Georgia Today – January 8, 2026

Host: Orlando Montoya (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Main Themes:

• Trump seeks $6 million in legal fees from Fulton County
• 2026 Georgia legislative priorities announced
• Arthur Blank on the Atlanta Falcons' disappointing run
• Additional Georgia news updates (opioid prevention, political races, labor issues, business and jobs)

Episode Overview

This episode covers major developments in Georgia politics, law, sports, and public health. Key stories include former President Donald Trump seeking legal fee reimbursement after the Fulton County election case was thrown out, legislative goals set by House Speaker John Burns, and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank publicly addressing recent organizational changes and seasons of underperformance. Multiple other statewide updates are also reported.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Seeks Attorney Fees from Fulton County

[00:37]

• Issue: Donald Trump is seeking over $6 million in attorney fees from Fulton County after the dismissal of the election interference case against him.
• Legal Context:
  • The request relies on a new Georgia law allowing defendants to recoup attorney fees if a prosecutor is removed for improper conduct.
  • District Attorney Fani Willis and her office were disqualified due to a romantic relationship with a hired special prosecutor.
  • The case was tossed in November 2025.
• Current Status: No comment from Willis’ office on Trump’s filing.

2. State Legislative Session Priorities

[01:39]
Speaker: Sarah Kallis (GPB News Capitol Reporter)

• John Burns’ Priorities:
  • Improve literacy rates.
  • Strengthen the state’s medical workforce.
  • Reduce the property tax burden.
• School Cell Phone Ban Review:
  • The Legislature may revisit a statewide ban on cell phones in schools.
  • [01:53] Quote:

    "You'll see us move this session, I do believe, to ban cell phones in high schools because so many jurisdictions around the state have already done that as well."
    — Speaker John Burns

  • Previously, legislation passed to ban phones for students through 8th grade.
• Session Start: The legislative session begins Monday.

3. Fulton County Commissioner Announces Secretary of State Bid

[02:18]

• Candidate: Dana Barrett (Democrat)
• Background: Commissioner since 2022, outspoken on election integrity.
• Political Context: Current Secretary, Brad Raffensperger, is running for governor.

4. Opioid Overdose Kits for Schools

[02:54]
Speaker: Amanda Andrews (GPB News)

• Program Details:
  • 2,400+ Georgia schools to receive kits with four doses of naloxone.
  • Collaboration between the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Education.
• Training Focus:
  • [03:15] Quote:

    "Every minute counts, and if I'm having to figure out, you know, what should I do or how should I use it, then that's time I'm losing. And this is time that is very critical for any child, for any individual that's within our schools."
    — Richard Woods, State Superintendent

• Legal Basis: Kits required by Wesley’s Law (in effect since last year).

5. Military Hospital Oversight Law

[03:42]

• Senator Jon Ossoff:
  • Applauds new law increasing oversight on changes to military medical facilities.
  • National Defense Authorization Act provision requires explanations for any facility cuts.
• Local Angle: Law’s relevance as reports surface about possible cuts at Fort Gordon’s Army Hospital.

6. Wage Theft Investigation at Savannah IHOP

[04:36]

• Incident: Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman investigates wage theft claims.
• Details:
  • Multiple employees report unpaid wages.
  • [04:36] Quote:

    "As she came forward, more ladies came forward... Even some workers are now saying they haven't been paid in weeks and weeks of receiving their paycheck. Some in days, some in weeks. I mean, this is ridiculous. If somebody's going to work, you need to find your way of paying them because you won't get away with here in Chatham County."
    — Sheriff Richard Coleman

  • Employee who spoke to Coleman was fired soon after.
  • Investigation underway; response pending from IHOP corporate.

7. Business Updates

[05:21]

• Monday Night Brewing CEO Change:
  • Co-founder Jeff Heck steps down; Joel Iverson steps up as CEO.
• Shipping Service Expansion:
  • Seaboard Marine and Georgia Ports Authority relaunch direct shipping to Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Jobs Report:
  • Georgia added ~1,000 jobs in November; unemployment at 3.5%.
  • UGA outlook: Unemployment may rise to 4.1% in 2026, with risk of recession.

8. Arthur Blank Addresses Atlanta Falcons’ Struggles

[06:58, 07:30]

• Context:
  • Arthur Blank, Falcons owner, addresses media after firing coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot—part of a long-running span of disappointing seasons.
• Key Insights:
  • Blank accepts responsibility for the team's performance.
  • Decision to fire Morris and Fontenot was developed over time.
  • [00:27] & [07:30] Quote (Repeated for Emphasis):

    "In my judgment, I felt after two years with Raheem and his team and Terry, after five years, I felt I've seen enough to know that we could do better than this."
    — Arthur Blank

  • Hints at a higher potential for the Falcons and a process-oriented approach to organizational change.
• Looking Forward:
  • Announced former Falcons QB Matt Ryan will interview for the new President of Football role, overseeing next hires for coach and general manager.

Notable Quotes

• Arthur Blank on Falcons Leadership Changes

  "In my judgment, I felt after two years with Raheem and his team and Terry, after five years, I felt I've seen enough to know that we could do better than this."
  — Arthur Blank ([00:27], [07:30])

• Burns on School Phone Policy

  "You'll see us move this session, I do believe, to ban cell phones in high schools because so many jurisdictions around the state have already done that as well."
  — John Burns ([01:53])

• Superintendent Woods on Opioid Kits

  "Every minute counts, and if I'm having to figure out, you know, what should I do or how should I use it, then that's time I'm losing. And this is time that is very critical for any child, for any individual that's within our schools."
  — Richard Woods ([03:15])

• Sheriff Coleman on Wage Theft

  "As she came forward, more ladies came forward... Even some workers are now saying they haven't been paid in weeks and weeks of receiving their paycheck... If somebody's going to work, you need to find your way of paying them because you won't get away with here in Chatham County."
  — Sheriff Richard Coleman ([04:36])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:37 | Trump seeks legal fees from Fulton County | | 01:39 | Speaker Burns’ legislative priorities | | 02:18 | Dana Barrett enters Secretary of State race | | 02:54 | Opioid overdose kits for Georgia schools | | 03:42 | Ossoff on military hospital oversight law | | 04:36 | Chatham County Sheriff’s wage theft investigation | | 05:21 | Monday Night Brewing CEO change, shipping/logistics, jobs report | | 06:58 | Arthur Blank’s press conference on Atlanta Falcons’ disappointing run |

Episode Tone

The podcast maintains a fact-based, fast-paced news delivery, with brief editorial comments from interviewees and speakers. Orlando Montoya’s hosting is even, precise, and focused on relevance for Georgia listeners.

This summary captures the episode’s news highlights, delivers context and quotes for each story, and provides a cohesive overview for those who may have missed the broadcast.