Study shows above-average PFAS levels; CDC jobs reinstated; The Gathering arena approved

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Episode: Study shows above-average PFAS levels; CDC jobs reinstated; The Gathering arena approved
Host: Peter Biello

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1. Elevated PFAS Levels in Rome and Calhoun

A recent study conducted by scientists at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health has revealed that residents in the North Georgia cities of Rome and Calhoun exhibit above-average levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," in their blood. The study involved blood samples from 177 adults, with nearly half falling into the top 5% for PFAS exposure. Notably, "three quarters have enough PFAS in their blood to warrant medical follow-up" (Sophie Gradis, 01:52).

Key Findings:

• Exposure Sources: PFAS were detected in the drinking water supplying Rome and Calhoun. The area's history of textile manufacturing raises questions about additional sources.
• Scientific Insight: Lead researcher Dana Barr emphasized the need for a larger study to determine if textile manufacturing is a major source of PFAS contamination. However, funding challenges persist due to a federal shift in public health priorities.
• Regulatory Status: Plans for stricter regulations on PFAS in drinking water remain stalled.

Sophie Gradis reported, "With a history of textile manufacturing, the question is, is it the only source? Is it a major source? That we don't know" (02:23), highlighting the uncertainty surrounding PFAS contamination sources.

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2. Reinstatement of CDC Employees

In a significant development, over 460 previously laid-off employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been reinstated. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed these reinstatements but provided limited details regarding the decision. This move marks a positive turn for the nation's top public health agency, which had faced budgetary constraints leading to workforce reductions.

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3. Serenity Mental Health Center Introduces Innovative Treatments

Serenity Mental Health Center in Sandy Springs is pioneering non-traditional treatments aimed at addressing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The center offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate the brain, and ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant conditions.

Highlights:

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Utilizes magnetic fields to target specific areas of the brain, offering an alternative for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments.
• Ketamine Therapy: As explained by Tricia Pease, "the drug helps by encouraging the rapid growth of new and beneficial neural pathways" (03:32). This rapid effect makes ketamine a valuable tool in crisis intervention, with some patients experiencing neural growth within hours.

Rachel Galloway, a patient advocate, added, "Your neural pathways are failing and your brain's defense is for some unknown reason to tell yourself you should die. Terrible defense, honestly" (03:32), underscoring the urgency and impact of innovative treatments.

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4. Sky Bridge Project Connecting Georgia State Capitol Halted

Plans to construct a $10 million pedestrian sky bridge connecting the Georgia State Capitol to a new legislative office building have been put on hold. The Atlanta City Council's Transportation Committee voted to delay the necessary easements for the project, citing concerns over the historical integrity of the Capitol's facade.

Criticism and Concerns:

• Visual Impact: David Mitchell from the Atlanta Preservation Center criticized the design, stating it would make the Capitol appear as if it has a "paper towel roll sticking out of its side" (04:19).
• Economic Effects: Council Member Jason Dozier expressed that the bridge "discourages foot traffic and downtown business" (04:19), highlighting potential negative impacts on local commerce.

Counterpoints:

• State Authority's Perspective: The Georgia Building Authority, overseeing state property, maintains that the sky bridge aims to enhance building security and accessibility. An alternative underground tunnel option was previously considered but dismissed due to its prohibitive $40 million cost.

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5. Kia's Commitment to Clean Energy with Solar Panels Installation

Automaker Kia has initiated the installation of 17,000 solar panels at its factory in West Point, Georgia. This project aligns with Kia's clean energy objectives and serves a dual purpose of protecting vehicles from severe hailstorms, which previously caused significant damage.

Project Details:

• Energy Goals: The solar panels contribute to Kia's sustainability efforts by reducing the factory's carbon footprint.
• Damage Mitigation: The installation helps shield the factory's inventory; in 2023, severe hailstorms damaged 13,000 vehicles, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

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6. Potential Return of Pro Hockey to Georgia with The Gathering Arena

Metro Atlanta's Forsyth County has approved key documents for a $3 billion development project named "The Gathering at South Forsyth." This initiative includes the construction of an NHL-ready arena, signaling a possible return of professional hockey to Georgia.

Project Highlights:

• Economic and Community Impact: The development encompasses retail, residential, and hospitality spaces spread over 100 acres, potentially revitalizing the region's economy.
• Hockey Market Potential: Laura Simonson noted, "There is a vibrant market for hockey and hockey fans that's only grown in the years following the departure of the Thrashers" (11:31). The NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has acknowledged interest in reestablishing a presence in the Atlanta market.

