ICE agent car crash; Death of Jesse Jackson; Apalachee high school shooting Trial

Summary

Georgia Today – February 17, 2026
Host: Peter Biello, GPB News

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers in-depth coverage of major news stories in Georgia, including the tragic death of a Savannah schoolteacher in a car crash involving an ICE pursuit, the passing of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, and the latest developments in the trial related to the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting. Additional segments touch on legal battles over electric vehicle sales, legislative efforts around recovery organizations, celebrations of Lunar New Year at the State Capitol, advancements in autonomous transit, record-setting Olympic achievements by a Georgian athlete, and a notable Braves baseball transfer.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Schoolteacher Killed in ICE-Related Car Crash (Savannah, GA)

• Incident Summary:
  Linda Davis, an elementary teacher at Hess Elementary, was fatally injured in a car crash. The suspect, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, was fleeing from ICE agents and has been charged with vehicular homicide and other offenses.
• Community Response:
  Savannah Mayor Van Johnson expresses condolences and community concern.
  • Quote (Van Johnson, 01:01):
    "I've always been and remain very concerned about the activities of ICE in cities. Obviously very interested in was what this individual was wanted for didn't necessitate the end result. But right now as a community, I think our highest priority is wrapping our arms around this family, this school, these young people."
• School Impact:
  Hess Elementary held classes as usual, but the atmosphere was described as "shocked" and mournful.

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2. Death and Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson

• Announcement:
  Reverend Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, has died at 84.
• Historical Background (Pamela Kirkland, 02:03):
  • Marched with Martin Luther King Jr., including at Selma.
  • Present in Memphis during King’s assassination.
  • Delivered the memorable "Keep Hope Alive" speech in Atlanta at the 1988 DNC.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Jesse Jackson Speech Clip (02:30):
    "We must never surrender. America will get better and better."
  • Peter Biello (02:36):
    "Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive."
  • Sen. Raphael Warnock reflecting (02:54):
    "Here I was a kid growing up in public housing and I got to witness this black man running for president. He gave me a glimpse of what is possible and he taught me how to say, I am somebody."
• Local Tributes:
  Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Sen. Raphael Warnock praise Jackson’s enduring impact.

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3. Apalachee High School Shooting Trial Updates

• Background:
  Colin Gray is on trial for providing his son, Colt Gray, with the firearm used in the 2024 school shooting.
• Court Proceedings:
  • Prosecutors call injured students, including Natalie Griffith, who was shot in the wrist.
  • Student Testimony (Natalie Griffith, 00:22 & 03:48):
    "Once I registered that it was blood and what exactly it was, my brain kind of blocked it out and I just, I knew what it was. It was a hole."
  • Natalie suffered permanent nerve damage and partial loss of finger function.
  • The prosecution argues that Colin Gray ignored clear warning signs of his son's potential for violence.

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4. Biolab Chemical Fire Lawsuit

• Latest Developments (04:17):
  • Ohio Security Insurance sues Biolab, citing damages to a nearby textile business due to toxic smoke and chemical residue.
  • Allegations include improper chemical storage and failure to address fire risks, with references to previous facility incidents.
  • The 2024 fire caused mass evacuations and prolonged shelter-in-place orders in Rockdale County.

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5. Georgia Supreme Court Weighs In on Electric Vehicle Sales Law

• Issue (05:25):
  • A Georgia law mandates that EVs be sold through dealers, with an exception for Tesla.
  • Lucid Group USA challenges the law as unconstitutional "special legislation".
• Expert Insight (Prof. Alexander Valak, 05:25):
  "Dealers are a very powerful interest group in Georgia...But that's not something that we think for any other product and there's no theoretical reason why it should be true."
• Outcome:
  The Supreme Court unanimously orders further court review of Lucid’s claim.

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6. Substance Use Recovery Community Legislation

• House Bill 657 (05:58):
  • Establishes standards for certified peer specialists and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs).
  • Gives oversight to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
• Role of RCOs (Brian Kight, 06:20):
  "RCOs often act as a bridge between many different resources within the community. A lot of times different things are operating in silos and RCOs can help bridge those gaps."
• Status:
  The bill is now under Senate committee consideration.

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7. Lunar New Year at the Georgia State Capitol

• Celebration (06:42):
  • Lawmakers and the AAPI caucus mark the Year of the Fire Horse.
  • Representative Michelle Au (06:53):
    "You'll notice on your desk there are red envelopes. There is a gold coin in there. Don't worry, it's just chocolate. All ethics are being abided."
  • A traditional lion dancer performed at the Capitol.
• Context:
  Georgia boasts the nation’s second largest AAPI caucus.

