Tax filing deadline approaches; Student visas revoked; WWII veteran honored by France

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: April 14, 2025

Hosted by Peter Biello, Georgia Today delivers comprehensive and engaging coverage of the most pressing issues and inspiring stories impacting Georgia. In this episode, April 14, 2025, the podcast navigates through topics ranging from tax filings and educational challenges to healthcare advancements and heroic honors. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Extended Tax Filing Deadline for Georgians

As the traditional tax filing deadline looms, Georgians can breathe a sigh of relief this year. Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared several Southern states, including Georgia, as disaster areas in September. Consequently, both the IRS and Georgia's Department of Revenue extended the tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to May 1, 2025.

Notable Quote:

• John Powell [02:31]: "Having a couple of extra weeks can be a godsend if cash is tight as well. Having a couple of extra weeks can allow you for time to make those payments."

This extension provides much-needed flexibility for residents still recovering from the hurricane's devastation, allowing them additional time to organize their finances and fulfill their tax obligations without the immediate pressure of the looming deadline.

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2. Revocation of Student Visas in Georgia

A concerning development has emerged as the federal government revokes the student visas of certain international students studying in Georgia. Institutions affected include prominent universities such as the University of Georgia and Emory University. This action has sparked fear and uncertainty within campus communities.

Notable Quote:

• Asuka Mahmoud [01:42]: "There's a lot of fear on campuses, there's a lot of uncertainty and we're very concerned for the student body. This is a really concerning thing for the state of Georgia, for our public education, private education."

Asuka Mahmoud, the executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, emphasized the unsettling impact of these revocations on both students and educational institutions. In response, an Atlanta-based immigration law firm has initiated a legal challenge on behalf of the affected students, seeking to address and overturn the visa cancellations.

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3. Impact on Georgia Humanities' 250th Anniversary Celebrations

Plans to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary in Georgia face significant setbacks due to federal funding cuts. The Trump administration, under the advisement of Elon Musk, has withdrawn grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to state humanities councils, directly affecting Georgia Humanities.

Notable Quote:

• Georgia Humanities President [Undisclosed Time]: "The loss is heartbreaking, saying next year's anniversary is a moment for the country to reflect on its past and future."

Originally slated to include a digital book club, a speaker tour across the state, and the "Museum on Main Street" program bringing Smithsonian exhibits to rural areas, these initiatives are now under threat. The president highlighted the emotional and cultural significance of these events, underscoring the profound loss felt by the community.

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4. Piedmont Macon Medical Center's Specialized Care Program

In a bid to enhance maternal health, Piedmont Macon Medical Center has introduced a specialized care program targeting individuals who are pregnant or postpartum. This initiative aims to mitigate life-threatening complications by providing focused treatment for minor yet potentially serious conditions such as headaches and fatigue.

Notable Quote:

• Carrie Willingham [03:54]: "Patients in Piedmont's emergency room who have recently given birth or are in their second or third trimester are now diverted to the obstetric emergency department."

The establishment of the Obstetric Emergency Department (OBED) ensures that every patient receives immediate attention from board-certified physicians, available 24/7. This move is particularly crucial as Georgia witnesses an increase in maternal deaths linked to preventable complications. Additionally, the OBED is equipped to assist patients navigating the state's abortion laws, offering resources like prenatal care and support for next steps.

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5. Research on Beach Safety at Tybee Island

With the onset of warmer weather attracting visitors to Tybee Island, safety concerns have arisen due to unpredictable waves generated by large ships en route to the port of Savannah. To address this, a new scientific study is underway to better understand and mitigate these hazardous wave patterns.

Notable Quote:

• Richard Stiles [04:43]: "If data and computer modeling can predict the waves better, that could help with beach safety."

Oceanographer Richard Stiles from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers explained that the combination of ship movements, underwater channels, and river currents creates erratic and dangerous wave conditions on Tybee Island's north shore. The research aims to develop strategies to reduce these waves, thereby enhancing public safety and preventing drownings. Preliminary findings are expected by next year, potentially leading to improved warning systems and safety measures for beachgoers.

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6. Sandy Springs Unveils New Police Headquarters

Sandy Springs has officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art $56 million police headquarters and municipal court complex on Morgan Falls Road. This modern facility boasts a 100-seat courtroom, private judges' chambers, and an intelligence operations center, signaling a significant upgrade in the city's law enforcement infrastructure.

