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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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

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.