New CDC director; School back in session; UGA research on gut health

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast – August 6, 2026

Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode Focus: New CDC Director, School Reopenings, UGA Gut-Brain Research, AI and Child Safety, Effingham County Data Center Protests, Savannah Credit Rating, and Local News Highlights

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Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners up to speed on major headlines across Georgia, with a special focus on public health, education progress, environmental developments, and technology’s rapidly growing footprint. Key stories include the appointment of a new CDC director amidst agency turmoil, a report on K-12 academic recovery post-COVID, University of Georgia’s research linking gut health to mental health, public concerns over AI’s risks to children, and a contentious new OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Additional updates cover infrastructure repairs, local legislation, and a rare manatee rescue.

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Main Segments & Key Takeaways

1. CDC’s New Director Amidst Turmoil

[00:29]

• Dr. Erica Schwartz confirmed as the 22nd Director of the CDC.
• Schwartz’s resume: medical and law degrees, former deputy surgeon general, and U.S. Coast Guard leader.
• The CDC faces significant disruption after staffing losses of more than 3,000—a quarter of its workforce—since President Donald Trump’s return.
• The agency’s mission remains the protection of Americans from health threats.
• No direct quotes in this section.

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2. Schools Reopen and Academic Recovery

[01:26]

• Georgia students show progress on “Georgia Milestones” tests, catching up in science and social studies to pre-pandemic levels.
• Alison Timberlake (Deputy Superintendent, GA Dept. of Education):
  • “2026 performance shows really strong gains from COVID era performance and in fact, all but two grade levels are performing above pre Covid levels in 2019.” [01:44]
• Math performance improves for the third consecutive year after adopting new standards.
• English and language arts scores pending; expected by December.
• Issues at school openings:
  • Hancock County: classes canceled after snakes found inside a building.
  • Randolph County: schools closed due to network and electrical problems.
• Ongoing criminal cases against a former DeKalb County superintendent.
• Memorable Moment: Timberlake’s focus on persistent improvement and transparency.

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3. UGA Research: The Gut-Brain Connection

[03:08]

• University of Georgia studies reveal how mental wellbeing and gut health are interconnected.
• Prof. Franklin West (UGA):
  • “You have nerves running from the brain to the gut and they actually see like the serotonin and the melatonin. So the bacteria in your gut that you’re adding through the probiotic can actually release the serotonin and so it's literally connected to your nervous system…” [03:26]
• Gut bacteria linked not only to mental health but also diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
• Ellen Eldredge (GPB): “Gut is sensitive to subtle shifts in mental wellbeing, and when it’s healthy, it can reduce symptoms, including stress and depression.” [03:08]
• Notable Quote: West’s explanation of how probiotics can affect mental health via serotonin.

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4. Community and Environmental Updates

Savannah’s McQueen’s Trail Repairs [03:55]

• Path in Chatham County closes for $2 million repairs after repeated storm damage.
• Jefferson Kirkland (Environmental Program Manager):
  • "The idea with this newest phase of rehabilitation is to armor areas that are subject to high erosion rates in order that we don’t have to keep doing reconstruction. So this timber bulkhead has proved to be a very effective solution to the problems that the trail faces… do it once, do it right…” [04:19]
• 3,000 people use the trail during peak months.

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5. Senator Ossoff’s Investigation into AI Child Risks

[05:03]

• Senator Jon Ossoff launches probe into AI’s risks to children.
• John Sheehan (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children):
  • "Once those images begin circulating online, the victim often loses any control over where they end up and who can even see them here in Georgia? This isn’t a future problem. It’s happening right now..." [05:40]
• Georgia Bureau of Investigation has received hundreds of AI child sexual abuse material reports this year.

