'No Kings' Protests this weekend; Man dies in ICE custody; Federal cuts to Job Corps

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary | Release Date: June 13, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello from Georgia Public Broadcasting, the June 13, 2025, episode of "Georgia Today" delves into pressing issues affecting Georgia and the nation. This detailed summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. 'No Kings' Day Protests

Overview: Protests titled "No Kings Day" are slated to take place nationwide, including several major cities in Georgia. These demonstrations are strategically timed to coincide with a significant military parade in Washington, D.C., as well as Flag Day and President Donald Trump's birthday.

Key Points:

• Planned Locations: Atlanta, Macon, Athens, and Savannah.
• Organizers' Intent: Emphasis on peaceful protest to uphold democracy and oppose authoritarianism.

Notable Quote: Laura Judge of Indivisible North Metro stated, “Atlanta is a place where it's rooted in civil rights and resistance and people power. And just what we really would like to see is that the people are the reason for our democracy” (01:15).

Insights: Sarah Kalis highlighted that approximately 20% of Job Corps students come from homeless shelters or foster care, underscoring the program's role in supporting vulnerable youth (00:42).

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2. Death in ICE Custody

Overview: A Mexican national, Jesus Molina Vella, aged 45, died while in ICE custody at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. His death was ruled an apparent suicide.

Key Points:

• Circumstances: Molina Vella was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck and pronounced dead at Phoebe Sumter Hospital on Saturday.
• Background: Entered the U.S. multiple times since 1999, faced repeated deportations, and was last arrested in February 2025 for probation violation and other offenses.
• Detention Center Conditions: A Bibb County grand jury report described the facility as overcrowded and inhumane, with issues like broken locks and unsanitary conditions leading to previous deaths.

Notable Quote: Grant Blankenship reported, “Described disgusting and inhumane conditions on the same overpopulated cell block where they found broken locks about a month after that observation” (02:48).

Insights: Local authorities are proposing solutions, including offering discounts on ankle monitors to non-violent offenders to reduce jail overcrowding. Additionally, efforts are underway to seek architectural expertise for improving detention facilities.

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3. Federal Cuts to Job Corps Program

Overview: The U.S. House has approved a $9.4 billion spending cut targeting foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, impacting programs like Job Corps. These cuts have significant implications for vulnerable youth relying on Job Corps for vocational training and support.

Key Points:

• Vote Details: Passed by a narrow margin of 214 to 212.
• Political Stance: Republicans deem the spending as wasteful, while Democrats argue it harms the U.S.'s global standing.
• Consequences: Potential shutdown of Job Corps could leave thousands of young individuals without essential training and support.

Personal Story: Estella McChrystal, a former homeless shelter resident, benefited from Job Corps by earning certificates in culinary arts and office administration. The impending cuts threaten her and others' progress toward economic stability.

Notable Quotes:

• Estella McChrystal: “Years, and now my main focus right now is to try to get a job as quickly as possible” (08:22).
• Grant Blankenship: “Why stop Job Corps now when the president is talking about growing American jobs?” (09:26).

Insights: The Department of Labor cites a $140 million funding deficit as the reason for the cuts, attributing it to stagnant funding amidst rising operational costs due to inflation. Advocates argue for reforms, such as allowing corporate donations to sustain the program.

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4. Additional News Highlights

• Opioid Crisis Funding: A grant application deadline on June 18th approaches for the second round of funding from the $600 million settlement with pharmaceutical companies. The funds aim to support organizations combating addiction in Georgia.

  Notable Quote: Taylor Payton of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust mentioned, “The 2025 deadline to apply for grant money is June 18th” (04:38).

• Hurricane Preparedness Rally: Glynn County is organizing a rally to educate residents on hurricane preparedness, aligning with predictions of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.

• Paddle Georgia Event: Launching this weekend, participants will embark on an 82-mile paddle through Georgia's waterways, celebrating the event's 20th anniversary with environmental cleanup efforts.

• Atlanta Pride: The festival's theme, "Rooted in Resistance," honors the LGBTQ movement's history. Scheduled for October 11-12 in Piedmont Park, it marks Atlanta Pride's 55th anniversary.

• Lottery Winner: A Cartersville resident claimed a $10 million prize from Georgia Lottery's 500X scratcher, opting for a cash payout exceeding $5.2 million.

• Firearm Safety Reminder: A recent incident in Covington, Georgia, where a misplaced firearm led to an accidental discharge by a 15-year-old, prompts the Covington Police Department to urge gun owners to secure firearms responsibly.

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Conclusion: The June 13th episode of "Georgia Today" addresses significant societal issues, including civil protests advocating for democracy, the tragic death of an immigrant in ICE custody amid concerns over detention conditions, and the potential dismantling of a crucial vocational program for youth. Additionally, the episode touches on community events, public safety, and individual success stories, providing a comprehensive overview of current events impacting Georgia residents.

For more detailed coverage, visit gpb.org/news.