Developer Insight: Led by Vernon Kraus, a developer and car dealership chain owner, The Gathering aims to create a comprehensive community hub that integrates sports, living spaces, and commercial areas.

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7. FIFA Club World Cup Boosts Soccer and International Relations in Atlanta

Atlanta is set to host six games of the FIFA Club World Cup, featuring prominent teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea FC. Rachel Galloway, British Consul General in Atlanta, discussed the economic and diplomatic significance of this event.

Economic Impact:

• Projected Revenue: The Atlanta Metro Chamber estimates the World Cup's economic contribution to be around $500 million.
• Business Opportunities: The influx of international teams fosters stronger UK-US business relations, encouraging UK companies to establish or expand their presence in Atlanta.

Cultural and Social Engagement:

• Fan Experiences: Events like Chelsea's match against Club America and interactive activities with local children enhance community engagement and promote cultural exchange.
• Sport as Diplomacy: Galloway emphasized the role of sports in strengthening international ties, stating, "a really key part of the relationship between the UK and the US is sport" (07:12).

Challenges and Solutions:

• Travel Restrictions: Despite President Trump's travel ban affecting citizens from a dozen countries, exemptions were made for players and coaches. Efforts are underway to assist fans in navigating travel complexities to ensure their attendance.

Personal Touch: Galloway shared her personal connection to Manchester City, adding a relatable narrative to the international sporting event.

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8. New Public Soccer Park Enhances Community Connectivity

As part of a national initiative to foster community connections through sport, Atlanta will see the opening of a new public soccer park. This project is a collaboration between Visa, Street Soccer USA, and Bank of America, among others.

Park Features:

• Facilities: Pro-level fields, evening lighting, digital scoreboards, and dedicated spaces for community events.
• Opening Timeline: The Atlanta park is slated to open this winter, coinciding with significant milestones in U.S. soccer history.

Community Benefits:

• Inclusivity: The park aims to provide accessible sports facilities, encouraging participation across diverse communities.
• Economic and Social Growth: By hosting events and providing state-of-the-art amenities, the park will serve as a hub for both recreational activities and competitive sports, fostering social cohesion and economic opportunities.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the June 12, 2025, episode of Georgia Today. From public health concerns and economic developments to advancements in mental health treatments and international sporting events, the podcast offers a multifaceted view of the issues shaping Georgia today.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians that the 988 lifeline can help those worried about opioid and stimulant misuse. The three digit number is free and confidential. Help is available 24. 7 More [e-mail] welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, A new study shows residents of two Georgia cities have above average levels of forever chemicals in their blood. More than 400 CDC employees have their jobs reinstated and a new $3 billion development in Atlanta could mean the return of pro hockey.

[Laura Simonson]

There is a vibrant market for hockey and hockey fans that's only grown in the years following the departure of the Thrashers.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Thursday, June 12th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The U.S. supreme Court is giving an Atlanta family whose home was wrongly raided by the FBI a new day in court. The unanimous opinion today comes after a pre dawn raid in 2017 when agents smashed through a door, pointed guns at a couple and terrified a 7 year old boy before realizing they were in the wrong house. A they sued over the ordeal, but lower courts tossed out the case. Public interest groups from across the political spectrum had urged the justices to overturn the ruling, saying its reasoning would severely limit legal remedies for people in law enforcement accountability cases. Several residents in North Georgia's Rome and Calhoun have more than the American average levels of pfas in their blood. Those are forever chemicals and that is according to a new study led by scientists at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health.

[Sophie Gradis]

And GPB's Sophie Gradis has more 177 adults had their blood drawn for the study. Emory researchers said Wednesday that almost half of them were found in the top 5% for exposure to some PFAs. Three quarters have enough PFAS in their blood to warrant medical follow up. The study also shows a link between time lived in the area and exposure. PFAS has been found in the drinking water that feeds into Rome and Calhoun areas. With a history of textile manufacturing, lead scientist Dana Barr, the question is, is.

[Laura Simonson]

It the only source? Is it major source? That we don't know.

[Sophie Gradis]

They need to do a larger study to answer that, she says. Though funding could take years given a federal shift in public health priorities, a plan for tighter regulations on pfas and drinking water has also been stalled. For GPB News, I'm Sophie gradas.

