Special elections; Ga. will work with ICE; Otis Redding Center for the Arts

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Hosted by Peter Biello for Georgia Public Broadcasting Episode: Special Elections; Ga. Will Work with ICE; Otis Redding Center for the Arts Release Date: March 18, 2025

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1. Special Elections and School Funding Referendums

Savannah, Chatham County: Georgia voters in 41 counties, including Savannah, are participating in special elections that hold significant implications for public education funding. Benjamin Payne of GPB News reports on a crucial referendum in Savannah, where voters are deciding on a 1% sales tax increase aimed at generating approximately $700 million over five years for the Chatham County public school system.

Key Highlights:

• Suzanne O'Day, Savannah Resident: “Today is like the public school system needs more resources to provide better schools for more kids in this county.” (01:41)

• The referendum seeks to address resource shortages, ensuring better educational facilities and opportunities for students. O'Day emphasized the dire need for additional funding, citing the challenges faced by her child in securing admission to quality middle schools.

• Expansion Beyond Chatham: Similar sales tax referendums are underway in Bryan and Liberty counties, reflecting a statewide effort to bolster public school infrastructures through increased local taxation.

2. Georgia Department of Public Safety Partners with ICE

In a move aligning with the Trump administration's immigration policies, Governor Brian Kemp announced that the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) will collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants in the state.

Key Details:

• Governor Brian Kemp: The partnership aims to enhance public safety by delegating immigration enforcement duties to Georgia troopers, encompassing all 1,100 sworn officers within the DPS.

• The initiative has sparked discussions on its potential impact on communities and the broader implications for immigration enforcement within Georgia.

3. Otis Redding Center for the Arts Opens in Macon

Macon celebrates the inauguration of the Otis Redding Center for the Arts, a 15,000-square-foot facility dedicated to fostering music education and performance. Named after the legendary soul musician, the center is envisioned as a hub for young musicians and songwriters.

Key Highlights:

• Zelma Redding, Otis Redding’s Widow: “The Zelma Redding Amphitheater... a strong woman on the stage surrounded by well-wishers. I fulfill my dream for my late husband.” (05:56)

• The center features a small amphitheater named in honor of Zelma Redding, providing students with a dedicated space to create and perform. The establishment underscores the Redding family's commitment to nurturing musical talent and preserving Otis Redding's legacy.

4. Atlanta’s Comprehensive Water Infrastructure Overhaul

Atlanta officials have unveiled a $2 billion plan to rejuvenate the city's aging water infrastructure over the next two decades, addressing frequent water main breaks and ensuring sustainable water supply.

Key Highlights:

• Mayor Andre Dickens: “The city is committing to... renew or replace the city's drinking water infrastructure.” (03:21)

• Innovations include the installation of advanced leak detection devices and the deployment of new technology at the RM Clayton Water Treatment Facility, expected to save over 168 million gallons annually.

• Watershed Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr.: Emphasized the strategic placement of leak detection across 1,600 critical facilities, including hospitals and correctional institutions, to enhance maintenance efficiency.

5. Georgia Public Service Commission Addresses Energy Demands

The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) is set to evaluate Georgia Power’s strategies to meet the escalating energy needs driven by new data centers in the state. This comes amid legislative setbacks aimed at safeguarding residential consumers from potential utility cost hikes.

Key Points:

• The PSC hearings will scrutinize Georgia Power’s plans to expand energy capacity without transferring additional costs to consumers, ensuring that the growth of data centers does not adversely affect household electricity bills.

6. Augusta’s Recovery from Hurricane Helene

Augusta is nearing the completion of its debris removal efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September. The city has certified four out of eight districts as debris-free, with the remaining districts expected to be cleared by week's end.

Key Highlights:

• US Army Corps of Engineers: Declared 10 Georgia counties clear of debris by March 11th, marking significant progress in the state’s recovery efforts.

• State Transportation Officials: Confirmed the clearance of state highways as of February 28th, facilitating the return to normalcy for residents and businesses.

7. Cumberland Inlet Waterfront Property Foreclosure

The Cumberland Inlet waterfront property in St. Mary’s is set for foreclosure after the developer, Jim Jacoby Development Co., failed to make an $182,000 loan payment. The Camden County Joint Development Authority Board unanimously approved initiating foreclosure proceedings against the developer.

Key Details:

• The project, initially backed by an approximately $11 million loan four years ago to develop the former Gilman Paper site, has stalled due to missed payments, leading to the board’s decisive action.

