Senator arrested at Capitol; Firearm seizure at Ga. airports; Temp. protective orders

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary – January 16, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello from Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Governor Kemp’s State of the State Address

Timestamp: [00:52 - 01:57]

Governor Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address at the Georgia State Capitol, addressing the full state Legislature. Key topics included:

• Hurricane Helene Impacts: Governor Kemp discussed the ongoing effects of Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the state’s resilience and recovery efforts.

• Proposed State Income Tax Cut: He introduced a proposal to reduce the state income tax, aiming to stimulate economic growth and provide financial relief to Georgia residents.

• Tort Reform: Highlighted as his top priority, Kemp unveiled plans for a tort reform package intended to limit civil lawsuits. Colton Moore stated at [01:23], “Whether it is this legislative session or perhaps a second one later this year, we will achieve meaningful, impactful tort reform.”

• School Safety: In the wake of the tragic high school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Kemp reaffirmed his commitment to doubling down on school safety measures.

Democratic Response: Augusta State Senator Minority Leader Harold Jones responded to Kemp’s speech, critiquing the governor’s focus on business interests over public welfare. At [02:12], Jones asserted, “We want to use a portion of the $16 billion surplus that the governor currently sits on. Republicans want to use that money to help corporations. We want to use that money to help you.” The Georgia Democratic Party concurrently issued fact-checks of Kemp’s address.

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Arrest of State Senator Colton Moore

Timestamp: [02:24 - 03:09]

In a significant political incident, Trenton Republican State Senator Colton Moore was arrested at the state Capitol after attempting to violate a ban restricting his entry into the statehouse chamber. The incident occurred during Governor Kemp's State of the State address. Moore engaged in a physical altercation with Georgia State Patrol officers before being handcuffed and detained at the Fulton County Jail.

Moore, who represents 200,000 constituents in Northwest Georgia, has a history of contentious interactions, having been banned from the House the previous year for derogatory remarks about the late House Speaker David Ralston. Upon his arrest, Moore exclaimed at [03:09], “I represent 200,000 people in Northwest Georgia who duly elected me to be here today, and you're hindering that unconstitutional. You have no respect for the Constitution.” He was subsequently charged with obstructing law enforcement officers.

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Leadership Changes at Wellstar Health System

Timestamp: [03:23 - 05:09]

Wellstar Health System, one of Georgia’s largest health networks, announced that Candice Saunders, its President and CEO, will retire at the end of June. Saunders has led the organization since 2015 and was notably involved in the controversial closure of Wellstar Atlanta’s medical center in 2022, which resulted in Atlanta being left with only one Level One trauma center.

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Rudy Giuliani’s Settlement with Georgia Election Workers

Timestamp: [05:09 - 07:02]

Former New York City Mayor and ex-Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani reached a settlement with former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shea Moss. The deal allows Giuliani to retain his homes and personal belongings while compensating the women and agreeing never to defame them again. This settlement avoids a trial that was set to begin in Manhattan federal court, where Giuliani was slated to testify. The original defamation lawsuit sought $148 million, alleging that Giuliani’s false claims about the 2020 presidential election led to death threats against Freeman and Moss.

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Media Consolidation: The End of an Era for the Union Recorder

Timestamp: [07:02 - 07:57]

The Union Recorder in Milledgeville, Georgia, marks the end of its 200-year-old tradition of in-house newspaper printing. Recently acquired by Carpenter Media Group, a Mississippi-based conglomerate, the newspaper will now outsource its printing operations to Bainbridge, 200 miles away. This transition results in significant changes:

• Reduced Print Frequency: The Union Recorder will decrease from three days to two days in print.

• Workforce Impact: Long-time press foreman Keith Justice is leaving, and the number of on-site printing staff will drop from forty to six.

• Community Response: Union Recorder editor Natalie Linder affirmed the paper’s commitment to local reporting despite the changes, stating at [07:15], “We did not stop publishing during the Civil War. We haven't missed a print date, and we don't intend to even with this transition.”

Christina Smith, an associate professor at Georgia College and State University, expressed concerns about media consolidation leading to fewer local reporters and reduced community representation in news coverage.

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Firearms Seizures at Georgia Airports

Timestamp: [07:57 - 08:29]

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported the seizure of nearly 500 firearms at Georgia airports in 2024. This consistent figure reflects ongoing adherence to TSA regulations established post-2020 pandemic. Travelers are reminded that firearms can only be transported on commercial flights if they are:

1. Unloaded.
2. Packed in a locked, hard-sided case.
3. Placed in checked baggage.

Violations may result in criminal citations, arrests, and substantial civil penalties.

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Effectiveness of Temporary Protective Orders in Bibb County

Timestamp: [08:47 - 13:55]

Temporary protective orders (TPOs) are designed to safeguard survivors of domestic violence from further abuse. However, their efficacy in Bibb County has been under scrutiny due to procedural challenges and high rates of discontinuation.

