Senators hold meeting on social media and kids; Macon benefits package; Seafood risks

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Date: September 2, 2025
Host: Chase McGee, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB News)

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights pressing issues in Georgia, including a Georgia Senate meeting on the risks of social media and AI for kids, Macon’s new campaign to attract residents with incentive packages, and research revealing public health risks associated with imported seafood. The episode also includes updates on CDC funding debates, local history preservation efforts, and community initiatives ranging from infrastructure improvements to cancer awareness.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Employees and Funding Cuts [00:35 – 01:41]

• Main Concern: Lawmakers and former CDC employees rallied at the state Capitol to protest staffing cuts and the termination of CDC Director Susan Manarez.
• Quotes & Commentary:
  • Dan Jernigan (Former CDC Program Director):

    “Cuts to programming as well as the firing of Director Susan Menarez [is] death by a thousand cuts.” [01:14]

  • Sarah Kalis (GPB Reporter):

    “Lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol holding signs in support of the cdc. They say cuts made by the Trump administration could gut years of progress in public health.” [00:54]

2. Georgia Senate Hearing: Social Media & AI Impact on Kids [01:41 – 02:20]

• Summary: Lawmakers held their first hearing on the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children, with experts highlighting disruptions in children’s lives due to technology.
• Legislative Update: A law passed last year aimed at protecting children from social media remains entangled in court challenges.
• Key Takeaway: Bipartisan concern about technology’s impact, with discussions underway on regulatory approaches.

3. Macon’s “Choose Macon” Relocation Incentive Program [02:20 – 02:54]

• Details: Macon Chamber of Commerce offers $2,500 in moving incentives (e.g., parking ticket amnesty, coworking space) to entice city dwellers from larger metros to relocate.
• Goals: Add population, build community, and provide a welcoming environment to newcomers.
• Notable Quote:
  • JR Olive (Chamber VP):

    “We’re literally opening the door and saying love to have you here. What would you like to do?” [02:42]

4. Prescriptions Required for Latest COVID Vaccines [03:06 – 04:01]

• Update: Georgians may need a doctor's prescription for the latest COVID-19 vaccines until formal federal recommendations are issued. Pharmacies like CVS and independents are waiting for more guidance.
• Impact: Could create hurdles for those used to getting vaccines at pharmacies.

5. University of Georgia Research: Imported Seafood Health Risks [04:01 – 04:49]

• Findings: Imported shrimp and scallops sold in Georgia have been found with antibiotic-resistant MCR (mobile colistin resistance) genes, making treatment of bacterial infections more difficult.
• Public Health Risk: Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic; presence of MCR genes is highly concerning.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Ismat Kasem (UGA Center for Food Safety):

    “But if you are consuming it directly, then that bacterium, those genetic material, are going into your gastrointestinal system. They might cause an infection, an immunocompromised or in a clinical setting.” [04:24]

• Statistic: 65–85% of U.S. seafood is imported, making inspection and control challenging.

6. Preserving “The Weeping Time” Historical Site in Savannah [04:49 – 05:35]

• Context: The site of one of America’s largest slave auctions (“The Weeping Time,” 1859) is up for sale. No marker identifies it.
• Community Effort: Pastor Larry Gordon leads the campaign to protect the site for its historical importance.
• Notable Quote:
  • Larry Gordon:

    “Securing this site can restore for Georgia, United States and the world just like where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. It’s a worldwide trumpet to call us back to humanity.” [05:17]

7. New Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant in Colquitt County [05:35 – 05:58]

• Announcement: Taiwan-based Energy Tech Corporation will invest $250 million in a solar panel plant, creating an estimated 1,300 jobs after ramp-up.
• Timing: Construction expected to begin later in the year.

8. State Oversight for New Data Centers [05:58 – 06:15]

• Proposal: Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs suggests new rules to resume reviews for data centers, following a temporary pause. Environmental activists had feared unchecked development due to the pause.

9. Brookhaven’s Multi-Use Path & Sidewalk Projects [06:15 – 06:38]

• Infrastructure: Council approved multi-use paths and sidewalks, including a 10-foot-wide connector along North Druid Hills Road, with added ramps, crosswalks, lighting, and landscaping.

10. Atlanta Track Club’s Plans for a New Facility [06:38 – 06:57]

• Plan: The club unveiled a strategic vision for a world-class indoor track and field center, catering to athletes from beginners to Olympians. Land acquisition and capital fundraising are next steps.

11. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson’s Health Update [06:57 – 07:50]

• Disclosure: Mayor Johnson revealed a second prostate cancer diagnosis but affirmed ongoing strength and recovery.
• Personal Testimony:
  • Van Johnson:

    “So this is very, very serious to me personally.” [07:50] “However, you did not see me miss a beat.” [07:54]

• Awareness: September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; nearly 1 in 8 U.S. men will be diagnosed.

