Senators won't support DHS/ICE funding; Emory doctor's ties to Iran; Savannah port dip

Summary

Georgia Today (GPB News) – Episode Summary

Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Peter Biello

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Georgia Today delves into several pressing news topics affecting Georgia and beyond. The main stories include both Georgia senators refusing to support new funding for Homeland Security/ICE in response to recent fatal shootings, the departure of an Emory doctor amid scrutiny over familial Iranian government ties, and a slowdown at the Port of Savannah after a record-breaking year. The podcast also covers developments in sober housing regulation, updates on Georgia election law, Kaiser Permanente’s Atlanta expansion, UPS job cuts, and projections for the Atlanta Braves' 2026 season.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Georgia Senators Oppose DHS/ICE Funding (00:33–01:17)

• Context: Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff announce opposition to funding the Department of Homeland Security due to concerns over recent fatal shooting incidents by federal agents during immigration raids in Minneapolis.
• Political Stance: Ossoff states preference for funding national defense and transportation, but demands civil liberty protections before supporting ICE funding.
• Potential Consequence: Without passage of the funding package, a partial government shutdown looms.

Notable Quote:

"We negotiate some solution that's responsive to this overwhelming public concern about the chaos and the indignity and the constitutional rights violations that we're seeing in Minnesota and elsewhere."
— Griffith Lynch [01:03]

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2. Emory Doctor’s Departure Amid Iran Ties Controversy (01:17–01:56)

• Situation: Dr. Fatima Ardashir Larijani, a lung cancer specialist, no longer works at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Center. The decision follows public outcry over her family connection—her father is a senior Iranian official linked to suppressing anti-government protests.
• Details: University faces pressure from Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter, but cites "personnel matter" for the departure.

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3. Sober Housing and Addiction Recovery Reform (01:56–06:02)

• Insightful Story: The journey of "Lt. Dan", a Navy veteran who struggled with addiction, exemplifies systemic gaps in transitional support after rehab.
  • “Sat in jail for 21 days. Got out Veterans Day of 2018. About 3 o'clock in the morning.” — Lt. Dan [02:50]
  • "The next day, three people found Dan asleep, rolled up in a dirty rug on the red patio of the extension in Marietta." — Ellen Eldredge [03:08]
• Systemic Challenges:
  • Many sober residences are uncertified and unregulated due to optional membership in the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GAR).
  • Barriers such as zoning restrictions and NIMBYism ("Not In My Back Yard") hinder certified recovery housing.
  • The Senate study committee led by Senator Randy Robertson seeks "good, clean, safe places" for those in recovery.
• Policy Recommendation: The committee's report urges that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) adopt best practices for certified residences and create a registry, keeping legislative intervention minimal.

Notable Quotes:

"My primary focus here is getting the bad actors out of this arena and making sure that we have good, clean, safe places for people that are recovered or recovering."
— Senator Randy Robertson [04:35]

"The biggest hurdle facing recovery residences right now is zoning stigma, NIMBYism."
— Attorney Ian Neubauer via Robertson [04:54]

"The goal is create a family that props one another up, supports one another."
— Senator Randy Robertson [05:44]

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4. Court Upholds Georgia Election Law Provisions (06:22–06:57)

• Legal Update: Eleventh Circuit upholds parts of Georgia’s 2021 law allowing state takeovers of county election management after 2020 election disputes.
• Plaintiff’s Position: Plaintiffs (election security advocates) lacked standing, per ruling; substantive merits unanswered.
• State Officials' Response: Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Attorney General Chris Carr hail the decision as supporting "election integrity."
• Concerns: Opponents argue county takeover endangers fair elections and violates separation of powers.

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5. Kaiser Permanente’s Atlanta Expansion (06:57–07:33)

• Business News: Kaiser Permanente acquires 7 acres near downtown Atlanta for $31 million, aiming to improve care access.
• Background: The site is near the location of WellStar’s hospital closure in 2022. Future development remains unspecified, pending community engagement.

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6. Port of Savannah Faces Post-Boom Slowdown (00:23, 07:44–08:19)

• Economic Snapshot: After a record-breaking 2025 (second busiest year with 5.7 million containers), Savannah port anticipates lower demand due to global economic factors and recent mill closures.
• Leader’s Perspective:
  • "We do anticipate softer demand for the next six months, but we're hearing our customers get excited about the second half of 2026 and perhaps into 2027."
    — Griffith Lynch [00:23, 08:09]
• Cause of Spike: Summer rush fueled by businesses pre-empting new tariffs.

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7. UPS Announces Major Job Cuts (08:29–08:54)

• Corporate Restructuring: UPS to reduce up to 30,000 jobs (mainly through buyouts and attrition) and close 24 facilities amid decreased demand and fewer Amazon shipments.
• Context: Reflects industry-wide adaptation to changing shipping volumes and market realities.

