High-speed police chase policy; Alleged Apalachee HS shooter court appearance

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: May 6, 2025
Host: Orlando Montoya | Produced by Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Governor Brian Kemp’s Decision Not to Run for U.S. Senate

In the episode’s opening segment, host Orlando Montoya delves into the significant political development of Governor Brian Kemp announcing his decision not to seek the U.S. Senate seat in 2026. This announcement sparks discussions about the future of the Republican race and its implications for the upcoming midterm elections.

Bill Crane, a seasoned Georgia political strategist, provides his insights:

“If he had decided to be the nominee, it would have been an extremely competitive race with incumbent Senator Ossoff more of a toss up now. Not knowing who the GOP nominee will be”
[00:39]

Crane elaborates that Kemp's choice is primarily a family and personal decision rather than purely political. He emphasizes Kemp’s preference for executive roles over legislative positions and notes the potential for a "spirited primary" among GOP candidates. The absence of Kemp and possibly Donald Trump from the ballot could significantly influence Republican turnout and the overall competitiveness of the race.

2. Atlanta City Council Advocates for Stricter High-Speed Police Chase Policies

Amanda Andrews reports on the Atlanta City Council's initiative to implement stricter guidelines for high-speed police chases conducted by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). The proposed policies aim to enhance public safety by reducing the number of chases that end in crashes.

Key recommendations include:

• Restricting chases to violent felonies
• Requiring supervisor approval
• Banning pit maneuvers in densely populated areas

Statistics highlighted by the council reveal that over half of the GSP’s 6,700 chases concluded in a crash. A poignant moment in the discussion features Kate Schenke, who shares her personal tragedy:

“It could have been a family going to target, but 80 miles an hour down that road, heavily populated? It's just, it's not the first time this has happened. I'd love it to be the last.”
[06:19]

The council has mandated that the Atlanta police chief report back within 60 days on the policy changes implemented in collaboration with the GSP.

3. Josh McLaurin Enters the Lieutenant Governor Race

Democrat Josh McLaurin, a state senator from north Georgia, announces his candidacy for lieutenant governor. Benjamin Payne covers McLaurin’s platform, which positions the race as a "referendum on the Trump administration", particularly targeting the administration’s tariff policies.

McLaurin criticizes the current approach to tariffs, especially those impacting the Port of Savannah, the East Coast’s second-busiest port:

“Savannah, Georgia, is the frontline in the war that Georgia should be fighting against these senseless tariffs. But right now our state leaders are doing anything but stand up to Trump's tariffs.”
[07:09]

He argues that the 145% tariffs on Chinese imports are detrimental to consumers and working-class Georgians, labeling them as "a needless tax".

4. Court Appearance of Alleged Apalachee High School Shooter

The podcast covers the court proceedings of Colt Gray, the student accused of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School that resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students. Chase McGee reports on the possibility of a guilty plea scheduled for October:

“Judge Prim also noted that the plea would not conflict with his father Colin Gray's trial for providing the rifle used in the shooting.”
[08:29]

Colt Gray’s defense attorney, Alphonso Kraft, indicated readiness for a plea hearing post a recent psychological evaluation. The timing strategically avoids overlapping with his father’s trial, ensuring no prejudicial overlap.

Bill Crane adds context to the timing:

“I think the October timing works well because Colin Gray's trial scheduled in September, he and in order to avoid any publicity tainting that trial, it makes sense.”
[08:29]

Gray, being a juvenile, will not face the death penalty, regardless of the plea outcome.

5. Additional News Highlights

• Ben Crump’s Lawsuit: Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump files a lawsuit against a former Florida sheriff’s deputy for the unjustified shooting death of U.S. Senior Airman Roger Fortson. The incident, which took place in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, raises serious concerns about excessive force by law enforcement.

• Homeless Encampments Cleared in Atlanta: Following a tragic incident in January where a man was fatally crushed during an encampment clearance, Atlanta resumes clearing homeless encampments under Interstate 20. This move has sparked community outrage and debates over the humane treatment of homeless populations.

