Reduced funds for online classes; Cold case arrest; Largest ever roadway construction

Summary

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Georgia Today – March 31, 2026

Host: Peter Biello
Podcast by: Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today explores several pressing topics across the state, including proposed reductions in university funding for online classes, a significant development in a decades-old cold case, the launch of Georgia’s largest ever roadway construction project, and community advocacy for sickle cell anemia care. Additional segments highlight business closures, invasive pest monitoring, Atlanta Beltline progress, and an Atlanta Braves update.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

University System Funding Cuts for Online Learning

[00:34 - 01:28]

• The Georgia Senate’s budget for fiscal year 2027 proposes a reduction in state funding for online classes at University System of Georgia institutions.

• The new formula requires 10% more online class hours to equate to the funding of in-person courses.

• Blake Tillery (Senate’s chief budget writer, Vidalia Republican) defends the cut, reasoning that online learning should cost colleges less.

• Matthew Boddy (University of North Georgia professor) counters this assumption:

  "Certainly if every university were fully online, yes, that would cost less, but that's not what we do here in Georgia. So I do not buy the argument that teaching online costs less. And I think the justification for that cut then is baseless."
  — Matthew Boddy, [01:14]

• The House and Senate are still negotiating the final version of the budget.

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Georgia 400 Construction: State’s Largest Road Project

[01:28 - 02:29]

• Lane closures have begun on Georgia 400 north of Atlanta, marking the start of a $4.6 billion project—Georgia’s most extensive road construction ever.

• The project involves building 16 miles of tolled express lanes to alleviate congestion.

• Kyle Collins (Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson) assures listeners:

  "We're not taking away any lanes that exist now so those lanes will remain free and accessible to the public. This is managed lanes to help us provide more reliable trip times and also build out a transit network through bus rapid transit, which MARTA has committed to expanding."
  — Kyle Collins, [01:57]

• The project is a national landmark public-private partnership, expected to last five years and expand transit options.

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Cold Case Arrest Tied to DNA Testing

[02:29 - 04:16]

• The GBI has made an arrest in the 1984 rape and murder of Sandra K. Davis.
• Freddy Lee Granger Jr., 68, of Ware County has been charged with rape, aggravated assault, malice murder, and two counts of felony murder.
• Advances in DNA testing linked Granger to the crime.
• The GBI and Waycross Police Department have been consistently committed to solving the case.

Immigration and DNA Collection Legislation

• A proposed bill would allow DNA to be collected from immigrants in custody for minor offenses.
• Georgia would be the third state to single out immigrants believed to be in the U.S. illegally for genetic data collection not done with others.
• Supporters claim this will help solve crimes, but critics warn about creating a two-tier justice system and potential violations of the Fourth Amendment.

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Economic Shifts: Plant & Job Losses

[02:29 - 04:16]

• Tyson Foods is closing its Rome, GA production facility (Nature Valley granola bars), citing financial viability concerns but not specifying job impact numbers.
• Parsec, a transportation company, will lay off 179 employees as it closes its Austell facility after losing a customer; most of the job losses are drivers and helpers, including 139 union positions.

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Sickle Cell Anemia Advocacy at the Capitol

[04:31 - 07:46]

• Sickle cell anemia affects 15,000+ Georgians, mainly African Americans.

• Nearly 100 advocates—referred to as "Sickle Cell Warriors"—gathered at the Capitol to push for House Bill 334, aimed at improving care and addressing disparities.

• Nakisha Wall, a parent, shares a harrowing experience:

  "If I hadn't been there with my son, it could have been I could have lost him several times because they don't really check on him. His stats were dropping. No nurse came in for four hours... I said I'm about to go to jail because they about to kill my son."
  — Nakisha Wall, [05:29]

• Tabitha McGee, CEO, Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, stresses the importance of direct testimony:

  "We know that their stories are more frank, their stories are real and their stories are tangible because it's their life that they live day to day."
  — Dr. Tabitha McGee (paraphrased by Peter Biello), [05:55]

• Sarita Sinia concerns about transition of care for her son:

  "Going from this is the scary part, right? Transitioning from a child where they can't stop me from advocating for for him to an adult."
  — Sarita Sinia, [06:54]

• HB 334 would ensure patients and caregivers can give input into Medicaid’s annual review of treatments; is pending approval in the Senate.

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Other Notable News Segments

Yellow-Legged Hornet Alert

[07:58 - 08:20]

• GA Agriculture Dept. requests help reporting yellow-legged hornet nests, a threat to pollinators.

Atlanta Beltline Progress

[08:20 - 08:40]

• New segments (4 & 5) of the south side trail to open April 16th, expanding connectivity; the 22-mile loop is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2027.

Atlanta Braves Update

[08:40 - 09:28]

• Braves defeat Athletics 4–0; Bryce Elder delivers a strong pitching performance.