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8. Transportation Innovation: Autonomous Transit Project

• Project Announcement (07:03):
  • Glideways to construct a fully autonomous, on-demand transit system near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
  • Connects ATL Skytrain to Georgia International Convention Center and Gateway Center Arena.
  • Launch expected in December.

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9. Sports Highlights:

- Alana Meyers Taylor’s Olympic Gold (07:59):

• Wins women’s monobob at Milan Cortina Games by 0.04 seconds.
• Sixth career Olympic medal; most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history.
• Now the oldest American woman to win Winter Olympic gold.

- Marcell Ozuna Traded to Pittsburgh Pirates (08:20):

• Former Braves designated hitter signs a one-year deal with the Pirates.
• Noted for on-field performance and contentious off-field incidents.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Van Johnson on ICE Car Crash (01:01):
  "I think our highest priority is wrapping our arms around this family, this school, these young people."
• Jesse Jackson’s 1988 DNC Speech (02:30):
  "We must never surrender. America will get better and better."
• Sen. Raphael Warnock on Jesse Jackson (02:54):
  "He gave me a glimpse of what is possible and he taught me how to say, I am somebody."
• Natalie Griffith’s Testimony (03:48):
  "Once I registered that it was blood and what exactly it was, my brain kind of blocked it out and I just, I knew what it was. It was a hole."
• Prof. Alexander Valak on EV Laws (05:25):
  "Dealers are a very powerful interest group... that's not something that we think for any other product."
• Brian Kight on RCOs (06:20):
  "RCOs can help bridge those gaps."
• Rep. Michelle Au on Lunar New Year (06:53):
  "Don't worry, it's just chocolate. All ethics are being abided."

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:32] – Savannah ICE Car Crash / Teacher’s Death
• [01:01] – Van Johnson on Community Impact
• [02:03] – Jesse Jackson: Life & Legacy
• [02:54] – Raphael Warnock Reflects
• [03:15] – Apalachee High School Shooting Trial
• [03:48] – Student Testimony
• [04:17] – Biolab Fire Lawsuit Update
• [05:25] – Electric Vehicle Sales Law Challenge
• [05:58] – Substance Use Recovery Legislation
• [06:42] – Lunar New Year at State Capitol
• [07:03] – Autonomous Transit System Project
• [07:59] – Alana Meyers Taylor Wins Gold
• [08:20] – Marcell Ozuna Trades Teams

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Conclusion

This episode offers a sweeping look at the stories shaping Georgia, blending urgent developments with reflection and analysis. It captures the state’s heartache, history, legislative pursuits, innovation, and sporting pride, remaining true to the voice and lived experiences of Georgians as told by GPB News.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a schoolteacher in Savannah was killed in a car crash that involved a man fleeing ICE agents. Georgia leaders are mourning the death of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. And Apalachee High School students take the stand in the trial of the school shooter's father.

[B]

Once I registered that it was blood and what exactly it was, my brain kind of blocked it out and I just, I knew what it was. It was a hole.

[A]

Today is Tuesday, February 17th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. An elementary school teacher in Savannah's Chatham county has been killed in a car accident involving a man who is trying to flee immigration agents. The Department of Homeland Security says the suspect was in the US illegally and was blames the death of teacher Linda Davis on people who demonize ice. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson says he knows the Davis family and spent time with them at the hospital after the wreck yesterday.

[C]

I've always been and remain very concerned about the activities of ICE in cities. Obviously very interested in was what this individual was wanted for didn't necessitate the end result. But right now as a community, I think our highest priority is wrapping our arms around this family, this school, these young people.

[A]

The killing has shocked the Hess elementary community. The school held classes as normal today. Chatham County Police arrested 38 year old Oscar Vasquez Lopez and charged him with vehicular homicide, reckless driving and other offenses. The Reverend Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84. The civil rights leader and two time presidential candidate had deep ties to Georgia from marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. To delivering one of the most memorable speeches in American political history. GPB's Pamela Kirkland has more.

[D]

Long before he ran for president, Jesse Jackson marched alongside king, including the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. Jackson was with him in Memphis the day King was assassinated. Then the aide to King went on to run for president in the 1980s. In 1988, Jackson returned to Georgia for the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta where he delivered what became known as the Keep hope Alive speech.

[B]

We must never surrender America will get better and better.

[A]

Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.

[D]

Jackson would go on to lose the nomination. Reflecting on his legacy, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called Jackson a great friend to our city. Georgia US Senator Raphael Warnock called him an inspiration.

[C]

Here I was a kid growing up in public housing and I got to witness this black man running for president. He gave me a glimpse of what is possible and he taught me how to say, I am somebody.

[D]

For GPB News, I'm Pamela Kirkland.

