Georgia Today Podcast – November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Orlando Montoya, covers breaking legal and cultural news in Georgia, including the dismissal of the Trump election interference case, a new study on sea level rise risks to Georgia's coast, challenges with homelessness counts, the lasting impact of a prominent Black minister, innovations in sustainable aviation fuel, and a unique “Stranger Things” Airbnb experience. The episode closes with reflections on Thanksgiving traditions in the South.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Trump Election Interference Case Dismissed

(00:41 – 01:55)

• Prosecutor Pete Scandalakis announced the dismissal of Georgia’s election interference case against Donald Trump and 18 others, citing lack of clear evidence of a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results.
• Challenges faced by the case included prior removal of District Attorney Fani Willis and broad momentum against prosecution.
• Anthony Michael Kreiss (Georgia State University law professor) offered analysis:
  • Quote: “I think this is really fundamentally a gut check about whether you believe the president of the United States tried to…” (C, 01:18)
  • The decision was not surprising, considering legal hurdles and diminished momentum.
• The judge quickly dismissed charges, ending the final attempt to prosecute Trump in Georgia for actions post-2020 election.

2. 2026 Homelessness (PIT) Count in Fulton County

(01:55 – 02:57)

• Fulton County’s Continuum of Care (CoC) is preparing the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) count of unhoused people for January 2026.
• 2025’s count identified 241 unsheltered individuals—a decrease from 2024, though numbers may be underestimated due to weather.
• Maggie Goldman (CoC leader) highlighted a need for more direct follow-up with unhoused residents:
  • Quote: “It appears that the point in time count data does not stay with us directly to act on and we’d like to make sure that the people that we touch are able to get some kind of follow up…” (C, 02:30)
• Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the upcoming count.

3. Thanksgiving Dinner for Former Foster Youth

(02:57 – 03:56)

• Nonprofit Fostering Success Act hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for Georgians ages 18-26 who aged out of foster care.
• Heidi Carr (Executive Director) explained the dinner’s important function:
  • Quote: “…all the things that many of us really maybe we weren’t sat down and taught, but we got to witness through how our parents interact with others.” (E, 03:29)
• The organization provides supports including job access, housing, and scholarships.

4. Mourning Bishop Reginald Jackson

(03:56 – 05:03)

• Bishop Reginald Jackson, a major political and religious leader in Georgia’s Black community from 2016-2024, passed away unexpectedly at 71.
• He organized boycotts, rallies for progressive causes, supported Democratic candidates, and advanced civic engagement within the AME church.
• Condolences from prominent figures like Senators Raphael Warnock, John Ossoff, and Rep. Nekima Williams.

5. Sea Level Rise Threats to Georgia’s Coast

(05:03 – 05:51)

• A new study in Nature Communications warns that a dozen industrial/defense sites in Savannah, Brunswick, and other coastal areas are at risk of flooding by 2050—even in best-case climate scenarios.
• Dr. Soby Wilson (Univ. of Maryland) outlined health risks:
  • Quote: “You have both short term effects to chemical microbial contaminants in flood waters and also long term effects in float. And let me not forget mold, of course…” (G, 05:25)
• The study recommends improved disaster planning.

6. Expansion of Georgia’s EV Charging Network

(05:51 – 06:40)

• Georgia DOT secured $24M to add 26 new electric vehicle charging stations along highways/interstates with federal funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Act.

7. Stranger Things Airbnb: Fan Experience in Fayetteville

(06:40 – 07:43)

• Airbnb located in the real Byers’ house (from “Stranger Things”) in Fayetteville offers immersive, show-themed experiences:
  • Dungeons & Dragons games, wall art with Christmas lights, and classic 1980s soundtracks (Kate Bush’s music).
• Alejandro Choza (property owner):
  • Quote: “You know, for me it’s like going in and listening to some records in Jonathan’s room. That’s my favorite part.” (B, 07:14)
  • Quote: “…we hope to do a lot of cool stuff over the next coming years.” (B, 07:35)
• The property is booked through April, proving its popularity among fans.

8. Recent Industrial and Environmental News

(08:40 – 10:12)

• Lanzajet, based in Treutlen County, started commercial production of sustainable aviation fuel from ethanol—the world’s first facility at this scale.
• The project received over $3M in federal grants and aims to provide a template for sustainable aviation across the U.S.
• OSHA fined three companies nearly $27,000 after a worker’s deadly forklift accident at the Hyundai plant near Savannah.

9. Reflections on Thanksgiving Traditions in the South

(10:12 – 13:40)

• Chuck Reese (Salvation South editor) reflects on the meaning and evolution of table blessings:
  • He recalls discussions and stories on how Southern families give thanks, noting changing traditions in a divided era.
  • Quote (from Ann Byrne): “…the blessing of food on the Southern table, saying grace, is alive and well. But like our world, it has changed.” (J, ~10:40)
  • Quote: “First, I think there is the table itself and the people who gather around it…Second, there is the food…Third, there is that phrase… ‘bless the hands that prepared it.’” (J, 11:55)
• Offers a message of unity: cherish the table, the people, and hands that prepared the meal.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Anthony Michael Kreiss:
  “I think this is really fundamentally a gut check about whether you believe the president of the United States tried to…” (01:18)

• Maggie Goldman:
  “It appears that the point in time count data does not stay with us directly to act on and we’d like to make sure that the people that we touch are able to get some kind of follow up…” (02:30)

• Heidi Carr:
  “…all the things that many of us really maybe we weren’t sat down and taught, but we got to witness through how our parents interact with others.” (03:29)

• Dr. Soby Wilson:
  “You have both short term effects to chemical microbial contaminants in flood waters and also long term effects in float. And let me not forget mold, of course…” (05:25)

• Alejandro Choza:
  “You know, for me it’s like going in and listening to some records in Jonathan’s room. That’s my favorite part.” (07:14)
  “…we hope to do a lot of cool stuff over the next coming years.” (07:35)

• Chuck Reese (Salvation South):
  “First, I think there is the table itself and the people who gather around it…Second, there is the food…Third, there is that phrase… ‘bless the hands that prepared it.’” (11:55)
  “I hope your Thanksgiving dinner is free of conflict. Better yet, I hope it’s delicious.” (13:30)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:41 – Trump case dismissed
• 01:55 – Fulton County homelessness count
• 02:57 – Foster care Thanksgiving dinner
• 03:56 – Bishop Reginald Jackson’s passing
• 05:03 – Coastal flood risk study
• 05:51 – EV charging station expansion; Stranger Things Airbnb
• 08:40 – Lanzajet sustainable fuel; OSHA fines
• 10:12 – Chuck Reese on Thanksgiving blessings

Tone and Language

The episode maintains an informative and measured tone, blending news updates with personal reflections and candid interviews. Quotes and reports from GPB journalists intersperse objective reporting with poignant, locally resonant storytelling, especially in the Thanksgiving segment.

For more Georgia news and stories, visit gpb.org/news.