Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Hosted by Georgia Public Broadcasting
Episode: New Rabies Guidelines; Fulton County Jail Update; Race Honors Ahmaud Arbery
Release Date: February 24, 2025

Introduction

In the February 24, 2025, episode of Georgia Today, host Orlando Montoya delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing issues affecting Georgia residents. From public health updates and criminal justice reforms to heartfelt memorials and community projects, this episode encapsulates the diverse challenges and triumphs within the state. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

1. Updated Rabies Guidelines by Georgia Department of Public Health

The episode opens with an important public health update concerning rabies. Due to errors in responding to a positive rabies case last year, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued new training and guidelines to ensure better handling of future cases.

Key Points:

• The DPH emphasized the importance of properly storing and disposing of medications to prevent theft and accidental ingestion by children and pets.
• Sophie Gradas from GPB News reports that these updates are in response to previous mishandlings that exposed public health workers to rabies (Transcript [00:00]–[02:25]).
• Commissioner Kathleen Toomey highlighted that numerous rabies cases have been reported since the beginning of the year, with a typical uptick during the summer months.
• Lauren Baker Newton from the Coastal Public Health District in Savannah shared insights on recent cases, including a feral cat that tested positive after biting a human.

Notable Quotes:

• Marcus Arbery: "It kind of gave more clarity to the one offs that may be encountered and then how do you handle those situations… The big thing was to ensure consistency across the board." ([01:57]–[02:09])
• Kathleen Toomey: "Having cats and dogs vaccinated can help limit disease spread." ([02:09])

2. Federal Judge Appoints Monitor for Fulton County Jail Conditions

A significant development in Georgia’s criminal justice system was discussed, focusing on the Fulton County Jail. Following concerns about dangerous and unhealthy conditions within the facility, a federal judge has taken steps to enforce improvements.

Key Points:

• U.S. District Judge Lee Martin May appointed Kathleen Kenney as the lead monitor for the Fulton County Jail (Transcript [04:03]).
• Kenney’s role involves assessing jail conditions and issuing public reports every six months to ensure compliance with the consent decree aimed at reforming the facility.
• This action comes after the U.S. Department of Justice, Fulton County officials, and Sheriff Pat LaBotte collaborated to address systemic issues within the jail.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "A federal judge has appointed a lead monitor to oversee a consent decree meant to address dangerous and unhealthy conditions at the Fulton County Jail." ([04:03])

3. Five Years Since Ahmaud Arbery’s Murder: Community Honors and Calls for Justice

Reflecting on the tragic murder of Ahmaud Arbery five years ago, the episode highlights community efforts to honor his memory and advocate for continued justice reforms.

Key Points:

• Memorial events included the annual Run with Maude, a 2.23-mile race commemorating the date of Arbery’s death on February 23 ([03:55]).
• Marcus Arbery, Ahmaud’s father, expressed his ongoing grief and frustration over the legal system's handling of the case, specifically criticizing the dismissal of charges against former prosecutor Jackie Johnson, who was accused of shielding the perpetrators ([03:55]–[04:03]).
• The Transformative Justice Coalition hosted a town hall where Marcus Arbery emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "It's just a hurtful thing to see people do wrong stuff and they think they're above the law…always supposed to get out of stuff when it wrong." ([03:55]–[04:03])
• Advocates are urging for stronger oversight of district attorneys and stricter penalties to prevent similar injustices in the future.

Notable Quotes:

• Marcus Arbery: "It's just a hurtful thing to see people do wrong stuff and they think they're above the law and they think they always want to get out of stuff when they're wrong." ([01:03], [03:55])

4. State House Passes Drone Regulation Bills

The State House has made strides in regulating drone usage within Georgia, passing two significant bills aimed at enhancing public safety and data security.

Key Points:

• HB58: Prohibits drones over public gatherings and mandates that drones remain at least 400 feet away from the airspace of ticketed entertainment venues, unless used for authorized official purposes.
• HB205: Requires the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) to compile and maintain a list of secure drones, free from hacking and unauthorized data transmission. Starting January 1, 2028, state and local agencies must purchase drones exclusively from this approved list.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "HB58 would prohibit drones over public gatherings and require drones to stay at least 400ft from airspace of ticketed entertainment venues…" ([02:25]–[02:34])

5. State Wildlife Action Plan Seeks Public Input

Georgia's Department of Natural Resources is soliciting public comments on its 10-year State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a crucial document for conservation and funding.

Key Points:

• The last SWAP was developed in 2015, outlining habitats and species requiring preservation.
• Dr. Brett Albanese, the plan coordinator, emphasized the importance of public feedback to ensure comprehensive coverage of conservation needs ([05:04]–[05:26]).
• Input from residents will help identify any overlooked conservation actions or partners, directly influencing the allocation of federal grant money essential for ongoing projects.

Notable Quotes:

• Chase McGee: "Congress requires a swap every 10 years to allocate grant money to the states… which depends heavily on federal dollars for conservation efforts." ([05:33]–[05:47])

6. Federal Judge Blocks Immigration Enforcement in Houses of Worship

In a ruling that underscores the protection of religious freedoms, a federal judge has barred immigration agents from conducting enforcement operations in places of worship for certain religious groups.

