Georgia Today – November 25, 2025

Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes: New mail-in voting proposals, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation, local philanthropy, youth support, economic challenges

Episode Overview

This edition of Georgia Today delivers concise reporting on urgent Georgia issues, including a recommendation to restrict mail-in voting, fallout from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation, a record-breaking donation to Georgia College and State University, ongoing support for vulnerable youth, food insecurity solutions, changes in cotton farming, and the Savannah Bananas’ latest initiative to combat ticket scalping.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Proposed Limits on Mail-In Voting (00:34–01:43)

• The Georgia State Election Board voted to recommend ending “no-excuse” absentee ballots, aligning with a broader national movement to restrict mail-based voting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• The Board itself does not set policy; action would require legislative approval in the upcoming session.
• Expert viewpoint: David Becker (Center for Election Innovation and Research) highlights the outsized impact of such a move on rural voters who rely on the postal system for voting.
  • Quote (01:22): “For voters living in rural areas who really depend upon the mail... they could find that there are real problems.” — David Becker

2. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Early Resignation and Constituent Reactions (01:43–03:18)

• Rep. Greene’s resignation surprised many in her GOP-stronghold district. Political analysts expect a competitive special election, with several Republican state senators rumored as possible candidates.
• GPB’s Sarah Kalis gathers constituent reactions in Rome, GA:
  • Some approve of Greene stepping down to avoid a Trump-backed primary challenge.
  • Others express disappointment over the sudden lack of congressional representation.
  • Quote (02:52): “I wish he had not done it at this situation. It does leave us without representation until somebody's appointed.” — Floyd Farless, constituent
  • Quote (02:59): “She has been somewhat of a firebrand, but every area has got their own, and she would have been reelected for sure here. I don't think any question about it.” — Floyd Farless

3. Supporting Unhoused Young Adults in Atlanta (03:18–03:57)

• Covenant House Georgia plans to distribute care packages to unhoused youth, including hygiene items and handwritten notes from volunteers.
• Volunteer AG Bankula Hamid underscores the importance of messages of hope for recipients.
  • Quote (03:45): “It's something simple, like after the night comes, the sun always rises. It's just something simple that they can remember… shows that tough times don't last.” — AG Bankula Hamid

4. Combating Food Insecurity During the Holidays (04:08–05:42)

• Convoy of Hope launches a nationwide initiative to distribute 10 million meals by year’s end, with Chapel Hill Church in Douglasville acting as a hub for metro Atlanta.
• Rising costs are increasing the numbers of families seeking help.

5. Georgia's Cotton Industry Faces Historic Decline (04:50–05:42)

• Georgia’s cotton acreage fell to a 30-year low in 2025, with harvest down 22% from 2024.
  • Causes: global oversupply, decreased demand, and resulting price drops.

6. Record Gift to Georgia College & State University (05:42–06:31)

• The late Gertrude Ehrlich, once a refugee from Nazi-occupied Austria and a former student, bequeathed $9 million for Pell-eligible students.
• Ehrlich’s legacy is especially meaningful given her own start at the college via a refugee scholarship.
  • Quote (06:05): “And I was the second refugee scholar. They were so kind to me… I didn’t pay a penny.” — Gertrude Ehrlich (2017 interview)

7. Savannah Bananas’ Anti-scalping Ticket Marketplace (07:04–end)

• The exhibition baseball team is developing a platform for verified resale of tickets to outmaneuver scalpers and ensure genuine access for fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On mail-in voting concerns:
  “For voters living in rural areas who really depend upon the mail... they could find that there are real problems.”
  — David Becker, 01:22

• On Greene’s resignation:
  “I wish he had not done it at this situation. It does leave us without representation until somebody's appointed.”
  — Floyd Farless, 02:52

• Words of encouragement for youth:
  “It’s something simple, like after the night comes, the sun always rises… shows that tough times don’t last.”
  — AG Bankula Hamid, 03:45

• A legacy of generosity:
  “And I was the second refugee scholar. They were so kind to me… I didn’t pay a penny.”
  — Gertrude Ehrlich, 06:05

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:34 — Election Board votes to recommend mail-in voting limits
• 01:22 — Expert comment on rural voter disenfranchisement
• 01:43 — Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation overview
• 02:52 — Constituent reaction: Floyd Farless
• 03:27 — Covenant House Georgia care package project
• 03:45 — AG Bankula Hamid on message of hope
• 04:08 — Convoy of Hope’s nationwide meal distribution
• 04:50 — Decline in Georgia’s cotton harvest
• 05:42 — Gertrude Ehrlich’s $9 million donation
• 06:05 — Ehrlich reflects on her college experience
• 07:04 — Savannah Bananas launch ticket marketplace

Summary

This episode of Georgia Today spotlights major news affecting communities across Georgia: the potential shift in voting access, political ripple effects in the wake of a notable resignation, the importance of targeted philanthropy for education and the homeless, economic shifts affecting both families and farmers, and creative local responses to challenges old and new. The tone remains accessible, informative, and community-focused throughout.