Georgia Today Podcast Summary Hosted by Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting | Released: March 10, 2025

1. Savannah Gun-Control Ordinance Under Scrutiny

The Georgia Senate recently passed a controversial bill, SB 163, which targets a Savannah ordinance aimed at preventing gun thefts. The local law, enacted last year, penalizes gun owners with fines up to $1,000 if they leave firearms unattended in unlocked vehicles. SB 163, introduced by Republican State Senator Colton Moore (Dade County), seeks to undermine this ordinance by allowing those fined to sue the city for up to $50,000.

Colton Moore (00:58): “When citizens in northwest Georgia go to a place like Savannah and there is a mayor there who has put in ordinances that violate their Second Amendment rights, my piece of legislation simply says that those citizens have a right of tort to sue those governments for violating those rights.”

Democratic State Senator Derek Mallow of Savannah opposes the bill, arguing that it removes a crucial tool for law enforcement to curb gun-related crimes, especially in the bustling downtown area.

Derek Mallow (02:15): “We keep our tourists safe. We have robust law enforcement agencies and they said city council help us to curb the amount of unlocked firearms that are being stolen out of vehicles.”

SB 163 now moves forward to the Georgia House for further consideration.

2. Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Fentanyl Traffickers

Georgia progresses in its fight against the opioid crisis with the introduction of Senate Bill 79, the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act. This legislation proposes mandatory minimum sentences of up to 35 years in prison and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars for individuals caught possessing 28 grams of fentanyl. The bill follows Austin's Law, which imposes involuntary manslaughter charges on drug dealers whose substances result in fatalities.

Ellen Eldredge (04:04): “Senate Bill 79 could mean up to 35 years in prison and hundreds of thousands in fines for those possessing 28 grams of fentanyl.”

Republican State Senator Colton Moore highlighted the necessity of SB 79, emphasizing that previous laws only penalized after a death occurred, whereas this bill holds traffickers accountable regardless.

Colton Moore (04:39): “In other words, on the front side, somebody dies and the reaction is now we can go after the person that sold the pill that killed that individual.”

SB 79 is slated to proceed to the Georgia House for debate and voting.

3. Vaccine-Related Legislation Stalls

Two bipartisan vaccine-related bills failed to advance in the recent General Assembly session:

• House Bill 218: Proposed lowering the minimum age for flu vaccine eligibility upon hospital discharge from 50 to 18.
• House Bill 173: Aimed to ensure that middle school students receive comprehensive information about vaccines preventing HPV, meningitis, tetanus, and other diseases.

Despite their bipartisan support, both bills did not survive the crossover day deadline, the final opportunity for bills to pass before the session concludes. Representative Darlene Taylor, the sponsor of these bills, expressed her disappointment, emphasizing the importance of informed parental decisions.

Darlene Taylor (03:26): “As a parent, I wanted as much information that I can have to make a good decision, and I feel like the best way to help parents is to let them have the information.”

4. Supporting Caregivers of Seniors with Cognitive Decline

Georgia's aging population is growing rapidly, with those aged 65 and older increasing faster than other age groups. In response, a new bill has been introduced to support caregivers of seniors experiencing cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer's disease. The legislation, which has passed the State House, aims to provide enhanced training for Georgia police officers to better identify and assist individuals in distress due to cognitive issues.

Nancy Petra (05:26): “Maybe she gets in the car and she goes to the Walmart where she always goes, and maybe if people are approaching her, she’s getting agitated and so someone calls the police.”

Georgia Alzheimer's Association advocate Nancy Petra highlighted the challenges families face when caring for loved ones with degenerative diseases, advocating for the bill as a crucial step in prioritizing the state's elderly residents. The bill awaits Senate approval.

5. Conclusion of the Search for Missing Atlanta Teacher Gary Jones

After a month-long search, the body of Gary Jones, a teacher and track coach from Westminster School in Atlanta, was found in Lake Oconee. Jones and his fiancée, Jocelyn Wilson, went missing on February 8 during a boating trip. Wilson’s body was discovered a day later. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills confirmed the findings to the public.

6. Reflecting on the 60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday

Marking 60 years since the infamous Bloody Sunday event in 1965, civil rights leader Andrew Young shared his reflections on the day’s unintended chaos. Initially planned for the first Sunday in March, the march was accidentally scheduled, leading to a confrontation with Alabama state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Young recounted his attempts to communicate with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to prevent arrests, emphasizing that the violent attack, while unintentional, significantly propelled the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Andrew Young (06:56): “The march on Bloody Sunday was a mistake. It was the first Sunday in March and we thought it was the second Sunday.”

Young's insights offer a nuanced perspective on the events that galvanized the civil rights movement.

7. Governor Brian Kemp's $37 Billion Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Governor Brian Kemp's proposed $37 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 has cleared a significant hurdle, with budget writers in the State House approving the spending plan. The budget focuses on addressing the state's troubled prison system, affected by a recent federal audit, by allocating an additional $250 million on top of the $345 million from the FY25 mid-year budget. Public education also sees substantial investment, with over $100 million earmarked for student support services, mental health counselors, and safety measures.

8. Upcoming Lunar Eclipse Visible in Georgia

Sky enthusiasts in Georgia can look forward to a lunar eclipse visible across the entire state. Beginning at 11:57 PM on Thursday and peaking at 2:58 AM on Friday, the eclipse will cast the Earth’s shadow over the moon, giving it a distinct reddish hue. Clear skies will enhance visibility, weather permitting.

9. Georgia Sports Highlights

• Basketball: The Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Indiana Pacers with a narrow final score of 120-118, overcoming a 17-point halftime deficit and a late rally by the Pacers.

• NCAA Tournament: The Georgia Bulldogs have rekindled hope for NCAA tournament aspirations with a convincing 79-68 victory over Vanderbilt, ending a decade-long absence from the "big dance."

• Soccer: Atlanta will host a doubleheader featuring top English Premier League teams. Manchester United will face Everton, and Bournemouth will compete against West Ham United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 3.

• Baseball: The Battery, Atlanta’s premier shopping and dining district anchored by Truist Park, is set to undergo major renovations ahead of the MLB All-Star Game in July. Planned upgrades include new LED screens, additional seating, more restrooms, and digital lockers.

Stay Informed For more updates and detailed reporting, visit GPB News or subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

This summary captures the key discussions and insights from the March 10, 2025, episode of Georgia Today. For the full experience, tuning into the podcast is recommended.