• Walt Weiss (Braves manager) emphasizes the team’s early scoring strategy:

  "We've talked about really trying to get to the fifth or sixth with a lead, really going after the starters. And even, you know, you talk about my lineup construction being built that way to go after the starter just changes the game when you can get to the fifth or sixth with the lead."
  — Walt Weiss, [09:12]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On online funding rationale:
  "I do not buy the argument that teaching online costs less. And I think the justification for that cut then is baseless."
  — Matthew Boddy, [01:14]

• On road construction impacts:
  "We're not taking away any lanes... managed lanes to help us provide more reliable trip times..."
  — Kyle Collins, [01:57]

• On healthcare advocacy:
  "If I hadn't been there with my son... I said I'm about to go to jail because they about to kill my son."
  — Nakisha Wall, [05:29]

• On transition of care:
  "Transitioning from a child... to an adult."
  — Sarita Sinia, [06:54]

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Timestamps of Major Segments

• [00:34–01:28] | University System funding cuts for online learning
• [01:28–02:29] | Georgia 400 construction project
• [02:29–04:16] | Cold case arrest & immigration DNA bill; plant closures
• [04:31–07:46] | Sickle cell anemia advocacy
• [07:58–08:20] | Yellow-legged hornet nest alert
• [08:20–08:40] | Atlanta Beltline trail opening
• [08:40–09:28] | Atlanta Braves update

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This episode weaves together news of policy changes, public works, justice, advocacy, and community events, all delivered in a concise, engaging tone true to GPB’s reporting style. The segments provide both timely updates and deep insights into the ongoing debates and initiatives shaping Georgia’s future.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia universities could see a reduction in state funding for online classes. The GBI makes an arrest in a cold case. And state transportation officials say major construction is now underway on Georgia's largest ever road project.

[Kyle Collins]

We're not taking away any lanes that exist now so those lanes will remain free and accessible to the public. This is managed lanes to help us provide more reliable trip times.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, March 31st. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The Senate version of Georgia's fiscal year 2027 budget reduces funding for online learning at University System of Georgia schools. The Senate's chief budget writer, Vidalia Republican Blake Tillery, says the new funding formula requires 10% more hours of online classes to earn the same funding as an in person class. He says online learning should cost colleges less. University of North Georgia professor Matthew Boddy says the cut could harm online learning and oversimplifies the cost incurred by universities.

[Matthew Boddy]

Certainly if every university were fully online, yes, that would cost less, but that's not what we do here in Georgia. So I do not buy the argument that teaching online costs less. And I think the justification for that cut then is baseless.

[Peter Biello]

The House and Senate are still negotiating the final version of the budget. State transportation officials say major construction now is underway on Georgia's largest ever road project. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports.

[Orlando Montoya]

Lane closures began this week on Georgia 400 north of Atlanta, where officials are betting that 16 miles of tolled express lanes will ease congestion. Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman Kyle Collins says roadwork is expected to take five years.

[Kyle Collins]

We're not taking away any lanes that exist now so those lanes will remain free and accessible to the public. This is managed lanes to help us provide more reliable trip times and also build out a transit network through bus rapid transit, which MARTA has committed to expanding.

[Orlando Montoya]

The $4.6 billion project is the nation's largest public private partnership of its kind, with significant federal, state and private investment. For GPB news, I'm Orlando Montoya.

[Peter Biello]

A proposal in Georgia could allow DNA to be collected from immigrants taken into custody for minor offenses. The bill, awaiting a final vote in the state Legislature, would make Georgia the third state to single out immigrants believed to be in the US Illegally for the collection of genetic materials that wouldn't be taken from others. Supporters say DNA helps solve crimes, but critics say the legislation could create a two tier system based on perceived immigration status. Legal experts question whether federal immigration detainers meet Fourth Amendment standards for DNA searches. The GBI has arrested and charged a man with the 1984 rape and murder of 22 year old Sandra K. Davis. 68 year old Freddy Lee Granger Jr. Of Ware county has been charged with one count of rape, one count of aggravated assault, one count of malice murder and two counts of felony murder. The results of continued DNA testing linked Granger to the crime. The Waycross Police Department discovered Davis body in September of 1984. Through the years, the GBI and the Waycross Police Department remained committed to finding the truth behind Davis death. Granger was taken into custody today and booked into the Ware County Jail. Tyson Foods plans to close its production facility in northwest Georgia's Rome, saying continued operations at the site are no longer viable. The plant produces Nature Valley granola bars. In a statement to GPB today, the company did not reveal how many workers would be affected or the date of the closure. Transportation company Parsec is laying off 179 employees as it closes its facility in Austell, west of Atlanta. The company says the layoffs are due to the loss of one customer's business. The job losses include 139 union jobs. Most of the job losses are drivers and helpers.

