Trump signs order closing U.S. Education Dept; Taliban hostage from Atlanta freed

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Release Date: March 20, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. President Trump Signs Executive Order to Close the U.S. Department of Education

In a significant move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. This decision has substantial implications for Georgia, where the department accounts for approximately 16% of public school funding. According to the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the closure could disrupt financial support critical to the state's education system.

Additionally, the department's Office of Civil Rights has faced severe reductions, with recent layoffs diminishing its capacity to oversee and investigate civil rights cases within Georgia schools. As of January, nearly 600 cases related to age, race, sex, and disability were under investigation, highlighting the department's pivotal role in maintaining educational equity.

2. Georgia Supreme Court Reviews Republican-Controlled State Election Board Rules

The Georgia Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a challenge against seven procedural rules established by the Republican-controlled State Election Board last fall. These rules, primarily concerning post-ballot procedures, were initially blocked by a state judge who argued that the board lacked the authority to implement them.

During a hearing in Cartersville, Justice Andrew Pinson voiced strong opposition to the board's actions:

“It's not just discretion, it's discretion that looks a lot like sort of setting up their own sort of mini set of laws that govern that aren't sort of connected to anything in the code.”
(02:02)

Justice Pinson emphasized that the board's actions amounted to creating independent regulations outside the legislative framework, thereby overstepping their designated authority.

3. Georgia House Passes Senate Bill 68 to Limit Civil Lawsuits Against Businesses

In a closely contested vote, the Georgia House narrowly approved Senate Bill 68 with a tally of 91 to 82, including some cross-party support. The bill seeks to restrict the ability of Georgians to sue businesses for crimes occurring on their premises, prevent attorneys from recovering fees multiple times for the same case, and allow separate trials for assigning responsibility and damages.

Representative Chaz Cannon, a supporter of the bill, stated:

“This protects businesses from unjust lawsuits while maintaining accountability for genuine negligence.”
(02:52)

Conversely, Representative Stacey Evans, an attorney and opponent, cautioned:

“This ensures…” (The transcript truncates her statement, but the context suggests concerns about hindering legitimate legal actions.)
(02:59)

The bill includes exemptions for sex trafficking victims and awaits Senate approval before proceeding to Governor Brian Kemp's desk, aligning with his top legislative priorities.

4. Georgia Advances Legislation to Codify In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Georgia is moving forward with legislation to formally recognize in vitro fertilization (IVF) within state law. House Bill 428 received unanimous support in the state House last month and was subsequently approved by a Senate committee. This legislative effort mirrors Alabama's move to protect IVF in response to a ruling that classified frozen embryos as children with constitutional rights.

This legal recognition aims to safeguard reproductive technologies and ensure that advancements in fertility treatments are legally protected and accessible within Georgia.

5. Emory University Study: AI Predicts Mental Health Issues in Children

A groundbreaking study from Emory University has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) can predict serious mental health issues in children up to a year in advance. The research analyzed survey data from over 11,000 children aged 9 to 10, identifying sleep disturbances as the strongest predictor of future psychiatric conditions.

Neuroscientist Jung Wang, co-author of the study, highlighted the practical benefits:

“This is good news because the MRI scans are expensive and that meaning from this research we can use a low risk, low cost questionnaires to predict the future mental health issue.”
(04:55)

The AI model achieved a 75 to 80% accuracy in identifying at-risk youth without the need for costly neuroimaging, making early intervention more feasible and accessible.

6. Legal Developments: Sentencing and Deportations

• Richard Glabinski, a Georgia man, was sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay $3 million in restitution for transporting over $5 million worth of stolen Masters Tournament memorabilia between 2009 and 2022. His actions included the theft of iconic items like Arnold Palmer’s green jacket, which he sold to a Florida auction company. This sentencing precedes the upcoming Masters tournament in Augusta on April 10th.

• Jose Ibarra, convicted of murdering Georgia nursing students Lake and Riley, faces further legal actions involving his family. His brothers, Diego and Argenes Ibarra, along with ex-roommate Rosbeli Flores Bello, pleaded guilty to possessing fake green cards. Diego Ybarra will be deported after serving a four-year federal sentence, while the others received time served and will be turned over to immigration authorities immediately. Dennis Fitzpatrick, representing Jose's family, expressed profound relief:

“They're overjoyed and relieved. It's been a long, difficult journey, but today is all about joy and gratitude.”
(07:08)

7. Release of Atlanta Hostage Held by the Taliban

After more than two years of captivity, George Gleesman, a former Delta Air Lines mechanic from Atlanta, has been released and will return to the United States. Gleesman was detained by the Taliban after traveling to Afghanistan as a tourist. Dennis Fitzpatrick, his attorney, shared the family's sentiments:

“They're overjoyed, overjoyed and relieved. It's been a long, difficult journey, but today is all about joy and gratitude.”
(07:08)

Gleesman will reunite with his wife in Texas to recover his health before returning to Georgia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended the Qatari government for their role in facilitating his release.