[Peter Biello]

More than 460 laid off employees at the nation's top public health agency received notices yesterday that they're being reinstated. U.S. department of Health and Human Services confirmed the reinstatements at the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but provided few details. A new clinic in Atlanta is offering non traditional treatments to address anxiety, depression and PTSD. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Serenity Mental Health center in Sandy Springs is offering patients transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non invasive treatment that uses magnetic field fields to stimulate the brain. They'll also treat patients with ketamine to address treatment resistant depression and post traumatic stress disorder. Tricia Pease with Serenity says the drug helps by encouraging rapid growth of new and beneficial neural pathways.

[Rachel Galloway]

Your neural pathways are failing and your brain's defense is for some unknown reason to tell yourself you should die. Terrible defense, honestly, but that's what our.

[Ellen Eldredge]

Brain does, p says. In some people, growth can happen within hours, so ketamine can be an excellent tool in crisis intervention. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[Peter Biello]

A plan to build a $10 million pedestrian sky bridge to connect the state Capitol to a new legislative office building is on hold for now. The Atlanta City Council's Transportation Committee voted yesterday to delay granting the state the easements needed to build the bridge project. Critics argue it would harm the historic Capitol's facade. Council member Jason Dozier said it discourages foot traffic and downtown business.

[David Mitchell]

There might be thousands of people in our downtown community, but they're not interacting with the street or spending money in our business or interacting in ways that that we want to see happen.

[Peter Biello]

David Mitchell of the Atlanta Preservation center said the proposal would make the Capitol look like it has a, quote, paper towel roll sticking out of its side. He welcomes the city's pause on the state project.

[David Mitchell]

It really is kind of like our our visual trophy that everyone in the state gets to claim. And so anything that happens to it or any way that it's used should go through a very rigorous on examination.

[Peter Biello]

The Georgia Building Authority oversees state property and is leading the project as part of a larger capital renovation. Authority officials say the sky bridge is aimed at improving the building's security and accessibility. The authority previously considered an underground tunnel to connect the buildings, but that $40 million project was deemed too expensive. Automaker Kia has begun installing 17,000 solar panels at its factory in West Point. The company said today the project is partly aimed at its clean energy goals, but also at vehicle protection. The panels will go over the Factory's inventory in 2023. Severe hailstorms damaged 13,000 vehicles, resulting in millions of dollars in damage.

[Vernon Kraus]

The FIFA Club World cup begins this weekend. And throughout this month, Atlanta will play host to six of those games and at least a third of those games club teams from England, Manchester City and Chelsea fc. And that is a big deal. To Rachel Galloway, British Consul General in Atlanta, who's here in the studio with me. Rachel, thank you so much for speaking with me.

[Rachel Galloway]

It's a pleasure. Thank you for inviting me today.

[Vernon Kraus]

So what role does the consul have in bringing these teams here?

[Rachel Galloway]

What we're here to do is promote UK US relations, whether that's trade, helping US businesses who want to work in the UK or UK businesses who want to come and settle here in the region, or whether it's other areas of the relationship. And a really key part of the relationship between the UK and the US Is sport. And I hadn't really realized until I moved to this region how sport mad people are here. And also the fact that of all the sports people love, soccer is now a growing love for people in the United States. And therefore it's a great opportunity for us to promote those relationships, to find people who already love English clubs, already watch the Premier League on TV every Saturday, or actually are just growing to know the game and want to take advantage of the opportunity to see world class teams like Chelsea and Manchester City, to see them play live, which is a really exciting opportunity for people.

[Peter Biello]

So connect those two things for me.

[Vernon Kraus]

International relations and soccer or football promotion.

[Peter Biello]

How does that work?

[Vernon Kraus]

How does the fact that two English teams will be playing here in Atlanta this month strengthen the bond between the two countries?

[Rachel Galloway]

First of all, fans will come. So last year Chelsea came here, we did an event working with a local charity, Soccer in the Streets. Chelsea were playing Club America, the Mexican club. So we worked with the Mexican consulates, we put on British and Mexican food trucks, and we had local kids from across Atlanta come and do soccer skills with soccer in the streets. And Chelsea players came and played with them. And some of the Chelsea fans who had traveled with the team came to the event. So I got the opportunity to talk to them. And you know, they'd never been to Atlanta before. They'd never thought of coming here. But because Chelsea were coming here, they'd taken it as an opportunity. So they'd come to see Chelsea play in Atlanta and then they were spending time on vacation here. That's the sort of people to people connection that we really care about. But it's also a business opportunity because we had a business breakfast. We're doing that this year again with The Atlanta Chamber with really high class sports organisations who are based in this region. Companies from the UK who want to be in the US have now set up their headquarters for North America out of Atlanta. And it's in part because they've had the opportunity to come and see some of these sporting events and see what's on offer here. And they're really wowed when they come.