Notable Quote:

• Peter Biello [05:31]: "The facility is expected to officially open on April 21."

While celebrating the opening, it was noted that certain services, including background checks, fingerprinting, and obtaining copies of reports or accidents, will remain unavailable until the full operational status of the complex is achieved. This new headquarters is poised to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Sandy Springs' public safety services.

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7. Honoring a Georgia WWII Veteran with France's Legion of Honor

In a heartwarming segment, the podcast highlights Allen Kinder, a 100-year-old World War II veteran from Gainesville, Georgia, who was recently awarded France's prestigious Legion of Honor. This accolade, France's highest merit award established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, recognizes Kinder's valor and sacrifice during the war.

Notable Quotes:

• Allen Kinder [00:42]: "There were 400 of us, maybe two of us left, and so this is honor of me. But with the outfit more than anything."
• Consul General of France [10:33]: "France will never forget the courage and sacrifice of the brave allied soldiers who risked and too often lost their lives for our freedom."

Kinder's military service included landing on Utah Beach shortly after the D-Day invasion and serving in a unit tasked with detecting enemy artillery. During a heartfelt interview, Kinder shared memories of returning to Normandy for the 80th anniversary, expressing the deep emotional connection and the importance of preserving these historical experiences for future generations. His honor not only celebrates his personal bravery but also symbolizes the enduring gratitude of France towards its Allied soldiers.

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8. Sports Highlights: Rory McIlroy and Atlanta Braves Updates

The episode concludes with exciting sports news. Rory McIlroy clinched the Masters title after a dramatic sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose at Augusta National, marking McIlroy's sixth major championship and completing his career Grand Slam. This victory ends an 11-year wait for his first green jacket.

In baseball, the Atlanta Braves' AA affiliate, the Columbus Clingstones, are set to open their season at SunTrust Park with former Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrell joining the roster. While Kimbrell's participation in the game remains uncertain, his presence is a boost for the team. Additionally, despite a recent setback with ace pitcher Chris Sale's performance, Braves pitcher Spencer Strider is scheduled to start, signaling optimism for the team's future after recovering from a significant injury.

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Conclusion

This episode of Georgia Today encapsulates a wide array of stories that resonate deeply with the residents of Georgia. From extending tax deadlines in the wake of natural disasters to honoring a century-old hero, the podcast offers insightful and heartfelt coverage of the events shaping the state. Whether addressing critical social issues, celebrating remarkable achievements, or updating listeners on sports triumphs, Peter Biello ensures that each story is presented with clarity and depth, making it an invaluable resource for Georgians and beyond.

For more detailed reports and the latest updates, listeners are encouraged to visit GPB News.

Transcript

[Peter Biello]

DBHDD is urging people to ask a pharmacist about getting naloxone for their first aid kits at home or work. No prescription is needed. Naloxone can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing opioidresponse.info welcome to Georgia Today. This podcast features the latest reports from the GPB news team on today's episode. Tax day is approaching, but Georgians have a little extra time to file this year. A hospital in Macon develops a special care program for people who are pregnant or postpartum. And a 100-year-old World War II veteran from Georgia receives France's highest honor.

[Allen Kinder]

There were 400 of us, maybe two of us left, and so this is honor of me. But with the outfit more than anything.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Monday, April 14th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The federal government has revoked the student visas of some international students in Georgia, including students at the University of Georgia and Emory University. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports.

[Sarah Kallas]

Asuka Mahmoud, the executive director of the Georgia chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations, says that it is not immediately clear why some students have had their legal status revoked by the U.S. state Department. There's a lot of fear on campuses, there's a lot of uncertainty and we're very concerned for the student body. This is a really concerning thing for the state of Georgia, for our public education, private education, mahmoud said. She is advising international students to check their visa status and make sure they are not in violation of any rules. Meanwhile, an Atlanta based immigration law firm has filed a legal challenge to the visa cancellations on behalf of impacted students. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kallas.

[Peter Biello]

Georgians rushing to meet tomorrow's deadline to file taxes have a little breathing room because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued disaster declarations for several Southern states, including Georgia, in September. The IRS then extended the date to file and pay 2024 taxes from April 15 to May 1, and Georgia's Department of Revenue followed suit for state taxes. John Powell is a partner at the Atlanta based accounting firm Moore Colson.

[John Powell]

Having a couple of extra weeks can be a godsend if cash is tight as well. Having a couple of extra weeks can allow you for time to make those payments.