8. Impact of Hurricane Helene on Georgia

The National Weather Service released a final report on Hurricane Helene, detailing billions of dollars in losses and 37 deaths in Georgia alone. The hurricane caused extensive damage to property and lives, highlighting the state's vulnerability to severe weather events and the ongoing need for effective disaster preparedness and response strategies.

9. Dannemer Scientific Files for Bankruptcy

Dannemer Scientific, a biodegradable materials manufacturer based in southwest Georgia, has filed for bankruptcy in Delaware. The company announced layoffs of 82 employees last week, a stark contrast to its significant expansion plans announced four years ago when it committed $700 million to its headquarters in Decatur County. The bankruptcy filing underscores the challenges faced by manufacturing businesses in maintaining growth and financial stability amidst changing economic conditions.

10. Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival Kicks Off

Macon is set to host its annual International Cherry Blossom Festival, commencing this weekend with the 10 Days of Pink celebrations. The festival features a variety of events, including:

• Pink Provisions Preview Party: Showcasing local culinary delights.
• Pink Pancake Breakfast: A community gathering to start the day.
• Annual Parade: A vibrant procession celebrating spring.
• New Attractions: Such as piglet races, adding novelty to the festivities.

Local businesses have adorned their storefronts to enhance the festive atmosphere, and the blooming cherry blossoms are anticipated to provide picturesque views for visitors. The festival runs through March 30th, offering a blend of traditional and new activities to engage the community and attract tourists.

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For more detailed coverage of these stories, visit GPB News. If you enjoyed this summary, please subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast on your preferred platform and share your feedback at [e-mail].

Transcript

[Chase McGee]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians to ask their doctor about alternatives to opioid pain medication. Alternatives like over the counter medications and physical therapy can be used to manage pain. More [e-mail].

[Sophie Gradis]

Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast from GPB News. On this podcast, you'll hear the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. Today is Thursday, March 20th. I'm Sophie Gradis. On today's episode, President Donald Trump aims to dismantle the US Department of Education. A new study shows how AI can help predict which children will develop serious mental health issues. And the family of an Atlanta man held hostage for two years by the Taliban is grateful for his release.

[Dennis Fitzpatrick]

They're overjoyed and relieved. It's been a long, difficult journey, but today is all about gratitude.

[Sophie Gradis]

These stories and more are coming up on this edition of GEORGIA Today. President Trump signed an executive order today to close the US Department of Education. The agency accounts for on average about 16% of funding for public schools in Georgia, according to the Professional association of Georgia Educators. As of January, the agency's website listed nearly 600 age, race, sex and disability cases under investigation at Georgia schools. The department's Office of Civil Rights was gutted by layoffs earlier this month. The Georgia Supreme Court is considering a challenge to seven rules adopted by the Republican controlled State Election Board last fall. Just before last year's general election, a state judge blocked these rules, determining the board didn't have the authority to pass them. During arguments held in northwest Georgia's Cartersville yesterday, Justice Andrew Pinson pushed back against claims that the board was legally exercising its discretion.

[Justice Andrew Pinson]

It's not just discretion, it's discretion that looks a lot like sort of setting up their own sort of mini set of laws that govern that aren't sort of connected to anything in the code.

[Sophie Gradis]

The seven rules dealt mostly with procedures after ballots are cast and spawned a flurry of lawsuits. The Georgia House narrowly passed a bill that would limit civil lawsuits in the state, bringing Governor Brian Kemp's top legislative priority closer to becoming law. GPB's Sarah Kalis reports.

[Sarah Kalis]

Senate Bill 68 would limit Georgians ability to sue businesses for crimes that occur on their property, stops attorneys from recovering fees twice for the same cases and allow separate trials for assigning responsibility and damages. Supporters like Representative Chaz Cannon say the bill ensures legal balance.

[Representative Chaz Cannon]

This protects businesses from unjust lawsuits while maintaining accountability for genuine negligence.

[Sarah Kalis]

But opponents like Representative Stacey Evans, who's an attorney, say it ensures and I.

[Sophie Gradis]

Can say this without a shadow of a doubt that good cases will languish.