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6. Effingham County: OpenAI Data Center Controversy

[06:20] – [10:03]

• Residents blindsided by news of a 1,400-acre OpenAI data center bringing major infrastructural changes, protests mount.
• Protesters’ Concerns:
  • Environmental impact, property values, power/water use.
  • “I’m most concerned about the environmental impact and the effect of said operation on my children.” [06:46]
  • “How a 3.2 gigawatt building is not going to increase power around the county...?” [06:53]
• Eric Johnson (Development Authority Board):
  • “If we’d have put it out in front of the public, they’d just say no data center based on misinformation…” [07:23]
  • “Yeah, we’re just done deal. I know, and I hate it for you. But we’re not a democracy. … We're a Republican.” [07:47]
• Tim Callanan (County Manager):
  • Emphasizes county’s unique capacity for power generation.
• Uttam Saha (UGA Water Specialist):
  • “Georgia Power will have to use 126 million gallons per day. There’s the maximum, but it can range from 57 million gallons per day.” [09:07]
• No clear information yet on water usage for cooling by the data center.
• Savannah Riverkeeper and lawyers are monitoring the situation but no legal challenge yet.
• Memorable Exchange: Tense town hall moments highlight lack of transparency and public input [07:47].

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7. Additional Local News Briefs

• New Residential Development Near Effingham Data Center
  • 900 acres to be turned into mixed-use neighborhood with 1,350 homes.
• Savannah Earns AAA Credit Rating [10:54]
  • Agency cites strong financial management, reserves, economic growth (port, tourism, Hyundai plant).
• Macon's Ocmulgee River Bridge Project
  • Commissioners approve conversion to a bike/pedestrian bridge.
• Manatee Rescue Near St. Simons
  • First-ever documented manatee entanglement in Georgia resolved by multi-agency effort.
• Memorable Moment: Uncommon environmental story highlighting cross-agency wildlife rescue.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alison Timberlake (GA Dept. of Ed.): “All but two grade levels are performing above pre Covid levels in 2019.” [01:44]
• Franklin West (UGA): “The bacteria in your gut … can actually release the serotonin, so it’s literally connected to your nervous system.” [03:26]
• John Sheehan (Missing & Exploited Children): “This isn't a future problem. It’s happening right now...” [05:40]
• Eric Johnson (Development Authority): “Yeah, we’re just done deal. … We’re not a democracy.” [07:47]
• Protesting Resident: “Apparently this happened behind closed doors, so there’s really no point asking questions.” [07:57]
• Jefferson Kirkland (Chatham County): “Do it once, do it right, and then it’s just minor maintenance from here on out…” [04:19]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• CDC New Director / Agency Turmoil – [00:29]
• K-12 Academic Milestones Update – [01:26]/[01:44]
• School Opening Disruptions – [02:12]
• UGA Gut-Brain Research – [03:08]/[03:26]
• Savannah Rails-to-Trails Repair – [03:55]/[04:19]
• AI Risks to Children / Sen. Ossoff – [05:03]/[05:40]
• Effingham Data Center Protests – [06:20]/[07:47]/[09:07]
• New Housing Development – [10:03]
• Savannah Credit Rating – [10:54]
• Manatee Rescue Story – [Throughout final minutes]

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Summary prepared by Georgia Today Podcast Summarizer—GPB News

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the CDC has a new director, school is back in session across metro Atlanta and UGA has new research on the connection between your gut and your brain.

[B]

The bacteria in your gut that you're adding through the probiotic can actually release the serotonin, so is literally connected to your nervous system.

[A]

Today is Thursday, August 6th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The U.S. senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Schwartz becomes the 22nd leader of the Atlanta based CDC, which is charged with protecting Americans from preventable health threats. Her resume includes medical and law degrees, a stint as deputy surgeon general and a leadership position at the U.S. coast Guard. The CDC has been in turmoil since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, largely due to layoffs and resignations. The agency has lost 3,000 plus employees, more than one quarter of its workforce. The Georgia Department of Education says the state students continue to make up ground lost during the COVID pandemic. That's according to new data from the state's annual High Stakes Georgia milestones testing new GPB's Chase McGee has more students

[C]

in third grade through high school are testing just under or at pre pandemic levels in science and social studies. Alison Timberlake is a deputy superintendent at Georgia's Department of Education. She says math scores have risen for the third straight year after adopting new statewide math standards.

[D]

And you can see that 2026 performance shows really strong gains from COVID era performance and in fact, all but two grade levels are performing above pre Covid levels in 2019.