12. Discovery of Two New Bass Species in Georgia [07:57 – 08:45]

• Discovery: Researchers classified two new bass species: Bartram’s bass and Altamaha bass. Previously, these were misidentified as red eye bass.
• Quote from Bud Freeman (UGA Odum School of Ecology):

  “He flipped open the cooler lid and I said my goodness, because I knew that’s not a red eyed bass. It’s not the same.” [08:21]
  “I think it’s important to say that these are old species with their own evolutionary trajectory, if you will.” [08:37]

• Impact: Enhances preservation efforts and opportunities for anglers.

13. Atlanta Braves Player Assignment Update [08:45 – 09:19]

• Sports: Pitcher Ian Anderson will pitch for the Columbus Clingstones, marking his first AA appearance since 2019 after helping the Braves secure their 2021 World Series title.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Jernigan on CDC Funding:
  “Death by a thousand cuts.” [01:14]
• JR Olive on Macon’s Welcome Initiative:
  “We're literally opening the door and saying love to have you here. What would you like to do?” [02:42]
• Ismat Kasem on Seafood Risks:
  “...That bacterium, those genetic material, are going into your gastrointestinal system. They might cause an infection, an immunocompromised or in a clinical setting.” [04:24]
• Larry Gordon on the Weeping Time Site:
  “It’s a worldwide trumpet to call us back to humanity.” [05:17]
• Mayor Van Johnson on Cancer Diagnosis:
  “However, you did not see me miss a beat.” [07:54]
• Bud Freeman on Bass Discovery:
  “That’s not a red eyed bass. It’s not the same.” [08:21]
  “...old species with their own evolutionary trajectory, if you will.” [08:37]

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• CDC Employee Support & Funding Cuts – 00:35–01:41
• Social Media & AI Impact on Children – 01:41–02:20
• Macon “Choose Macon” Incentive – 02:20–02:54
• COVID Vaccine Prescription Requirement – 03:06–04:01
• Imported Seafood Health Risks – 04:01–04:49
• Historical Preservation, “The Weeping Time” – 04:49–05:35
• Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant – 05:35–05:58
• Data Center Oversight Proposal – 05:58–06:15
• Brookhaven Infrastructure Projects – 06:15–06:38
• Atlanta Track Club Facility Plan – 06:38–06:57
• Mayor Van Johnson’s Cancer Update – 06:57–07:57
• Discovery of New Bass Species – 07:57–08:45
• Atlanta Braves Update – 08:45–09:19

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This episode weaves together significant state and local news on politics, health, economic development, environmental safety, community engagement, and sports—all delivered in Georgia Public Broadcasting’s informative and community-focused tone.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the Georgia Today podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia senators hold a meeting on the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children. The city of Macon tries to entice newcomers with the new benefits package from their chamber of Commerce. And research from the University of Georgia details potential health risks for imported seafood.

[B]

Consuming it directly then that bacterium, those genetic material are going into your gastrointestinal system. They might cause an infection, an immunocompromised or in a clinical setting.

[A]

Today is Tuesday, September 2nd. I'm Chase McGee and this is GEORGIA Today. Georgia state lawmakers are expressing their support for employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. GPB Sarah Kalis reports. On Tuesday's press conference, former CDC employees.

[C]

And lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol holding signs in support of the cdc. They say cuts made by the Trump administration could gut years of progress in public health. Dan Jernigan, a former program director at the cdc, calls cuts to programming as well as the firing of Director Susan Menarez, quote, death by a thousand cuts.

[D]

We need to do everything we can to work with the current administration as we can, but also to get folks out there and ask that science be put first, ideology put second, and that we can get back to protecting Americans here.

[C]

The White House said on Friday that Manara's was let go because she did not align with the priorities of the administration. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[A]

Georgia senators held the first of a series of hearings last week on the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children. Experts and lawmakers testified last week that technology has disrupted children's lives. Legislators are considering various ways of regulating technology companies. The state General assembly passed a law aimed at protecting children from social media last year. The law passed with bipartisan support, but is tied up in court. A new program in Macon aims to lure people to town with the offer of a benefits package including cash. GPB's Grant Blankenship explains the Choose Megan.

[E]

Program offers $2,500 in things like temporary parking ticket, amnesty and co working space to qualifying people who agree to move to town. Macon Chamber of Commerce Vice President JR Olive says the program is aimed at people in bigger cities like Dallas or Austin. The message Macon probably has less of what you don't like about your current city and will help you make friends.

[D]

We're literally opening the door and saying love to have you here. What would you like to do? And we can point you in the direction of people who are doing that, you know, also doing that thing and hopefully build a sense of community around you.