[Podcast Announcer]

There's a new season of the Fork in the Road podcast. Taste the flavors, hear the voices and feel the soul of the Peach Date. You can find it [e-mail] podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Biello]

Sickle cell anemia is a crippling, painful and debilitating disease that affects more than 15,000 Georgians, mostly African Americans. People who live with the disease or love people who do often say those with the power to make their lives easier don't understand what sickle cell alike. As GPB's Morgan Colbert reports, that's why advocates for better sickle cell treatment recently appealed to state lawmakers.

[Morgan Colbert]

Close to 100 people dressed in red and black are in a conference room in the state Capitol.

[Kyle Collins]

Or a story that you want to share?

[Peter Biello]

I think that would be great.

[Kyle Collins]

Yeah, because you're the constituent, you're the important.

[Morgan Colbert]

Organizing that means figuring out which legislators they want to talk to and what part of their story they want legislators to hear. These are people the Sickle Cell foundation of Georgia call Sickle Cell Sickle Cell Warriors. They are here to push for the passage of Georgia House Bill 334, which addresses gaps in sickle cell anemia care. Nakisha Wall's 17 year old son has been in the hospital many times because of sickle cell flare ups.

[Nakisha Wall]

If I hadn't been there with my son, it could have been I could have lost him several times because they don't really check on him. His stats were dropping. No nurse came in for four hours and I called his nurse. I said I'm about to go to jail because they about to kill my son. I said if I gotta put him in my truck and bring him to children's, I will.

[Morgan Colbert]

Sharing these raw emotional experiences with lawmakers is something that the Sickle cell Foundation of Georgia's CEO Dr. Tabitha McGee believes is important.

[Peter Biello]

We know that their stories are more frank, their stories are real and their stories are tangible because it's their life that they live day to day.

[Morgan Colbert]

One thing people with sickle cells say is a day to day fact is that their pain is not likely to be treated or even acknowledged. According to a study by the American Society of Hematology, only one in three sickle cell patients experiencing pain got appropriate medication within the first hour after seeking care. Sarita Sinia says that's one reason why she fights for her son's care whenever he needs treatment.

[Sarita Sinia]

It's hard enough watching him go through this and then to have to struggle with trying to get them to be heard.

[Morgan Colbert]

Studies show that whatever the underlying cause, black patients pain goes untreated more often than white patients. So knowing the existence of medical bias and healthcare discrimination, Sunil worries what will happen when her son grows up.

[Sarita Sinia]

Going from this is the scary part, right? Transitioning from a child where they can't stop me from advocating for for him to an adult.

[Morgan Colbert]

If passed, House Bill 334 would allow real life input from people with sickle cell and their caregivers to influence the Georgia Department of Community Health's annual review of sickle cell medications and treatments covered by Medicaid. Representative Omari Crawford, a sponsor for the bill, believes it is the first step in addressing sickle cell related inequities of care.

[Representative Omari Crawford]

Would allow input from warriors, experts, medical staff and service people to discuss what better treatments may be possible as medications and treatments evolve. We want to be able to better collect data and if we can better collect data, then we can better address this awful disease.

[Morgan Colbert]

House Bill 334 passed the Georgia House and has been read by the relevant Senate committee. It has until April 2nd to be approved. For GPB news, I'm Morgan Colbert at the Capitol.

[Peter Biello]

The state Department of Agriculture is asking Georgians to help them detect yellow legged hornet nests. The yellow legged hornet was first spotted in Georgia in August 2023. They pose a threat to honeybees and other pollinators. The Department of AG says early reporting of nests is critical to the state's efforts to eradicate the invasive pest. They ask if you see a nest, contact the department's plant protection team, especially if you're in Bryan Bullock, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty and Scriven counties. The Atlanta Beltline plans to formally open a newly paved segment of its south side trail in just a few weeks. Segments 4 and 5 of the south side Trail will formally open on April 16. Pedestrians already have been using the trail. The opening of this new Beltline trail expands connectivity to the Glenwood Park, Grant Park, Ormwood park and Boulevard heights neighborhoods. The 22 mile pedestrian and bike path circling the city is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2017. The Atlanta Braves faced the Athletics at home tonight after winning the first game of the series last night. 4 0. Bryce Elder gave up five hits over six innings and struck out five. He also picked off a runner at first base for the first time in his career. The Braves scored three runs in the first inning. Getting ahead of opponents early is part of the team's strategy, says Braves manager Walt Weiss.

[Walt Weiss]

We've talked about really trying to get to the fifth or sixth with a lead, really going after the starters. And even, you know, you talk about my lineup construction being built that way to go after the starter just changes the game when you can get to the fifth or sixth with the lead.

[Peter Biello]

Jose Suarez will get the start for Atlanta tonight. And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. If you want to learn more about any of these stories, visit gpb.org news and remember to subscribe to this podcast because because we will be back in your feed tomorrow afternoon and your feedback, of course, is welcome. We love to hear from you. Send us your feedback or your story ideas. The email address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.