[Vernon Kraus]

I see. So it's more than just generally developing goodwill between the two countries. It's. It's an economic issue.

[Rachel Galloway]

Yeah, it's a fantastic economic opportunity. You talk to people here about what they're looking forward to next year when you have the country's World cup, and you know, the Atlanta Metro Chamber thinks this is worth about $500 million.

[Vernon Kraus]

500 million.

[Rachel Galloway]

That's their assessment of what that this World cup can bring into Atlanta. So what we want is to work with businesses here and UK businesses to make that opportunity to be something that everyone can take advantage of and grow as a result of.

[Vernon Kraus]

President Trump's travel ban is limiting citizens from a dozen countries in their efforts to come here. That, however, exempted players and coaches. So the players and coaches will definitely get here. But fans of these two teams might, you know, have some questions about whether or not it's safe to come. What are people asking you about the travel ban and what are you able to tell them?

[Rachel Galloway]

So what we do is we work with tourist agencies in the uk, Airlines and others to make sure that people traveling here have the access to. What is the current rules to make sure that people who do buy tickets or buy flights to come here will get in the country, have the right papers and understand some of the complexities. For example, the fact that they will next year there will be games in Mexico and in Canada that they may need to cross a border if they want to go to those games. Well, they will need to cross the border if they want to go to those games. What does that mean? And so really, for us, it's just about making sure that people have everything in the right place so that they have a really positive experience for you.

[Vernon Kraus]

Manchester City, Chelsea fc. Do you have a preference, a favorite team among the two?

[Rachel Galloway]

I'm from Manchester.

[Vernon Kraus]

Okay. Well, there you go, Manchester City.

[Rachel Galloway]

So I grew. I grew up in a slightly strange household, which was that my dad is a Manchester United fan and my mum is a Manchester City fan, but it was my mum's dad who looked after us when we were little. So my brother and I are both Manchester City fans. To our horror, my son has felt bad for Grandpa, so he's a United fan. So we're continuing the split loyalties.

[Vernon Kraus]

Well, sometimes the rivalry can be fun though, right? Makes it fun watching the game together.

[Rachel Galloway]

Yes. Though it's a little bit sad for my son because Cincy decided to be a Manchester United fan is about the time they started not being very good anymore.

[Vernon Kraus]

Well, Rachel Galloway, British consul general in Atlanta, thank you so much for coming into the studio and speaking with me about this.

[Rachel Galloway]

Thank you.

[Peter Biello]

Commissioners in metro Atlanta's Forsyth county yesterday approved key documents for $3 billion development that could pave the way for the National Hockey League to return to Georgia. The project, called the Gate Gathering at South Forsyth, includes an NHL ready arena. County Commissioner Laura Simonson says she believes the league under Commissioner Gary Bettman eventually will expand into Georgia.

[Laura Simonson]

There is a vibrant market for hockey and hockey fans that's only grown in the years following the departure of the Thrashers. And Mr. Bettman has actually acknowledged that they do want to be back in the Atlanta market.

[Peter Biello]

The project also includes retail, residential and hospitality space on 100 acres. It's led by developer and car dealership chain owner Vernon Kraus. A new public soccer park is coming to Atlanta as part of a national effort to connect communities through sport. Visa, Street Soccer USA and Bank of America are teaming up to build parks in Atlanta and five other cities. Each site will include pro level fields, evening lighting, digital scoreboards and space for community events. Organizers say the Atlanta park is projected to open this winter ahead of one of the biggest landmark years for soccer in U.S. history. And that's a wrap on Georgia Today. But more news is coming your way tomorrow, so make sure you subscribe to this podcast and check gpb.org news for any updates to the stories you heard today, as well as news stories that our reporters are posting on all the time. If you've got feedback for this podcast, send us an email. The address is Georgia todaypb.org your note will go to the whole team. When you do, again, the email georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

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[Rachel Galloway]

Garbage in New York that was like a control, cruel substance.

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Tell me what you like by telling me how you spend your money.

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I had a bad feeling you're going.

[Rachel Galloway]

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