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8. Braves Named ESPN’s 2026 Breakout Team (08:54–end)

• Sports Forecast: ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle projects the Atlanta Braves as the No.1 breakout team for 2026, with a 59% chance to reach 90 wins.
• Factors: Return to health for core players Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider expected to drive a strong rebound from two injury-stricken seasons.
• Projection: Anticipated 11-win improvement if players return to form.

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Memorable Quotes

• “We negotiate some solution that's responsive to this overwhelming public concern about the chaos and the indignity and the constitutional rights violations that we're seeing in Minnesota and elsewhere.”
  — Griffith Lynch [01:03]
• "My primary focus here is getting the bad actors out of this arena and making sure that we have good, clean, safe places for people that are recovered or recovering."
  — Senator Randy Robertson [04:35]
• "The goal is create a family that props one another up, supports one another."
  — Senator Randy Robertson [05:44]
• “We do anticipate softer demand for the next six months, but we're hearing our customers get excited about the second half of 2026 and perhaps into 2027.”
  — Griffith Lynch [00:23, 08:09]
• "Sat in jail for 21 days. Got out Veterans Day of 2018. About 3 o'clock in the morning."
  — Lt. Dan [02:50]

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Timeline & Timestamps

• [00:33] – Senators Warnock & Ossoff on DHS/ICE funding
• [01:17] – Emory University doctor departure over Iran ties
• [01:56–06:02] – Sober housing feature & recommendations for regulation
• [06:22] – Georgia election law upheld
• [06:57] – Kaiser Permanente’s Atlanta expansion
• [07:44] – Savannah Port's record year, outlook for 2026
• [08:29] – UPS job cuts and restructuring
• [08:54] – Braves as 2026 breakout team by ESPN

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Summary

This episode provides sharp insights into the intersection of politics, public health, economic shifts, and community resilience in Georgia. From major policy stances by senators and ongoing legal battles over election control, to personal recovery narratives and the macroeconomics of shipping and sports, listeners get a broad yet vivid portrait of Georgia at the start of 2026.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Georgia's U.S. senators plan to vote against funding for the U.S. department of Homeland Security. An Emory doctor has cut ties with the hospital amid controversy over her family's ties to Iran. And after a busy 2025, the Port of Savannah is seeing a slowdown to start this year.

[Griffith Lynch]

We do anticipate softer demand for the next six months, but we're hearing our customers get excited about the second half of 2026 and perhaps into 2027.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Tuesday, January 27th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. Georgia U.S. senators Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff say they will vote against a spending package that includes funding for the U.S. department of Homeland Security. Their decision comes after federal agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis this month during immigration crackdowns. Ossoff says he wants to see the Senate pass funding for other government services like national defense and transportation.

[Griffith Lynch]

W we negotiate some solution that's responsive to this overwhelming public concern about the chaos and the indignity and the constitutional rights violations that we're seeing in Minnesota and elsewhere.

[Peter Biello]

The senators join other Democrats demanding civil liberty protections before approving more ICE funding. Failure to pass the package up for a vote this week could lead to a partial government shutdown. Emory University says one of its doctors is no longer working at its Winship Cancer center after a controversy involving her father's ties to Iran. Dr. Fatima Ardashir Larijani is the daughter of a senior Iranian government official whom the US Blames for thousands of deaths and injuries during a wave of anti government protests in Iran. The university has been under pressure to fire the lung cancer specialist. Some of that pressure has come from Georgia congressman and U.S. senate candidate Buddy Carter and and Emory's statement doesn't say why she's no longer in her position, claiming it's a personnel matter. Sober housing organizations are places where people with substance use disorder can live with and support each other as they work toward independence. But you still have to pay the rent. And as with conventional rental properties, these rentals can sometimes come with bad landlords who don't uphold their obligations in the lease. A new study is out with recommendations on how Georgia might regulate peer support housing. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Ellen Eldredge]

After leaving the Navy for the corporate world, 44 year old Lt. Dan juggled work and family responsibilities until his substance misuse caught up to him. He uses a pseudonym out of respect for the 12 step principle of anonymity. Addiction ruined his marriage and gave him a criminal record.

[Lt. Dan]

Sat in jail for 21 days. Got out Veterans Day of 2018. About 3 o' clock in the morning.

[Ellen Eldredge]

He walked six miles in the rain to his tent in the woods.

[Lt. Dan]

40 degrees outside. I've got shorts and a T shirt on, you know, because I went in, it was warm.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The next day, three people found Dan asleep, rolled up in a dirty rug on the red patio of the extension in Marietta.