8. Trinet Expands with New Corporate Office in Dunwoody

Trinet, a California-based human resources consulting firm, is making a substantial investment in Georgia by opening a new corporate office in Dunwoody. This expansion aims to create over 700 new jobs, positioning Dunwoody as a national hub for the company.

Key Highlights:

• Trinet Statement: The new office represents a $15 million investment, with plans to capitalize on Dunwoody’s underutilized office parks post-COVID-19 pandemic.

• The move is expected to bolster the local economy and provide a significant employment boost to the metro Atlanta area.

9. Georgia Tech’s Innovative Medical Pacifier

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a groundbreaking medical pacifier designed to monitor newborns' vital signs more comfortably and efficiently. This innovation allows parents and doctors to track vital parameters without frequent blood draws.

Key Highlights:

• Hyeong Yo, Associate Professor: “It's going to be a lot more convenient for clinicians and physicians and also smarter than the existing system... providing continuous data sets instead of discrete measurements using blood.” (07:26)

• The integrated biosensor system measures electrolyte levels from saliva, with ongoing research aimed at tracking additional metrics such as lactate, glucose, and pH levels.

10. Hummingbird Migration Returns to Georgia

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) anticipates the return of hummingbirds from Central America and southern Mexico this week. Wildlife biologist Todd Schneider offers tips to support these vital pollinators during their migration.

Key Highlights:

• Todd Schneider, DNR Wildlife Biologist: “They are part of the ecological web out there and are very important to the ecology.” (08:41)

• Recommendations include setting out sugar water feeders (avoiding nectar with red dye) and maintaining clean feeders to ensure the health and return of hummingbird populations in subsequent years.

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This episode of Georgia Today delves into a diverse array of issues affecting Georgia residents, from pivotal local elections and educational funding to infrastructure developments and innovative healthcare solutions. The discussions provide listeners with comprehensive insights into the state's ongoing developments and initiatives.

For more detailed information on these stories, visit GPB News.

Transcript

[Orlando Montoya]

DBHDD is urging Georgians to store and.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Lock away all medications to prevent theft.

[Orlando Montoya]

And keep them away from children and pets. Old medications can be disposed of at Dropbox locations. Dropbox locations can be [e-mail] hello and welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. This podcast brings you the latest reports from the GPB news team. Today is Tuesday, March 18th. I'm Orlando Montoya. Coming up on this episode, Georgia voters in 41 counties head to the polls to decide special elections. The Georgia Department of Public Safety will work with ICE to apprehend undocumented immigrants. And Macon opens a new music education center named for soul music legend Otis Redding. Dad was amazing in his own right, but you know how he got amazing A strong woman. These stories and more are coming up on this edition of Georgia Today. Voters in 41 Georgia counties are headed to the polls today to decide special elections. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports from Savannah, where a referendum will decide the future of a 1% sales tax for capital improvements at public schools.

[Benjamin Payne]

With this election, roughly $700 million of tax revenue is on the line for the Savannah Chatham county public school system over the next five years. It's money that Savannah resident Suzanne O'Day says is sorely needed for the district, and so she voted yes.

[Suzanne O'Day]

My middle schooler got into a good middle school, but it's slim pickens. It's like, you know, you're on pins and needles for months waiting to see if they're going to get in. And there's so few resources. Which brings us back to the vote. Today is like the public school system needs more resources to provide better schools for more kids in this county.

[Benjamin Payne]

Beyond Chatham, two other counties in coastal Georgia are also holding sales tax referendums to raise revenue for their public school systems, including Bryan and Liberty counties. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Orlando Montoya]

Elsewhere in Georgia, ballots include similar tax measures and candidates for officers made vacant by death or resignation. A special election in four South Georgia counties will choose a district attorney after the death of the late Tifton based DA Bryce Johnson in December. Polls will be open until 7pm US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will train all 1100 sworn officers at the Georgia Department of Public Safety to help identify and apprehend people who are in Georgia without proper documentation and considered a public safety risk. Governor Brian Kemp announced the partnership yesterday, aiming to support the Trump administration's immigration policies. Under the agreement, ICE will delegate immigration enforcement duties to Georgia troopers. Atlanta officials have announced a plan to upgrade the city's century old water infrastructure. GPB's Amanda Andrews reports the investments outlined today come after water main breaks last year made system repairs a priority.

