Librarian fired over book display; Affordable housing; Is MARTA ready for World Cup?

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: Peter Biello

---

1. Librarian Fired Over Controversial Book Display

In the opening segment of today’s episode, Peter Biello reports on a contentious incident in Pierce County, southeast Georgia. LaVonna Moore, a dedicated librarian with 15 years of service at the Pierce County Public Library, was terminated last week after curating a summer reading display that included a book featuring a transgender character.

Key Points:

• Display Theme: Themed "Color Our World," Moore collaborated with community volunteers to select books that promote diversity and acceptance, including When Aiden Became a Brother, which narrates a family's journey in embracing their transgender child.
• Controversy: A local religious group initiated a campaign against the display, citing objections to the portrayal of transgender characters.
• Termination: Moore asserts that her dismissal was politically motivated rather than a reflection of her job performance. "I was fired based on politics, not performance," Moore told GPB.
• Response: Library and county officials have yet to comment on the firing. Moore is currently seeking legal assistance to address her termination.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ representation in public institutions and the challenges faced by educators and librarians in promoting inclusive materials.

---

2. Atlanta's Affordable Housing Conference Concludes

Georgia Today shifts focus to Atlanta’s pressing issue of affordable housing. With metro Atlanta households spending 38% of their median income on housing—a figure below the national average yet exceeding the recommended 30% threshold—efforts are underway to address this imbalance.

Key Points:

• Conference Overview: The third annual affordable housing conference in Atlanta concluded with various stakeholders, including developers, realtors, and government officials, discussing strategies to enhance housing affordability.
• Stakeholder Insights:
  • Anthony Smith, an Atlanta resident living in affordable housing, voiced concerns about the sustainability of current housing options. “In some people's situations, their income goes down but the rent still goes up. So I would like for someone to look into that for us,” Smith stated (02:34).
• City Commitments:
  • Mayor Andre Dickens committed to building or preserving 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030.

Amanda Andrews, GPB’s reporter, highlighted the collaborative efforts aimed at securing long-term affordable housing solutions amidst rising costs and economic pressures.

---

3. MARTA’s Readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

As Atlanta prepares to host eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the efficiency and reliability of its rapid transit system, MARTA, are under scrutiny. Amanda Andrews and investigative reporter Alex Ip delve into the current state of MARTA and its preparedness for the influx of international visitors.

Key Points:

• Current Challenges:

  • Service Reliability: Alex Ip observed significant delays and operational inefficiencies. “We've been sitting here standing here half an hour,” Ip remarked while waiting for a delayed bus (05:41).
  • Fare Collection Issues: Drivers are circumventing fare boxes to expedite boarding, leading to a substantial loss in revenue. “Drivers choosing saving time over collecting fares,” Ip noted (06:25).

• Financial Struggles: MARTA is experiencing budget shortfalls, with fare revenues dropping from the required 35% to 10%. This revenue loss is attributed to fare evasion and operational inefficiencies.

• Upgrades and Improvements:

  • Fare Collection Technology: MARTA officials announced initiatives to enhance fare collection, including updated mobile payment options and new fare gates, aiming for full implementation by the World Cup (07:32).
  • Service Enhancements: Plans include running extra trains before and after matches and testing systems like transit ambassadors and pre-game shuttle trains.

• Governance and Staffing Concerns:

  • Budget Cuts: Despite service promises, MARTA faces budget cuts affecting staff and program management. Council President Doug Shipman questioned MARTA CEO Kali Greenwood on expanding services without additional staffing (08:11).
  • Staffing Solutions: Greenwood responded by highlighting that many cut positions were long vacant and suggested addressing workforce gaps through contractual services if necessary.

Notable Quote: “There are some serious questions to be asked about how the governance of MARTA is affecting all of this, especially as the World Cup is going to come around,” Andrews reported (07:06).

The segment paints a picture of MARTA striving to meet the high demands of an international event while grappling with internal challenges and financial constraints.

---

4. Greystar Settles Claims Over Military Tenant Fees

In a brief but significant report, Biello outlines a $1.4 million settlement reached between the U.S. Department of Justice and Greystar Management Services, the largest property management firm in the nation.

Key Points:

• Allegations: Greystar was accused of unlawfully imposing early termination fees on military service members who ended leases due to relocations, in violation of the Service Members Civil Relief Act.
• Settlement Details:
  • Compensation: Approximately $1.3 million will be allocated to affected service members and their co-tenants, including triple damages for those who paid early termination charges.
  • Penalties: An additional $77,000 civil penalty will be imposed.
• Impact on Georgia: Greystar operates numerous properties in Georgia’s major metro areas such as Augusta, Savannah, and Columbus, which have significant military populations.

This settlement emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of military personnel in housing agreements and the accountability of large property management firms.

---

5. Expansion of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park

The Trust for Public Land announced the acquisition of 21 new acres for Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, safeguarding the land from potential future development.

