'No Kings' rallies; Warnock on govt. shutdown; Gators adapt to changing habitats

Summary

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Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode: 'No Kings' rallies; Warnock on govt. shutdown; Gators adapt to changing habitats
Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, GPB News

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Overview

This episode of Georgia Today provides in-depth reporting on three central stories:

• Large-scale "No Kings" protests across Georgia against the Trump administration and government shutdown
• Senator Raphael Warnock’s stance and solutions as the federal government shutdown continues
• Scientific research on how Georgia’s alligators are adapting to rising salinity brought on by climate change

Additional brief coverage includes organizational news from Planned Parenthood Southeast, a major investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and updates on energy infrastructure and Atlanta sports.

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1. "No Kings" Protests Across Georgia

Segment begins at [00:50]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Protests in Cherokee County:

  • Diverse demonstrators (LGBTQIA, various racial and economic backgrounds) gathered, highlighting a sense of unity against authoritarianism and the Trump administration.
  • Ellen Eldredge describes the scene: "Demonstrators in puffy and colorful costumes lined both sides of Riverstone Parkway for several blocks..." ([01:09])
  • Beth Evans, a protester, emphasized inclusivity:

    "We're just a melting pot." ([01:44], Beth Evans)

• Personal Histories:

  • John Longino brought family history into the protest by referencing relatives drafted in WWII to underline the value of democracy:

    "That's my dad. He and his three brothers—they were the first four people drafted in Fulton County in 1942..." ([01:50], John Longino via Ellen Eldredge)

• Tucker Rally Focus:

  • Primary concerns: government shutdown, cuts to affordable healthcare, attacks on democracy.
  • Rosemary Sims condemned tax breaks for billionaires while health costs spike:

    "It's absurd...people are about to lose their medical insurance...that means some people are going to end up trying to pay $1,000 per month..." ([02:45], Rosemary Sims)

  • Steve Richardson, ex-CDC employee, advocated for protecting CDC staff and facilities:

    "Now [the CDC museum] is in danger of being shut down because they fired the head of education there. So I'm coming to say, please stop, rethink. We can't take any more cuts to CDC." ([03:08-03:21], Steve Richardson)

• Atlanta Demonstration Highlights:

  • Thousands gathered, waving flags and chanting outside the Civic Center.
  • Taffy Jo Mears linked her protest to American values:

    "It's been a lifelong mission for me to hold power accountable, to be what they made us pledge to every day for 12 years—right with liberty and justice for all." ([03:28], Taffy Jo Mears)

  • Mary White LaSanne reflected on personal growth and generational activism:

    "I was consumed with little kids...so I didn't get out to the march. But now I'm here. So keep it up everybody." ([03:46], Mary White LaSanne)

  • Sam Walker, first-time protester, urged collective action:

    "It's we the people. We have to fight for what we believe in. We have to stand up." ([03:55], Sam Walker)

Notable Moments

• Demonstrations remained peaceful and drew broad support from passing motorists.
• Police presence was notably supportive, focused on maintaining safety ([02:05]).

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2. Government Shutdown: Warnock’s Perspective

Segment begins at [04:31]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Senator Raphael Warnock’s Position:
  • Advocates for including ACA subsidy extensions in any government funding deal.
  • Rejects the notion that a choice must be made between reopening the government and maintaining health care affordability:

    "They are putting forward a false choice, either open the government or lower people's health care costs. I think that's a false choice. We have to lower people's health care. Health care cannot wait." ([04:53], Raphael Warnock via Ellen Eldredge)

• Republican Perspective:
  • Health care debates are secondary; reopening the government is the immediate priority.
• Public Impact:
  • Shutdown (now at 20 days) is causing staffing shortages and long wait times at Atlanta’s airport ([05:37]).
  • ACA premiums expected to double for some as open enrollment nears.

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3. Climate Change & Georgia’s Alligators

Segment begins at [06:03]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• Key Scientific Findings:
  • Rising sea levels are increasing the salinity of freshwater habitats in Georgia.
  • Alligators and crocodiles possess a biological mechanism—specialized glands in their tongues—to sense salinity.
• Research Efforts:
  • Benjamin Englett (Kennesaw State University) is examining how well juvenile alligators cope with changing salinity.
  • Risks: Gators unable to mature due to salinity changes could threaten overall population health.

    "If we have, you know, smaller alligators that can't make it to big size because they can't handle small changes in salinity, then we're not going to have any big populations anymore." ([06:30], Benjamin Englett via Ellen Eldredge)

• Ecological Importance:
  • Georgia hosts roughly 250,000 alligators, making it the fourth most populous state for the species ([06:40]).