• Rural Hospitals Tax Credit Program: Georgia taxpayers contributed over $74 million to support rural hospitals via a state tax credit program initiated in 2017. The program aims to bolster hospitals in counties with populations below 50,000, funding capital projects and operational expenses.

• Federal Budget Cuts to NEH: President Trump’s proposed federal budget includes the completion of ending the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The NEH, crucial for supporting arts and culture across all 50 states, including Georgia, has already faced budget nullification from the Department of Government Efficiency.

6. Cultural Segment: Joy Harjo’s Visit and Impact of NEH Cuts

A highlight of the episode features a cultural segment with Joy Harjo, the nation’s first Native American Poet Laureate, visiting Middle Georgia State University in Macon. Harjo engages with students, inspiring a renewed appreciation for poetry and the humanities.

Sol Harmon, a Howard High School student, interacts with Harjo, exploring themes of inspiration and personal growth through poetry. Their dialogue underscores the importance of humanities in education and community engagement.

Grant Blankenship reports on the detrimental effects of federal cuts to the NEH on the Georgia Humanities Council (GHC):

“When DOGE zeroed out the budget for the National Endowment for the Humanities, that took Georgia Humanities annual operating budget of about $1.5 million with it. That's about 15 cents per Georgian per year.”
[12:29]

Despite a philanthropic donation from the Mellon Foundation, the GHC struggles to maintain programs like National History Day and partnerships with the Smithsonian, which foster educational and cultural dialogues across the state.

Aubrey Newby, director of the Hay House, emphasizes the role of GHC in preserving African American history:

“Communities came together and made up banners that they could stretch across the road that said the Smithsonian is here. The Smithsonian is coming.”
[14:11]

The segment concludes with a call to support and sustain humanities initiatives essential for fostering conversational and cultural growth within Georgia.

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Conclusion

Orlando Montoya wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe to the podcast and engage with GPB News for continued coverage of these critical issues. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of pivotal political developments, public safety concerns, judicial proceedings, and cultural challenges facing Georgia, enriched with firsthand accounts and expert analyses.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Bill Crane on Kemp’s Decision:
  “If he had decided to be the nominee, it would have been an extremely competitive race with incumbent Senator Ossoff more of a toss up now. Not knowing who the GOP nominee will be”
  [00:39]

• Kate Schenke on High-Speed Chase Tragedy:
  “It could have been a family going to target, but 80 miles an hour down that road, heavily populated? It's just, it's not the first time this has happened. I'd love it to be the last.”
  [06:19]

• Josh McLaurin on Tariffs:
  “Savannah, Georgia, is the frontline in the war that Georgia should be fighting against these senseless tariffs. But right now our state leaders are doing anything but stand up to Trump's tariffs.”
  [07:09]

• Bill Crane on Colt Gray’s Plea Hearing:
  “I think the October timing works well because Colin Gray's trial scheduled in September, he and in order to avoid any publicity tainting that trial, it makes sense.”
  [08:29]

• Aubrey Newby on Community Efforts:
  “Communities came together and made up banners that they could stretch across the road that said the Smithsonian is here. The Smithsonian is coming.”
  [14:11]

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For more detailed reports and ongoing coverage, visit gpb.org/news or subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast.

Transcript

[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, the Atlanta City Council calls for stricter guidelines around high speed police chases. The accused Apalachee High School shooter appears in court. And a Georgia political strategist weighs in on what Governor Brian Kemp's decision not to run for U.S. senate could mean for the midterm elections.

[Bill Crane]

If he had decided to be the nominee, it would have been an extremely competitive race with incumbent Senator Ossoff more of a toss up now. Not knowing who the GOP nominee will be.

[Orlando Montoya]

Today is Tuesday, May 6th. I'm Orlando Montoya and this is Georgia Today. Governor Brian Kemp announced yesterday that he will not make a run for the U.S. senate in 2026. His decision sets off what's likely to be a competitive Republican race with multiple candidates at seeking to take on the incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Jon Ossoff. The GOP considers Ossoff to be a top target in the midterms. Here to talk about what this decision might mean is longtime Georgia political strategist and commentator Bill Crane. Thanks for joining me today.