[A]

Witness testimony continues in the trial of Colin Gray as the case enters its second day. He's been accused of providing his son Colt Gray with the rifle used in the 2024 shooting at Northeast Georgia's Apalachee High School. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[E]

Prosecutors spent the morning calling witnesses, including students injured in the classroom where Colt Gray allegedly opened fire and the healthcare workers who treated them. At a Northeast Georgia hospital, District Attorney Brad Smith called Natalie Griffith to the stand. Natalie was a freshman in the algebra class that Gray fired into. She was shot in the wrist.

[B]

Once I registered that it was blood and what exactly it was, my brain kind of blocked it out and I just, I knew what it was. It was a hole.

[E]

She suffered permanent nerve damage and lost independent function of her fingers. The state argues that Colt's father, Colin, was criminally negligent and ignored warning signs that his son was a danger to himself and others. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[A]

Another lawsuit has been filed over the 2024 fire at Biolab in Conyers. In a complaint filed last week, Ohio Security Insurance is suing on behalf of a nearby textile business. The insurer says toxic smoke and chemical residue damaged the building and equipment. The lawsuit alleges Biolab and its parent companies were negligent in storing chemicals and failing to prevent water from triggering the fire. It also points to previous fires at the facility. The the fire at the chemical plant sent a massive plume of toxic smoke over Rockdale county, forcing evacuations, and it kept residents under a shelter in place. Order for weeks. For more on the case, check out GPB's award winning podcast manufacturing the Biolab story wherever you get your podcasts. The Georgia Supreme Court is siding with challengers to a Georgia law that prohibits direct sales of electric vehicles to consumers. The law requires EVs to be sold through dealers, but carves out an exception for one company. Tesla A Another EV company, Lucid Group usa, argued that the law violates a state constitutional protection against so called special laws. Emory University law professor Alexander Valak says the Tesla competitor has a good case.

[E]

Dealers are a very powerful interest group in Georgia like in other states, and they think that being able to sell direct to consumers is going to be horrible for consumers. But that's not something that we think for any other product and there's no theoretical reason why it should be true.

[A]

In a unanimous ruling today, justices ordered a lower court to consider Lucid Group's claims. The Georgia House has passed a bill that spells out qualifications for recovery community organizations addressing substance use disorder. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports.

[F]

House Bill 657 defines certified peer specialists and establishes requirements for RCOs. It also authorizes the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to designate a single statewide RCO to coordinate the network. Brian Kight is the Georgia Council for Recovery's RCO development manager.

[E]

Rcos often act as a bridge between many different resources within the community. A lot of times different things are operating in silos and RCOs can help bridge those gaps.

[F]

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is now considering the bill. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

Today is Lunar New Year and Asian American and Pacific Islander lawmakers mark the start of the Year of the Fire Horse today at the State Capitol. Representative Michelle Au says the caucus gave all lawmakers a traditional gift.

[G]

You'll notice on your desk there are red envelopes. There is a gold coin in there. Don't worry, it's just chocolate. All ethics are being abided.

[A]

Lawmakers also brought a traditional lion dancer to perform in the rotunda to mark the occasion. Georgia has the second largest AAPI caucus in the country. Construction is underway on a fully autonomous on demand transit system near Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. California based mass transit provider Glideways said last week the project will connect the ATL skytrain with the Georgia International Convention center and Gateway Center Arena. Autonomous pods are expected to operate along a dedicated half mile guideway beginning in December.

[G]

Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of Fresh Air. Hey, take a break from the 24 hour news cycle with us and listen to long form interviews with your favorite authors, actors, filmmakers, comedians and musicians. The people making the art that nourishes us and speaks to our times. So listen to the Fresh Air podcasts from NPR and whyy.

[A]

Georgia's Alana Meyers Taylor has finally captured one Olympic medal that has eluded gold. The 41 year old Douglasville resident won the women's monobob title in the Milan Cortina Games by just four hundredths of a second. This is her sixth career Olympic medal, extending her record as the most decorated black athlete in Winter Olympics history. Meyers Taylor has now meddled at five straight Winter Games. She also becomes the oldest American woman to win gold at the Winter Games. And in baseball, the man known as Ozuna from the Braves is now Ozuna from the Pirates. The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today they're picking up Braves designated hitter Marcel Ozuna on a one year contract for the coming season. The deal includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. The 35 year old is a three time all star who batted.232 last season. His run ends a tumultuous tenure with Atlanta. He was arrested in 2022 for driving under the influence of the video of the arrest shows him telling the officer he was, quote Ozuna from the Braves. He answered a no contest plea and paid a fine. And in 2021 he was arrested on charges of aggravated assault by strangulation and battery after police officers said they witnessed him attacking his wife. Major League Baseball retroactively levied an unpaid suspension against him. And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, check out our website gpb.org and make sure you come back tomorrow. Subscribe to this podcast. You won't miss a thing. And send your feedback our way by email. If you've got any, Write to Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.