[Peter Biello]

Extensions like these are automatically granted to areas impacted by disasters. Plans to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary in Georgia could be scaled back or eliminated because of federal funding cuts. The Trump administration has canceled grants from the National Endowment for the humanities to state humanities councils as part of Trump advisor Elon Musk's cost cutting Department of Government Efficiency. The president of Georgia Humanities, planning various events for the anniversary, lost about $740,000 in federal funding. She calls the loss heartbreaking, saying next year's anniversary is a moment for the country to reflect on its past and future. Anniversary plans now in jeopardy include a digital book club in partnership with the state's public libraries, a program for speakers to travel across the state to give lectures and presentations, and a Smithsonian Institution program known as Museum on Main street, which brings traveling exhibits to small towns in rural areas. A Macon hospital is taking extra steps to treat minor conditions like headaches and fatigue that could be life threatening for people who are pregnant or postpartum. GPB's Sophie Gradis has more on new procedures at Piedmont Macon Medical Center.

[Sarah Kallas]

Patients in Piedmont's emergency room who have recently given birth or are in their second or third trimester are now diverted to the obstetric emergency department, says Carrie Willingham with Women's Services. Now every patient that comes through the doors through our OBED is seen by a board certified physician, a physician on staff 247 who can manage emergencies. This comes as more maternal deaths in Georgia are being tied to preventable complications during and after pregnancy. The OBED will also manage the increase in patients who have come to the hospital looking for help to navigate the state's abortion law. Even if you know it's not a wanted pregnancy, there are options for these moms who are able to help provide those resources for them, resources like prenatal care or support with next steps. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gradas.

[Peter Biello]

As warm weather sends visitors to Tybee Island, a new scientific study aims to make their beach going safer. Researchers are looking at how waves produced by large ships on their way to the port of Savannah affect the island. Richard Stiles is an Oceanographer with the U.S. army Corps of Engineers. He says scientists already know a lot about waves.

[John Powell]

However, on the north shore of Tybee island, it gets a little more complicated.

[Peter Biello]

That's because the ships themselves, the underwater shipping channel, the river's current and other factors make waves there dangerously unpredictable. Signs warn beachgoers about the increased risk of drowning. But Stiles says if data and computer modeling can predict the waves better, that could help with beach safety.

[John Powell]

And so we're here to study that phenomenon, to find ways to reduce that wake. Because it is a public safety issue.

[Peter Biello]

He expects the report to be complete next year. Sandy Springs cut the ribbon this weekend on a new $56 million police headquarters and municipal court complex. The facility on Morgan Falls road includes a 100 seat courtroom with private judges chambers and an intelligence operations center. It is expected to officially open on April 21. Certain services will be unavailable until the opening, including background checks, fingerprinting and obtaining copies of reports or accidents. A 100-year-old World War II veteran from northeast Georgia's Gainesville received France's highest honor on Saturday. The Consul General of France and Atlanta bestowed the French Legion of Honor upon Allen Kinder. He landed on Utah beach two months after the D Day invasion in 1944. He was attached to a unit of about 400 soldiers trained to detect enemy artillery. He risked his life daily until Germany's surrender. After a ceremony in Sandy Springs, north of Atlanta, kinder spoke with GPB's Alicia Eakin about his experiences during the war and what the honor means to him now.

[Allen Kinder]

On D Day, I was in Fort Lewis, Washington. We left the next day for Europe. It took us three months or it took us about a month to get to England. We spent a month there and it landed late. Over two months after the invasion, Things had settled down. There was still noise. You could hear artillery. There were battles going on about 30 miles inland. But by this time the beach was quiet. So I never saw the beach until I went back to Normandy last year for the 80th anniversary of that. The first time I really saw the beach in the daytime.

[Sarah Kallas]

And how was that experience to go back there?

[Allen Kinder]

It was a thrill. It was a special thrill for two reasons. I got to take my grandson with me, which I thought would be enough. But when we arrived with the attention we got and the appreciation we got from the people there, it was just. It just made the whole thing so much worthwhile. We were, as we said, as my grandson said, we were hugged and kissed by 80, 90 year old people. It seemed strange, but then we realized at that time, when we were 19 and 20, they were 8 and 9 and 6, you know, and we gave them candy and that sort of thing. So it all evened out as you get older. It was fun.

[Sarah Kallas]

And so did you think at this point of your life it would just be trips and memories, not medals?

