'No Kings' protests planned; Drought conditions worsen; Atlanta exhibitions open

Summary

Georgia Today – Episode Summary: "‘No Kings’ protests planned; Drought conditions worsen; Atlanta exhibitions open"

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Sophie Gradas (Guest reporting by Sarah Kallis, Ellen Eldredge, and Christy Yorke Wooten)
Podcast: Georgia Today (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights three key stories shaping Georgia’s news this week: the upcoming "No Kings" protests against President Trump, increasingly severe drought conditions impacting farms and households across the state, and a vibrant series of fashion exhibitions and events opening in Atlanta. The hosts and reporters provide a blend of political analysis, scientific insight, and cultural reporting.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. “No Kings” Protests Against President Trump

Time: [00:57]–[01:45]

• Nationwide Movement: Progressive groups are organizing nearly 40 protests across Georgia as part of a coordinated nationwide event.
• Message: Organizers emphasize American anti-authoritarian values, responding directly to concerns over perceived government overreach.
  • Quote (Laura Judge, Indivisible North Metro):

    “We have no kings, no thrones, no crowns here in America. That’s what America was based on, and we’re going to push back against this authoritarianism that we see.” ([01:34])

• Atlanta Rally: Protesters in Atlanta will gather at the Civic Center, with speeches focusing on the ongoing government shutdown and National Guard deployments as themes.

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2. Recognizing Dementia Early

Time: [02:02]–[02:49]

• Annual Brain Health Forum: Held at The Carter Center, with researchers discussing early signs of dementia through behavioral changes.
• Key Medical Insight (Dr. Christina Pritchett, Emory School of Medicine):
  • Behavioral symptoms vary by type of dementia—frontotemporal dementia presents as impulsivity, while Alzheimer’s is marked by fear and confusion.

    “For instance, in the cases of frontotemporal dementia, it might be more like feeling more impulsive or inappropriate in social settings...But in Alzheimer’s, it might be more fear or confusion driven.” ([02:25])

  • Up to 70% of people with Alzheimer’s experience agitation and irritability.

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3. Worsening Drought Hits Georgia

Time: [02:49]–[04:27]

• Statewide Impact: 64% of Georgia now faces moderate to extreme drought, up 6% from the previous week.
• Key Effects:
  • Agriculture: Cotton and peanut crops are struggling, with economic ramifications for farmers.
  • Natural Beauty: Drought is delaying fall foliage displays, affecting tourism and local traditions.
  • Energy Bills: 13,000 low-income households could get relief as state regulators consider releasing $5 million in support funds for natural gas bills.
  • Federal Programs in Limbo: The federal government shutdown threatens the stability and funding of low-income energy assistance programs, raising concerns for the upcoming winter.

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4. Atlanta’s Fashion Scene Takes Center Stage

Time: [04:54]–[08:44]

• Atlanta Fashion Week:

  • Event Description: Models showcased new collections amid West African drumbeats inside a former Forever 21 store, with Georgia Tech grad Octavius Terry presenting his brand Groom and Senegalese designer Safi Toussek debuting her collection.
  • Quote (Lauren Amos, donor and advocate):

    “Being a person who’s obsessed with fashion, I saw the power of these exhibitions and the type of community that it can build and how happy people are to come in and have something incredibly democratic and expressive... I thought about my legacy and what I wanted to contribute to Atlanta.” ([05:40])

  • High Museum Exhibition: "Fashion Statements" debuts, supported by Lauren Amos' multimillion dollar gift and featuring global couture including Dutch designers Viktor & Rolf.
    • Quote (Viktor & Rolf):

      “We’re from a country where at the time there was hardly any fashion...So fashion didn’t really exist. It was considered as a hobby. So our work in the beginning was really like circling around fashion and what fashion could be...” ([06:15])

    • Atlanta is the only U.S. city hosting this exhibition.

• SCAD FASH and Pharrell Williams:

  • Award Presentation: SCAD FASH presented Pharrell Williams with the Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of the late fashion icon and Vogue editor.
  • Pharrell’s Tribute:

    “He was the south personified...we don’t all walk around with like, accents and talk slow...this guy’s impact was so strong that it led me here today...This is not New York. This is not Milan. It’s just in Georgia.” ([07:41])

  • Local Globalism: Atlanta maintains a strong voice in world fashion, honoring both international designers and Southern culture.

