Georgia Today – February 13, 2026

Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode Theme:
This episode focuses on community responses to a new ICE detention center in Social Circle, state legislation expanding access to HIV prevention medication, and Democratic proposals for affordable housing in Georgia. Additional state and local news rounds out the episode, including updates on taxation, a high-profile trial, the Port of Brunswick, and preparations for legal gambling.

1. New ICE Detention Center in Social Circle

Overview:
Plans for a new immigrant detention center in Social Circle, Georgia, have sparked significant local opposition. The Department of Homeland Security has purchased a large warehouse to use as a detention facility for up to 10,000 people, despite concerns from residents and city officials about infrastructure and quality of life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

• Warehouse Details & Purchase:

  • DHS finalized the purchase of a 1-million-square-foot warehouse near Interstate 20, about 50 miles east of Atlanta, for $129 million. (01:07–01:43)

• City Concerns – Infrastructure Overload:

  • City Manager Eric Taylor expressed the city cannot support the facility due to limited infrastructure, not political objections to immigration enforcement.
  • Quote: "This is not something hands down that the city can support."
    — Eric Taylor, City Manager (01:43)
  • Quote: "The frustration here is that they're looking at a building that was not built for human habitation, is nothing more than a shell of a building."
    — Eric Taylor (02:09)
  • The city’s water permit only allows for one million gallons a day, already maxed out during summer months. (02:17–02:26)
  • The detention center could "triple our population overnight" if it houses 10,000 people as planned. (02:32)

• Federal Response and Local Representation:

  • Republican U.S. House Rep. Mike Collins is the only Georgia official to have spoken directly with DHS about the plan.
  • Quote: "I fully support ICE 100%."
    — Rep. Mike Collins (02:51)
  • Collins says although he supports ICE, the facility is a poor fit for Social Circle, but remains optimistic if DHS collaborates with local officials.
  • Quote: "As long as DHS comes in there and sits down and says this is what we found, this is how we're going to operate this and takes care of any of the concerns…and make sure that they don't impact them negatively, then they'll be able to operate that facility."
    — Rep. Mike Collins (03:09)

• Resident Concerns – Community Impacts:

  • A nearby elementary school's proximity to the site has parents worried about safety and aesthetics.
    • Quote: "Are they going to put a 16-foot barbed wire fence up that the kids have to see every day?"
      — Anonymous mother, resident and real estate agent (03:34)
  • Social media discourse and fear of becoming a "prison town" is driving local real estate anxiety.
    • Quote: "I've had calls for people wanting to sell their homes. They're worried about becoming a prison town and that nobody's going to want to live in Social Circle."
      — Same resident (04:00)

• Political Responses:

  • Senator Raphael Warnock has filed an amendment to block construction or expansion of detention centers in Social Circle and Oakwood, though its impact is unclear given the completed sale. (04:21)

2. Affordable Housing Legislation

Overview:
Democratic lawmakers in the Georgia House have unveiled a suite of bills aimed at making homeownership and rental housing more affordable.

Key Initiatives:

• Leveling the Field for Homebuyers:

  • Proposed Bill: House Bill 1252, sponsored by Rep. Phil Olaye, would give families and owner-occupants first priority over large institutional investors for newly-listed single-family homes.
    • Quote: "Before a large institutional investor can buy a newly listed single family home, those families or that owner occupied buyer would have first dip."
      — Rep. Phil Olaye (09:08)

• Additional Housing Measures:

  • Removing zoning restrictions that bar second dwellings on properties.
  • Banning AI-driven price fixing on rental websites.
  • Exempting some public servants from paying homestead property tax. (09:18–09:37)

3. HIV Prevention Medication Expansion

Overview:
Georgia legislators have moved forward with a bipartisan bill to improve access to HIV-prevention medications (PrEP and PEP) by enabling pharmacists to prescribe and administer these drugs directly.

Key Points:

• Senate Bill 195 Details:

  • Allows pharmacists to prescribe and administer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), reducing dependence on primary care providers.
  • Quote: "Pharmacies are often the most accessible health care point...open longer hours, close to where people live, and already trusted."
    — Rep. Carla Drenner, Avondale Estates Democrat (09:55)

• Impact:

  • Aims to address provider shortages in both rural and urban parts of Georgia.
  • Responds to high rates of HIV diagnosis: Georgians are diagnosed at twice the national rate.
  • Bill passed the House 155–7 and goes to the Senate. (10:15)

4. Additional Key News Segments

• Colin Gray Trial (04:55–05:42):

  • Colin Gray, accused of providing the weapon used in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, will stand trial in Hall County due to concerns about impartiality in Barrow County.

• State Senate Tax Bill (05:42–06:19):

  • Senate Bill 476 would eliminate state income tax on the first $50,000 (single filers) or $100,000 (joint filers).
    • Quote: "That's the cost of childcare for three months. It's the cost of rent for three to six months."
      — Sen. Blake Tillery (06:01)
    • Opposition concerns the benefits are skewed toward higher earners.
      • Quote: "The only people who we're putting $5,000 back in their pockets are the people who make over six figures."
        — Sen. Kim Jackson, Democrat (06:12)

• Elections Update (06:19–07:07):

  • Fulton County Board of Elections defends its process after the FBI seized 700 boxes of 2020 ballots; board votes to challenge the seizure in court.

• Port of Brunswick Dredging (07:07–08:07):

  • $17 million project to restore port depth and complement $100 million terminal expansion, supporting status as the top U.S. gateway for auto and heavy equipment shipments.

• Macon Casino Preparations (08:07–08:25):

  • Macon-Bibb County grants a 10-year purchase option for a casino development at the old Macon Mall site, contingent on potential legalization of gambling.

• Flu and Respiratory Illness Update (10:15–11:05):

  • Flu hospitalizations are down; a total of 140 flu-related deaths since October, mainly among the elderly. Free shots remain available at health clinics.

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Unintended Local Consequences:

  • “A detention center next to my child’s school was not on my ballot. That wasn’t what I voted for.”
    — Social Circle mother and real estate agent (03:47)

• On Election Integrity:

  • “Our responsibility is not to engage in those debates. Our responsibility is to get it right.”
    — Katherine Glenn, Chief Registration Manager, Fulton County (06:48)

6. Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:36 – ICE detention center background and local reactions begin
• 01:07 – Details about the warehouse purchase
• 01:43 – City manager voices opposition
• 02:51 – Rep. Collins comments
• 03:34 – Resident concerns
• 04:21 – Warnock’s amendment
• 08:49 – Housing affordability bills
• 09:37 – HIV prevention bill coverage
• 05:42, 06:07, 06:12 – Income tax bill debate
• 06:48 – Fulton County elections
• 07:07 – Port of Brunswick update
• 08:07 – Macon casino site
• 10:15 – Flu season update

Summary:
This episode of Georgia Today highlights the friction between federal immigration policy and small-town infrastructure in Social Circle, new strides in HIV prevention access, and legislative fights over making housing and taxes more equitable in Georgia. The reporting is grounded, detailed, and laced with direct local voices, providing a clear picture of state concerns and debates heading into 2026.