[Lt. Dan]

One of the guys said, hey, listen, this is also a drug and alcohol rehab center. It's free, okay? He's like, sit out here on the bench. I know it's cold. You can come in, get coffee, go to the bathroom, whatever you need to do. But just sit out here. Wait till our counselor comes in. We'll do an intake interview.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The extension's year long residential recovery program helped Dan get back on his feet, but there was no formal plan to help him move when he graduated. After incarceration or inpatient treatment, people with the disease of addiction need a strong support system and access to work and education. Graduates of programs like the one in Marietta don't have a transitional housing plan.

[Lt. Dan]

During my time there, that wasn't a thing. It's like, hey, you know, use your network, which is great. There are hundreds of us out here.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The Georgia association of recovery residences, or gar, has been certifying sober living residences for decades, guided by an established set of standards. But GAR membership isn't mandatory to open or operate a halfway house. Recently, the senate study committee on recovery residences heard concerns from people in the addiction recovery community about the need for sober homes. Senator Randy Robertson chaired the committee.

[Senator Randy Robertson]

My primary focus here is getting the bad actors out of this arena and making sure that we have good, clean, safe places for people that are recovered or recovering.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Attorney Ian Neubauer testified before the committee about the challenges in opening certified recovery residents.

[Senator Randy Robertson]

From the operator's perspective, the biggest hurdle facing recovery residences right now is zoning stigma, NIMBYism.

[Ellen Eldredge]

The final report recommends that the general assembly allow the department of behavioral health and developmental disabilities to, quote, adopt standards and best practices for certified recovery residences. Robertson says they want to stay away from legislation as much as possible.

[Senator Randy Robertson]

Right now, I think a lot of the recommendations we will make will be administrative type recommendations within DBHDD and DHS as far as changing of policies.

[Ellen Eldredge]

As the state's licensing authority, DBHDD would maintain a registry and further study the impact of zoning laws because Neubauer says.

[Senator Randy Robertson]

The goal is create a family that props one another up, supports one another.

[Ellen Eldredge]

And that's what keeps Lieutenant Dan and his peers in recovery. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

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[Peter Biello]

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[Peter Biello]

A federal appeals court has upheld parts of a 2021 Georgia law that allows the state to take over county election management, among other provisions. The ruling last week by the Eleventh Circuit U.S. court of Appeals is the latest decision supporting the law passed in the wake of the contentious 2020 election. The unanimous three judge panel found that the plaintiffs, including election security advocates, lacked standing to sue because they couldn' they suffered an injury. The court did not rule on the merits of the lawsuit. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr both praised the decision, calling it a win for election integrity. The plaintiffs had called the county takeover provision a danger to free and fair elections, claiming it violated constitutionally guaranteed separation of powers. Healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente has bought a 7 acre site near downtown Atlanta. The California based company calls the $31 million purchase a first step to improve access to care. It's unclear what the development might lead to. The site is a few miles away from where WellStar abruptly closed its hospital Atlanta Medical center in 2022. Kaiser Permanente says it intends to thoughtfully engage with community leaders and residents to develop a plan. The Port of Savannah is calling 2025 its second busiest year on record. GPB's Chase McGee reports the numbers are partly about tariffs.

[Chase McGee]

Over the summer of 2025, American port smashed records for imports as businesses stocked up on products in anticipation of new tariff policy. The Port of Savannah reported their second busiest year on record behind 2022, moving 5.7 million 20 foot equivalent containers of cargo, or TEUs. Griffith lynch is the CEO of Georgia Ports Authority. He says things could be slower in the first half of this year.

[Griffith Lynch]

We do anticipate softer demand for the next six months, but we're hearing our customers get excited about 2H20 and perhaps going into 2027.

[Chase McGee]

Lynch also noted that the closure of paper mills owned by International Paper did hurt the port, but he says a new customer will make up for the loss of business. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee.

[Peter Biello]

UPS is planning to cut up to 30,000 operational jobs this year as it continues with its turnaround efforts. The Atlanta based package delivery company is reducing the number of Amazon shipments that it handles. UPS Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said today the job reductions will be made through a voluntary buyout offer for full time Dr. Drivers and attrition. He said the company also is looking to close 24 buildings in the first half of the year and is evaluating additional buildings to be closed later in the year. ESPN has named the Atlanta Braves the top breakout team for the 2026 season. In his latest projections, ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle gives Atlanta a 59% chance to reach 90 wins. That is the highest breakout probability of any team he studied, signaling real confidence that the Braves are positioned for a rebound after two disappointing and injury filled season. Doolittle points to missed time and slow recoveries for key players like Ronald Acuna Jr. And Spencer Strider as the main reasons for last season's slide. If those stars return closer to full strength and the rotation stabilizes, his simulations project an 11 win improvement. And that's all we've got for Georgia today. Thank you so much for tuning in and remember to come back tomorrow. Subscribe to this podcast and you won't miss a subscribe thing and check out gpb.org news for updates and the latest headlines. And if you've got feedback or a story idea, send it our way by email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Hope you're staying warm. We will see you tomorrow.