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4. Briefs and Additional News Highlights

Planned Parenthood Southeast Investigation

Reported after [06:40]

• The Atlanta-based board has hired a law firm following allegations of mismanagement and mission undermining.

Business Investments

• Pharma Manufacturing:
  • Mumbai-based ACG to build a $200 million capsule facility in Atlanta (200+ jobs, completion by 2027).
• Energy Storage:
  • Georgia Power is constructing a 200 MW battery storage facility to back up solar power in Twiggs County.

Sports

• Atlanta United Sacks Coach:
  • Head coach Ronnie Dyla was let go after a poor 2025 season ([08:28]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Democratic Values:
  • "We do not want a king." ([01:48], Peter Biello)
  • "It's we the people. We have to fight for what we believe in." ([03:55], Sam Walker)
• On Social and Economic Issues:
  • "I think it's absurd that the billionaires are getting tax breaks and the people are about to lose their medical insurance..." ([02:45], Rosemary Sims)
• On Scientific Urgency:
  • "If we have...smaller alligators that can't make it to big size...we're not going to have any big populations anymore." ([06:30], Benjamin Englett)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• ‘No Kings’ Protests: [00:50] – [04:31]
• Gov’t Shutdown & Warnock’s Statement: [04:31] – [06:03]
• Alligator Research & Climate Change: [06:03] – [07:00]
• Planned Parenthood & Business Briefs: [07:00] – [08:03]
• Atlanta United Coach Dismissed: [08:28]

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This summary encapsulates the episode’s key content, voices, and facts, providing a clear and vibrant guide for those seeking the essentials of Georgia’s current news landscape.

Transcript

[Ellen Eldredge]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to.

[Peter Biello]

The Peach State to discover the next big thing.

[Ellen Eldredge]

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.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, we'll learn all about the Georgia no Kings rallies over the weekend. Senator Warnock charts a path forward as the government shutdown continues. And how are freshwater animals adapting to rising sea levels caused by climate change?

[Ellen Eldredge]

If we have smaller alligators that can't make it to big size because they can't handle small changes in salinity, then we're not going to have any big populations anymore.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Monday, October 20th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The no Kings protests over the weekend brought thousands of people to the streets to oppose the Trump administration's policies. GPB reporters attended a few of the protests in Georgia to talk to people there.

[Ellen Eldredge]

I'm Ellen Eldredge. In Cherokee county, demonstrators in puffy and colorful costumes lined both sides of Riverstone Parkway for several blocks in the heavily Republican city of Canton in Cherokee County. Groups of people carrying flags and signs cheered amid the burst of honking by passing cars. Beth Evans was decked out in a colorful tie, dyed clothes with peace sign earrings as she smiled and waved her sign. We are the people. We got trans people, CIS people, non binary, all the LGBTQIA community, straight people, indigenous people, immigrants, black, brown, white, religious, non religious, working, middle class, poor, unhoused, elderly, veterans, civilians, et cetera. We're just a melting pot.

[Peter Biello]

We do not want a king.

[Ellen Eldredge]

John Longino's sign had a photo of his relatives who were drafted during World War II. That's my dad. He and his three brothers.

[Peter Biello]

They were drafted.

[Ellen Eldredge]

First four people drafted in Fulton county in 1942 by their father, the chairman.

[Peter Biello]

Of the draft board.

[Ellen Eldredge]

His name's George Longinho. A group of six Canton police officers rallied in the Ingalls grocery store parking lot saying they were there to protect the protesters and maintain public safety. I'm Amanda Andrews and Tucker where protesters filled the sidewalks and spilled into the grass in this northeast Atlanta suburb to to join the no Kings march. Organizers said this protest was focused on the government shutdown, federal agencies being gutted and overall attacks on democracy. Rosemary Sims was born and raised in Atlanta. She came to Tucker to protest cuts to affordable health care. I think it's absurd that the billionaires are getting tax breaks and the people are about to lose their medical insurance is about to triple and quadruple. That means some people are going to end up trying to pay $1,000 per month in health insurance.

[Peter Biello]

They're not going to be able to do it.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Steve Richardson is a retired Centers for Disease Control employee. He said he's trying to protect the remaining workers by protesting the CDC museum.

[Peter Biello]

Where people school children used to go.

[Ellen Eldredge]

And visit now is in danger of.

[Peter Biello]

Being shut down because they fired the head of education there.

[Ellen Eldredge]

So I'm coming to say please stop, rethink.