[Andre Dickens]

Mayor Andre Dickens says the city is committing to an estimated $2 billion to renew or replace the city's drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years. The city's already installed new technology at its largest water treatment facility, RM Clayton, to provide efficient maintenance. Watershed Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. Said the new technology will save over 168 million gallons a year. We've also deployed leak detection devices over.

[Orlando Montoya]

1600 locations serving critical facilities such as.

[Grant Blankenship]

Hospitals, SEN centers and correctional institutions. This has led to about 50 work orders for repairs.

[Andre Dickens]

Dickens also created the Atlanta Water Advisory Group, led by former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to work with city officials over the next 20 years of pipe replacements. For GPB News, I'm Amanda Andrews.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Georgia Public Service Commission is set to hear from Georgia Power later this month on how the company plans to meet the massive energy demands of new data centers in the state without passing on the cost to customers. The hearings come after legislation intended to protect residential consumers failed to make it out of the Georgia House and Senate. AUGUSTA Richmond county is almost finished collecting debris from Hurricane Helene. A news release from the Augusta government today said four of its districts have been certified as complete and the remaining four are expected to be complete by the end of the week. Augusta was among the Georgia city's hardest hit by the September storm. Georgia transportation officials declared state highways clear of debris on February 28th. The US Army Corps of Engineers declared 10 Georgia counties clear of debris on March 11th. A new center for music education and performance, named for the late soul great Otis Redding, officially opened today in Macon. GPB's Grant Blankenship has more.

[Zelma Redding]

The Redding foundation has for years taught young musicians and songwriters in their summer and after school programs, which had no space of their own after the ribbon cutting they do. The 15,000 square foot Otis Redding center for the Arts in downtown Macon is tailor made for kids to create and the small amphitheater outside is named for Otis Redding's widow and Carla Redding Andrews mother.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Zelma Redding Amphitheater. You know dad was amazing in his own right, but you know how he got amazing?

[Zelma Redding]

A strong woman on the stage surrounded by well wishers. Zelmer Redding said she was blessed.

[Andre Dickens]

I fulfill my dream for my late husband.

[Zelma Redding]

GPV News I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon.

[Orlando Montoya]

The Cumberland Inlet waterfront property in St. Mary's along the Georgia coast will be sold as the developer has missed a $182,000 loan payment. The Camden County Joint Development Authority board voted unanimously to start advertising a foreclosure proceeding against the Jim Jacoby Development Co. Four years ago, the county agency extended an almost 11 million dollar loan to the company to develop the former Gilman Paper site. A California based human resources consulting firm plans to open a new corporate office in metro Atlanta with plans to hire more than 700 workers. The company, Trinet, said yesterday that its office in Dunwoody will serve as a national hub and represents a $15 million investment in Georgia. The news release didn't say exactly where in Dunwoody the office would be located, but the area is home to several large office parks that have been underused since the COVID 19 pandemic. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a medical pacifier that makes monitoring newborns vital signs easier on both parents and doctors. GPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[Ellen Eldredge]

By sucking on a pacifier, doctors can collect real time information about a newborn's electrolyte levels from their saliva, an alternative to having their blood drawn multiple times. Hyeong yo is an associate professor with Georgia Tech. He came up with the idea of an integrated system of biosensors. So overall, I mean, it's going to be a lot more convenient for clinicians and physicians and also smarter than the existing system in a way that it can provide continuous data sets instead of discrete measurement using blo, he says. Researchers are trying to also measure lactate, glucose and ph levels in a similar way. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Grant Blankenship]

Each morning, it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh. Up first from NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.

[Orlando Montoya]

Hummingbirds are expected to begin appearing in Georgia this week, and when they arrive from their winter homes in Central America and southern Mexico, they will be tired and hungry, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says to help them refuel, you can put out sugar water in feeders. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Schneider says red throated hummingbirds are expected in south and central Georgia, and when they zip down to your feeder, they also will be looking for other food in your yard. They eat a lot of small insects, mosquitoes, gnats, sometimes small spiders, sometimes small caterpillars. So they're part of the ecological web out there and are very important to the ecology of he says if you feed hummingbirds this year, some of the same ones might return next year. He advises not to put nectar with red dye in your feeder and to clean your feeder weekly. And 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 yet hit subscribe on this podcast. Take a moment right now to keep us current in your podcast feed. We'd love to hear what you think of this program. Send us a Note to Georgia todaypb.org I'm Orlando Montoya. We'll be back again tomorrow with another edition of Georgia Today.

[Grant Blankenship]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh. Up first from NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn, to understand, choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.