Challenges Identified:

• Accuser Reluctance: Many individuals seeking TPOs either do not appear for court hearings, voluntarily dismiss the orders, or fail to serve the necessary legal papers.

• Service Difficulties: Law enforcement often struggles to locate and serve the accused, leading to delays and repeated filings. As Alba Rosa of the Macon Telegraph noted at [11:05], “accusers explain to judges that they weren't able to serve papers correctly because they have just not been found.”

• Limited Duration: Approved TPOs typically last around a year and only result in criminal charges if violated, which may not provide long-term protection.

Positive Aspects:

• Legal Support: Organizations like Crisis Line and Safe House offer assistance by helping individuals draft protective orders and providing legal representation during hearings.

• Guaranteed Criminal Charges: If a protective order is violated, it ensures a criminal response, adding a layer of accountability.

Recommendations for Improvement: Advocates suggest enhancing law enforcement training regarding the complexities of domestic violence cases to better support victims and effectively implement protective orders. Bonnie Carlson from Mercer University emphasized the need for deeper understanding among deputies to navigate these sensitive situations.

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Passing of Bob Uecker

Timestamp: [13:55 - 15:12]

Bob Uecker, affectionately known as "Mr. Baseball," passed away at the age of 90 after battling small cell lung cancer. Uecker’s multifaceted career included:

• Playing Career: Competed professionally for the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and briefly for the Atlanta Braves.

• Broadcasting Legacy: Spent over fifty years as a beloved broadcaster for the Milwaukee Brewers, beginning his television career at WSB in Atlanta.

Origin of "Mr. Baseball": The nickname was bestowed upon Uecker by Johnny Carson following a memorable appearance on The Tonight Show in 1971. Uecker's self-deprecating humor and charm made him a favorite guest, culminating in over 100 appearances on Carson's show.

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Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Foreign welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. Today is Thursday, January 16th. I'm Peter Biello. On this podcast, you'll hear the GPB news team's most recent reports. Your tips and suggestions for future episodes are welcome. Email Georgia todaypb.org on today's episode, a Georgia state senator is arrested at the state Capitol. DSA says about 500 firearms were seized at Georgia airports last year, and protective orders are meant to shield survivors of domestic violence from further abuse. But many who start the process of getting one change their minds.

[Alba Rosa]

It's also about how the accuser can feel when facing something like this because there's more of an emotional aspect to it. It's not black and white.

[Peter Biello]

We'll take a look at how the process plays out in Georgia's Bibb County. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. Governor Brian Kemp delivered his annual State of the State address today at the state Capitol. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Kemp addressed the full state Legislature and talked about several issues, including the impacts of Hurricane Helene, a proposed state income tax cut and again reiterated his number one priority.

[Colton Moore]

Whether it is this legislative session or perhaps a second one later this year, we will achieve meaningful, impactful tort reform.

[Sarah Kalis]

His tort reform package, which would limit civil lawsuits, has not yet been unveiled. Proponents of tort reform say it could keep insurance costs down. Kebb said doubling down on school safety is another priority in the wake of a deadly high school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[Peter Biello]

Augusta State Senator Minority Leader Harold Jones gave the Democratic response to Kemp's speech. In it, he characterized the governor's plans as putting the interests of businesses over people. He says the state's budget surplus could be used for childcare, affordable housing and health care access.

[Harold Jones]

We want to use a portion of the $16 billion surplus that the governor currently sits on. Republicans want to use that money to to help corporations. We want to use that money to help you.

[Peter Biello]

The Georgia Democratic Party issued a series of what it called fact checks on the speech while it was happening. For complete coverage of the day's events at the state Legislature, tune in to GPB's lawmakers tonight at 7 on your GPB TV station. Authorities arrested a northwest Georgia state senator today after he attempted to violate a ban on his entering the statehouse chamber. Trenton Republican Colton Moore scuffled with Georgia State Patrol officers before being handcuffed and taken in a police car to the Fulton county jail. Moore was banned from the House last year after making disparaging remarks in the Senate about the late House Speaker David Ralston. Today, he attempted to enter the House for governor Brian Kemp's State of the State address and was blocked by the doorkeeper and state troopers.

[Colton Moore]

I represent 200,000 people in Northwest Georgia who duly elected me to be here today, and you're hindering that unconstitutional. You have no respect for the Constitution.

