Georgia Today (GPB) – January 13, 2026

Host: Peter Biello
Main Topics: Morris Brown College President Fired, High School Students in Forsyth County Pioneer Gene Editing Therapy, Delta’s Revenue Forecast, Microsoft’s Data Center Pledge, Carter Estate Auction, Falcons’ New President, and Legislative Session Opening

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today delivers a range of news stories highlighting significant developments across Georgia. Key segments include Atlanta's Morris Brown College abruptly firing its president, high school students in Forsyth County making headlines with an innovative gene-editing project, economic updates from Delta Airlines, Microsoft’s response to data center concerns, the auctioning of memorabilia from the Carter family, Atlanta Falcons' leadership changes, and the opening of the Georgia legislative session.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Water Supply Expansion in Southeast Georgia

• (00:28) Major $146 million project breaks ground west of Savannah, aiming to bolster drinking water infrastructure to support economic and population growth.
• Ron Feldner, Savannah Water Chief:

  "The importance of safe, adequate supply of potable drinking water for human consumption, fire protection and industrial use is essential to any local economy, regional economy and people's health and well being."
  (01:02)

• State funds have also been allocated for upgrades in Effingham and Bryan Counties.

2. Morris Brown College Fires President

• (01:21) The historically Black college dismissed President Kevin James, expressing thanks but offering no public explanation.
• President Kevin James Statement:
  He was “terminated without cause or explanation and called the action deeply disturbing.”
  • James played a pivotal role in regaining the school’s accreditation in 2022 after a nearly 20-year lapse.
  • The college faces another accreditation reaffirmation review soon.
  • Enrollment last reported at 453 students in the 2023-2024 academic year.

3. Forsyth County High School Students Pioneer Gene Editing Therapy

• (02:00 - 05:27) Featured Story: Lambert High School students use CRISPR to develop a new, rapid Lyme disease diagnostic tool, earning international recognition.
• Lambert IGEM Lab:
  • Only IGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) lab in Georgia, at the state’s largest public school.
  • Students engineered a test strip for Lyme disease, functioning like a COVID-19 rapid test.
  • Added a therapeutic component, showing their commitment and innovation.
• Principal Amanda Thrower:

  "It just shows where their hearts are in the work, which to me is just everything because it's a combination of their brilliance and their character. Right." (03:23)

• Program Advisor Kate Scherer:

  “We are lucky so many students at Lambert are so interested in joining this team that we actually this year had 96 applicants. We only had room for 10 spots on the competition team.” (03:39)
  “Part of this experience is not just being smart... It's collaborating and working together almost the way that a startup would.” (03:55)

• Team Captain, Avani Karthik:

  “The main reason [Lyme is hard to detect] is because the bacteria, it's transmitted by ticks... and the bacteria goes into your bloodstream, it quickly disseminates into your joint or cardiac tissue, and that makes it really hard to detect.” (04:26) “We hope that we can also expand to national parks and areas like that.” (04:45)

• Potential Impact:
  The technology could be adapted for other diseases with identifiable proteins in blood.
• Lab Limitations:
  No manufacturing facility or authority to conduct clinical trials yet.
• Scherer on the Future:

  “I hope that this is something someone would pick up and use. ... At least what we were able to do in our lab looks like it works. I would love to see it work for real.” (05:02)

4. Delta Airlines’ 2026 Economic Outlook

• (05:27 - 05:54) Atlanta-based Delta projects a 20% rise in earnings for 2026 after closing out $5 billion in profits last year.
• CEO Ed Bastian:

  “We're reminded of the volatility of the industry this past year, and we want to make certain that we have a bit of caution as we project how we'll do.” (05:45)

  • The airline was impacted by a government shutdown, costing $200 million.
  • Will distribute $1.3 billion in profit sharing to employees and plans aircraft purchases.

5. Microsoft’s “Community Pledge” for Data Centers

• (05:54 - 07:08) Microsoft issues a five-point pledge to communities like those in Georgia, promising water replenishment and no impact on consumer electricity rates.
• Atlanta recently saw a new Microsoft data center open; more are planned though many face local resistance.
• Georgia Public Service Commission approved a plan for almost 10 gigawatts of new capacity, primarily to serve these data centers.

6. Carter Family Estate Auction

• (07:08 - 07:57) Christie's begins auction of personal items from Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s estate.
• Amy Carter (Carter's daughter):

  “I hope these objects paint a fuller picture of them, their lives of service, their devotion to each other and the joy and curiosity that kept them learning and engaged throughout their lives.”

• Notable items: Submarine school photos, a White House love letter, and a painting by Jimmy Carter.
• Auction runs through January 27th.

7. Atlanta Falcons Leadership Transition

• (07:57 - 08:40)
  • Former MVP Matt Ryan introduced as new president of football, focusing on leading a search for head coach and GM to reverse Falcons’ losing streak.
  • Matt Ryan:

    “My mission since I was drafted has never changed. You know, it is to help this organization do everything it can to be champions and to win championships. And, you know, there is a sense of unfinished business.” (08:24)

  • Falcons have interviewed six head coach candidates in Ryan's first three days.

8. Georgia Legislative Session Opening

• (09:05 - 09:59) The legislative session opened with Ms. Georgia Audrey Katillip performing “Georgia On My Mind.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ron Feldner on water security:

  "Essential to any local economy, regional economy and people's health and well being." (01:02)

• Kevin James, on being fired:

  "[I was] terminated without cause or explanation and called the action deeply disturbing." (01:21)

• Lambert High’s Kate Scherer on the IGEM team:

  "It's collaborating and working together almost the way that a startup would." (03:55)

• Delta’s Ed Bastian on airline volatility:

  "We want to make certain that we have a bit of caution as we project how we'll do." (05:45)

• Matt Ryan on Falcons’ leadership:

  "There is a sense of unfinished business." (08:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|------------| | Water Infrastructure Project | 00:28–01:21| | Morris Brown College President Fired | 01:21–02:00| | Lambert High’s Gene Editing Lab | 02:00–05:27| | Delta Airlines Economic Update | 05:27–05:54| | Microsoft Data Center Pledge | 05:54–07:08| | Carter Estate Auction | 07:08–07:57| | Falcons Football President Introduction| 07:57–08:40| | Legislative Session Opening Performance| 09:05–09:59|

Conclusion

This episode covered critical developments in education, science, business, and Georgia’s cultural life. Especially notable was the innovative spirit shown by high schoolers in gene editing and the abrupt leadership change at a historic Atlanta college. The episode blended statewide concerns with moments of personal triumph and transition, all delivered in the straightforward, informative style characteristic of GPB’s Georgia Today.