[Bill Crane]

Good to be with you.

[Orlando Montoya]

Governor Kemp wrote in his statement yesterday that running would be, quote, not the right decision for me and my family. Do you think this was a personal and family decision or at least partly political?

[Bill Crane]

I think in majority family decision. His wife, First Lady Marty Kemp, is probably his closest personal friend and advisor. They have three daughters, one of whom just got married. The other two are not far behind in that regard. I know Marty's already thinking and picturing grandchildren. The idea of living in Washington was never something that the Kemp family was all that enamored of. Governor Kemp also prefers the executive model. He served in the state Senate, but he felt like he was more effective as secretary of state, certainly as governor and then in the prior private sector. Previously he was a home builder and developer. So he's very much used to being kind of in charge. So I do think it was more driven by personal factors, politically speaking. I think if he had decided to be the nominee, it would have been an extremely competitive race with incumbent Senator Ossoff more of a toss up now, not knowing who the GOP nominee will be and knowing that it'll be a very spirited primary both for Senate and the governor's race. And not having Governor Kemp on the ballot at all nor Donald Trump may impact turnout for Republicans.

[Orlando Montoya]

There's a long list of potential Republican candidates who could step into this race to challenge Senator Ossoff. Can you Talk about who they are and which voters they might animate in the gop.

[Bill Crane]

Among the more polarizing candidates, but who will also have both a financial base, name ID and a draw. Marjorie Taylor Greene. She's already been looking at the race. Then former US Senator, now Small Business Administrator Kelly Leffler is looking at making a runoff or attempt at the race. And she bested Jon Ossoff in the general election, but didn't win outright and then lost to him in the runoff. John King, the state's insurance commissioner, who's also the first statewide Latino elected official, is eyeing the race, as is Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. So we have two constitutional officers with some statewide name ID, Congressman Mike Collins, Congressman Buddy Carter down of the first congressional district down on the coast, and Dr. And Congressman Rich McCormick, who's an MD who is one of two practicing doctors in Congress, who represents the sixth congressional district.

[Orlando Montoya]

John Ossoff's campaign manager wrote in response to yesterday's decision that, quote, senator Ossoff is well prepared to defeat any challenger. But as a Democrat in a state that Trump won in 2024, is he vulnerable?

[Bill Crane]

He is vulnerable. I think he's one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the U.S. senate. But part of that vulnerability, he's very good at constituent services. He's very good at reaching out across the aisle and being a pragmatic politician sometimes as it results in actual legislation, not just bombast and talk in front of a microphone in the US Senate. But he has injured his own relationships with a couple of key constituencies within the Democratic Party. His positions on the war in Israel with Hamas have disappointed some in the Jewish community. Senator Ossoff himself is Jewish. And even though it was intended as a private conversation, he reached out to Nekimah Williams, the 5th District congresswoman and then chair of the Democratic Party, after the results of November 2022's election or 2024's election, and sort of expressed some disappointment in the way some resources were deployed here in Georgia and questioned if a person should be holding elective office, in this case a congressional seat and chairing the party. If that was a good idea. Congresswoman Williams decided to go public with that expression of dissent. And so you had one of our two United States senators questioning the leadership, African American female, who chairs the party and who is the congressional representative of our capital city. And the largest constituency the Democratic Party needs for enthusiastically turning out in the general election are African American women. So I think there's time for him to heal those wounds and he's certainly trying to do that with some of his direct mail and campaign fundraising literature in terms of the issues he's speaking to. But in politics, sometimes bruised egos last longer than they might should. And I don't know if they'll have all of that healed by the fall of 26.

[Orlando Montoya]

Georgia political strategist and commentator Bill Crane, thanks for your expertise and your being with us today. Thank you very much.

[Bill Crane]

Take care.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Atlanta City Council is calling for stricter guidelines around the Georgia State Patrol's high speed chases within the city. GEPB's Amanda Andrews reports the suggested policies are aimed at saving lives.

