Law enforcement K-9 training over weekend; Honoring fallen heroes; First Frog Walk

Summary

Georgia Today – May 26, 2026
Law enforcement K-9 training, Honoring fallen heroes, and Georgia’s first Frog Walk
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today spotlights several compelling local stories: the repercussions of a federal court Medicaid ruling for Georgia's children, a pushback against redistricting efforts impacting Black communities, a heartfelt Memorial Day tribute to fallen service members and officers, K-9 law enforcement training, and a deep-dive into Georgia’s first community “Frog Walk” in support of amphibian conservation.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

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1. Court Ruling on Medicaid and Child Healthcare

[00:28 - 01:39]

• Summary:
  A federal appeals court has found Georgia’s Medicaid policies for sick children insufficient and failing to meet federal standards, highlighted by the case of a three-year-old with a rare disease denied adequate nursing care. The ruling could impact Medicaid in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

• Notable Details:

  • Lower court: Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) did not approve enough care, risking the child’s life.
  • Agency response: DCH is reviewing the decision; no immediate comment.
  • Potential for broader jurisdictional implications.

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2. Congressional Black Caucus Opposes Redistricting

[01:39 - 02:36]

• Summary:
  Georgia lawmakers from the Congressional Black Caucus, including Reps. Lucy McBath and Hank Johnson, have signed a letter urging major corporations to speak out against Republican-led redistricting that, they say, threatens Black voting power.

• Key Quote:

  • Amanda Andrews:
    “It states that redistricting will dilute black voting strength and, quote, silence black communities.” [01:50]

• Notable Details:

  • New political maps to be drawn and take effect in 2028.
  • Call to companies to defend voting rights and increase transparency around political spending.
  • Response deadline for corporations: June 9th.

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3. Memorial Day – Honoring Fallen Public Service Heroes

[02:36 - 03:51]

• Summary:
  Gwinnett County’s Memorial Day ceremony honored local police officers David Rose (DeKalb County) and Pradeep Tamang (Gwinnett County), both of whom died in the line of duty.

• Key Quotes:

  • Sgt. Tre Jones on Officer Rose:
    “He possessed a quiet confidence that didn't strengthen him. It strengthened everyone around him.” [03:10]
  • Assistant Chief Joel Witt on Officer Tamang:
    “Pradeep was indeed molded by adversity and shaped by circumstance. From refugee camps to a patrol car in Gwinnett county, he chose a life of service. He carried his family story, their sacrifices and their hopes with him. Every time he put on a badge.” [03:32]

• Notable Details:

  • Both officers’ names added to the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial.
  • Rose: military veteran prior to police service.
  • Tamang: family immigrated from refugee camps; praised for resilience.

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4. Memorial Day Public Safety—DUI Arrests and Fatalities

[03:51 - 04:24]

• Summary:
  State troopers report 259 DUI arrests and nine highway fatalities over the holiday period. Reports include a driver speeding at 172 mph in Douglas County.

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5. Jekyll Island Development Concerns

[04:24 - 04:47]

• Summary:
  Jekyll Island Authority proposes expansion of hotels and parking, raising alarms among preservationists who have collected over 2,000 signatures to curb overdevelopment.

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6. Savannah Carriage Operators Sue Over Heat Regulations

[05:24 - 05:57]

• Summary:
  Horse-drawn carriage tour companies in Savannah are suing the city over restrictions on operating during high temperatures, arguing the ordinance illegally regulates livestock.

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7. Law Enforcement K-9 Training in Marietta

[05:57 - 06:47]

• Summary:
  Police officers and veterans from various Atlanta-area forces attended a free K-9 training session in Marietta. The event, supported by Spike's K9 Fund, offered skills crucial for effective policing.

