Georgia Today Podcast: March 18, 2026

Host: Orlando Montoya

A quick and informative roundup of Georgia’s major news of the day, including local government decisions, recovery efforts, public health updates, infrastructure news, economic redevelopment, an inspiring river journey, and a sports highlight.

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode covers major developments across Georgia, including Social Circle’s stand on a controversial detention facility, post-hurricane home rebuilding in Coffee County, a VA clinic shooting in Jasper, ongoing debates over federal vaccine recommendations, expansions at the Port of Savannah, economic hopes after a paper mill closure, an inspiring Chattahoochee River journey for conservation, and Venezuela’s big win in the World Baseball Classic with Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Social Circle Detention Center Water Standoff

Segment begins: 00:33

• City Council Decision:
  The Social Circle City Council voted to uphold the city manager's decision to keep water service off for a proposed federal immigration detention center, citing lack of infrastructure.
  • “It's not because there's no political stunt… We do not have enough water.” — Steven Burden & Jared Horn [01:14–01:16]
• Facility Details:
  • Proposed capacity: up to 10,000 detainees.
  • The Department of Homeland Security would have to address infrastructure limits before any change.

2. Hurricane Helene Recovery: New Homes in Coffee County

Segment begins: 01:42

• Scope of Damage:
  Nearly every home in Coffee County was damaged during Hurricane Helene.
• Nonprofit Efforts:
  • ‘Hope for Coffee’ coalition (Amish and evangelical Christians) built nine new hurricane-resistant homes.
  • “We couldn't put into words how happy we are here.” — Jared Horn, new homeowner [02:22]
• Structural Improvements:
  New homes designed to withstand 150 mph winds—far beyond what Helene delivered.

3. Jasper VA Clinic Shooting

Segment begins: 02:42

• Incident Details:
  • Shooting at Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Jasper.
  • Gunman killed by police; at least one person airlifted to hospital.
  • Motive and more information pending.

4. Federal Vaccine Panel Freeze

Segment begins: 03:34

• Legal Update:
  • Federal judge halts activity of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee (ACIP) after legal action from medical organizations.
  • CDC recommended schedule must revert to previous standards.
  • “All that will be delayed is further erosion of vaccine confidence, and for that I'm grateful.” — Dr. Robert Wizkind, Georgia AAP [04:05]

5. Savannah Port: Cold Storage Expansion

Segment begins: 04:21

• Infrastructure Growth:
  • 300,000 sq. ft. facility at Garden City Terminal, with 4,000 sq. ft. for USDA/Customs inspections.
  • Aim: handle peak fruit and vegetable traffic, especially imports from South Africa, Chile, and Peru.
  • Significant for US poultry exports and Georgia's agricultural producers.

6. Economic Hopes in Early County: QTS Data Center

Segment begins: 05:22

• Community Impact:
  • Following the 2025 Georgia-Pacific paper mill closure (500 jobs lost), Early County welcomes plans for a major QTS data center.
  • “It just almost seemed like it was a godsend, especially after this past summer.” — Suzanne Reynolds, Early County Development Authority [05:43]
• Promise:
  New project seen as a significant economic lifeline.

7. Chattahoochee River Odyssey: Advocacy Through Adventure

In-depth interview begins: 05:49

Background:

• Jared Horn and Steven Burden are paddling the full 500-mile length of the Chattahoochee River, raising awareness and funds for the Chattahoochee River Conservancy.

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes:

• Motivation & Journey:

  • “So I grew up on the river down here in Phoenix City, Alabama, and it's just been part of my life ever since I was born... always had the idea of doing it.” — Jared Horn [06:42]
  • Attempted before; now doing full source-to-sea journey in one month.

• Challenges on the River:

  • Calories/food shortages, back pain, and unpredictable weather—such as headwinds and low water.
  • “For the first 14 miles, we actually had to hike feet in the riverbed because there's not enough water to kayak down it.” — Steven Burden [08:35]
  • Navigation: logistics of portages around dams, legal camping in urban areas, and support from friends and family.