[Peter Biello]

Was that.

[Sarah Kallas]

Were you surprised when you found out about this?

[Allen Kinder]

Yes, we heard about it. You have to apply for it. I didn't know that my grandson didn't know about it. We got home and he started talking to Mr. Frank of the embassy of the consul and this came about.

[Sarah Kallas]

Amazing. And did I hear that you're going to go back for another trip?

[Allen Kinder]

Yes, we're going in June back to the Bulge. I didn't want to go there and I really don't remember a lot about it. I'm anxious to see if some of it comes back to mind. It's there's just too much to remember that my mind is not it's very sharp up to that point. But I'm hoping it'll kind of restore some memories.

[Sarah Kallas]

And how important is that to you to make sure you're sharing the memories of what happened and relations and everything?

[Allen Kinder]

Very much. When they first contacted me about going, I said it's a little bit ostentatious. I didn't do that much. And in talking with them and since then, and especially having meeting, having met the old people who were kids then, we realize how much it means to so many. It means more to Europe, to Europeans than to Americans. With all respect, here we get thank you for your service and we're there more than welcome, but there is hugs, kisses, and you really in tears and you really appreciate their appreciation. And there's only a few of us left to accept that appreciation on behalf of everybody. So as I said, there were 400 of us, maybe two of us left. And so this is honor of me. But the outfit more than anything, that.

[Peter Biello]

Was GPB's Alicia Eakin speaking with Alan kinder of Gainesville, the latest recipient of the Legion of Honor, France's highest award of merit established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. The Consul General of France and Atlanta said, quote, france will never forget the courage and sacrifice of the brave allied soldiers who risked and too often lost their lives for our freedom.

[Sarah Kallas]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of FRESH air. You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube. But what you get with FRESH AIR is a deep dive. Spend some quality time with people like Billie Eilish, Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert and so many more. We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the FRESH AIR podcast from NPR and WHYYY.

[Peter Biello]

Rory McIlroy is this year's Masters champion. He beat Justin Rose by making birdie on the first hole of a sudden death playoff at Augusta National. The win makes McIlroy the sixth player in history with a career Grand Slam, meaning he has won all major golf tournaments throughout his the Masters had been eluding McIlroy. His last major win was 11 years ago, but he finally slipped into the green jacket last night in Augusta. In baseball news The Atlanta Braves AA affiliate Columbus Clingstones will play their home opener tonight at Synovus park and former Atlanta Braves pitcher Craig Kimbrell has been added to the roster. It is unclear if the nine time All Star and 2018 World Series champion will take the mound this evening, but he will be in the building. As for the Braves, they head to Toronto this evening to begin a three game series against the Blue Jays. The Braves are coming off a disappointing loss yesterday in which Braves ace Chris Sale permitted four runs, three earned and six hits in four and a third innings. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner struck out seven and walked three, but Atlanta finished with four hits and dropped to a 19 record on the road this season. So far, one bright spot on the horizon for the Braves is that pitcher Spencer Strider is scheduled to start on Wednesday, more than a year after landing on the injured list and undergoing surgery to repair his ucl. That is a wrap. Thanks so much for listening to Georgia today. Please come back tomorrow. The best way to remember to do that is to subscribe to this podcast. When you do, we will pop up automatically and your feedback makes this podcast better. We hope to hear from you. The best way to reach us is by email at. The address is Georgia Todaypb.org and remember, for all the latest news you can check gpb.org news. New stories pop up there all the time. I'm Peter Biello. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[John Powell]

Kickoff For Super Bowl 34 the Titans Rams 2000 Super Bowl an instant classic. Hours after the game, two men were stabbed in the street. Accused of being in the middle, the greatest linebacker in NFL history, Ray Lewis and two friends are charged with murder. The nation's eyes were glued to their televisions. The trial concluded and the verdicts came back not guilty.

[Peter Biello]

What you can learn from all this is that big cases make for big mistakes.

[John Powell]

Look what happened to O.J.

[Peter Biello]

Simpson.

[John Powell]

And look what happened in Ray Lewis. Lewis went on to have a Hall of Fame career, but questions around that night in Atlanta still remain. So where do you think they're hiding?

[Allen Kinder]

They know what happened. They know exactly what happened.

[John Powell]

After 20 years, it's time to get to the bottom line. Truth from Tenderfoot tv. I'm Tim Livingston and this is the Raven. Listen for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.