Georgia Today Podcast Summary
Episode: Tort reform bill faces pushback; Senate debates book bans; Ga. HS Basketball Finals
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Host: Sophie Gradas

1. Urgent Warning About Counterfeit Pills Containing Fentanyl

Timestamp: [00:00 - 00:14]

The episode opens with a critical alert regarding the dangers of counterfeit pills. An expert from DBHDD warns, “One of every ten counterfeit pills contains fentanyl, a powerful and very deadly drug. Pills from friends or dealers are unsafe” (00:03). Host 1 emphasizes the severity by stating, “And one pill can cause an overdose” (00:12). Listeners are encouraged to seek more information at opioidresponse.info.

2. Governor Brian Kemp's Tort Reform Bill Faces Pushback

Timestamp: [01:08 - 02:14]

Governor Brian Kemp’s proposed tort reform bill, Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), aims to reduce insurance premiums for businesses by limiting their liability in personal injury cases. However, the legislation is encountering resistance from survivors of violent crimes. Atlanta attorney Kara Phillips expresses concerns, stating, “Survivors of sexual assault, including people I represent, could be barred from a jury trial and damages if the bill passes” (01:59). Another expert highlights the misuse of the term “frivolous lawsuits,” arguing that victims bring up lawsuits to prevent further harm (02:05). Sophie Gradas notes that SB 68 passed the Georgia Senate in late February and is now moving to the House for further debate (02:14).

3. Senate Debates Book Bans in Libraries and Schools

Timestamp: [02:36 - 03:14]

The Georgia Senate is revisiting Senate Bill 74 (SB 74), which seeks to expand book ban laws in schools and state-run libraries. The bill would punish librarians who allow access to what is deemed “harmful material” for minors. Senator Max Burns argues, “It protects children and makes an exception for librarians who mistakenly break the rules” (02:36). Conversely, Senator Josh McLaurin opposes the bill, claiming it aims to control librarians: “The threat of being charged is going to make that librarian comply with the first demand” (03:08). SB 74 passed the Senate along party lines and will proceed to the House (03:14).

4. Dignity and Pay Act Passes in Georgia Senate

Timestamp: [03:25 - 04:03]

Senate Bill 55 (SB 55), known as the Dignity and Pay Act, mandates that companies pay employees with disabilities at least the minimum wage. Currently, some individuals with disabilities earn as little as 22 cents per hour. The bill garnered bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 5-13. Gainesville State Senator Republican Drew Echols shares a personal connection, stating, “We all know this is a matter of minimum wage. It’s ultimately a matter of value and dignity. My son Cohen is no less deserving of a minimum wage than a typical, fully functioning adult” (03:49). SB 55 now moves to the House for further debate (04:03).

5. Georgia Senate Bans Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

Timestamp: [04:03 - 04:55]

The Georgia Senate has approved Senate Bill 30 (SB 30), which prohibits the prescription of puberty blockers and other gender-affirming treatments for individuals under 18. Savannah State Senator Republican Ben Watson defends the bill, stating, “We are here to protect minors. That is part of what we do” (04:34). In contrast, Duluth State Senator Democrat Nabila Islam Parks criticizes the legislation, arguing, “It’s about stripping transgender youth of their right to health care and criminalizing the doctors who provide it” (04:47). SB 30 passed the Senate with a vote of 34 to 19, largely along party lines, and will advance to the House (04:55).

6. Tariffs Impact Georgia’s Logistics Industry

Timestamp: [04:55 - 05:43]

The Trump administration’s tariffs on major trading partners are set to affect Georgia’s robust logistics sector, particularly the Port of Savannah. Market experts like Sina Golara from Georgia State University explain, “Tariffs on China in particular will drive down container traffic” (05:27). This reduction in imports could decrease economic activity across the supply chain, impacting everything from port operations to trucking and warehousing (05:27). Despite the challenges, the Port of Savannah continues to break cargo traffic records, though the Georgia Ports Authority CEO did not address the tariffs in a recent annual address (05:43).