[Amanda Andrews]

The recommended changes include restricting chases to instances of violent felonies, requiring supervisor approval and banning pit maneuvers in densely populated areas. Reporting from the Atlanta Journal Constitution found more than half the GSP's 6,700 chases ended in a crash. Kate Schenke spoke at the meeting about her son Cooper, a bystander who was killed in a State Patrol chase in April.

[Kate Schenke]

It could have been a family going to target, but 80 miles an hour down that road, heavily populated? It's just, it's not the first time this has happened. I'd love it to be the last.

[Amanda Andrews]

Council has called on the Atlanta police chief to return within 60 days to report on policy changes they've made for working with gsp. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

A Georgia state senator representing a district north of Atlanta traveled to Savannah yesterday to announce he's running for lieutenant governor. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports on the candidacy of Sandy springs Democrat Josh McLaurin.

[Benjamin Payne]

Standing along river street with the Port of Savannah looming in the background, McLaurin said next year's race would serve as a referendum on the Trump administration, especially its policy of tariffs.

[Josh McLaurin]

Savannah, Georgia, is the frontline in the war that Georgia should be fighting against these senseless tariffs. But right now our state leaders are doing anything but stand up to Trump's tariffs. If anything, they are sucking up to Trump and trying to pretend that everything that he's doing is hunky dory.

[Benjamin Payne]

The Port of Savannah is the East Coast's second busiest port, which McLaurin said sources roughly a third of its imports from China. Goods from that country are currently subject to a 145% levy under Trump's tariff policy, which McLaurin called a, quote, needless tax on consumers and working people. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Apalachee High School student accused of shooting and killing two teachers and two students was in court this morning, his attorney seemed to indicate his client could plead guilty later in the fall. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[Kate Schenke]

Defense attorney Alphonso Kraft told Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nick Prim that Colt Gray could be ready for a plea hearing in October after a report from a psychologist was completed earlier. State attorneys asked if the defense was ready to schedule a non negotiated plea where Gray would admit guilt to the shooting, but sentencing would remain up to the judge. Judge Prim also noted that the plea would not conflict with his father Colin Gray's trial for providing the rifle used in the shooting.

[Bill Crane]

I think the October timing works well because Colin Gray's trial scheduled in September, he and in order to avoid any publicity tainting that trial, it makes sense.

[Kate Schenke]

To do the plea after it's unclear if Colt Gray would face a sentence with or without possibility of parole, but as a juvenile he will not receive the death penalty. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee in Winder.

[Orlando Montoya]

Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is filing a lawsuit against a former Florida sheriff's deputy and others for last year's shooting death of a 23 year old airman from Atlanta. U.S. senior Airman Roger Fortson was shot and killed at the back door of Fortson's apartment in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The lawsuit alleges that the deputy used excessive deadly force when he shot Fortson within seconds of the door opening. The deputy was fired after investigation concluded his life was not in danger when he shot Fortson. Atlanta has returned to clearing homeless encampments after a 45 day moratorium. City officials temporarily halted clearings after a city crew using heavy construction equipment fatally crushed a man during a January sweep of one encampment. The death of Cornelius Taylor sparked outrage in the community. Crews using earth moving equipment yesterday cleared tents and other items used by dozens of unhoused people under Interstate 20 near downtown Georgia. Taxpayers contributed more than $74 million to rural hospitals last year as part of a state tax credit program. The state Department of Audits and Accounts reported the numbers yesterday. 34 of the 54 eligible hospitals received more than $1 million each. The general assembly launched the tax credit program in 2017, allowing taxpayers to reduce their state income tax liability by the amounts they donate. The amount goes to hospitals in counties with populations of 50,000 or fewer. In 2023, hospitals reported that most of the money they received through the program was spent on capital projects or regular operating expenses. Among the ideas in President Trump's proposed federal budget is complet ending the National Endowment for the Humanities The NEH already has seen its $200 million allotment zeroed out by the administration's Department of Government Efficiency. That's money used to support arts and culture in all 50 states, including Georgia. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[Joy Harjo]

Thank you for that Welcoming.