• SCAD FASH Executive Director Alex DeLoach Davis:

  “In particular, we are finding ourselves and finding our voice and sharing it with the world and bringing the world here to come and see and hear and experience what we have to say.” ([08:20])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Laura Judge on American Values:

  “We have no kings, no thrones, no crowns here in America. That’s what America was based on...” ([01:34])

• Dr. Christina Pritchett on Disease Signs:

  “For instance, in the cases of frontotemporal dementia, it might be more like feeling more impulsive or inappropriate in social settings...” ([02:25])

• Lauren Amos on Fashion’s Impact:

  “I saw the power of these exhibitions and the type of community that it can build...” ([05:40])

• Viktor & Rolf on Dutch Fashion Roots:

  “There was no fashion industry, no fashion media, no fashion culture...” ([06:15])

• Pharrell Williams on the Southern Legacy:

  “He was the south personified...This is not New York. This is not Milan. It’s just in Georgia.” ([07:41])

• Alex DeLoach Davis on Atlanta’s Message:

  “We are finding ourselves and finding our voice and sharing it with the world...” ([08:20])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:57] — Georgia “No Kings” protests preview
• [02:02] — Early detection and discussion of dementia
• [02:49] — Statewide drought crisis and government response
• [04:54] — Atlanta’s October fashion events and museum exhibitions
• [05:40] — Lauren Amos and the democratization of high fashion
• [06:15] — Viktor & Rolf on international exhibitions
• [07:41] — Pharrell Williams on Andre Leon Talley and Southern fashion legacy
• [08:20] — Alex DeLoach Davis on Atlanta’s global impact

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Tone and Language

The episode balances urgent news reporting with cultural celebration. The tone is informative, concise, and often proud, particularly when spotlighting Atlanta’s role on the world fashion stage and the grassroots activism across Georgia. The language from guests and hosts is direct, authentic, and community-focused throughout.

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For full coverage, visit gpb.org or subscribe to Georgia Today wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcript

[A]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent, and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peach Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting.

[B]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia Progressive groups joined plans for nationwide protests against President Donald Trump this weekend. Drought conditions continue to worsen across the state, and this month in Atlanta, several major events and museum exhibitions are opening up, with fashion as the focus.

[C]

Being a person who's obsessed with fashion, I saw the power of these exhibitions and I thought about my legacy and what I wanted to contribute to Atlanta.

[B]

Today is Friday, October 17th. I'm Sophie Gradas, and this is Georgia Today. Crowds of protesters are expected across Georgia on Saturday as progressive groups mobilize their second no Kings demonstration this year. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports on the mass movement.

[D]

The protests are happening nationwide, including nearly 40 in Georgia. Indivisible North Metro spokeswoman Laura Judge says she hopes the demonstrations remind participants that the power is with the people.

[E]

We have no kings, no thrones, no.

[B]

Crowns here in America. That's what America was based on, and we're going to push back against this authoritarianism that we see.

[D]

Activists in Atlanta will rally at the Civic center, followed by a march. The ongoing government shutdown and National Guard deployment to cities around the US Are expected to be themes in rally speeches. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[B]

Researchers are looking at ways to recognize dementia early by paying attention to behavioral changes. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports on the annual Brain Health Forum held at the Carter center in Atlanta.

[D]

Older adults experiencing changes in mood, behavior or personality could be at risk for dementia, especially when coupled with cognitive decline. Dr. Christina Pritchett is with Emory School of Medicine.

[B]

For instance, in the cases of frontotemporal dementia, it might be more like feeling more impulsive or inappropriate in social settings, like making rude comments to people. But in Alzheimer's, it might be more fear or confusion driven.