[C]

Timberlake says the Department of Education is still working through scoring guidelines for new standards in English and language arts testing. She says to expect those scores in early December. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[A]

Classes are getting off to a rough start in two Georgia school districts where unexpected problems on campus have delayed the start of the academic year. Schools in Middle George's Hancock county closed this week after snakes were spotted on campus, including one inside a building. Schools in southwest Georgia's Randolph county closed today because of a network and electrical system problem. The former school superintendent in metro Atlanta's DeKalb county is facing more criminal charges. A county grand jury on Tuesday indicted Devin Horton, accusing him of assault and cruelty to children sexual stemming from a domestic dispute in January. A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted him in October, accusing him of fraud and other crimes against his former school district. In Illinois. What's going on in your brain can impact what's happening in your gut. That's according to new research from the University of Georgia. GPB's Ellen Eldredge explains researchers analyze the

[E]

gut microbiomes of healthy adults to understand how changes in the brain can influence gut function and vice versa. UGA professor and researcher Franklin west says the gut is sensitive to subtle shifts in mental well being, and when it's healthy, it can reduce symptoms, including stress and depression.

[B]

You have nerves running from the brain to the gut and they actually see like the serotonin and the melatonin. So the bacteria in your gut that you're adding through the probiotic can actually release the serotonin and so it's literally connected to your nervous system, west says.

[E]

Changes in bacteria are also related to diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

A popular Rails to trails path in Savannah's Chatham county closed for repairs this week, nearly two years after damage from Hurricane Helene. McQueen's trail runs alongside the low lying highway to Tybee island and was closed for repairs in 2016 after damage from Hurricane Matthew. Environmental program manager Jefferson Kirkland of the county's engineering department says its marshy riverfront location Matthew makes it susceptible to storms.

[B]

The idea with this newest phase of rehabilitation is to armor areas that are subject to high erosion rates in order that we don't have to keep doing reconstruction. So this timber bulkhead has proved to be a very effective solution to the problems that the trail faces. The idea is do it once, do it right, and then it's just minor maintenance from here on out due to normal wear and tear. And then should we get more major storm events, the repairs will be less extensive because this timber bulkhead has proved to be effective at handling the major erosion, he says.

[A]

The repairs will cost about $2 million and take about nine months to complete. County parks officials say about 3,000 people use the trail during peak months. Georgia U.S. senator Jon Ossoff is launching an investigation into the impacts of artificial intelligence on children. Ossoff says it's part of his efforts to keep kids safe online, and the first step will be to ask the national center for Missing and Exploited Children to present data to the Senate on risks to children from AI. John Sheehan, who works for the organization, says that generative AI programs can be used to create an indecent image of a minor from a regular photo posted to social media.

[C]

Once those images begin circulating online, the victim often loses any control over where they end up and who can even see them here in Georgia? This isn't a future problem. It's happening right now, sheehan says.

[A]

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation already has received hundreds of reports of AI child sexual abuse material this year. Just weeks ago, residents of southeast Georgia's Effingham county woke up to startling news. The data center, Georgia's largest yet, would soon be their neighbor. The news that OpenAI is coming to town is leaving many residents blindsided. GPB's Gillian Magtoto reports.

[D]

They need to see just how many people in Effingham county are mad about this. Two days after the news, OpenAI is hosting an open house. There's a taco bar, an ice cream truck, OpenAI tote bags, all for free. But outside, area residents are protesting.

[B]

They lie to us.

[A]

They're cowards.

[D]

And many are just trying to get answers inside the cafeteria of a local college.

[B]

I'm most concerned about the environmental impact and the effect of said operation on my children.

[A]

I got two young children.

[B]

Georgia Power says that it's not going to increase our bill. I would like to know how a 3.2 gigawatt building is not going to increase power around the county. There's a lot of people that are going to start leaving the county. A lot of people aren't going to be spending as much money out in

[D]

the county holding an OpenAI tote bag. Eric Johnson hears all of this. He's an Effingham County Development Authority board member who voted to give the company a 50% tax break for the next 15 years. The authority voted for the measure without

[E]

public input, but if we'd have put

[B]

it out in front of the public, they just said no data center based on misinformation and what for looks like or what they're reading on social media.

[D]

He says. Those closed door conversations were for the good of the county, bringing benefits like hundreds of jobs, property tax relief and funding for local schools.

[B]

We don't think there is any risk to anybody.

