Georgia Today Podcast Summary – November 14, 2025
Trump election case update; Opioid settlement money round 2; Ken Burns

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Peter Biello covers several key stories impacting Georgia: the latest changes in the Trump election interference case, allocation of a second round of opioid settlement funds, major updates in state business, sports, and education, as well as an engaging interview with documentary filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt about their new film, The American Revolution. The episode weaves together legal developments, public health, community impact, sports, and historical perspective with a focus on Georgia's unique role.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Georgia Election Interference Case Against Donald Trump

(00:35 – 01:58)

• Main Update:
  • New lead prosecutor announced: Pete Scandalakis, head of Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia, is taking over after Fani Willis was disqualified.
  • Scandalakis is seen as potentially beneficial for some accused “fake electors.”
• Expert Analysis:
  • Georgia State University law professor Clark Cunningham notes:

    “I'd be surprised if he decided to dismiss charges against them, and I think those are the main charges. The real question is, what's he going to do with the lawyers?” (01:17, Clark Cunningham)

  • Scandalakis, a Republican, is viewed as helping distance the case from accusations of political motivation:

    “It would surprise me if Trump and his allies make accusations like that, but it's certainly going to be very different than the kinds of accusations that were made against Fani Willis.” (01:48, Clark Cunningham)

  • Trump and other high-profile defendants' cases remain pending, though action against Trump himself while in office is unlikely.

2. Ongoing Ethics Commission Investigation: Stacey Abrams & New Georgia Project

(01:58 – 03:07)

• Current Status:
  • The Georgia Ethics Commission continues its investigation into alleged illegal coordination between Stacey Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign and the New Georgia Project.
  • While New Georgia Project admitted to some illegal activity around fundraising and spending for a 2018 election and a 2019 referendum, they and Abrams deny coordination.

3. Opioid Settlement: Second Round of Funding Announced

(03:07 – 03:57)

• Funding Details:
  • Georgia has over $1 billion from opioid-related settlements; $42 million awarded this round to 109 projects statewide.
  • Projects focus on treatment, prevention, research, and services for those in recovery and active addiction.
  • 1,250 opioid overdose deaths were reported in 2024, showing a slight decrease from previous years.
• Reporter Quote:

  “About half of the money will fund community based initiatives, with the rest promised to statewide work. Projects tackle opioid addiction treatment, prevention and research, and provide services for people in recovery and in active addiction.” (03:13, Sophie Gratas)

4. Economic & Institutional Updates

(03:57 – 06:27)

• Hyundai Plant Raid:
  • Some South Korean workers detained in the September immigration raid have returned, and construction at the HLGA battery plant in Bryan County has resumed.
• Merger News:
  • Shareholders of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific approve an $85B merger to create the nation’s first coast-to-coast rail network; federal approval pending.
• Mercer University Milestone:
  • Penny Elkins named as Mercer's 19th and first female president; her appointment reflects continuity and progress for the institution.
• Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project Returns to Atlanta:
  • The 40th annual event will take place in 2026, with 2,000 volunteers building 24 homes as part of the Langston Park development.
  • Rosalind Merrick, Atlanta Habitat president, shares:

    “We are substantially expediting the speed at which we can stand up this community… will get that done… in probably three years versus the seven that it took us at Brownsville Village.” (06:03, Rosalind Merrick/Amanda Andrews)

5. Spotlight: Georgia High School Football Playoffs

(06:27 – 11:50)

• Preview & Analysis:

  • John Nelson, GPB’s high school football correspondent, breaks down the matchups and notes this is the last post-season before statewide adoption of power rankings for seeding.
  • Emphasizes unpredictability due to “atypical” seed placements:

    “Ware county is what I refer to as an atypical three seed because their body of work does not identify itself as a third seed coming out of a region, but it is traditionally a very, very tough region in South Georgia.” (07:45, John Nelson)

  • Player Highlights:
    • Elijah Griffin (Savannah Christian), Josh Petty (Fellowship Christian/Tech), Braden Jacobs (Milton/Clemson), Dalen Penson (Sandy Creek/Tech), and several other top recruits heading to major colleges.
    • Noted for keeping Georgia talent in-state:

      “Kirby Smart has done a really good job of making sure that they don't escape the state.” (10:10, John Nelson)

• Viewing Guide:

  • Playoff games available across all GPB platforms, with the feature matchup starting 7:30 PM next week: Camden vs. Mill Creek.