[E]

Macon added population for the first time in decades last year. The new recruiting effort comes on the heels of a similar program in Columbus. For GPB News, I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[A]

As Georgia Covid rates rise, people who want to get the latest vaccine as it hits pharmacy shelves over the coming weeks will likely face a new hitch. They'll need a doctor's prescription, at least for now. Pharmacies became a key distributor of COVID shots during the pandemic, and many Georgians are getting used to annual flu and Covid shots there. But uncertainty about how the federal government is regulating the newest Covid shots has created a new wrinkle in that process. Many pharmacies in Georgia say they'll require a prescription for the shot until an influential federal committee meets and makes firm recommendations on who should get it. Those pharmacies include CVS as well as independent drug stores. Imported seafood, including shrimp and scallops, can introduce drug resistant genes to medications to treat infections. The findings come from a study released by the University of Georgia. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[F]

A researcher at UGA found mobile colistin resistance, or MCR, genes are on imported seafood that's sold in Georgia. The risk to public health includes the ability to use colistin, a drug of last resort, to treat complex bacterial infections. Scientists had already confirmed the genes in wastewater before finding it in seafood. Ismat kasem is with UGA's center for Food Safety.

[B]

But if you are consuming it directly, then that bacterium, those genetic material, are going into your gastrointestinal system. They might cause an infection, an immunocompromised or in a clinical setting, he says.

[F]

Locally sourced shrimp is much easier to inspect and control. Between 65 and 85% of seafood in the US is imported. For GPV News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

The Georgia site of one of the largest slave auctions in American history is up for sale. The property, in a drab industrial area on the west side of Savannah, is where 436 men, women and children were sold over two days in an 1859 event that has come to be known as the Weeping Time. No historical marker identifies the site, although one was erected about a quarter mile away in 2008. Local pastor Larry Gordon leads an effort to protect the property.

[G]

Securing this site can restore for Georgia, United States and the world just like where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. It's a worldwide trumpet to call us back to humanity.

[A]

He and others worry that without government or private backing to buy the land, it could be turned over for industrial use. In business news, A Taiwan based solar panel maker plans to build a $250 million manufacturing facility in southwest Georgia's Colquitt County. Energy Tech Corporation on Friday said the plant in Moultrie is expected to create 1,300 jobs after a multi year ramp up. Construction on the site is expected to begin later this year. The Georgia Department of Community affairs is proposing new rules aimed at allowing the state agency to resume its reviews of new data center projects. Back in July, the DCA called for a temporary pause to state reviews of data centers under its procedures for so called developments of regional impact. Environmental advocates complained the move would let data centers with their huge impact on energy and water supplies, win approval without sufficient scrutiny. The Brookhaven City Council has approved funding for multi use paths and sidewalks that includes a 10 foot wide path that will run along North Druid Hills Road connecting south of Sylvan Circle to the Oglethorpe Brookhaven MARTA station. ADA accessible ramps, crosswalks, lighting and streetscaping will be installed and the Atlanta Track Club is planning what the organization calls a transformative investment in the future of running and walking in Atlanta. The club last week unveiled a strategic plan whose centerpiece is the development of a state of the art indoor track and field center. The facility would be designed to attract runners of all levels, from beginners to Olympic level athletes, as well as local, national and international track and field events. The track club still has to launch a capital campaign and secure land for the site. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson says he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer for a second time. At his weekly news conference Tuesday morning, Johnson said he was diagnosed and treated earlier this year and remains Savannah strong. Johnson was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in 2021. He reminds people that nearly one in eight men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. He urged men to talk to their doctors about getting tested.

[G]

So this is very, very serious to me personally.

[B]

However, you did not see me miss a beat.

[A]

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Researchers in Georgia and South Carolina have identified two new species of bass previously mistaken for the more common red eye bass living in the South. Bud Freeman is with the University of Georgia's Odum School of Ecology. He says he first saw the unique bass nearly 40 years ago in an angler's cooler and he flipped open the.

[G]

Cooler lid and I said my goodness, because I knew that's not a red eyed bass. It's not the same.

[A]

After decades of work, a study classifies two new species of bass, Bartram's bass and the Altamaha bass. But Freeman wants to emphasize these bass aren't new at all.

[G]

I think it's important to say that these are old species with with their own evolutionary trajectory, if you will.

[A]

People didn't put him there, freeman says. It's important from a preservation perspective, but it also gives anglers something new to catch in Georgia. In Georgia sports, the Atlanta Braves said today that right hand pitcher Ian Anderson has been assigned to the Columbus Clingstones active roster. He'll start in the Clingstones game tonight against the Montgomery Biscuits at Synovus Park. This will be Anderson's first appearance in AA since 2019 with the Mississippi Braves. Anderson played a key role in Atlanta's 2021 World Series win. He pitched five no hit innings in Game 3 against Houston to help the Braves win their first World series since 1995. That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you'd like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news if you haven't hit, subscribe on this podcast. Take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. Got feedback? We'd love to hear it. Send us an email@georgia todaypb.org I'm Chase McGee. We'll see you tomorrow.