• On Mutual Support:

  • “We could not do this without all the people helping us get around the dams. For one, we've had kind people drop us off food… That saved us like an hour per day almost.” — Steven Burden [09:12]

• Network of Beauty and Wonder:

  • “There are stretches within Atlanta, right after Atlanta that are just absolutely, just drop dead gorgeous. ... The beauty, honestly, of the water, just how clear you can see in some of these sections. I have been just in shock...” — Jared Horn [10:05]

• Environmental Perspective:

  • “You paddle down this and you start to realize, wow, within the first 30 miles, it already has a dam on it… Everyone’s drinking the water from this river, so we have a heavy, heavy reliance on it.” — Steven Burden [11:18]
  • More than half the Chattahoochee is now ‘still’ water due to reservoirs.

• Advocacy Mission:

  • Fundraising for water quality testing, cleanups, advocacy, and species protection.
  • “It's going to the Chattahoochee River Conservancy, and they're a nonprofit that does all sorts of stuff like that.” — Steven Burden [12:17]

• Outreach & Following Their Adventure:

  • “Our favorite way is for... hop in a boat and come with us… [otherwise] we have a TikTok called down_the_hooch with underscores between each word or chatriver2026 on Instagram…” — Steven Burden [13:30]

8. Sports Highlight: World Baseball Classic

Segment begins: 14:07

• Ronald Acuña Jr. Leads Venezuela to Victory
  • Acuña discusses the emotional high of winning for his home country after injury kept him out of the Braves’ World Series:
  • “When we championship in the World Series, I can play, you know, for injury ball now. I can feel the emotion. I can feel the experience. So I'm so proud for myself, for [the] team, for my country, too…so I'm just so excited.” — Ronald Acuña Jr. [14:28–14:40]
  • Braves fans can expect his return for opening day on March 27th.

Notable Quotes Table

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |:---------:|:--------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:14 | Steven Burden | "It's not because there's no political stunt." | | 01:16 | Jared Horn | "We do not have enough water." | | 02:22 | Jared Horn | "We couldn't put into words how happy we are here." | | 04:05 | Dr. Wizkind | "All that will be delayed is further erosion of vaccine confidence, and for that I'm grateful." | | 05:43 | Suzanne Reynolds | "It just almost seemed like it was a godsend, especially after this past summer." | | 06:42 | Jared Horn | "So I grew up on the river down here... it's just been part of my life ever since I was born..." | | 08:35 | Steven Burden | "For the first 14 miles, we actually had to hike feet in the riverbed because there's not enough water to kayak down it." | | 09:12 | Steven Burden | "We could not do this without all the people helping us get around the dams..." | | 10:05 | Jared Horn | "The beauty, honestly, of the water, just how clear you can see in some of these sections." | | 11:18 | Steven Burden | "Everyone's drinking the water from this river, so we have a heavy, heavy reliance on it." | | 14:28 | Ronald Acuña Jr.| "When we championship in the World Series, I can play...for injury ball now. I can feel the emotion." |

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Social Circle Detention Center: 00:33–01:41
• Hurricane Helene Aftermath: 01:42–02:39
• Jasper VA Shooting: 02:42–03:33
• CDC Vaccine Panel Lawsuit: 03:34–04:20
• Savannah Port Expansion: 04:21–05:21
• Early County Data Center Plans: 05:22–05:48
• Chattahoochee River Journey (in-depth): 05:49–13:57
• World Baseball Classic / Acuña Jr.: 14:07–14:42

Tone and Style

• The episode uses clear, local, and empathetic language, with a focus on direct community impact.
• Interviews blend personal stories with broader advocacy, especially in the Chattahoochee River segment.
• The tone is informative but accessible, aiming to connect listeners to the most important developments and human stories in Georgia.

Summary prepared for listeners who want all the substance, insight, and emotional touchstones of the news—without the ads and off-topic chatter.