Georgia Today – October 1, 2025

Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Episode Theme:
This episode covers the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision allowing Lisa Cook to remain as a Federal Reserve governor, Braves manager Brian Snitker’s departure, and the first federal government shutdown in seven years, with a strong focus on the shutdown’s potential impact on Georgia’s economy and daily life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown: Economic and Social Impact

• Scope of Shutdown ([00:59])
  • The first U.S. government shutdown in nearly seven years has begun, with widespread furloughs impacting hundreds of thousands nationwide and approximately 111,000 federal workers in Georgia.
• Expert Analysis: Prof. Ray Hill ([01:45])
  • The shutdown, typically a "political event, not an economic event," could become more severe if it lasts beyond a few weeks.
    • Quote: “If we get to be more than a month, a couple of months down the road and, you know, two and a quarter million federal employees are not getting paid... then this is a very serious effect on the economy given the scale of those expenditures.” — Ray Hill (01:45)
  • This shutdown may last longer than past ones due to political dynamics and a president "comfortable with economic uncertainty."
  • Ripple effects include possible missed paychecks, reduced consumer spending, and trickle-down pain for contractors and local businesses.
• Consumer Confidence and Business Uncertainty ([02:56])
  • Consumer confidence is already waning, and the shutdown could further destabilize perceptions of economic security.
    • Quote: “If I’ve got a couple of million people who don’t have paychecks, whether they’re confident or not, they’re not going to be spending the money.” — Ray Hill (03:16)
• Suspension of Government Economic Reports ([03:52])
  • If the shutdown is prolonged, missing regular statistical reports from agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics could have greater consequences, though Wall Street remains unfazed for now.
    • Quote: “Wall street doesn’t seem to have any reaction to this at all. ...For some reason, Wall street doesn’t seem to mind that. I don’t know why.” — Ray Hill (04:09)
• Effects on Airports and Travel ([04:54])
  • TSA workers, considered essential, must work without pay—but long delays could disrupt travel.
    • Quote: “It’s hard to make people do that. ...You really have a disruption in air travel. But again, I think that’s a month away if it happens.” — Ray Hill (05:13)
• National Parks Uncertainty ([06:00])
  • Confusion prevails regarding park closures. Mogee Mounds National Historical Park's trails are closed despite general NPS guidance, directly impacting local families.
    • Quote: “This is her enjoyment. And our tax dollars... helps pay for this. So this is just unbelievable.” — Penny Borgum (06:45)

2. SCOTUS Allows Lisa Cook to Remain as Fed Governor (for Now) ([07:07])

• The Supreme Court will not remove Lisa Cook as a Federal Reserve governor pending further arguments in January—this comes after allegations (denied by Cook) of mortgage fraud related to primary residence claims.
• Lisa Cook is a Georgia native with strong community roots.

3. Atlanta Mayor Announces $5 Billion Community Investment Plan ([07:40])

• Mayor Andre Dickens proposes a reinvestment plan using tax allocation districts to improve transit ($2B), green spaces ($1.5B), and affordable housing ($1.3B) in South and West Atlanta.

4. Atlanta Braves Manager Brian Snitker Steps Down ([08:30])

• Snitker leaves after a 50-year tenure and will move to an advisory role.
• Accomplishments include 811 wins, six NL East titles, and the 2021 World Series championship.
• He expressed deep affection for his team during his emotional announcement.
  • Quote: “It was his joy to be around a group of guys that makes this so special.” — (Paraphrased from coverage, 08:30)

5. End of Federal Food Insecurity Reporting and SNAP Cuts ([09:42])

• The USDA’s Household Food Security Report has been discontinued, raising concerns about understanding and addressing child hunger in Georgia.
  • Quote: “If we don’t have numbers coming from the feds... we’re going to have to really be intentional about our nutrition and anti hunger partners making sure we have that voice heard.” — Kelsey Silvio (10:00)
• Recent federal tax changes also implement the largest-ever food stamp (SNAP) cuts.

6. Other Georgia Headlines

• Gulfstream Aerospace Unveils New Jet ([10:28])
  • The new G300 will replace the existing G280, with significant local impact (as Savannah’s largest private employer), and a mock-up was presented by company president Mark Burns.
• Jimmy Carter Commemorative Stamp Issued ([11:21])
  • Launch at the Carter Center, honoring the late former president on what would have been his 101st birthday.
    • Quote: “He’s got a forever stamp. We think of him as Jimmy Carter forever... a great way to celebrate his birthday.” — Jason Carter (11:45)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• Ray Hill:

  • “If we get to be more than a month... two and a quarter million federal employees are not getting paid... this is a very serious effect on the economy.” — (01:45)
  • “If I’ve got a couple of million people who don’t have paychecks, whether they’re confident or not, they’re not going to be spending the money.” — (03:16)
  • “Wall street doesn’t seem to have any reaction to this at all... For some reason, Wall street doesn’t seem to mind that. I don’t know why.” — (04:09)
  • “It’s hard to make people do that... You really have a disruption in air travel. But... that’s a month away if it happens.” — (05:13)

• Penny Borgum:

  • “This is her enjoyment. And our tax dollars... helps pay for this. So this is just unbelievable.” — (06:45)

• Kelsey Silvio:

  • “If we don’t have numbers coming from the feds... we’re going to have to really be intentional about our nutrition and anti hunger partners making sure we have that voice heard.” — (10:00)

• Jason Carter:

  • “We think of him as Jimmy Carter forever... it’s a great way to celebrate his birthday.” — (11:45)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Government Shutdown – Economic Impact: [00:59]–[06:00]
• National Parks and Shutdown: [06:00]–[07:07]
• Lisa Cook/Federal Reserve – SCOTUS: [07:07]
• Atlanta Investment Plan: [07:40]
• Braves Manager Brian Snitker Steps Down: [08:30]
• Food Insecurity/SNAP Cuts: [09:42]
• Gulfstream Jet Announcement: [10:28]
• Jimmy Carter Stamp: [11:21]

Overall Tone

The episode balances expert analysis with community voices and news headlines, retaining a calm yet urgent focus on the federal shutdown’s broad impacts while also highlighting local pride and ongoing change in Georgia’s politics, economy, and culture. A clear commitment to informing listeners about both the facts and human stories behind the headlines is maintained.