah, it is doing its job. But I feel like we need more than satire, to be honest, right now.

[Pamela Kirkland]

And now you're writing for. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Which our listeners absolutely love. What's it like working on that show that's part comedy, part current event, and part quiz show?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

I love it. It's truly, like, maybe one of the best jobs I've ever had, like, in comedy. It's just so fun. The show is like, obviously it does politics, but it does a lot of also just, like, silly news and stuff like that. The team itself was, like, everyone there was, like, so, so nice.

[Pamela Kirkland]

How is writing for Weight Wait different from prepping for a standup performance?

[Mohanad El Shaki]

I mean, the main difference is whether it's, like, evergreen or, like, you know, like, you're doing now news. Like, I feel like, wait, wait, don't tell me you do the joke now. Next week. It's old news. You can't do it again for stand up. Like, okay, it has to be fresh because I'm on tour. I'm doing it for, like, months and months to, like, I'm doing it until the end of the year. I'm like, people have to find these jokes funny no matter what the time frame is. So that's why it is different. And honestly, I do like, stand up is always going to be the most enjoyable art form for me. I think the fun part about stand up is that if the joke does well, it's you who wrote it. It's you on stage. If it doesn't, you also have to take the brunt of that. But that's why it is fun. There's always that risk of, like, where. Especially with new jokes or, like, or being at a new place, you're like, okay, I don't know how this joke's gonna go. So when it does well, it's like a very, very great feeling.

[Pamela Kirkland]

Mohanad, thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Mohanad El Shaki]

Thank you for having me.

[Orlando Montoya]

That was Mohanad El sheikhi speaking with GPB's Pamela Kirkland. The comic will be on stage at Atlanta's City Winery this weekend. And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. As always, we invite you to take a [e-mail] news for all the latest news from our GPB reporters across the state. Refresh that page from time to time to find out what's new. If you have feedback for us, send it our way at georgia [e-mail] and as always, hit subscribe on this podcast to keep Georgia Today current in your feed. I'm Orlando Montoya. I hope you have a great weekend and come back to us next week for more Georgia Today.

[Pamela Kirkland]

When a massive chemical fire erupted at the Biolab facility in Conyers, thick smoke filled the air, forcing evacuations. But for many, it wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last. I'm Pamela Kirkland. In GPB's new podcast, Manufacturing the Biolab Story, I investigate what caused the fire, the response and what it means for Conyers residents today. [e-mail] podcast or wherever you get your podcast.