[Peter Biello]

Moore was booked on charges of obstructing law enforcement officers. The top leader at wellstar Health System is stepping down. The Marietta based company said yesterday that its president and CEO, Candice Saunders, plans to retire at the end of June. Saunders has served in that role, leading one of the state's largest health systems since 2015. She oversaw the shocking closure of Wellstar, Atlanta's medical center, in 2022, which left the city with only one level one trauma cent. It seems as though Rudy Giuliani is going to get to keep his beloved Yankees World Series rings. The former New York City mayor and ex Trump lawyer settled with two former Georgia election workers today in a deal that will let him keep his homes and personal belongings. In return, he'll compensate the two workers, and he promised to never defame them again. The former election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shea Moss, had been seeking all of Giuliani's property as part of a $148 million defamation judgment against him. The women won the defamation judgment after arguing Giuliani's lies about the 2020 presidential election being stolen led to death threats that made them fear for their lives. The amount of the compensation was not disclosed. The deal negated the need for a trial that was supposed to begin this morning in Manhattan federal Court, where Giuliani was scheduled to be the first witness. Media mergers have dominated the headlines about newspapers in the 21st century. This year, six Georgia papers were absorbed into one of the largest and fastest growing print media companies in North America. In Milledgeville. That acquisition marks the end of a newspaper printing tradition that began over 200 years ago. Daniel McDonald of Wuga in Athens has more.

[Keith Justice]

On a Tuesday evening in Milledgeville, Keith justice is helping load a roll of paper the size of a coffee table into the underbelly of a long line of green, green machines stretching the length of two school buses.

[Natalie Linder]

The paper goes through one unit, we web it up, go through the yellow, come down, goes in the blue. And when we run it, the press.

[Keith Justice]

Has impressions that justice has been in the press room at the Union Recorder Milledgeville's newspaper for 38 years, his entire career.

[Natalie Linder]

When it comes out from the folder.

[Keith Justice]

In the newsroom, there's a faded black and white photo of Keith justice selling, celebrating the paper's 175th birthday with 40 colleagues.

[Natalie Linder]

That's what's amazing. It took that army to get the paper out. But through all the changes, the pressure has always been through the mix. And it's still standing, you know, and it made me feel proud because I'm still standing right here with the press. I'm still here, still with it, still with it.

[Keith Justice]

Thirty years later, the Union Recorder may employ a quarter of that army. And the presses are leaving. Union Recorder editor Natalie Linder says that's because the paper's new owner, Mississippi based Carpenter Media Group, will print the paper 200 miles away in Bainbridge. Press foreman Keith justice is leaving the paper, too. Linder has led the Union recorder since 2008. She says this will mark the first time the state's longest continuously publishing newspaper won't be printed in Baldwin county, whereas.

[Harold Jones]

Some papers stopped publishing during the Civil War. We did not. We haven't missed a print date, and we don't intend to even with this transition.

[Keith Justice]

But the paper will drop to two days in print from the current three. Christina Smith is an associate professor of journalism at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. She researches community newspapers. Smith says it's good the Union Recorder will remain in print.

[Harold Jones]

This community still is ripe for the print product. People are still picking it up. They're still getting subscriptions, hard copies, in large part because of the age of the audience.

[Keith Justice]

Milledgeville is still a regional hub for government services, healthcare and higher education, and it's growing as a retirement community. But Smith worries when media conglomerates absorb small papers, it can mean fewer reporters living in the communities they cover and readers recognizing less of themselves in their local papers. Union Recorder editor Natalie Linder is confident her employer won't make that change. In Milledgeville, it's still us.

[Harold Jones]

It's still the same people they see at the schools, at church, at the grocery store. We're still here, even if the local.

[Keith Justice]

Paper is now printed four hours away. For GPB news, I'm Daniel McDonald in Milledgeville.

[Peter Biello]

The Transportation Security Administration says nearly 500 firearms were seized at Georgia airports in 2024. That number, released today hasn't varied much since travel started picking up in the wake of the 2020 pandemic, TSA officials reminded air travelers that guns can be taken on commercial aircraft only if they're unloaded, packed in a locked hard sided case and placed in checked baggage. Violating the rules could result in criminal citations, arrest and thousands of dollars in civil penalties.

[Christina Smith]

We could all use a little help navigating the news these days. The Consider this podcast wants to give you a hand. Six days a week will help you make sense of the day's biggest news story and what it means for you in less than 15 minutes. Listen now to the Consider this podcast from N.

[Peter Biello]

Temporary protective orders are meant to protect survivors of domestic abuse from further threats, but they don't always work in Bibb County. These protective orders, for a variety of reasons, once requested, don't always go into effect. And when they do, they frequently don't stop a perpetrator from committing more acts of violence. Reporter for the Macon Telegraph, Alba Rosa has been looking at the trends in Bibb county and is with me now. Welcome to the program.

[Alba Rosa]

Hello. Thank you for having me.

[Peter Biello]

Tell me a little bit why you became interested in this subject to begin with. Is there a particular story that led.