• Key Quotes:

  • Bo Poole, Cobb County Police (on playing the “bad guy”):
    “If you're in this cross case, you wear the bite suit, you get the dog amped up, you learn how to, how to catch the dog and where he can bite you without hurting himself and hurting you.” [06:15]
  • Bo Poole (on keeping dogs engaged):
    “You kind of make it fun for him while you're playing, almost like you're playing, keeping him engaged, keeping him in contact with you.” [06:24]

• Notable Moments:

  • Handlers often pay out-of-pocket for training and certification; the fund covers these costs.
  • Training focuses on both dog and handler safety.

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8. Georgia’s First Frog Walk: Community Conservation in Action

[06:47 - 10:26]

• Summary:
  Jackson County’s inaugural “Frog Walk,” led by the Oconee River Land Trust and Georgia biologists, took families into wetlands to learn about frogs as crucial indicators of environmental health. The event promoted conservation through land easements and citizen science.

• Notable Quotes and Moments:

  • Erin Cork, DNR biologist (on frog walks):
    “Yeah, they take you into just nature and you're going to hear other things... maybe we'll see some more cool insects tonight too, along with... the herp species.” [07:41]
  • Hadrian Turner, Oconee River Land Trust (on easements):
    “Once the easement is placed, it basically restricts some of the use of the property... and that, you know, agreement stays tied to the deed of the land.” [08:25]
  • Liz French, Environmental Science Teacher [08:49]:
    “High schoolers come and do water quality sampling. That's a big thing... we've been doing continually with our high school environmental science classes.”
  • Erin Cork (on frogs as indicators):
    “They're an indicator species. They are going to do well if they have healthy ecosystems.” [09:09]
  • Derek Pope, attendee:
    “I thought the frogwalk was fantastic, just having experts point out species that you might recognize the call but not actually know.” [09:52]
  • Hadrian Turner (on discovery and conservation):
    “You wouldn't know this was here driving by. And, you know, Jackson county... is under extremely high development pressure. So it's really important to show people that, like, every little bit counts.” [10:14]

• Memorable Moment:

  • Children and adults were able to hear and see rare local frogs, learning firsthand about protecting Georgia’s vital wetland habitats.

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Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• “He possessed a quiet confidence that didn't strengthen him. It strengthened everyone around him.”
  — Sgt. Tre Jones (03:10)

• “Pradeep was indeed molded by adversity and shaped by circumstance... Every time he put on a badge.”
  — Assistant Chief Joel Witt (03:32)

• “If you're in this cross case, you wear the bite suit, you get the dog amped up, you learn how to, how to catch the dog and where he can bite you without hurting himself and hurting you.”
  — Bo Poole, Cobb County Police (06:15)

• “They're an indicator species. They are going to do well if they have healthy ecosystems.”
  — Erin Cork, DNR Biologist (09:09)

• “You wouldn't know this was here driving by... every little bit counts.”
  — Hadrian Turner, Oconee River Land Trust (10:14)

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Segment Timestamps

• Opening and Medicaid court ruling: 00:03 – 01:39
• Redistricting opposition by lawmakers: 01:39 – 02:36
• Memorial Day heroes: 02:36 – 03:51
• Holiday DUI/fatalities & Jekyll Island story: 03:51 – 04:47
• Savannah carriage operators lawsuit: 05:24 – 05:57
• K-9 law enforcement training: 05:57 – 06:47
• Frog Walk and conservation: 06:47 – 10:26

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Conclusion

This episode shines a light on stories that explore Georgia’s struggles and triumphs in health care, civil rights, safety, and environmental conservation—anchored by local voices and firsthand accounts. Listeners learn about dynamic efforts from courtroom battles and legislative pushes to community-driven environmental monitoring, all reflecting the diverse issues shaping life across the state.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, A new court ruling may mean more health care for Georgia kids on Medicaid. Lawmakers push major corporations to oppose redistricting and what listening to frogs can tell us about the state of the natural world.

[B]

They're an indicator species. They are going to do well if they have healthy ecosystems.

