Georgia Today – Episode Summary

Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes: Georgia Public Service Commission developments, Georgia Power billing changes, Savannah ICE protest following a teacher’s death, community figures remembered, and regional cultural history.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today features significant Georgia news: a Republican Public Service Commissioner announcing she won’t seek reelection (with possible congressional ambitions), Georgia Power’s proposal to slightly lower electricity bills, and community protests in Savannah after the tragic death of a teacher during an attempted ICE enforcement action. Additional stories include political updates, a tribute to a prominent Savannah activist, a deep dive into the overlooked history of Black Appalachians, and local business and sports updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Savannah ICE Protest & Teacher’s Death

• Incident Recap: Community protests erupted in Savannah’s Forsyth Park after teacher Linda Davis was killed by a man fleeing ICE enforcement near her school. Protesters also remembered Renee Goode and Alex Predd.
• Community Response: The event mobilized new community engagement.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The only good thing that I can make out of all the ICE chaos is that it's caused so many more people to get off the bench and get into the conversation.” — Protest attendee Jay Thorne, Afghanistan and Iraq veteran [00:23, 01:18]
• Official Statement: The Department of Homeland Security blamed anti-ICE rhetoric for the incident. [01:29]

State Political Developments

• Macon Senate Runoff:
  • Republican Stephen McNeil wins Macon-area Senate seat, defeating Democrat Lamario Brown with nearly 60% of the vote, maintaining GOP dominance.
  • McNeil to replace John F. Kennedy, who resigned for a lieutenant governor bid. [01:40]
• Public Service Commission:
  • Commissioner Tricia Pridemore opts out of reelection, eying a congressional run for Barry Loudermilk’s soon-vacant Metro Atlanta seat.
  • PSC regulates utilities—including Georgia Power. [03:28]
• Columbus Mayor:
  • Skip Henderson delivers his final State of the City, notes concerns about potential state tax cuts, but optimistic about Columbus’s economic outlook.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “We're running through the tape. We got things we want to do and we're going to keep pushing to try to get them done. But I will tell you, it's been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve y’all.” — Skip Henderson, Columbus Mayor [04:36]

Utilities & Consumer Updates

• Georgia Power Rate Reduction:
  • New proposal aims to lower residential bills by an average of $1.32/month, using fuel cost adjustments to help pay for 2024 Hurricane Helene damages.
  • Plan requires PSC approval. [03:28]

Community Remembrance

• Miriam Senter Obituary:
  • Remembered as a “white, liberal Jewish woman” who broke social and racial barriers in Savannah from the 1960s–80s.
  • Sold downtown home to Black jazz bassist Ben Tucker, befriended Savannah icons, authored books and plays.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “I don’t give a damn what other people think.” — Miriam Senter (2015 interview), exemplifying her independence. [02:28]
  • Senter died at 99, with many city icons as pallbearers.

"Afrilachian Testimonies": Documenting Black Appalachian Communities

• Photographer Chris Aluka Berry:
  • Grew up biracial; personal experiences with racism deeply inform his work.
  • Work helps fill a gap in the documentation of Black communities in the Appalachian South.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “Representation is extremely important to me. And to be completely honest with you, when I started on this project more than 10 years ago, I didn’t know about the rich history and culture of African Americans in the Appalachian Mountains.” — Chris Aluka Berry [05:31]
  • Project methods: Began in churches to gain trust, then documented homes, family events, land, historic community gatherings like camp meetings dating to 1886.
    • Memorable anecdote: Historic camp meeting structure built by formerly enslaved people still stands, representing ingenuity and endurance. [08:23]
  • Struggled for funding—raised $16,000 independently and often worked under difficult conditions.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “I had to raise $16,000. That was extremely challenging. But not having the money, you know, I would sleep in my car, I'd go up there with like crackers and sardines, you know what I'm saying?” — Chris Aluka Berry [10:42]
  • His work is now in the Smithsonian and Atlanta’s High Museum collections.
    • Notable Quote:
      • “I’ve had people come to me and say, I feel like I’m being seen. I feel like people know, hey, we are here. We’ve always been here.” — Chris Aluka Berry [11:49]

Local Business & Sports Updates

• End of an Era in Athens:
  • De Palmas Italian restaurant will close after nearly 40 years. Owner Dave Cappy to continue with other restaurants in Athens. [12:19]
• Atlanta Braves Injuries:
  • Pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach and prospect Hurston Waldrop face elbow surgeries; uncertainty clouds Braves’ season pitching rotation. Team officials still optimistic. [13:13]

Notable Quotes, Moments & Timestamps

• “The only good thing that I can make out of all the ICE chaos is that it’s caused so many more people to get off the bench and get into the conversation.” — Jay Thorne, Savannah ICE protest attendee [00:23, 01:18]
• “I don’t give a damn what other people think.” — Miriam Senter, 2015 interview [02:28]
• “Representation is extremely important to me…when I started on this project more than 10 years ago, I didn’t know about the rich history and culture of African Americans in the Appalachian Mountains.” — Chris Aluka Berry, photographer [05:31]
• “I've had people come to me and say, I feel like I'm being seen. I feel like people know, hey, we are here. We've always been here.” — Chris Aluka Berry [11:49]
• “We're running through the tape. We got things we want to do...I will tell you, it's been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve y’all.” — Mayor Skip Henderson [04:36]

Key Timestamps

• 00:02: Episode overview and headlines
• 00:33 – 01:29: Savannah ICE protest & community reactions
• 01:40: Macon Senate runoff results
• 02:28: Miriam Senter’s obituary and legacy
• 03:28: Georgia Power’s plan; Public Service Commission update; Mayor Skip Henderson’s remarks
• 05:25 – 12:19: Feature interview with Chris Aluka Berry about Black Appalachian history and culture
• 12:19: De Palmas restaurant closing
• 13:13: Atlanta Braves injury reports

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a factual, community-based, and respectful tone—balancing somber reporting (on the teacher’s death and community loss) with inspiring profiles (Berry’s photography), heartfelt memories (Miriam Senter), and practical updates (energy bills, sports).

For Further Information

Visit gpb.org/news for in-depth stories and subscribe for daily episodes.