Georgia Today Podcast — August 29, 2025
Overview
This episode of Georgia Today covers a range of significant news impacting Georgia: Labor Day protests targeting worker rights and policies of President Trump’s administration; the legal standstill over fines for the Fulton County Elections Board; the announcement of longtime Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stoken’s retirement, including an insightful interview on Atlanta’s sports legacy and the future of college football; as well as updates on insurance rates, jobs, local sports, and innovation in recycling.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Fulton County Election Board Fines Paused
[01:01]
- A judge has paused daily $10,000 fines against Fulton County for not appointing two Republican nominees to the elections board. This comes after the county commissioners were found in contempt for not complying with a previous court order.
- The county is appealing, leading Judge David Emerson to put the fines on hold during this process.
2. Georgia's Soaring Insurance Rates
[01:51]
- Lawmakers are seeking solutions to skyrocketing car and homeowner insurance costs.
- A special legislative study committee, chaired by Representative Matt Reeves, is exploring state-based answers to this national problem:
"Insurance is a major cost of living issue. It is a national problem right now... And like Georgia has done in so many areas, we are trying to take a national problem and offer Georgia solutions."
— Matt Reeves [02:01] - Testimony included Insurance Commissioner John King, academic experts, and impacted residents. The review follows passage of a contentious tort reform law aimed at lowering rates.
3. Labor Day Protests: "Workers Over Billionaires"
[02:40]
- Labor rights and anti-Trump groups are organizing statewide Labor Day protests under the banner "Workers Over Billionaires."
- Laura Judge of Indivisible North Metro emphasizes long-term organizing goals for worker protections, healthcare, and education:
"We want to see a country where public dollars go to public good, not to billionaire profits."
— Laura Judge [03:08] - Protests are planned in Marietta, Gainesville, Dalton, Albany, and nationwide.
4. Innovation in Plastic Recycling
[03:41]
- Only about 10% of the 350 million tons of plastic used annually gets effectively recycled.
- Georgia Tech professor Christos Athanasiu is developing construction materials inspired by the molecular structure of seashells:
"We have bricks and then we have mortar and we put them together and we can have a robust structure."
— Christos Athanasiu [03:56] - The goal is to repurpose single-use plastics like pallet wrap for durable building materials, but large-scale solutions remain a challenge.
5. Spotlight Interview: Gary Stoken, Retiring Peach Bowl CEO
Atlanta's Rise as a Sports Hub
[05:05]
- Stoken reflects on Atlanta’s transformation post-1996 Olympics:
"Bob Costas had termed the phrase Atlanta is becoming the sports capital of the world... We brought in the NBA, Major League Baseball and NHL All Star Games... the NCAA men's and women's Final Fours, Wrestlemania, the Super Bowl... We now had not only the facilities, but... volunteer corporate support and... the strategy."
— Gary Stoken [05:20]
Peach Bowl’s National Prominence
[06:21]
- The Bowl’s ascendance included consistent sellouts, the creation of high-profile kickoff games, and bringing the College Football Hall of Fame to Atlanta:
"I think the commissioners and the presidents saw all the things we were doing to give back to college football and decided that we deserved an opportunity to join the CFP playoff system."
— Gary Stoken [06:43]
College Football Playoff Expansion
[07:45]
- Atlanta's future role appears secure amid playoff expansion:
"Our goal is for the future to continue to be a part of the playoff system no matter what size it is... Just over the last six years, we've hosted sellout games, we've hosted two semifinals, and we're second in viewership and attendance... only second to the Rose Bowl."
— Gary Stoken [07:45]
Charitable Mission and Scholarships
[08:25]
- The Peach Bowl, founded to benefit charities, has given more than $65 million to good causes, including the John Lewis Legacy of Courage Scholarships:
"We've maintained that as our mission. We've given $65 million back to charity... Many of these kids are the first kids to get a college education in their families... We're humbly proud to have these scholarships to honor John Lewis."
— Gary Stoken [09:12] - Testimonial from Stella Lakeborough, scholarship recipient:
"It's taken such a big financial burden off of me... But it's also truly pushed me pretty hard to work as hard as possible."
— Stella Lakeborough [08:48]
Upcoming Games and Community Impact
[10:12]
- Big economic impact from high-profile kickoff games this weekend:
"These two games, plus our Chick Fil A Peach bowl will bring over $100 million in economic impact to the city. And that translates to about $6 million in tax revenues..."
— Gary Stoken [10:26] - September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Peachbowl Inc. will donate $100,000 (matched by Aflac), plus all 50/50 raffle proceeds from both games, to support pediatric cancer research.
6. Georgia’s Slowing Job Growth and Economic Trends
[11:50]
- The state added just 11,700 jobs in the first half of 2025, with white-collar sectors especially impacted by AI advances, global economic uncertainty, and a TV/film slowdown.
- Economist Rajiv Dhawan notes:
"If I take these three sectors, corporate information, IT and wholesale, which is 25% of the employment base since January 2023, we have lost almost 37,000 jobs, no growth. This is what I call the white collar middle management job malaise."
— Rajiv Dhawan [11:50] - However, growth is expected in the construction trades due to new data centers, and aerospace because of increased defense spending.
7. Savannah Bananas Stadium Expansion
[12:57]
- The team will add a $4 million, 10,000-square-foot clubhouse at Grayson Stadium, enhancing facilities for players without altering the fan experience.
8. Flag Football’s Rise for Georgia Girls
[13:57]
- 200 high school athletes attended a showcase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to earn college offers in flag football.
- Emmanuel University coach Terry Allen shared:
"We do have scholarships and that's one reason why I'm here, because there's still some girls out there this year that haven't committed yet. So I'm looking for... girls that really want to, you know, continue their education, continue their flag career."
— Terry Allen [14:10] - Player Kiara Blackman (Druid Hills High School):
"I'm looking to get... a lot of coaches to look at me and to realize how good I am in flag football."
— Kiara Blackman [14:24]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Gary Stoken on the Peach Bowl’s mission:
"We were the first bowl game founded to give back to charity... We've maintained that as our mission."
[09:12] -
Laura Judge on Labor Day activism:
"We want to see a country where public dollars go to public good, not to billionaire profits."
[03:08] -
Rajiv Dhawan on Georgia’s changing economy:
"This is what I call the white collar middle management job malaise."
[11:50]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Fulton County Election Board news: 01:01
- Insurance rates and legislative response: 01:51 – 02:40
- Labor Day protests and organizer perspective: 02:40 – 03:08
- Innovative plastic recycling at Georgia Tech: 03:41 – 04:22
- Gary Stoken interview - Atlanta’s rise as sports destination: 05:05 – 11:45
- Job growth slowdown and economic outlook: 11:50 – 13:57
- Savannah Bananas expansion: 12:57
- Girls’ flag football showcase and scholarships: 13:57 – 14:43
Summary
The August 29, 2025 episode of Georgia Today delivers rich reporting on labor activism, economic challenges, insurance reform, and the evolving landscape of Georgia sports and innovation. Through interviews, legislative updates, and on-the-ground reporting, the podcast captures the breadth of issues shaping Georgians’ lives as Labor Day weekend approaches.