Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: January 22, 2025 Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

1. Historic Snowfall Paralyzes Georgia

Overview: The podcast opens with an in-depth report on the unprecedented snowfall that swept across Georgia, marking one of the most significant winter events in the state's history. This rare weather phenomenon brought between 7 to 9 inches of snow, causing widespread disruptions.

Key Points:

• Snowfall Measurements and Impact:

  • Sheriff Billy Hancock reported, “We're measuring 7 inches here at the sheriff's office. Fire departments across the county are measuring 9. So we're saying 7 to 9 inches of snow across the county” (01:21).
  • Major highways, including Interstates 75, 475, and 16 around Macon, experienced complete lane closures, leading to gridlocked traffic.
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced significant delays with over 400 flight cancellations.

• Community Response:

  • Benjamin Payne highlighted the festive atmosphere in Savannah, where residents took advantage of the city’s first snowfall in seven years. “A slushy mix of sleet and snow in the wee hours of Wednesday morning transformed the hostess city of the south into a sort of tropical winter wonderland” (01:39).
  • Families engaged in playful activities despite the disruptions. Marissa Prowse shared, “They love it. This is their first snow day and they're enjoying themselves on our all day off. Huh? A snow day 2025” (02:11).

• Ongoing Challenges:

  • Grant Blankenship informed listeners that the snow's effects would persist into Tuesday, with roads remaining treacherous and ongoing efforts to clear the highways (02:32).
  • Kyle Davis recounted the personal impacts, “Roads in much of Georgia and the south are expected to be treacherous into Thursday” (03:03), emphasizing the extended nature of the weather challenges.

2. Bird Flu Outbreak Among Georgia's Poultry

Overview: The podcast transitions to public health concerns with the confirmation of the third case of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in Georgia's commercial poultry sector.

Key Points:

• ** outbreak Details:**

  • Sophie Gradus reported that approximately 170,000 chickens in Elbert County have been culled to contain the outbreak (05:59).
  • The affected area is under strict quarantine measures, with continuous sanitation and disposal efforts being implemented.

• Preventative Measures and Risks:

  • Alex Turner from the U.S. Department of Agriculture advised poultry producers to enforce rigorous biosecurity protocols: “That means disinfecting shoes, changing clothes and taking measures to keep chickens away from wild birds or other bird species that could contract the disease” (05:59).
  • Despite the spread among poultry, officials maintain that the risk to humans remains low. Turner reassured, “Officials say the risk of spread to humans in Georgia is still low” (06:36).

• Community Safety:

  • Peter Biello included a humorous yet informative exchange emphasizing the importance of biosecurity: “I can carry the virus in with me and contaminate my own birds” (06:26).

3. Former Braves Outfielder Andrew Jones and the Baseball Hall of Fame

Overview: The podcast covers the disappointment surrounding former Atlanta Braves outfielder Andrew Jones, who has not yet secured induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) despite increasing support.

Key Points:

• HOF Vote Tally:

  • Peter Biello reported that Jones received 261 out of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America, equating to 66.2%—falling short of the required 75% for induction (07:04).
  • This marks an improvement from the previous year when Jones garnered 61.6%, though still shy of the threshold needed.

• Future Prospects:

  • Despite the setback, Jones remains eligible for two more ballots, providing additional opportunities for induction based on continued support and advocacy within the baseball community.

• Contrast with Billy Wagner:

  • The episode also highlights the success of Billy Wagner, a former Braves pitcher who finally achieved Hall of Fame status in his last year of eligibility. Wagner's impressive statistics, including the highest strikeouts per nine innings among his peers, underscore his deserving place in Cooperstown (07:04).

4. Additional Highlights

Political Developments:

• Keisha Lance Bottoms resigned from her position on the President’s Export Council. This did not prevent President Donald Trump from asserting that she and over 1,000 appointees had been dismissed. Bottoms clarified, “you can't fire someone who has already resigned” (03:22).
• A federal appeals court will soon hear arguments on a lawsuit challenging Georgia's congressional and state legislative district maps, with claims that they dilute black political power in violation of the Voting Rights Act (04:11).

Healthcare and Opioid Use:

• Ellen Eldredge reported on declining prescriptions of buprenorphine, the FDA-approved medication for treating opioid use disorder in adolescents, despite increased awareness and telehealth access (04:57).
• Dr. Andrew Taranella emphasized the need for more providers and treatment facilities offering buprenorphine to address the opioid crisis among young adults (04:57).

Technology and Housing Market:

• Georgia's data center market has doubled since 2020, now hosting 87 data centers in metro Atlanta. This surge has raised concerns among lawmakers regarding increased electricity demand, leading to the formation of a special legislative committee on energy (07:04).
• The Atlanta housing rental market is experiencing a decline in prices as new construction outpaces demand. Metro Atlanta rents fell nearly 3% in December compared to the previous year, with national median rents also dipping below $1,700 for the first time in two and a half years (07:04).

Cultural and Historical Commemorations:

• Charles Person, the youngest original Freedom Rider, was honored with the closure of the Greyhound bus depot in Anniston, Alabama. His contributions to the Freedom Riders Training Academy and non-violent protest movements were highlighted (07:04).

Sports News:

• The Atlanta Dream has achieved record sales, fully selling its 2025 full and half-season ticket memberships for the second consecutive year. Additionally, four of their 22 home games, including a high-profile matchup against the Indiana Fever, have sold out, with limited single-game tickets to be available next month (07:04).

Conclusion

Peter Biello wraps up the episode by reflecting on the challenging weather conditions, encouraging listeners to stay safe and warm. He underscores GPB's commitment to delivering the latest news updates across various platforms, ensuring the community remains informed and connected despite any adversity.

Notable Quotes:

• Billy Hancock [01:21]: “We're measuring 7 inches here at the sheriff's office. Fire departments across the county are measuring 9. So we're saying 7 to 9 inches of snow across the county.”

• Marissa Prowse [02:11]: “They love it. This is their first snow day and they're enjoying themselves on our all day off. Huh? A snow day 2025.”

• Alex Turner [05:59]: “That means disinfecting shoes, changing clothes and taking measures to keep chickens away from wild birds or other bird species that could contract the disease.”

• Dr. Andrew Taranella [04:57]: “Buprenorphine is the only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat opioid use disorder in adolescents ages 16 and up.”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the Georgia Today podcast episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the major events and issues affecting Georgia on January 22, 2025.