Key Points:

• The injunction specifically applies to Quakers and other religious organizations, including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Decatur, Georgia.
• Maryland-based U.S. District Judge issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's policy, deeming it potentially violative of religious freedoms. The injunction remains in effect while the lawsuit progresses.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "A Maryland based US District judge found that the Trump administration policy could violate their religious freedom and should be blocked while a lawsuit challenging it goes forward." ([05:47]–[06:00])

7. Morehouse College’s Student Newspaper Returns to Print

After a two-year hiatus, Morehouse College’s student newspaper, the Maroon Tiger, has resumed its print edition in celebration of the college’s centennial.

Key Points:

• Founded in 1898 and renamed in 1925, the newspaper has long been a cornerstone of student journalism at Morehouse.
• Editor in Chief Colin Royal emphasized the revival as a move to preserve student expression and ensure a vibrant journalistic presence on campus.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "For the past two years, the paper had no print edition. Editor in Chief Colin Royal says the return of the paper is about preserving student expression." ([06:00]–[06:30])

8. Atlanta Beltline Raises Funds for Enota Park

The Atlanta Beltline partnership has successfully raised $1.85 million through private funding for Enota Park, a new community green space on the city’s west side.

Key Points:

• Enota Park will feature a playground, splash pad, basketball court, and walking trails, connecting the Westside Trail with West View.
• Donors include Georgia Power, Norfolk Southern, and the Fraser Parker Foundation. However, an additional $1.3 million is still needed to complete the project, with construction slated to begin later in the year.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "Funding came from donors including Georgia Power, Norfolk Southern and the Fraser Parker foundation, but the project still needs another $1.3 million to be fully completed." ([06:30]–[07:00])

9. Consumer Debt on the Rise in Georgia

A recent report by WalletHub highlights a significant increase in consumer debt among Georgians, with the state ranking eighth for the largest rise in such debts.

Key Points:

• Total American consumer debt has approached $2.9 trillion, with Georgia experiencing notable increases in auto loans and credit card balances.
• Specifically, Georgia's average credit card balance grew by nearly 4% in the last quarter, while auto loan debt also saw a slight rise. Personal loan debt, however, experienced a minor decline.
• The trend indicates mounting financial pressure on residents, prompting concerns about economic stability and personal financial health.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "Americans now owe nearly $2.9 trillion in auto loans and credit card debt, and a new report shows Georgia is among the states seeing the biggest increases." ([07:34]–[07:59])

10. Paddle Georgia’s 20th Anniversary Adventure

Set to return in June, Paddle Georgia is celebrating two decades with a three-state canoe and kayak adventure, spanning over 80 miles from Ringgold through Tennessee to Alabama.

Key Points:

• Organized by Georgia Rivers, the week-long event combines outdoor recreation with environmental education.
• Proceeds from registration support efforts to protect Georgia's rivers, promoting both conservation and community engagement.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "Georgia's annual Paddle Georgia event is set to return in June, marking its 20th anniversary with a three-state canoe and kayak adventure." ([07:59]–[08:20])

11. CBS Introduces "Beyond the Gates," a New Daytime Soap

Marking a milestone in television, CBS has premiered Beyond the Gates, the first new network daytime soap in 25 years, filmed in Georgia.

Key Points:

• The drama, produced at Assembly Studios in Doraville, features a primarily Black cast and showcases stories of black excellence within an affluent Maryland community.
• Tamara Tuney, a cast member, highlighted the unique challenge and learning curve associated with producing daytime dramas in Atlanta.
• The production employs a significant local workforce, with 200 cast and crew members working across 27 sets within a 35,000 square-foot facility.

Notable Quotes:

• Tamara Tuney: "We're in Atlanta where no one has really done daytime drama like this, and so it's a big learning curve." ([08:20]–[08:50])

12. Georgia Sports Highlights

The episode also touches on recent sports events, celebrating achievements and milestones within Georgia’s athletic community.

Key Points:

• Atlanta United Soccer: Emmanuel Latte Lath scored two goals in his MLS debut, leading Atlanta United to a 3-2 victory over CF Montreal.
• Atlanta Braves: The team commenced their 2025 spring training with a 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Notably, former Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale pitched two perfect innings, retiring all six Minnesota batters.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "Emmanuel Latte Lath scored two goals in his MLS debut to help Atlanta United beat CF Montreal 3-2… Chris Sale pitched two perfect innings, retiring all six of his Minnesota batters." ([08:50]–[09:30])

13. Personal Announcement

Concluding the episode, host Orlando Montoya shares a personal milestone within the GPB community.

Key Points:

• Peter Biello, the regular host, and his wife Andrea welcomed a healthy baby boy, Luca James, weighing in at 8 pounds and 5 ounces.
• Montoya will be filling in for Peter as he takes time to enjoy his new addition to the family.

Notable Quotes:

• Orlando Montoya: "Congratulations to GPB's Peter Biello and his wife Andrea, who welcomed a baby boy this morning. Luca James weighed in at 8 pounds, pounds and 5 ounces. Mom and son are healthy and doing well." ([09:30]–[10:00])

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today provides listeners with a deep dive into critical public health updates, significant legal reforms, heartfelt community events, and notable cultural and economic developments within Georgia. By addressing these multifaceted topics, the podcast continues to inform and engage its audience with the stories that matter most to Georgians.

For more detailed coverage on these stories and additional news, visit the Georgia Today webpage at gpb.org/news. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to stay updated and share your feedback via email at georgiatodaypb.org.