Georgia Today Podcast: August 28, 2025

Host: Orlando Montoya (GPB News)
Key Topics: ICE arrests in South Georgia, Fulton Election Board legal drama, AJC to end print edition

Episode Overview

In this episode, Orlando Montoya covers several major developments affecting Georgia:

• The future of local journalism as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution plans to cease its print edition
• Legal and political turbulence within the Fulton County Election Board over controversial appointments
• The tangible impacts of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement strategies in South Georgia communities
  Additionally, the show touches on dementia diagnoses in Georgia, major business developments, and upcoming events for Labor Day weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) to End Print Edition

[00:57 – 01:36]

• AJC, founded in 1863, will cease its print newspaper after nearly 157 years.
• Andrew Morse (AJC President/Publisher) confirms that digital platforms (ajc.com, AJC mobile app, video podcasts, etc.) will continue operations.
• Atlanta will become the largest U.S. metro area without a daily print newspaper after December 31, 2025.

Notable Quote:

“The decision will make Atlanta the largest US metro area without a printed daily newspaper. The final AJC printed edition will be December 31, 2025.” – Orlando Montoya ([01:27])

2. Fulton Election Board Controversy: Fines Levied

[01:36 – 03:36]

• Two Republican nominees (Julie Adams and Jason Frazier) to the Fulton County Board of Elections were not confirmed amid allegations of election denialism.
• A Superior Court judge, David Emerson, ruled that county commissioners must confirm these nominees or face $10,000-per-day fines.
• Commissioners' legal defense argued their legislative discretion; the court disagreed.

Notable Quotes:

“Judge David Emerson ruled that Fulton county commissioners must vote to confirm the two Republican nominees to the county election board.” – Sarah Kalis ([02:51])
“I didn't see anywhere in that legislation that the commission was given veto power over the nominees. Is it in there? Did I miss it?” – Unnamed party in hearing ([02:59])

3. ICE Arrests Shift: Local Law Enforcement Involvement in South Georgia

[03:36 – 08:51]

Story Focus:

GPB’s Sophie Gradas reports from Colquitt County, detailing the new realities facing immigrants as local police take a frontline role in immigration enforcement, often with alarming consequences for families and the agricultural economy.

Key Developments:

• Lorenzo Sarabia Morales, a farmworker, was swept into ICE detention after a joint operation between DHS and local police following HB 1105's passage.
• The law mandates county sheriffs comply with federal immigration law; local police now participate in identifying and detaining undocumented residents.
• The traditional guidance (such as “red card” rights campaigns) has become less effective, as immigrants cannot always distinguish between police and federal agents.

Memorable Quotes & Moments:

“Immediately, we were like, okay, we need to provide a different type of education because even though these are our rights, we're following it. But they're not.” – Alma Young, United Farm Workers ([00:57] & [06:36])

“The red card says, don’t open the door, don't answer any questions, don't sign anything.” – Alma Young ([06:29])

“No, yo, I was scared... He’s always been scared of police. Despite having no criminal warrants, Lorenzo’s work visa expired in 2019.” – Sophie Gradas (paraphrasing Lorenzo, [04:43])

“It’s no surprise to me, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody who’s been in Georgia for 20 years that this is happening.” – Charles Cook, immigration attorney ([07:04])

“If they stop somebody that's illegal, I mean, they have a—that’s the law. But again, we're putting law enforcement in that position to make that decision on the fly. And there needs to be some more delineation, some more clarity.” – Rep. Chaz Cannon ([08:35])

“The American dream doesn't exist,” Lorenzo says. “I came to find it and could not.” – Sophie Gradas ([08:51])

Economic Impacts:

• After the arrests, dozens of local farmers reported worker shortages.
• State Rep. Chaz Cannon expressed support for immigration enforcement but acknowledged serious practical challenges for the agricultural sector.

Legal Context:

• Georgia HB 1105 and federal 287(g) program empower local law enforcement in immigration cases.
• Even without specific ICE training, local police have stepped in, raising concerns about due process and civil rights.

4. Additional News Updates

Dementia Diagnoses & Health Policy

[09:24 – 10:15]

• A new Milken Institute report highlights the growing gap between longevity and quality of life due to increasing dementia diagnoses.
• Over 188,000 Georgians live with Alzheimer’s.
• Early diagnosis initiatives, including the federal CHANGE Act, are being advanced for better cognitive assessments in Medicare.

“...it would be a fantastic step forward to have more of an objective measurement of cognitive impairment.” – Mike Brown, Milken Institute ([09:56])

Business & Community Updates

[10:27 and onward]

• SEJUAN America, an auto parts manufacturer, is expanding its Rincon facility, creating 100 jobs.
• The Atlanta Dream basketball team partners to eliminate $10M in debt for Atlanta families, commemorating the MLK "I Have a Dream" speech anniversary.
• The National Hot Rod Association will hold the 2026 Southern Nationals in South Georgia, its first expansion in over a decade.
• Golf legend Bill Plager (85) passed away on the course in Columbus.

Labor Day Travel & Events

• GDOT suspends highway lane closures for the holiday to ease congestion.
• MARTA increases service in Atlanta due to significant events: DragonCon, the AFLAC Kickoff Classic, and the Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival.

Timestamps: Major Segments

• AJC Print Edition Ending: [00:57 – 01:36]
• Fulton Election Board Fines: [01:36 – 03:36]
• South Georgia ICE Arrests & Community Impact: [03:36 – 08:51]
  • Lorenzo’s story & raid details: [04:07 – 06:29]
  • Alma Young & Know Your Rights: [06:29 – 06:57]
  • Charles Cook’s legal analysis: [07:04 – 07:59]
  • Economic/farmer impact: [07:59 – 08:51]
• Dementia & Health Policy: [09:24 – 10:15]
• Business, Sports, and Labor Day Events: [10:27 – End]

Notable Quotes (With Speaker & Timestamp)

• “The decision will make Atlanta the largest US metro area without a printed daily newspaper.”
  — Orlando Montoya ([01:27])

• “Judge David Emerson ruled that Fulton county commissioners must vote to confirm the two Republican nominees to the county election board.”
  — Sarah Kalis ([02:51])

• “The red card says, don’t open the door, don't answer any questions, don’t sign anything.”
  — Alma Young ([06:29])

• “It’s no surprise to me, and it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody who’s been in Georgia for 20 years that this is happening.”
  — Charles Cook ([07:04])

• “If they stop somebody that's illegal ... again, we're putting law enforcement in that position to make that decision on the fly. And there needs to be some more delineation, some more clarity.”
  — Rep. Chaz Cannon ([08:35])

• “The American dream doesn't exist... I came to find it and could not.”
  — Lorenzo Sarabia Morales (via Sophie Gradas, [08:51])

• “...it would be a fantastic step forward to have more of an objective measurement of cognitive impairment.”
  — Mike Brown ([09:56])

Conclusion

This episode presents a vivid picture of legal, social, and economic transitions unfolding across Georgia—from new tensions in immigration enforcement and election administration to seismic shifts in longstanding local institutions like the AJC. Interviews with affected residents, union representatives, politicians, and experts add depth and local context to these headline developments, making the podcast essential listening for those invested in Georgia’s future.