Georgia Today Podcast | December 19, 2025

Host: Orlando Montoya, Georgia Public Broadcasting

Episode Overview

This episode covers a range of significant Georgia news stories, including the Public Service Commission’s approval of a massive power expansion for data centers, legal and financial developments affecting state agencies and residents, efforts to protect endangered wildlife, and reflections from an iconic Georgia musician. The episode delivers timely news with a community focus, highlighting both challenges and causes for celebration across the state.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Georgia Public Service Commission Approves Major Power Expansion

[00:00–01:52]

• The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously approved a nearly 10 gigawatt increase to Georgia Power’s electricity generation, aimed at supporting an anticipated influx of energy-hungry data centers.

  • The decision was not without protest; some activists were removed from the PSC chambers during the vote ([01:04]).
  • Georgia Power has pledged that the average household power bill will drop by $100/year as a result.

• Environmental Concerns:

  • Maggie Schobert (Southern Alliance for Clean Energy) criticized the commission’s move, arguing it pushes Georgia’s timeline for adopting carbon-neutral power back to at least 2075:

    "I have small kids. My youngest is 2 years old and so I think he will be older than I am today by that point." — Maggie Schobert, [01:35]

  • Schobert’s group may challenge the expansion in court.

2. Legal Developments: Fort Stewart Shooting and State Foster Care Funding

[01:52–03:44]

• Fort Stewart Shooting:

  • Army Sgt. Cornelius Radford pleaded not guilty to shooting five people at Fort Stewart in August. All victims survived, including a civilian alleged to be his romantic partner.
  • Radford faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and domestic violence.
  • His court-martial is scheduled for June 15, 2026.

• Georgia Foster Care System Faces Deficit:

  • Candace Brose (DHS Commissioner) warns lawmakers of an $85 million shortfall in the state's foster care budget for FY2026, roughly 10% of their department’s total budget ([02:58]).
    • Causes include delayed/reduced federal funds, increased foster care demand, and rising service costs.

    "It's a seller's market. The rates keep creeping up, and as a state agency head, you have no choice but to say, where do I sign?" — Candace Brose, [03:18]

  • Commissioner Brose seeks increased funding from Governor Kemp and the legislature.

3. Federal Lawsuit Over Voter Information

[03:44–04:40]

• The U.S. Department of Justice is suing Georgia (and others) for not providing requested voter information to the Trump administration.
  • The DOJ is seeking detailed voting data as part of "election integrity" efforts.
  • Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger stands by the state’s record, asserting:

    "The state... has the cleanest voter rolls in the country and Georgia already has turned over voting data in accordance with state law that protects voters' privacy." ([04:15])

4. Conservation: Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers Released in South Georgia

[04:40–05:28]

• Conservationists released previously endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers in the Chickasawhatchee Wildlife Management Area.
  • The species has rebounded thanks to restoration of longleaf pine forests.
  • Joe Burnham (Georgia Department of Natural Resources) emphasized ongoing stewardship:

    "We can't just put them on the landscape and then walk away and, you know, check it off that they're done. They're going to require us to continue to burn and to continue to do wise timber management." — Joe Burnham, [05:05]

5. Travel Projections for Holiday Season

[05:28–06:12]

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport expects a record 5.3 million passengers over the December holiday period, surpassing previous highs ([05:28]).
• AAA predicts the heaviest traffic on Interstate 20 between Atlanta and Augusta on Monday, December 22.

6. Music: Drive-By Truckers’ Reunion and “Decoration Day” Anniversary

[06:34–10:54]

• To mark the release of the “definitive Decoration Day” box set, the Drive-By Truckers reunited with former member Jason Isbell for a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
  • Patterson Hood (founding member) recounted how the special performance was organized:

    "I seriously doubt we would have gotten on for a reissue of a 23 year old record... but when they pitched it about doing it with Jason, I was like, well, if, you know, if he's willing to do it, I'm in, you know, Absolutely. He said yes. And I'm like, hell yeah." — Patterson Hood, [07:24]

  • On the band’s enduring chemistry:

    "Jason Isbell, I mean he, he's a freakish talent and he was freakish talent before we met him." — Patterson Hood, [08:09]

  • Reflection on the creation of “Decoration Day”:

    "There was a lot of turmoil and personal lives at that era. So there was a lot of fodder to write about. I had very much a clear vision of what that record was going to be. Of course, I didn't know that that was going to be like a game changer thing." — Patterson Hood, [09:04]

  • The band will begin recording a new album in February and remain strongly connected to Athens, Georgia, which Hood still considers home:

    "As far as I'm concerned, the Drive By Truckers will always be based in Athens, Georgia. And I'll always consider Athens, Georgia, home." — Patterson Hood, [09:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "My youngest is 2 years old and so I think he will be older than I am today by that point."
  — Maggie Schobert on Georgia’s carbon-neutral target ([01:35])
• "We can't just put them on the landscape and then walk away..."
  — Joe Burnham on the ongoing stewardship needed for red-cockaded woodpeckers ([05:05])
• "Jason Isbell... he's a freakish talent and he was freakish talent before we met him."
  — Patterson Hood, Drive-By Truckers ([08:09])
• "As far as I'm concerned, the Drive By Truckers will always be based in Athens, Georgia."
  — Patterson Hood ([09:47])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Georgia PSC Power Approval & Data Centers – [00:00–01:52]
• Fort Stewart Shooting – [01:52–02:58]
• Foster Care System Deficit – [02:58–03:44]
• DOJ Voter Data Lawsuit – [03:44–04:40]
• Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Release – [04:40–05:28]
• Holiday Travel Outlook – [05:28–06:12]
• Drive-By Truckers Interview – [06:34–10:54]

Tone & Language

The episode strikes a balance between informative and conversational, with candid commentary from expert guests and a strong sense of Georgia identity throughout. Whether discussing policy, environmental restoration, or creative legacy, voices remain direct, relatable, and deeply engaged with their communities.