[Sol Harmon]

From a podium in the volleyball gym at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, former US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.

[Joy Harjo]

I want to give you this as it was given to me. Gifts of inspiration often come when we don't expect it, when we need it.

[Sol Harmon]

And when she's done, the nation's first Native American poet laureate takes questions from the audience, like this one from Howard High School student Sol Harmon. If you had a biopic, what would it be called?

[Joy Harjo]

So it would be maybe dancing with my mother in the kitchen. That would be it. And what about you?

[Sol Harmon]

And with that, a question becomes a conversation.

[Mary McCarten Wern]

And I've written this poem called Weeping Willow, so it'll probably be like that. Like it's how it's like beauty, but it went through a journey.

[Orlando Montoya]

So. Yeah.

[Joy Harjo]

Oh, cool. My mother wrote a song called Weeping Willow.

[Mary McCarten Wern]

Oh, that's dope.

[Joy Harjo]

Yeah. Yeah, she did. And she wrote on this album, two of them.

[Sol Harmon]

They really connect. Sol felt it.

[Mary McCarten Wern]

I felt like we was vibing. Yeah.

[Sol Harmon]

Sol says this morning she was done with poetry. After Weeping Willow, it was just too painful. But after talking to Joy Hardia, poetry.

[Mary McCarten Wern]

Really is dear to me. So I guess that might be a segue.

[Sol Harmon]

This may have changed your life.

[Mary McCarten Wern]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Sol Harmon]

She says she wasn't expecting that on a Thursday. Mary McCarten Wern says that was the plan all along.

[Amanda Andrews]

I worked very hard to get those students into that room because they don't know they want to be there till they get there.

[Sol Harmon]

Wern is the new president of the Georgia Humanities Council, the non profit which alongside the college and other partners, brought Harjo here.

[Amanda Andrews]

What we are is we're connectors and conveners.

[Sol Harmon]

That takes money. When DOGE zeroed out the budget for the National Endowment for the Humanities, that took Georgia Humanities annual operating budget of about $1.5 million with it. That's about 15 cents per Georgian per year.

[Amanda Andrews]

Overnight, we lost all of that money.

[Sol Harmon]

Some of which they've spent, but now they won't be reimbursed for, like for the annual National History Day, where young people from across the state present research projects and to help resurrect voices from the past.

[Bill Crane]

And we'll welcome you to the Hay House.

[Sol Harmon]

That's a recording from 1979 of Chester Davis, the first tour docent at Macon's opulent Civil War era Italian style mansion, the Hay House, owned by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Davis was a driver for the home's owner before he was a tour guide. Hay House director Aubrey Newby says it took about a decade to get the literal proof of the lives of the African Americans like Davis, who made this house run out of storage and on full display, which would probably not have.

[Kate Schenke]

Happened had the Georgia Humanities grant not been available to us.

[Sol Harmon]

Not a big grant, $2,500. Lots of small museums have seen help like that across the state for almost 55 years, and McCleary has seen it in her work with Georgia Humanities bringing Smithsonian exhibits to small towns.

[Aubrey Newby]

The communities came together and made up banners that they could stretch across the road that said the Smithsonian is here. The Smithsonian is coming.

[Sol Harmon]

When the federal cuts came, she was helping plan an exhibit for 2026 called Voices and Democracy in America. Like older exhibits, she expects this one to start conversations.

[Aubrey Newby]

And that is what we need to have. We don't all have to agree, but we do need to talk.

[Sol Harmon]

But even an announced donation to the NEH by the philanthropic Mellon foundation can't undo the federal cuts, and so it's not clear how the Georgia Humanities Council can afford to help those conversations happen. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship and Macon.

[Orlando Montoya]

And that's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast, take a moment right now and do it. That'll help you to keep us current in your feed. If you have feedback, send that to us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya and we'll be here again for you tomorrow.