Georgia Today Podcast – Episode Summary

Date: February 2, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

Overview

This episode covers three major stories shaping life in Georgia: the leadership transition at Planned Parenthood Southeast, controversy surrounding a proposed asphalt plant in Bulloch County, and the ongoing protests and community response to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity across the state. Additional segments touch on a state senate resolution regarding voter rolls, economic developments, new wildlife research, Georgia sports legends, and the state's whimsical Groundhog Day tradition.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ICE Protests Across Georgia

• Summary: A wave of protests against ICE actions took place last week in both Minneapolis and across Georgia, including Macon, Athens, Cobb County, and Atlanta. The episode features an "audio postcard" capturing voices from these events.

a. Small Business Support (Macon)

• Interviewee: Lauren Bone, bakery owner
  • Contribution: Donated a portion of Friday’s revenue to organizations providing legal immigration aid, deciding against participating in a full business shutdown to support her employees.
  • Quote:
    • “It is just about just saying that we’re here for each other.” (01:28, Lauren Bone)
    • “We're in middle Georgia. We're not a major city and a lot of people are like, who cares?” (01:20, Lauren Bone, on local apathy)
• Reporters: Grant Blankenship, Peter Biello

b. Student Activism (Athens – UGA and Cobb County)

• Details:
  • At the University of Georgia, roughly 400 students participated in a walkout for immigrant rights, expressing the importance of using privilege to support those who feel unsafe speaking publicly.
    • Quote: "It means using the privilege that I have to show my face in public to stand up for people who are no longer safe to do the same." (02:01, Jess Cook, UGA Student)
  • At Wheeler High School (Cobb County), students walked out despite threats of disciplinary action.
    • Quote: “Do what your heart’s telling you to do.” (Jenny Peterson, mother supporting student protestors, 03:12)
    • “I want to have a school district that teaches our students how to be engaged citizens, not just crushes them under their thumb when they decide that they don't like what they might say.” (03:13, Jenny Peterson)
  • Students noted participation was limited due to fear of suspension.

c. Community Impact (Atlanta, Buford Highway)

• Details:
  • Nearly 300 people protested immigration-related arrests in a predominantly Hispanic area.
  • Quote: “Everyone fears for their lives.” (Aranza Saldana, 03:54)
  • Emphasis on not normalizing fear or potential deportation—“No, you can’t say that. We cannot normalize this.” (04:16, Aranza Saldana)

2. Georgia Senate Voter Rolls Resolution

• Summary: The state Senate passed a (non-binding) resolution calling on the Secretary of State to turn over voter rolls to the U.S. Justice Department, dividing along party lines.
  • Quote:
    • “We’re making sure Georgia hides nothing from, full public transparency...” (04:44, Senator Ed Setzler, Republican)
    • “Senate Republicans are willing to compromise every Georgian's privacy just to scratch Donald Trump's ego.” (04:55, unnamed Democratic Senator)
  • Secretary Raffensperger reiterated that providing sensitive voter information would violate state law.

3. Planned Parenthood Southeast Gets West Coast Leadership

• Summary: Following the departure of its interim CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeast (serving Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi) will receive interim management support from a California-based chapter.
  • Details:
    • Previous CEO faced employee allegations of undermining outreach and abortion services; an internal investigation found no merit to the claims.
    • The move is intended to stabilize operations and support staff.
    • Planned Parenthood Southeast did not respond to GPB’s request for comment.
  • Timestamp: [05:16]

4. Bulloch County Asphalt Plant Controversy

• Summary: Concrete Enterprises has submitted plans to rezone a former junkyard south of Statesboro to construct an asphalt plant. The proposal is contentious given the property’s proximity to a mobile home park and a residential development.
  • Details:
    • Concerns focus on potential noise and odor impacts.
    • Residents will be notified before two required public hearings.
    • Quote from Planning and Development Director, James Pope, outlines next procedural steps.
  • Timestamp: [05:16–06:00]

5. Economic and Community News

• Continental Tire Closure
  • 235 layoffs at the Eldora textile mill in Barnesville as the company closes the uncompetitive plant, citing global market pressures.
  • Timestamp: [06:00]
• Deer Research at UGA
  • UGA doctoral student Daniel D. Rose Brechert found that deer marks on trees and ground are photoluminescent under UV light—potentially revolutionizing understanding of deer communication and impacting conservation and hunting.
    • Quote: “It’s like a chat room... or a community... just a phone booth of sorts. Everybody goes there. They sniff it...” (07:18–07:24, Daniel D. Rose Brechert & Chase McGee)
  • Timestamp: [07:01–07:49]

6. Georgia Sports Legends: Encore Careers

• Fran Tarkenton (Football Great, Entrepreneur)
  • Renowned for his mobility as a quarterback and influential post-football career in insurance marketing and business; remains engaged with technology and business trends.
    • Quote:
      • “If you’re not prepared, you’re not going to perform like you should.” (09:14, Fran Tarkenton reflecting on Super Bowl losses)
      • “He made a billion dollars and he also lost a billion dollars. And he was able to always find his way back.” (10:43, Jeff Hollinger)
• Malcolm Mitchell (NFL Player, Literacy Advocate)
  • Transitioned from Patriots wide receiver to literacy advocacy, overcoming personal challenges with reading and now publishes children's books and runs a foundation.
    • Quote: “He discovered that he is really unable to read and he wanted to get better.... And it is a heroic, wonderful story.” (11:20, Jeff Hollinger)
    • “He has become such a positive force in encouraging kids that their success is via the classroom.” (12:23, Jeff Hollinger)
  • Timestamp: [08:07–12:37]

7. Georgia’s Groundhog Day Tradition

• General Beauregard Lee saw his shadow, calling for six more weeks of winter.
  • Known for outperforming Punxsutawney Phil, sporting an estimated 80% accuracy.
  • Timestamp: [13:01]

Notable Quotes

• “It means using the privilege that I have to show my face in public to stand up for people who are no longer safe to do the same.”
  — Jess Cook, UGA Student [02:01]

• “It is just about just saying that we’re here for each other.”
  — Lauren Bone, Macon Small Business Owner [01:28]

• “If you're not prepared, you're not going to perform like you should.”
  — Fran Tarkenton, Georgia sports legend [09:14]

• “He has become such a positive force in encouraging kids that their success is via the classroom.”
  — Jeff Hollinger (about Malcolm Mitchell) [12:23]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Protests against ICE (Macon, Athens, Cobb, Atlanta) | 00:28–04:28 | | Georgia Senate Voter Rolls Resolution | 04:28–05:16 | | Planned Parenthood leadership transition | 05:16–06:00 | | Bulloch County asphalt plant proposal | 06:00–06:30 | | Continental Tire mill closure | 06:30–06:55 | | Deer UV glow study (UGA) | 07:01–07:49 | | Georgia Legends: Fran Tarkenton and Malcolm Mitchell interviews | 08:07–12:37 | | General Beauregard Lee Groundhog Day forecast | 13:01 |

Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today delivers a wide-ranging look at activism and social change, from students and small business owners rallying for immigrants’ rights, to institutional leadership shifts and local development disputes. The episode also spotlights the legacies of Georgia sports heroes, innovative local science, and some lighter news. Listeners come away with a rich sense of the political, personal, and cultural currents shaping Georgia this week.