7. Renaming Fort Moore to Fort Benning Sparks Debate

Timestamp: [05:43 - 07:31]

Georgia officials are contesting the Trump administration’s decision to rename Fort Moore back to Fort Benning. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff criticizes the move as “a sleight of hand to restore a name honoring the Confederacy” (06:25). The rename is justified by the administration, stating it honors a World War I soldier with the same surname, distancing from Confederate ties. This decision emerges amid broader efforts to remove Confederate names from military bases initiated during the Biden administration.

8. Georgia Declared Free of Avian Influenza

Timestamp: [07:31 - 08:03]

Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, Tyler Harper, announced that the state is now free of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu), following 28 days without new infections since January’s outbreak in Elbert County. However, Harper cautions that the virus remains active in the U.S., with new cases reported recently. He urges Georgia poultry producers to stay vigilant, noting that surging egg prices are linked to the ongoing battle with bird flu (06:50).

9. Merger of Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and Carter Center’s Mental Health Program

Timestamp: [07:31 - 08:03]

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers (RCI) and the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program are merging their advocacy efforts to enhance support for mental health and caregiving. Horvi BHA, interim CEO of RCI, states, “The mission is to help people better care for one another” (07:31). Nicole Price adds, “This has been an exciting opportunity for us to join forces and work hard on expanding our reach to make sure that caregivers, family caregivers are better seen, heard and supported” (07:50). The merger is expected to be finalized by June 2025 (08:03).

10. Decline of Alcohol Consumption in Savannah and Impact on Tourism

Timestamp: [08:12 - 11:56]

Alcohol consumption is decreasing among Americans, particularly young adults, due to rising awareness of health risks. In Savannah, this trend is influencing the tourism economy. Nicole Price, managing the speakeasy at the American Prohibition Museum, demonstrates serving mocktails, highlighting a shift towards alcohol-free socializing (08:34). Dr. Sharon Bergquist from Emory University explains, “No amount of alcohol has a health benefit” (09:22), and mentions upcoming revisions to federal alcohol consumption guidelines based on recent scientific findings (09:35).

Michael Owens, president of the Tourism Leadership Council, asserts that Savannah’s tourism remains resilient: “Our tourism community is based on our history, our architecture, the aesthetics of Savannah” (10:12). Charles Marville from Georgia Southern University adds that mocktails are profitable alternatives for bars adapting to the decline in alcohol sales (10:32). Despite these changes, Savannah’s cultural attractions continue to draw visitors, ensuring the city's tourism sector remains robust (11:13).

Nicole Price reflects on the cultural shift, saying, “People are thinking more about the long run and kind of pivoting where they need to get that sort of thrill” (11:34). The movement towards moderation and alternative beverages suggests a lasting change in social habits within Savannah (11:56).

11. Georgia High School Basketball Finals Preview

Timestamp: [12:10 - 16:17]

The Georgia High School Association’s basketball finals are set to commence at the Macon Coliseum, with GPB Sports’ John Nelson and an expert discussing potential outcomes (12:58). They highlight the possibility of back-to-back championships for teams like Baldwin and perennial powerhouses such as Hebron Christian versus Holy Innocence. Additionally, underdog stories include Butler and Union County in Double A classifications, and Savannah and Washington Wilkes on the girls' side, both seeking their first titles in decades (14:07).

Key players to watch include Eric Chatfield from Pace Academy and Makai Joiner from Savannah on the boys’ side, and Aubrey Beckham and Haley Swain from Holy Innocence on the girls’ side (14:59). John Nelson emphasizes GPB’s comprehensive coverage of the finals, available through various platforms including gpbgpb.org, the GPB sports app, social media, and over-the-air broadcasts, ensuring fans can follow the action closely (15:38). The experts encourage listeners to tune in and support their favorite teams during the four-day competition (16:17).

For more detailed information on these stories, visit gpb.org/news.