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This summary is intended to provide an overview of the "Georgia Today" podcast episode for those who have not listened to it.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians to ask their doctor about alternatives to opioid pain medication. Alternatives like over the counter medications and physical therapy can be used to manage pain. More [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom on today's episode. Weekend protests for so called no Kings Day are planned across the nation. A Mexican citizen dies by apparent suicide while in ICE custody in Georgia and federal budget cuts to the Job Corps program leave vulnerable young people wondering where they'll go next.

[Sarah Kalis]

About 20% of students on Job Corps campuses across the country came directly from homeless shelters or from the foster care system before enrolling.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Friday, June 13th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Protests are planned across the country tomorrow, including several in Georgia. The so called no Kings Day events are planned to coincide with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C. gPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Activists in multiple cities, including Atlanta, Macon, Athens and Savannah are planning a day of defiance. Saturday is also flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the army and President Donald Trump's birthday. Laura Judge with the organization Indivisible North Metro says she is expecting thousands of people to show up in Atlanta outside of the state Capitol. Atlanta is a place where it's rooted in civil rights and resistance and people power. And just what we really would like to see is that the people are the reason for our democracy. Organizers of the event are calling for participants to protest peacefully, saying the goal is to stand up for democracy and reject, quote, authoritarianism. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis in Atlanta.

[Peter Biello]

A citizen of Mexico died over the weekend while in ICE custody in Georgia. 45 year old Jesus Molina Vella was in the care of the Stewart Detention center in the southeast Georgia city of Lumpkin when staff members discovered Molina Vella unconscious with a ligature around his neck. He was pronounced dead Saturday at Phoebe Sumter Hospital in Americus. But Molina vella entered the U.S. on multiple occasions beginning in 1999 and was repeatedly removed from the U.S. his most recent arrest was February of this year for probation violation and other offenses leading to a conviction in April. A report by a Bibb county grand jury on conditions in the county jail describes unsecure and inhumane conditions. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more grand jurors.

[Grant Blankenship]

Described disgusting and inhumane conditions on the same overpopulated cell block where they found broken loc about a month after that observation. Broken locks led to the second death in the jail in a year's time. In other sections of the jail, grand jurors saw pools of unknown liquid substances in the infirmary. They cited the smell of urine and unsanitary conditions. Local leaders have begun offering remedies. Now. About 150 people with non violent offenses will be offered discounts on the out of pocket costs for ankle monitors to get them out of the jail. And the Bibb county government is looking for a contractor with the expertise for an architectural solution for GPB News. I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Peter Biello]

The US House has voted to cut about $9.4 billion in spending, specifically targeting foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for npr, PBS and GPB and thousands of other public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214 to 212. Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States standing around the world. The benefit for the administration of a formal rescissions request is that passage requires only a simple majority in the 100 member Senate instead of the 60 votes usually required to get spending bills through that chamber. So if they stay largely united, Republicans will be able to pass the measure without any Democratic votes. Want to help protect public media? Visit gpb.org funding or protectmypublicmedia.org to learn how a deadline to apply for millions of dollars in grants to help treat people impacted by the opioid Crisis is approaching. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports. The money comes from a settlement the state received from pharmaceutical companies in 2022.

[Sarah Kalis]

This is the second round of funding from the more than $600 million Georgia received as part of a national settlement. The money is available to organizations that help people prevent, treat and recover from addiction. Taylor Payton is with the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. So currently our portal is open. We have received about 48 complete submissions. That's going to be 20 on the state level and 28 on the regional level. We have 261 applications currently in the draft status. The 2025 deadline to apply for grant money is June 18th. The current round of grants funds one hundred and twenty seven projects across Georgia for up to two years. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

As hurricane season gets underway, coastal Georgia's Glynn county is hosting a hurricane preparedness rally tomorrow. Organizers say it's an opportunity to learn about preparedness, response and recovery from local experts. It's scheduled for 10am to 2pm in the Lowe's parking lot in Bridge Brunswick. The national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above normal Atlantic hurricane season this year. Hundreds of paddlers are hitting the water this weekend for the start of this year's paddle Georgia. The seven day 82 mile journey begins Sunday in East Ridge, Tennessee. It travels through Georgia and wraps up next weekend in Stevenson, Alabama. Along the way, participants will paddle through Locks Camp each night and take part in river cleanup efforts. This year marks Paddle Georgia's 20th anniversary with organizers celebr decades of connecting people to Georgia's waterways. Details on campsites, launch points and river access are [e-mail] Atlanta Pride has announced the theme for this year's festival, Rooted in Resistance. Organizers say it honors the history of the LGBTQ movement and the Stonewall riots of 1969. Atlanta Pride also announced that volunteer applications are now open for the festival, which draws hundreds of of thousands of attendees annually. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Atlanta Pride, the largest free Pride event in the country. The festival is set for October 11th and 12th in Piedmont Park. A Cartersville resident won the $10 million top prize playing Georgia Lottery's 500X, the money scratcher, the Georgia Lottery announced this week. The unidentified player claimed the winnings on May 27, selecting a cash payout of more than $5.2 million. They purchased the lucky ticket at Quick Trip in Cartersville. Among recent targets for federal spending cuts is a 60 year old department of labor program called the Job Corps. Critics say the program for some of the nation's most vulnerable young people is underperforming. Now thousands are wondering where they'll go next. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more from Albany.

