Georgia Today – October 7, 2025

Host: Chase McGee (on behalf of GPB News)
Episode Theme: Key challenges facing Georgia – impacts of the federal government shutdown, energy demands from data centers, and lingering concerns a year after the Biolab fire.

Episode Overview

This episode highlights pressing issues across Georgia:

• The halt of new federal prosecutions due to a government shutdown and the local impacts on workers and farmers
• Surging energy demands created by data centers, and evolving debates about natural gas and nuclear investments
• The one-year anniversary of the Biolab chemical fire, with new scrutiny of the response and ongoing community health concerns

Main Segments & Discussion Points

1. Federal Prosecutor’s Office Pauses New Cases (00:52–01:50)

• Government Shutdown Impact:

  • The U.S. Attorney's Office in Middle Georgia is pausing all new civil cases, except select immigration matters, due to the federal shutdown.
  • Court deadlines for active cases have been extended until the shutdown ends.
  • Quote:
    • "The week old government shutdown has caused the federal prosecutor's office in the Middle Georgia district to stop working on cases." — Chase McGee (01:00)

• Support for Affected Federal Workers:

  • Warner Robins Mayor Laronda Patrick announced the city will waive late utility fees and prevent service shutoffs for federal employees who aren't being paid.
  • Utility bill “amnesty” will last through the shutdown.

• Delayed Disaster Aid for Farmers:

  • Georgia farmers, already hit hard by Hurricane Helene, are waiting for over $530 million in federal disaster relief.
  • The shutdown has halted aid distribution, despite prior approval and months of negotiation.
  • Quote:
    • "Once the shutdown ends, state officials say applications will be processed immediately to get relief to Georgia's farmers." — Chase McGee (01:50)

2. Biolab Chemical Plant Fire – One Year Later (03:17–06:50)

Field Report by Pamela Kirkland

• Incident Recap & Community Impact:

  • Biolab in Conyers, a major pool chemical plant, suffered a massive fire in 2024, releasing toxic smoke and forcing local evacuations.
  • The plume drifted up to 20 miles, with widespread odor and respiratory complaints.
  • Not the first time: Residents have endured five major accidents at Biolab over two decades.
  • Quote:
    • "In 2004 we only saw gray and black clouds. This one we've seen pink, we've seen black, we've seen beige." — Jean Sadler, resident (03:58)

• Safety Failures & Lawsuits:

  • Federal investigators found the plant's corroded sprinkler system may have triggered the blaze.
  • Former engineer Randy Garcia described chronic issues:
    • "When I first saw the fire, I assumed it was the leaky sprinklers because it was a constant issue." — Randy Garcia (04:49)
  • Residents, including Jean Sadler, are now part of a class-action lawsuit, linking health issues to the fire.
  • Biolab disputes federal findings but states it is cooperating and has stopped manufacturing pool chemicals at Conyers.

• Ambiguity Over Toxins Released:

  • EPA initial air monitoring found unsafe chlorine but “acceptable” conditions county-wide.
  • Residents, unsatisfied, brought in independent tester Scott Smith.
    • "They don't look for the full spectrum of chemicals. I say you can't find what you don't look for. Then they declare everything safe." — Scott Smith (05:42)
  • Smith’s samples found potentially hazardous byproducts: dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
  • The Chemical Safety Board expects its full investigation will take another six months.

• Emotional Toll on Community:

  • Quote:
    • "You hear a siren coming our way and you think, oh my God, what's going on?" — Jean Sadler (04:16)
    • "You work so hard all of your life to obtain just a living... and then it's things like this. It's nothing I can do about that would drain you." — Jean Sadler (06:35–06:44)

3. Data Center Energy Demand and Natural Gas Debate (06:59–07:59)

• Rising Energy Demands:
  • Georgia faces “insatiable demand” from new data centers and electrification.
  • Industry representatives, like Scott Tolleson (Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia), urge investment in natural gas for power supply.
  • Quote:
    • "The 100 megawatt data center that we're looking at says they're going to burn about 18,000 decotherms a day. That's enough natural gas to run 350,000 natural gas water heaters a day." — Scott Tolleson (07:46)
  • Discussion on efficiency: Direct natural gas use is often more efficient than converting it into electricity for heating/cooking.
  • Some legislative support for nuclear power also emerged as an alternative for meeting demand.

4. Additional Noteworthy Updates (08:21–09:06)

• Healthcare Excellence:

  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ranked in the national top 10 for pediatric specialties.
  • Quote:
    • "There are a lot of states that do not have a hospital that is ranked among the best in all 10 specialties. That's a rarity. So Georgians are fortunate..." — Ben Harder, U.S. News & World Report (08:39)

• Local Revitalization:

  • Warner Robins is demolishing and redeveloping Commercial Circle to create a walkable "town center."

• School Recess Expansion:

  • DeKalb County School District responds to parent activism by instituting a 30-minute daily recess for elementary students, effective January 2026.

• COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout:

  • Georgia Department of Public Health is administering updated COVID-19 vaccines statewide, contingent on supply.

5. Sports and Local Transportation (11:07–End)

• Sports News:

  • Columbus Crew midfielder and former Atlanta United player Darlington Nagby to retire after MLS playoffs.
  • Auburn vs. Baylor set for 2026 season kickoff at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the event features a new NIL deal for student athletes.

• Transit Developments:

  • MARTA plans to open metro Atlanta’s first bus rapid transit line ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aiming for a full launch by April 2026.

Memorable Quotes

• "You work so hard all of your life to obtain just a living... and then it's things like this. It's nothing I can do about that would drain you."
  — Jean Sadler, Conyers resident (06:35–06:44)

• "They don't look for the full spectrum of chemicals. I say you can't find what you don't look for. Then they declare everything safe."
  — Scott Smith, environmental tester (05:42)

• "The 100 megawatt data center that we're looking at says they're going to burn about 18,000 decotherms a day. That's enough natural gas to run 350,000 natural gas water heaters a day."
  — Scott Tolleson, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia (07:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal Prosecutor’s Office/Shutdown Impact: 00:52–01:50
• Aid for Farmers: 01:45–02:10
• Biolab Fire Investigation (feature): 03:17–06:50
• Data Center Energy Panel: 06:59–07:59
• Children’s Healthcare Ranking: 08:21–08:55
• Commercial Circle Redevelopment: 09:06–09:30
• DeKalb Recess Policy Change: 09:30–09:48
• COVID-19 Vaccine Availability: 09:48–10:25
• Sports & MARTA Updates: 11:07–12:12

Tone and Style

The episode blends authoritative reporting with direct community voices, emphasizing both technical insights and personal stories—most notably in the Biolab segment, where emotion and lived experience drive home the stakes of regulatory and industrial failures.

This summary captures the breadth and depth of the episode, serves listeners who missed it, and provides both factual highlights and the human dimension of the stories.