[D]

Plans are going forward, he tells a resident.

[B]

Yeah, we're just done deal. I know, and I hate it for you. But we're not a democracy. We should be. We're not a democracy.

[E]

We're not.

[B]

We're a Republican.

[D]

That resident eventually gave up.

[B]

Apparently this happened behind closed doors, so there's really no point asking questions.

[D]

The 1,400 acre property in Rincon has been zoned for industrial use for 20 years under Georgia law. That's good enough for a data center. That's why the decision didn't require public input. County Manager Tim Callanan says his conversations with OpenAI begin in February.

[A]

Not having to generate their own power,

[B]

I think was very important to them. Effingham county is one of the few counties that actually has power generation sites

[D]

within the county border, most notably Georgia powers plant Macintosh burning gas and oil to generate up to 1.2 gigawatts of electricity. That's about a third of the power the OpenAI data center will need. The plant has a permit to take 130 million gallons of water a day from the Savannah river, and water is clearly a hot button issue at this open house.

[B]

We have the ponds that we fish in and then our neighborhood backs up

[C]

right to the wetland.

[D]

University of Georgia water extension specialist Uttam Saha estimates that for this data center, Georgia Power will have to use 126

[B]

million gallons per day. There's the maximum, but it can range from 57 million gallons per day.

[D]

That's close to the total amount of water plant macintosh is permitted to withdraw. In an email, Georgia Power told GPB staying within the current permit will not be an issue, even after it adds another unit to the plant. But neither OpenAI nor council officials have yet disclosed how much water the data center itself will need for cooling. OpenAI's data center in Abilene, Texas is roughly half the acreage of this center planned in Effingham county. It will use 8 million gallons in its initial fill up, according to the Texas Tribune. Savannah Riverkeeper and environmental lawyers say they are monitoring the situation but haven't yet taken any legal action. For GPB News, I'm Jillian Magtoto in Effingham County.

[A]

Weeks after Effingham county residents learned about the data center, plans for what could become one of the area's largest residential developments have come to light. Documents submitted to state officials yesterday indicate plans to convert about 900 acres of agricultural land into a mixed use development with up to to 1350 homes. A company based in Washington state, Bluefern is behind the project. It would be located about 10 miles from the data center.

[D]

The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years.

[B]

This is open in your face. How are there no answers?

[D]

Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police. Did police ever call you?

[B]

Not once.

[D]

Listen to We Keep Us Safe a new True Crime series on the embedded podcast from npr.

[A]

The city of Savannah has earned its highest ever credit rating from Moody's. The ratings agency upgraded Savannah to a AAA rating this week, citing the city's strong financial management, healthy reserves and growing economy. Officials say the higher rating should allow the city to borrow money at lower interest rates, reducing the cost of future infrastructure projects. Moody's also pointed to the region's economic growth, including the Port of Savannah, the tourism industry and the Hyundai Metaplant in neighboring Bryan County. A long promised bike and pedestrian bridge over the Ocmulgee river in Macon is one step closer to reality. MACON Bibb county commissioners on Tuesday approved a property transfer giving the county control of a surplus bridge from the Georgia Department of Transportation. The bridge's conversion from vehicle to bike and pedestrian traffic is seen as a critical step in plans to further develop a riverfront trail or with expected tourism, tax revenue, health and other benefits. Amenatee is swimming free again, thanks to a fishing guide who reported the animal tangled in crab trap lines and a team of wildlife experts that rallied to rescue it, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said yesterday. The drama played out over two days last week on waterways off St. Simons island and Brunswick. The agency said it was the first documented entanglement of amenity in Georgia and involved a difficult set of on the water conditions. Personnel from DNR and four other agencies or institutions helped in the rescue. Slow moving Florida manatees often go unnoticed on Georgia's coast, but the protected animals do migrate into Georgia and Carolina waters from spring to fall each year to feed on abundant marsh grass and algae. That's a wrap on this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. Please tune in tomorrow. The best way to remember to do that is to subscribe to this podcast. Watch pop up in your feed automatically when you do. And remember to go to gpb.orgnews for the latest headlines and updates to the stories you heard on the podcast today. Your feedback is welcome. We'd love to hear from you. Send us an email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.