6. Interview: Ken Burns and Team on “The American Revolution”

(11:57 – 18:36)

• Why Start with Native Americans?

  • Burns explains the artistic and historical reasons for beginning the documentary spotlighting the Iroquois Confederacy:

    “The story of Benjamin Franklin's sort of being impressed with what the Iroquois Confederacy...put together...a democracy that had flourished for centuries. And he thought maybe we should do this as we begin to have a kind of common sense of ourselves as the new Americans...” (12:30, Ken Burns)

• Georgia’s Revolutionary History:

  • David Schmidt details Georgia’s significant, often overlooked, Revolutionary battles:

    “The British...take [Savannah] in the very, very tail end of 1778. Shortly thereafter...they go up the Savannah river and take Augusta. The commander says...he has ripped one star and one stripe from the rebel flag. That won't stay the case for too long, but Savannah will stay in the possession of the British until well after Yorktown.” (13:28–14:36, David Schmidt)

• Complexity of Loyalties:

  “The presumption is about Georgia that...they are going to be more loyalist because they are more dependent on the British army to protect them...But it's always...a complicated dynamic...you end up essentially enforcing a martial military rule, which is the wrong direction to be going...” (15:18, Ken Burns)

• Relevance of Revolutionary Values Today:

  • On the documentary’s message in today’s context:

    “I think this is an inspiring story...to be a citizen is to be educated and to be virtuous and to participate in lifelong learning...So I think the reinvigoration of those initial concepts ought to give people energy to realize what the values were, what the sacrifices of a 14 and 15 year old are going to be making...” (17:02, Ken Burns)

• On the Documentary’s Approach:

  • Burns emphasizes an objective perspective:

    “We don't make this film for one particular group, we make it for everybody. And as I said before, we're umpires calling balls and strikes. So it's all there, the good, the bad, the ugly and, you know, the strikeouts and the home runs.” (18:08, Ken Burns)

7. Other Georgia News Briefs

(18:46 – end)

• Sportsmanship Honors:
  • Atlanta’s Charlie Condon earns the Durnell Stenson Sportsmanship Award for his performance and leadership in the Arizona Fall League.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Would I be willing to die for an idea, right, to give my life up for something that’s totally new in human history?”
  (00:25, Ken Burns)
• “Ware county is what I refer to as an atypical three seed...it is traditionally a very, very tough region in South Georgia.”
  (07:45, John Nelson)
• “We, Sarah, David and I will not work on a more important film than this one.”
  (18:22, Ken Burns)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump election case update: 00:35 – 01:58
• Ethics investigation (Abrams & New Georgia Project): 01:58 – 03:07
• Opioid settlement distribution: 03:07 – 03:57
• Business/news round-up (Hyundai, railroads, Mercer): 03:57 – 06:27
• Habitat for Humanity Carter Work Project: 05:41 – 06:27
• High School Football playoff preview: 06:27 – 11:50
• Interview with Ken Burns & team: 11:57 – 18:36
• Sportsmanship award for Charlie Condon: 18:46 – end

Conclusion

This episode delivers an up-to-date lens on significant ongoing stories in Georgia, from headline-making court cases and major public health news to celebrated sports seasons and community achievements. The conversation with Ken Burns and his creative team about The American Revolution stands out for its depth, historical insight, and its relevance for today’s listeners. The episode closes with recognition of Georgia’s own Charlie Condon, underscoring the state’s excellence and spirit across multiple arenas.