[A]

Today is Tuesday, May 26th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The state of Georgia may have to provide more care to sick kids. A federal court has found some of the state's policies for kids on Medicaid don't satisfy federal requirements for adequate care. The ruling in the case originated with a three year old boy with a rare metabolic disease. Along with the lower court ruled that the Georgia Department of Community Health didn't approve enough nursing care for him. Without enough care, the boy could have died. A three judge panel of the 11th Circuit U.S. court of Appeals has upheld that lower court's order. The ruling could influence how Medicaid is administered in Georgia and in the rest of the court's jurisdiction, which includes Alabama and Florida. A DCH spokesperson said today that the agency was still reviewing the court's decision and had no comment. The agency's lawyers had argued in court that the decision to limit the child's nursing hours was legal because it followed agency policy. Georgia lawmakers signed a letter opposing Republican led redistricting efforts and urging major corporations to defend voting rights. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports from the Congressional Black Caucus.

[C]

The letter from the Congressional Black Caucus was signed by Representatives Lucy McBath, Nekima Williams, Sanford Bishop and Hank Johnson. It states that redistricting will dilute black voting strength and, quote, silence black communities. Georgia will redraw the state's political maps in June the following a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights act of 1965. The new maps will take effect in 2028. The caucus is asking companies to send statements condemning attacks on voter protections, report corporate political spending and join civil rights advocates defending black political power. They've given companies until June 9th to respond. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[A]

Metro Atlanta's Gwinnett county honored fallen military and public service heroes. Yesterday during its annual Memorial Day ceremony, officials honored DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who died in the line of duty in August 2025. Before joining the police academy, Rose served in the U.S. marine Corps for four years. DeKalb County Police Sgt. Tre Jones was Rose's lead instructor while at the police academy, he spoke about Rose's composure during difficult moments.

[D]

I often wondered whether the composure came from his military background or whether it was just simply who Rose was. I eventually realized it was both. He possessed a quiet confidence that didn't strengthen him. It strengthened everyone around him.

[A]

Gwinnett County Police Officer Pradeep Tamang was also honored yesterday. Tamang died in the line of duty on February 1st of this year during a dispatch call. Assistant Chief Joel Witt of the Gwinnett County Police Department said the Tamang family immigrated to the United States when Pradeep was nine years old.

[D]

Pradeep was indeed molded by adversity and shaped by circumstance. From refugee camps to a patrol car in Gwinnett county, he chose a life of service. He carried his family story, their sacrifices and their hopes with him. Every time he put on a badge,

[A]

Rose and Tamang's names were added to the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial State troopers have arrested 259 people for driving under the influence over the Memorial Day holiday travel period so far. The Georgia Department of Public Safety said yesterday that law enforcement agencies statewide have reported nine fatalities on Georgia highways as of yesterday morning. One of the more alarming charges involves a driver who was clocked at speeding at 172 miles an hour in metro Atlanta's Douglas County. Plans on Jekyll island have supporters worried about the future of the state owned barrier island. GPB media partner the current reports the Jekyll Island Authority, which oversees the island's conservation and development, is planning for significant growth and visitation. The proposals will add up to 185 new hotel rooms, an increase of 13% and parking in what's now a wooded lot. A petition urging officials to, quote, rein in over development garnered more than 2,000 signatures in a week.

[E]

You know, every day on Up First, NPR's Golden Globe nominated morning news podcast, we bring you three essential stories. the heart of each story are questions what really happened? What really mattered? What happens next? At npr, we stand for your right to be curious and to follow the facts. Follow up first wherever you get your podcasts and start your day knowing what matters and why.

[A]

Horse drawn carriage tour operators in Savannah are suing the city over an ordinance that they say would put them out of business. Savannah City Council members last year approved regulations prohibiting horse drawn carriage tours when the temperatures reach 85 degrees or where the heat index reaches 100 degrees. In a lawsuit filed last week, three companies claim the ordinance runs afoul of a state law that prohibits municipalities from regulating livestock. Georgia law enforcement officers and veterans recently traveled to Marietta to attend a free training for police dogs and their handlers. GPB's Ellen Eldredge was there.