[D]

Pritchett says agitation and irritability impact up to 70% of people living with Alzheimer's disease. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[B]

Drought conditions are worsening across the state, impacting key Georgia crops cotton and peanuts, as well as the North Georgia fall colors season. The U.S. drought Monitor updated on Thursday shows 64% of the state in moderate to extreme drought, up from 58% just last week. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction center was updated yesterday. Its long range forecast shows much of Georgia, but especially the south south of the state, facing drier than normal conditions through Friday. And for those eager to see the changing leaves, the Georgia Forestry Commission's latest leaf watch says that lack of rain is slowing foliage progression. Although 45% of trees above 3,000ft had changed color as of Wednesday, about 13,000 Georgians facing higher energy bills are expected to get some some relief. The state's Utility Regulating Public Service Commission yesterday advanced a plan to release $5 million to low income customers of the state's largest natural gas provider, Atlanta Gaslight. That's to help with bills this winter. Panel members will vote on the plan on Tuesday. This comes as early voting has begun for November 4 election, in which two commissioners on the PSC are seeking to keep their seats. There's also concern about how cuts to federal funding might affect the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In some states, the program is currently in limbo under the federal government shutdown, while in others applications are open to apply for assistance checks.

[F]

Sources and Methods the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and methods the new National Security podcast from NPR.

[B]

Major events and museum exhibitions are opening in Atlanta this month, featuring fashion as fine art from local and global designers. GPB's Christy Yorke Wooten takes us directly to the catwalk and behind the scenes.

[A]

Models strut down the Runway to West African drum beats inside a packed former Forever 21 store at Atlantic Station.

[C]

It'S.

[A]

Atlanta Fashion Week and Georgia Tech grad Octavius Terry is presenting his latest collection for his brand Groom, alongside the Soraya collection from Senegalese designer Safi Toussek. It's part of a flurry of October events flexing Atlanta's international fashion muscle, including the opening of Fashion Statements at Atlanta's High Museum.

[C]

Being a person who's obsessed with fashion, I saw the power of these exhibitions and the type of community that it can build and how happy people are to come in and have something incredibly democratic and expressive. And so I thought about my legacy and what I wanted to contribute to Atlanta.

[A]

That's Lauren Amos, a Columbus, Georgia native who wants to see fashion thrive in Atlanta the way concerts and sports do. She gave the High Museum a multimillion dollar gift to support new exhibitions such as couture and curiosities from Dutch designers Victor and Roth.

[G]

We're from a country where at the time there was hardly any fashion. There was no fashion industry, no fashion media, no fashion culture. So fashion didn't really exist. It was considered as a hobby. So our work in the beginning was really like circling around fashion and what fashion could be and the Arnold picked it up. So we started presenting in galleries and museums before we started doing catalog shows.

[A]

Curator Thierry Maxime Lorio said Atlanta will be the only US City to stage the show.

[F]

Here we have a collaboration with Ahmad Barber and Dante Morris, who are locals from Atlanta, and they created a series shooting the archives of Victor and Rolf. So, you know, I think there is a very strong social message in the work of Victor and Rolf and sense of humor, sense of irony, and I think it's very important to support this.

[A]

A few days later, Savannah College of Art and Design president Paula Wallace presented Pharrell Williams with the college's Andre Leon Talley lifetime achievement award, named after the North Carolina born Vogue editor and former SCAD board member and curator who is the subject of SCAD Fasch's latest exhibition, Style is Forever. Pharrell now serves as creative director of Louis Vuitton's Menswear, but has a long history of collaborating with Atlanta musicians such as T.I. future and Egos. In conversation with songwriter and SCAD student the Dream, Pharrell says the tribute to Andre Leon Talley is a must see and a watershed moment for black artists and fashion in the South.

[G]

He was the south personified. You know, we're from the south, but we don't all walk around with like, accents and talk slow and adhere to the stereotypes of the North. When it comes to us, he was homo. All the things that, like Andre is known for. The idea that this guy's impact was so strong that it led me here today to see that jaw, drunken jaw Jonathan exhibition. You guys, this is not New York. This is not Milan. It's just in Georgia.

[A]

Here's Scadfash executive director Alex DeLoach Davis, Atlanta.

[E]

In particular, we are finding ourselves and finding our voice and sharing it with the world and bringing the world here to come and see and hear and experience what we have to say. For Andre. People got to know him and said, well, who are you and where did you come from? We've never seen anyone like you before. Then he got an opportunity to explain his root, which is that Southern grace.

[A]

For GPB News, I'm Chris Deorg Wooten in Atlanta.

[B]

All right, that's it for today's edition of GEORGIA today. Thank you so much for listening. If you would like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org if you haven't yet subscribed to this podcast, you can take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. If you have feedback, we would love to hear it. Please email us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Sophie Gradas, and we will see you on Monday.

[F]

Sources and Methods, the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and Methods, the new National Security Podcast from NPR.