[Sarah Kalis]

The bill passed 91 to 82, with a handful of representatives voting with another party. The House version of the bill includes some carve outs for sex trafficking victims, so the Senate will need to approve it again before it goes to the governor's desk. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis at the state Capitol.

[Sophie Gradis]

Legislation that would codify in vitro fertilization, or ivf, into Georgia law passed a state Senate committee yesterday. The bill comes after the Alabama legislator passed a bill protecting IVF in response to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling last year that frozen embryos are children with a constitutional right to life. Georgia House Bill 428 passed the state House unanimously last month.

[NPR Up First Host]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh Up First From NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sophie Gradis]

A new study from Emory University shows how artificial intelligence can predict which children will develop serious mental health issues up to a year in advance. GPB's Ellen Eldredge reports.

[Representative Chaz Cannon]

An analysis of survey data from more than 11,000 children aged 9 to 10 found that sleep disturbances were the strongest predictor of future psychiatric illness. Neuroscientist Jung Wang, with the Emory University School of Medicine co authored the study. She said they also found that neuroimaging did not improve the AI model's accuracy.

[Jung Wang]

This is good news because the MRI scans are expensive and that meaning from this research we can use a low risk, low cost questionnaires to predict the future mental health issue, she says.

[Representative Chaz Cannon]

The model catches 75 to 80% of young people at risk of mental illness. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldridge.

[Sophie Gradis]

A Georgia man has been sentenced to one year in prison for transporting millions of dollars worth of stolen masters tournament memorabilia. GPB's Chase McGee has more.

[Chase McGee]

Last year, Richard Glabinski pleaded guilty to one count of transporting stolen goods across state lines. On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced him to one year in prison and ordered him to pay $3 million in restitution. Over the course of several years, Glabinski took in more than $5 million by selling memorabilia he'd stolen between 2009 and 2022 to an auction company in Florida. Items included an iconic green jacket owned by Arnold Palmer. This comes as Augusta prepares for this year's Masters tournament set to begin on April 10th. For GPB News, I'm Chase McGee.

[Sophie Gradis]

Two brothers of the Venezuelan man who killed Georgia nursing student Lake and Riley will be deported along with their former roommate after they pleaded guilty to possessing fake green cards, federal authorities say. Jose Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without parole last year for murdering Riley. Investigators found his brothers Diego and Argenes Ibarra and ex roommate Rosbeli, Flores Bello all had counterfeit green cards. They were sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty last year. Officials say Diego Ybarra will be deported after serving a four four year federal sentence and the other two got time served and were immediately turned over to immigration authorities. An Atlanta man held hostage by the Taliban for more than two years is coming back to the US Former Delta Air Lines mechanic George Gleesman traveled to Afghanistan as a tourist before being detained. Dennis Fitzpatrick represents his family.

[Dennis Fitzpatrick]

They're overjoyed, overjoyed and relieved. It's been a long, difficult journey, but today is all about joy and gratitude, fitzpatrick says.

[Sophie Gradis]

Gliesman will reunite with his wife in Texas, where he'll recover his health before returning to Georgia. U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio is praising the Qatari government for helping to secure the release. The National Weather Service's final report on Hurricane Helene outlines billions of dollars in losses, including in Georgia. The report, released yesterday highlights significant damage to property and lives. It accounts 37 deaths in Georgia. A biodegradable materials manufacturer in southwest Georgia is filing for bankruptcy. Dannemer Scientific started bankruptcy proceedings in a Delaware on Tuesday. The company notified Georgia officials that it was laying off 82 employees last week. Four years ago, the then 10 year old company announced a $700 million expansion at its headquarter in Decatur County. Macon's International Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off this weekend, bringing 10 Days of Pink filled celebrations to Middle Georgia. The festival begins tomorrow with the Pink Provisions Preview Party featuring food and drinks from local restauran. Week long festival visitors can enjoy the Pink Pancake breakfast, the annual parade and new attractions like piglet races. Businesses have decorated storefronts to ensure a picture perfect experience for visitors and the blooms have started blossoming just in time for the event. The festival runs through March 30th. That's it for today's edition of Georgia Today. If you would like to learn more about these stories, please visit gpb.org news and if you haven't yet hit subscribe on this podcast. Take a moment right now and keep us current in your podcast feed. If you have feedback, we would love to hear it. Please email us@georgia todaypb.org I'm Sophie Gradas. We will see you tomorrow.

[NPR Up First Host]

Each morning it's a new opportunity, a chance to start fresh. Up first from NPR makes each morning an opportunity to learn and to understand. Choose to join the world every morning with Up First, a podcast that hands you everything going on across the globe and down the street, all in 15 minutes or less. Start your day informed and anew with up first by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts.