Georgia Today — September 12, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode delivers key updates on a new measles case in Fulton County, construction delays at the Hyundai plant due to an immigration raid, and MARTA transit upgrades in anticipation of Atlanta hosting World Cup events. Additional segments cover the lingering recovery from Hurricane Helene, threats to HBCUs, rising health insurance rates, and local arts and sports news.
1. New Measles Case in Fulton County
Key Details:
- The Georgia Department of Public Health reported a new measles case in an unvaccinated Fulton County resident who had not traveled abroad ([00:39]).
- Possible exposure sites from Sept 2–11: Georgia State University, Sweetgreen (Midtown), and Inter Atlanta FC soccer practice.
- Contact tracing is underway.
- Sixth case of the year in Georgia; matches all of 2024’s total.
2. Political Violence & Senator Warnock’s Response
Discussion Points:
- Senator Raphael Warnock addressed the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, decrying the recent “troubling rise in political violence” ([01:44]).
- Warnock linked attacks to threats against democracy and cited the earlier killing of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Notable Quote:
“There is nothing more anti democratic than political violence. Democracy is about creating space for competing voices and countervailing visions about who we are as one people.”
— Sen. Raphael Warnock [01:44]
- Warnock urged both parties to “turn down the temperature on rhetoric.”
3. Hurricane Helene: One Year Later
Lawmakers’ Personal Accounts:
-
Sen. Harold Jones II (Augusta):
- Described hard-hit neighborhoods ("like a war zone"), the difficulty of reaching vulnerable residents, and direct involvement in relief efforts ([02:49–03:52]).
- Recalled constituents’ surprise at a senator visiting personally.
Quote:
“He didn’t think I was coming... people really weren’t kind of looking at them. So that’s why he was so surprised that I was actually coming out there. But I did and so we were able to get those folks some help.”
— Harold Jones II [03:01] -
Rep. Bill Werkheiser (South Georgia):
- Hurricane seemed routine at first, but endured three and a half hours of destruction ([04:00]).
- Described ongoing cleanup, with “mounds and mounds of trees,” blue tarps on houses, and FEMA money running out ([04:23–05:21]).
Quote:
“I’ll never forget this lasted three and a half hours of just insane intensity, you know, 80 miles per hour.”
— Bill Werkheiser [04:00]“Donna, you wouldn’t believe the number of houses that still have blue tarps on their roofs.”
— Werkheiser [04:23]
Local Official Perspective:
“That’s just the life you live as an elected official, though.”
— Harold Jones II, on serving constituents despite also lacking resources [05:29]
Further Listening:
- Complete interviews on the Battleground Ballot Box podcast.
NGO Response One Year Later ([06:21]):
-
UMCOR and similar organizations still assisting.
-
Kelly Crane (United Methodist Conference): Slow disaster responses may cause depopulation as residents leave for good.
Quote:
“We want to help them rebuild quickly and cost effectively so that we can keep kids in schools and businesses open.”
— Kelly Crane (via Sophie Gradas) [06:45]
4. HBCU Threats and Law Enforcement Response
- Threats targeted multiple HBCUs, including Clark Atlanta University, leading to lockdowns ([07:08]).
- No injuries reported; FBI is investigating and taking threats seriously.
5. MARTA Upgrades Ahead of World Cup
Key Upgrades Announced ([07:43]):
- New fare system and gates
- Redesigned bus network
- New trains
- Rollout now delayed to April (originally Jan) to consolidate upgrades and minimize rider disruptions
Quote:
“Let’s all try to target and hit April and have that one impact. That way we can deploy our resources on site across the system to help with bus network redesign through our transit ambassadors.”
— Jonathan Hunt, Interim CEO [08:07]
- Goal: Efficient crowd flow for thousands of visiting soccer fans.
- Atlanta’s first World Cup match: June 11, 2026.
6. Hyundai Auto Plant Delays After Immigration Raid
Latest Developments ([08:33]):
-
Immigration raid at a battery factory under construction delayed Hyundai plant’s opening by 2–3 months.
-
Announcement made at Automotive News Congress by Executive Chair Lee Sun Chung.
-
475 arrested/detained (including ~300 Koreans); returned to South Korea.
-
US and Korean officials working to improve “complicated” visa policies.
Quote:
“The visa regulation is very complicated and I hope we can make together a better system.”
— Hyundai Executive Chair Lee Sun Chung (as reported by Sophie Gradas) [09:02]
7. Georgia Health Insurance Premium Increases
Key Points ([09:46]):
-
Health advocates warn of significant insurance premium hikes next year.
-
Continuation of federal budget cuts and the end of COVID-19 tax credits fueling increases.
-
Example: A 60-year-old making $65k/year may see rates rise from $460/month (with tax credit) to over $1,400/month.
Quote:
“Without the premium tax credit that shoots up not just to the $1,000 a month of a few years ago, but now more than $1,400 a month.”
— Anthony Wright, Families USA [09:46] -
Impacts a wide range of self-employed and gig economy workers.
8. Atlanta Dream Partnerships and WNBA Playoffs
- Atlanta Dream announces new business partnerships ahead of playoffs ([10:03]).
- Local bars/restaurants, including McCrae’s Tavern, Jolene Jolene, and Brake Pad, signed on.
- Dream is only WNBA franchise in Southeast; expected playoffs boost for local business.
9. Georgia Symphony Orchestra Season Openers
Arts Update ([11:20]):
-
Orchestras across the state launching their concert seasons.
-
Savannah Philharmonic highlighted, opening with Barber’s Adagio for Strings—which gained prominence at JFK’s funeral and has multiple arrangements.
Quote:
“Beautiful, beautiful piece. No matter the orchestration.”
— John Lemley [11:20] -
More details and previews available at GPB’s website.
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “This is the sixth case of measles reported in Georgia so far this year, matching the total number reported in 2024.”
— Sophie Gradas [00:39] - “Democracy is about creating space for competing voices...”
— Sen. Raphael Warnock [01:44] - “It was really bad. I mean, probably the best way to put it was like a war zone.”
— Harold Jones II [02:49] - “Donna, you wouldn’t believe the number of houses that still have blue tarps on their roofs.”
— Bill Werkheiser [04:23] - “We want to help them rebuild quickly and cost effectively so that we can keep kids in schools and businesses open.”
— Kelly Crane [06:45] - “Let’s all try to target and hit April and have that one impact...”
— Jonathan Hunt [08:07] - “Without the premium tax credit that shoots up... now more than $1,400 a month.”
— Anthony Wright [09:46] - “Beautiful, beautiful piece. No matter the orchestration.”
— John Lemley [11:20]
Additional Resources
- In-depth hurricane interviews: Battleground Ballot Box podcast
- Storm prep info: gpb.org
- Arts coverage, orchestra previews: gpb.org
This episode reflects GPB’s commitment to reporting on public health, infrastructure, disaster recovery, legislative updates, and culture—all through a local Georgia lens.