[F]

Police officers from specialized K9 units in Conyers, Marietta and Cobb county gathered with their dogs at a water park in Marietta. Bo Poole is with the Cobb County Police Department. He's playing the bad guy, getting bit

[G]

by some dogs, doing some training.

[D]

I'm pleased with you, K9. If you're in this cross case, you

[G]

wear the bite suit, you get the dog amped up, you learn how to, how to catch the dog and where he can bite you without hurting himself and hurting you.

[F]

To the dogs, it's a game.

[G]

And then how to engage with him, to kind of make it fun for him while you're playing, almost like you're playing, keeping him engaged, keeping him in contact with you.

[F]

But for the law enforcement officers, the experience could mean the difference between life or death. Spike's school fund covers all training and certifications that the handlers often have to pay out of their own pockets. For GPB news, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

Frog calls are a common sound in Georgia and across the south during the spring and summer. Usually these vocal amphibians are heard and not seen. Recently in Jackson county, experts led kids and some adults to see some elusive frogs in the wild and and to learn what frogs can tell us about our environment. Emma Auer of WUGA in Athens reports.

[B]

This is a northern cricket frog.

[H]

It's getting close to dark as a group of about 30 kids and their parents set off into the woods by Winder highway in Jackson County. Here, the tree line holds an incredible acres and acres of wetland teeming with insects, plants and, yes, frogs. Erin Cork is an amphibian biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and she's here to help lead something called a frog walk.

[B]

Frog walks? Yeah, they take you into just nature and you're going to hear other things. We saw a luna moth that had just emerged earlier on the path, so maybe we'll see some more cool insects tonight too, along with, along with the herp species.

[H]

Those so called herp species include frogs, the main attraction of the evening. This is the first frogwalk hosted by the Oconee River Land Trust, an organization that conserves land around the state of Georgia and beyond. Hadrian Turner is a land steward with the orlt. He says that one major way to protect frog species is through preventing wetlands like these from being developed. And one way to do this is to conserve the land through something called an easement.

[I]

Once the easement is placed, it basically restricts some of the use of the property, like certain development rights, certain, you know, cutting hardwoods. It implements, you know, much larger stream buffers. And that, you know, agreement stays tied to the deed of the land.

[H]

This evening, the group is setting off onto an easement given to Jefferson City schools by a group of duck hunters who owned it before and wanted it protected. Environmental sciences teacher Liz French says students look after this place. High schoolers come and do water quality sampling. That's a big thing that what have

[B]

we been doing continually with our high

[H]

school environmental science classes. Scientists Turner and Cork agree that this protected land is doing well. The proof all the singing frogs.

[B]

They're an indicator species. They are going to do well if they have healthy ecosystems.

[H]

As the sky turns dark and the barely worn path is lit up by headlamps, more and more frogs start to sing. Cricket frogs, bullfrogs, and even the bird voiced tree frog all add their songs to a growing chorus. Tree frog Derek Pope attended the frog walk. Already a nature enthusiast, he says he learned to recognize frog calls.

[I]

I thought the frogwalk was fantastic, just having experts point out species that you might recognize the call but not actually know.

[H]

He also says he had no idea that this wetland existed off of the Northeast Georgia highway. Hadrian Turner, the events organizer, says that was part of frogwalk's goal.

[I]

You wouldn't know this was here driving by. And you know, Jackson county, among other counties around here, is under extremely high development pressure. So it's really important to show people that, like, every little bit counts.

[H]

And here they plan to spread the word one frog walk and class at a time. For wuga, I'm Emma Auer in Jackson County.

[A]

And that's it for this edition of Georgia Today. If you want to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news and and remember to subscribe to this podcast because we're coming back at you tomorrow afternoon. Your feedback is welcome, of course, and the best way to get it to us is by email. When you send an email to us, it'll go to the whole team. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening. We will see you tomorrow.