Key Points:

• Land Acquisition: The newly protected acreage is situated in a rapidly growing area north of Atlanta, ensuring the preservation of green space amidst urban expansion.
• Public Access and Benefits: George Duesenberry, the organization’s state director, highlighted that the expanded parkland will enhance quality of life for residents and support resilient communities. “These green spaces, these public spaces are vital for healthy, strong, resilient communities,” Duesenberry stated.
• Financials: The National Park Service invested about $2.5 million to secure the land, which was previously owned by long-time local residents.

This acquisition underscores ongoing efforts to balance development with environmental preservation, ensuring that natural and historical sites remain accessible to the public.

---

6. Alliance Theatre Appoints New Managing Director

In the arts segment, Peter Biello shares that the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta has appointed Brandon Kahn as its new managing director, succeeding Mike Schleifer.

Key Points:

• Background of Brandon Kahn: Previously the general manager of Houston's Alley Theater, Kahn has extensive experience, including collaborations on productions like Born With Teeth destined for London’s West End. His prior engagements include various theater companies in Massachusetts and Broadway projects.
• Endorsements: The Alliance Theatre’s artistic co-directors lauded Kahn’s extensive experience and capability to lead the Tony Award-winning regional theater, the largest in the Southeast.
• Previous Managing Director: Mike Schleifer departed to assume the role of managing director at Lincoln Center Theatre in New York City after an 11-year tenure.

This leadership transition is poised to bring fresh perspectives to Atlanta’s prominent cultural institution, continuing its legacy of excellence in the performing arts.

---

Closing Remarks

Peter Biello concluded the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe for daily updates and to share stories deserving of coverage via email at [e-mail]. He emphasized GPB News’ commitment to delivering the latest headlines and in-depth reporting on topics pertinent to Georgians.

---

Notable Quotes:

• LaVonna Moore: “I was fired based on politics, not performance.” ([00:50])
• Anthony Smith: “In some people's situations, their income goes down but the rent still goes up. So I would like for someone to look into that for us.” ([02:34])
• Amanda Andrews on MARTA Governance: “There are some serious questions to be asked about how the governance of MARTA is affecting all of this, especially as the World Cup is going to come around.” ([07:06])

---

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today provided comprehensive coverage of significant local issues ranging from education and housing to public transportation and cultural leadership. Through in-depth reporting and firsthand accounts, GPB News continues to shed light on the challenges and developments shaping Georgia.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is warning all Georgians that half of all opioid deaths happen at home when people take an Oxy or a Perc with a glass of alcohol for stress or to sleep. Learn more about protecting families from opioid [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, a librarian in southeast Georgia is fired over a controversial book display. A conference for affordable housing wraps up in Atlanta and is Atlanta's rapid transit system Marta, ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

[Amanda Andrews]

There are some serious questions to be asked about how the governance of MARTA is affecting all of this. You know, in the grand scheme of things, especially as the World cup is going to come around.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Wednesday, June 25th. Hi, I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. A librarian in southeast Georgia's Pierce county says she was fired for including a book with a transgender character in a summer reading display. Library manager LaVonna Moore was fired from the Pierce County Public Library last week after 15 years of service. She says she worked with community volunteers earlier this month to create the display. The display, themed Color Our World, included a book called When Aiden Became a Brother about a family loving and accepting a transgender child. After a religious group campaigned against her for approving the display, Moore says she was fired. Moore told GPB the action was based on politics, not performance. Library and county officials did not respond to requests for comment. Moore says she is seeking legal assistance. Metro Atlanta households are paying 38% of their median income to afford a median priced home. That's less than the national average of 44%, but still well above the recommended 30% affordability threshold. That's according to May data released today by realtor.com as Atlanta Works to create more affordable housing, residents, developers and realtors are wrapping up the final day of Atlanta's third annual affordable housing conference. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports.

[Alex Ip]

The three day housing event includes workshops and vendors. Speakers from Invest Atlanta, the Atlanta Department of City Planning and local real estate groups are looking at everything from funding to permits to tenant support. Atlanta resident Anthony Smith lives in affordable housing. He came to the conference to learn about long term plans to keep housing affordable.

[Kali Greenwood]

That's coming to be a big problem, not just for myself, for other people. And in some people's situations, their income goes down but the rent still goes up. So I would like for someone to look into that for us. Please.

[Alex Ip]

Mayor Andre Dickens pledged the city would build or preserve 20,000 units of affordable housing by 2030. For GPB news, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

A national property management company with dozens of communities across the state has agreed to settle claims that it illegally imposed fees on military service members who terminated their leases after receiving military relocation orders. The U.S. justice Department yesterday announced the $1.4 million settlement with Greystar Management Services. The agency alleged that the company, the nation's largest property management firm, relied on software that it knew would automatically, automatically impose early termination charges on service members protected by the Service Members Civil Relief Act. Greystar will set aside about $1.3 million to pay affected military members and their co tenants, including triple damages to service members who paid the early termination charges. The company also will pay a $77,000 civil penalty. Greystar manages properties in the state's largest metro areas, including many with large military populations such as Augusta, Savannah and Columbus. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield park is gaining 21 new acres. The Trust for Public Land said yesterday that they've closed on new land within the park's boundaries. The sale protects the acreage in a rapidly growing area north of Atlanta from future development. The organization's state director, George Duesenberry, says the new parkland will be open to the public in terms of quality of life, in terms of the cracking residents or cracking businesses. Again, these green spaces, these public spaces are vital for healthy, strong, resilient communities. So that's the biggest benefit. The National Park Service paid about $2.5 million for the land, which had been owned by longtime area residents.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

We show you how money influences. Tell me what you like by telling.