[Peter Biello]

We can't take any more cuts to cdc.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Protestors marched a half mil mile loop past Tucker shopping centers with many people honking their support on the drive by. And I'm Sarah Kalis. In Atlanta, thousands of demonstrators waved American flags and chanted outside the Atlanta Civic Center. Taffy Jo Mears held a Stop Trump sign. She said her love for the country brought her to the rally. I love what we say, what we've always said we want to be. And it's been a lifelong mission for me to hold power accountable, to be what they made us pledge to every day for 12 years, right with liberty and justice for all. Mary White LaSanne has lived in Atlanta since 1965 but didn't march back then. She's protesting now for her children and grandchildren. You know, I was consumed with little kids being at home and stuff like that, so I didn't get out to the march. But now I'm here. So keep it up everybody. Saturday made lasanne's sixth protest. It was Sam Walker's first. It's we the people. We have to fight for what we believe in. We have to stand up. After a two hour long rally, demonstrators departed the Civic center to march a mile down the road to the Georgia State Capitol. The demonstration ended peacefully.

[Peter Biello]

You heard GPB reporters Ellen Eldredge, Amanda Andrews and Sarah Kalis at just a few of the no Kings protests around the state on Saturday. The federal government has been shut down for 20 days as senators try to reach a funding deal to reopen it. GPB Sarah Kalis reports On what Georgia U.S. senator Raphael Warnock sees as the path ahead.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Warnock says that the funding solution should include Affordable Care act subsidy extensions despite Republicans push for a funding solution that does not renew money for ACA subsidies. They are putting forward a false choice, either open the government or lower people's health care costs. I think that's a false choice. We have to lower people's health care. Health care cannot wait. Republicans say that the health care debate is secondary and reopening the government should be a priority. The shutdown started at the beginning of the month over government funding and ACA subsidies. Open enrollment starts in November, and ACA premiums are expected to double for some consumers. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallas.

[Peter Biello]

The government shutdown is causing staffing shortages and longer than usual wait times at security checkpoints at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. ATL today posted to its social media an advisory encouraging passengers to allow extra time for screening. As climate change raises sea levels, more inland freshwater bodies are becoming saltier. Georgia researchers are studying how animals who live in that fresh water are adapting GPB's. Chase McGee has more both alligators and crocodiles have hundreds of small glands on their tongues that help them determine how salty the water around them is. Benjamin Englett is a master's student at Kennesaw State University. After catching these gators with a rod and reel, he studied their size, weight and vulnerability to salt water by removing small samples from their tongues. He says knowing this will help them understand who's at risk.

[Ellen Eldredge]

And if we have, you know, smaller alligators that can't make it to big size because they can't handle small changes in salinity, then we're not going to have any big populations anymore.

[Peter Biello]

That's crucial, as researchers estimate there's nearly a quarter of a million alligators living in south and coastal Georgia, making it the fourth most populous state for the reptiles. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee. Planned Parenthood Southeast is hiring a law firm to investigate accusations of mismanagement. The Atlanta based organization's board of directors announced the move last week, and after an online petition alleged group leaders were undermining its mission and alienating donors. The board says Planned Parenthood takes the accusations seriously and remains open for business serving patients. The internal trouble comes as the organization's larger national network is increasingly targeted by federal funding cuts. In business news, a global manufacturer of pharmaceutical capsules plans to build a $200 million facility in Atlanta, the Mumbai, India based ACG said today. The capsule making plant is expected to create more than 200 jobs and be complete by 2027. And Georgia Power said today that it has started construction on a battery energy storage system next to its existing solar facility in Middle Georgia's Twiggs County. The 200 megawatt system is expected to improve the electric grid's reliability and enhance the value of its solar generation resource.

[Ellen Eldredge]

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.

[Peter Biello]

In sports, Atlanta United has fired its head coach. The team announced the sacking of Ronnie Dyla yesterday after a disastrous 2025 season, the second worst in MLS. That's a wrap on Georgia Today. We do appreciate you tuning in because you listen. We're hoping that you will support GPB during our Fall Fun Drive. If you value what you hear on Georgia Today and on GPB's airwaves, we ask that you make a contribution to support it. Any amount will do. Just go to gpb.org and click on Donate. Thank you so much. For more on the stories you heard in this episode, go to gpb.org news and remember to subscribe to this podcast because we will be back tomorrow with all the latest headlines. And your feedback, of course, is welcome anytime. You can send it by email and it'll go to the whole team. Just use this address georgaypb.org Peter I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[Ellen Eldredge]

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.