[Alba Rosa]

You here over the summer? In the past year, our district attorney, Anita Howard raised a press conference on a recent murder suicide that happened between Cotina Fuller and Wayne Fuller Jr. In it, she is talking about how there was a protective order in effect before everything went down and Wayne Fuller went and shot his wife Kotina in the gas station and then he shot himself. Before that, Wayne Fuller Jr. Was held on bond on a separate crime. And she questioned the judge and said, why is this man out on bond when he has an active protective order? Which brought me into like wanting to look more into why protective. Like you know the nuances of protective orders and if they work as intended.

[Peter Biello]

The nuances, as you mentioned, are important here. To put a temporary protective order in place, you have to file with a court and then 30 days later there's going to be a hearing. What have you found out about why those hearings don't always result in a temporary protective order?

[Alba Rosa]

So there are multiple reasons why a protective order might not be in place. Most of them have to do with the accuser not wanting to proceed with the case. So they might not show up in court, they might voluntarily dismiss the protective order or just not serving the papers. And when it comes to serving the papers, that's a challenge when that comes to accusers not wanting to face their alleged abuser. And they often have to go through law enforcement to go through that serving paper process.

[Peter Biello]

And law enforcement isn't always successful at finding the person they have to serve.

[Alba Rosa]

That's right. Yes, I've visited the courthouse a couple of times and I've heard those, the accusers explain to judges that they weren't able to serve papers correctly because they have just not been found.

[Peter Biello]

In which case they have to file again. And another 30 day clock begins.

[Alba Rosa]

Yes, exactly.

[Peter Biello]

And when a protective order is approved, how effective are they at keeping alleged abusers away from their targets?

[Alba Rosa]

Well, according to what I've looked into, it basically helps out for a year or so depending on the severity of the situation and will only guarantee a criminal charge if the alleged abuser actually does violate the protective order.

[Peter Biello]

What would you say are the benefits of the system you're describing? A system that does have some significant flaws?

[Alba Rosa]

Well, at least a criminal charge is guaranteed because with Crisis Line and Safe House, they actually help you write up a protective order and you are represented by a lawyer during these cases. I think that is also something positive that has come out of this process.

[Peter Biello]

What resources are available to people who need help requesting a temporary protective order?

[Alba Rosa]

Here in Bibb county, like I mentioned, we have Crisis Line and Safe House, which is this 247 process in which you can call their number and they'll have you reach out to this their like in house lawyer who will then help you file, go through like the filing process, ask you these questions about when, when was the last time that you have made contact with this person, Are you guys together? Do you have children together? And in that way, like this person will guide the accuser on what'll happen in the court case and the likely outcome.

[Peter Biello]

And what changes are advocates recommending to improve the system so that it better protects people in potentially dangerous situations?

[Alba Rosa]

Well, in my conversation with Bonnie Carlson with Mercer University, she mentioned that it would be very helpful for law enforcement to have better, more knowledge on the nuances of protective orders when it comes to domestic violence cases. It's not always black and white and it's always a very complicated situation. And it's something that's also very personal that not a deputy or law enforcement would understand. So she mentioned that that would be an important thing to improve upon.

[Peter Biello]

Albarosa is a reporter for the Macon Telegraph. Thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Alba Rosa]

Thank you for having me.

[Peter Biello]

One more story before we go today. Bob Uecker was known as Mr. Baseball for many reasons. He could play. He played for The Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and part of his last season with the Atlanta Braves. And he could wax poetic about the game as well. And he did a lot of that, spending more than half a century in the broadcast booth calling plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, a career that started in television at WSB in Atlanta. And that nickname, Mr. Baseball, came from Johnny Carson. How did he get that name from Carson? Well, Yuke got his big comedy break after opening for Don rickles at Al Hirt's nightclub in Atlanta in 1969. That performance caught Hurt's attention and the musician set him up to appear on the Tonight show with Johnny Carson. He became one of Carson's favorite guests on the show. He put his self deprecating humor on full display, as he did in this episode in 1971 when he spoke to Carson about superstitions that foretold a bad day in the batter's box.

[Colton Moore]

Or if I'd see a bulldog running across the field with a cigar in his mouth, it used. I, I just, I knew I wasn't going to get a hit that day. Or, or maybe my last time at bat, I'd look in the visitor's dugout and see all the guys sitting there with their street cloth.

[Peter Biello]

In all Ucher made more than 100 appearances on Carson's show. Bob Uecker died this morning at the age of 90 after a battle with small cell lung cancer. Rest in peace, Yuke. And that is a wrap on today's show. But more news is always being written and [e-mail] news and when you subscribe to this podcast now, you'll have an easier time finding it tomorrow. And as always, your feedback is welcome by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello and I am off tomorrow. Orlando Montoya will be in the chair. Enjoy your weekend.