[Amanda Andrews]

Me how you spend your money.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

And we dig until we get answers.

[Amanda Andrews]

I had a bad feeling you're gonna bring that up.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from npr.

[Peter Biello]

Next year, Atlanta will host eight matches in the FIFA World cup, which could bring hundreds of thousands of people to the city. Many of them will expect to use public transit to get around. The Atlanta region's transit agency, MARTA claims that it's more than ready for them, but frequent riders and even some City Council members are skeptical. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on the state of MARTA leading up to the World Cup.

[Alex Ip]

It's rush hour on a Monday evening outside the Lindbergh MARTA station. Thirty people, including investigative reporter Alex ip, are waiting for the next bus going up Buford Highway.

[Amanda Andrews]

So we've been sitting here standing here half an hour.

[Alex Ip]

Yeah, the bus is late. IP has seen that a lot. Aside from being a reporter, he has a Georgia Tech degree in environmental engineering. For seven months, he's been systematically riding MARTA transit options and looking for ways MARTA doesn't work like the farebox up by the bus driver.

[Amanda Andrews]

So one thing I do notice right now was the bus driver was actually covering over the fare box just to try to get as many people in as possible without them being stuck at.

[Alex Ip]

The front door because this bus is already late. And every second spent waiting for people to pay the fare just makes that worse. IP uses the new MARTA app.

[Amanda Andrews]

So I can just tap my phone and, you know, get in the bus. But it's harder for folks if they're just trying to count cash or trying to figure out where, you know, the Breeze car is.

[Alex Ip]

IP says he sees drivers choosing saving time over collecting fares a lot, including here on Beaufort highway, the busiest route in the whole MARTA system during peak hours. This is one reason MARTA is losing money, even from the people who do take transit. MARTA's own regulations require fares to be 35% of its revenue. Last year, it was 10%. Meanwhile, all the things MARTA says it's doing to make sure trains and buses are on time, they cost money. IP says Ryder's confidence in MARTA is eroding.

[Amanda Andrews]

So there are some serious questions to be asked about, you know, how the governance of MARTA is affecting all of this, you know, in the grand scheme of things, especially as the World Cup's going to come around.

[Alex Ip]

That's why MARTA officials announced several fare collection upgrades to Recover the estimated $7 million lost to what they call fare evasion. MARTA chief of staff Stephen Parker says the new technology will be in place by the World Cup.

[Kali Greenwood]

We're also looking at enhancing our Tap to Pay features so people will be able to pay with a card or with their watches or their phones. And then we're also getting new fare gates, that which will be another feature that will be in place.

[Alex Ip]

MARTA says it's updating the Breeze app and that it will run extra trains before and after all eight World cup games. But the promises for better service come amid budget cuts removing staff and program management, planning, infrastructure, and research. Recently, Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman asked MARTA CEO Kali Greenwood how he plans to expand service without expanding staff.

[Peter Biello]

Do you have the manpower and the woman power to deliver those projects, the workforce?

[Alex Ip]

Yes, we do. Greenwood says a lot of the cut positions had been vacant for years. No one had been doing that work anyway.

[Kali Greenwood]

Should we get to a point where it's a bandwidth issue, we can address that through contractual services.

[Alex Ip]

Right now, Atlanta is hosting the Club World Cup. MARTA is testing systems it plans to use for the larger 2026 tournament, including transit Ambassadors, a pre game shuttle train and additional teams and police on platforms. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Peter Biello]

Atlanta's Alliance Theatre has named a new managing director. Brandon Kahn, general manager of Houston's Alley Theater, takes over for Mike Schleifer, who held the position for for 11 years. Schleifer left in March to become the next managing director of Lincoln Center Theatre in New York City. In Houston, Khan worked closely with productions like Born With Teeth, which is set to play in the West End in London this fall. Prior to working at the Alley, Kahn worked with theater companies in Massachusetts and on and off Broadway. In the announcement, the Alliance's artistic co directors praised Kahn's wealth of experience. The Tony Award winning Alliance, based at Atlanta's Woodruff center for the Arts, is the largest regional theater company in the Southeast. And that's a wrap on the podcast for today. Thank you so much for tuning in. We will be back tomorrow with all the latest headlines from the Peach State, so make sure you subscribe to this podcast and it will be in your feed automatically tomorrow afternoon as well. And if you want to check out the latest headlines, go to gpb.org news anytime. If you've got feedback or want to let us know about a story in your area that deserves some attention, let us know by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

We show you how money influences everything. Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money. And we dig until we get answers.

[Amanda Andrews]

I had a bad feeling you're going.

[Peter Biello]

To bring that up.

[NPR Planet Money Team]

Planet Money finds out. All you have to do is listen. The Planet Money podcast from NPR.