[Grant Blankenship]

Estella McChrystal says she'd been living in a homeless shelter in Albany and southwest Georgia for a few months when she first heard about the Turner Job Corps center across town.

[Sarah Kalis]

At first I was a little apprehensive about it, but I looked at it and I was like, okay, this seems like an amazing concept of a place.

[Grant Blankenship]

The concept at Turner and all other Job Corps centers is this. Young people between 18 and 24 can get vocational and technical training and in a number of different careers like construction, welding, truck driving for free.

[Sarah Kalis]

So that blew me away.

[Grant Blankenship]

Plus there's housing, three meals a day and a paycheck just for going to school.

[Sarah Kalis]

That to me was insane.

[Grant Blankenship]

So she applied, got the call and went to work earning certificates in culinary arts and office administration over about two.

[Sarah Kalis]

Years, and now my main focus right now is to try to get a job as quickly as possible.

[Grant Blankenship]

On average, just under half the students who graduate from Turner get and keep a job. For McChrystal, the search has been tough, and she thought she had about six months to find work. But now, with the federal Department of Labor's intent announced at the end of May to unwind Job Corps to stop it cold by the end of June, she may only have weeks. McChrystal is afraid I'm going to end up in the shelter again, Donna Hayes says she's far from alone.

[Sarah Kalis]

About 20% of students on Job Corps campuses across the country it's about 20,000 people came directly from homeless shelters or from the foster care system before enrolling.

[Grant Blankenship]

Hae is the executive director of the National Job Corps association, which represents the private companies that run most of the over 100 Job Corps sites around the nation. Her group sued the Department of Labor in federal court in New York and won a temporary restraining order. She asks, why stop Job Corps now when the president is talking about growing American jobs?

[Sarah Kalis]

Job Corps is the nation's largest residential trade school, and when we see companies like FedEx and CVS line up to hire Job Corps trained workers, these students are being put on the path to economic certainty.

[Grant Blankenship]

But the Department of Labor points to a $140 million funding deficit in fiscal year 2024 and an even bigger one shaping up for FY25. Hae says that's because funding has remained flat while the cost of running the program has risen with inflation. She says, well, that's a problem. It shouldn't be enough to shut down the whole program.

[Sarah Kalis]

If your house has a leaky roof, you fix the roof. You don't demolish the entire house.

[Grant Blankenship]

The restraining order has put time back on the clock. But rather than use it to argue in court, Hay would like to talk about reforms like allowing big companies to give money to Job Corps.

[Sarah Kalis]

We have varying entities, including employers willing to donate funds to campuses and to the program nationwide but are prohibited from doing so.

[Grant Blankenship]

That would have to change the next time Congress reauthorizes the law undergirding the program. Velvet Pool serves on the DY county school board and just left her job at the Turner Job Corps center in Albany in May. There she earned her commercial driver's license right alongside her students.

[Sarah Kalis]

We love on them, and then we also give them an opportunity to get some knowledge.

[Grant Blankenship]

But, she says, no one's really Talking about the 200 or so people who still work at Turner who make it run.

[Sarah Kalis]

And there are people that have been out there for 20, 30 years and this is all they've done. So where would they go?

[Grant Blankenship]

Albany city government is hosting a rally for Turner center workers and students Saturday. Job Corps has another day in federal court next week. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Albany.

[Peter Biello]

This final note, file this one under Things not to forget. In the bathroom on Saturday, a sheriff from Texas was passing through Covington, Georgia, with his grandson and they stopped at a Wendy's. They were in the restroom when the sheriff removed his holstered firearm from his belt. At this point, his grandson started to act up, which distracted the sheriff, who then left the gun in the bathroom. Well, the person to find that gun, a 15 year old, fired it. Fortunately, no one was hurt. No criminal intent or criminal negligence charges were filed. But the Covington Police Department is reminding gun owners of the basics in firearm safety, including always keep firearms secured when not in use. And that's it for this edition of GEORGIA today. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, visit gpb.org news and remember to subscribe to this podcast. We'll be back with all the top stories from Georgia on your podcast feed on Monday afternoon. And your feedback is always welcome. Of course, we hope you'll send us an email with it. The address to send it to is Georgia [e-mail] I'm Peter Biello. Thank you again for listening and have a great weekend.

[Sarah Kalis]

Planet Money helps you understand the economy. We find the people at the center of the story.

[Peter Biello]

Garbage in New York that was like a controlled substance.

[Sarah Kalis]

We show you how money influences everything. Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money. Money. And we dig until we get answers.

[Grant Blankenship]

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[Sarah Kalis]

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