Georgia Today – September 19, 2025

Main Stories: CDC's Vaccine Panel, Maternal Care in Georgia, Lilith Fair Doc & More

Episode Overview

In this episode of Georgia Today, host Orlando Montoya delivers comprehensive coverage of several important stories for Georgia listeners. The show focuses on:

• Protests and changes at the CDC’s new vaccine advisory panel meeting in Atlanta
• Recommendations from a major new study on improving maternal health care in Georgia
• A preview and historical context for the premiere of a Lilith Fair documentary with strong Atlanta connections

Insights into immigration cases, labor updates, local politics, community concerns, and sports results are also featured, providing a wide-ranging snapshot of Georgia’s current affairs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Meeting (00:44–02:50)

• Protest and Concerns:

  • Former and retired CDC employees, including physician Barbara Mattson, protested outside CDC headquarters. Their concern centers on the agency’s process and recent changes in vaccine policy:
    • Barbara Mattson (01:14): “That have worked well and protected Americans for decades are being disrupted. And I think the decisions that are being made are not based on the best science and so we worry for the health of people.”

• Panel Decisions:

  • The panel removed a recommendation for a combination vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) for children—individual vaccines remain recommended.
  • A vote on the hepatitis B vaccine for newborns was tabled due to member confusion about the recommendation’s language.
  • For the COVID-19 vaccine:
    • Still recommended for all age groups, but guidance now stresses providers should discuss risks and benefits with patients.
    • COVID-19 vaccine access will be easier—available without a prescription at pharmacies.

Immigration and Press Freedom Updates (02:50–03:49)

• Mario Guevara Case:

  • Mario Guevara, a Spanish language journalist known for immigration reporting, faces imminent deportation after his June arrest at a protest near Atlanta.
  • The ACLU and press freedom groups condemned the decision, calling it, “a gross violation of his rights.”

• Rodney Taylor Detention (03:16–03:49):

  • Atlanta barber Rodney Taylor, a double amputee and Liberian immigrant since age 2, has been detained by ICE since January.
  • Family and supporters rallied for his release, citing lack of proper medical care.
    • Mildred Pierre (Taylor’s fiancée, 03:35): “We're all affected somewhere somehow...I feel like, you know, the support is overwhelming and I'm grateful for everybody that took their time to be here.”

Politics: DNC Chair Campaigns in Georgia (03:59–04:47)

• DNC Chair Visit:
  • Ken Martin, national Democratic Party chair, campaigns for state Senate candidate Deborah Shigley, signaling high Democratic hopes in a suburban district.
  • Focus on channeling voter frustration at Republicans and flipping a right-leaning district.

Maternal Health Care Recommendations (04:47–05:36)

• NORC Report Highlights:

  • Ten years of data analyzed; recommends:

    • Greater mental health access
    • Improved Medicaid reimbursement
    • Ongoing improvements in cardiac care for postpartum women

  • Some recommendations, like Medicaid extension to 1 year post-birth, already implemented.

  • Dr. Keisha Collins, OB-GYN (05:16): “Maternal deaths from cardiovascular diseases is the second top category for where we lose our moms during the first year after pregnancy.”

Workforce, Economic, and Community News (05:36–08:17)

• Georgia Workforce and Employment (05:36–05:57)

  • State gained 1,900 jobs in August; unemployment rate steady.
  • Health care, social assistance, leisure & hospitality sectors reach all-time highs.

• Twiggs County Data Center Approval (05:57–06:20)

  • 300 acres rezoned for a planned 900-megawatt data center; local opposition and legal threat remain.

• Savannah Hispanic Heritage Festival Postponed (06:20–07:15)

  • Event scaled back over safety concerns amid immigration tensions.
  • Alfonso Reboot (Chamber President, 06:55): “It's not just all the different immigration and things like that...We worry about the fact that since we are so polarized that...people might start throwing things at the parade. Well, they might start inciting fights.”

• Middle Georgia Poll Worker Sentenced (07:15–08:00)

  • Jones County’s Nicholas Wimbish gets prison for mailing bomb threat after working a poll in October 2024.

• WNBA Playoffs: Atlanta Dream Eliminated (08:00–08:58)

  • Dream lose at home in final seconds to Indiana Fever, who advance to semifinals.

Culture: Lilith Fair Documentary and Georgia’s Role (09:23–13:37)

• Lilith Fair Doc Premiere (10:04–13:37)

  • Documentary Building a Mystery revisits the 1990s all-women music festival.
  • Atlanta connections include Indigo Girls, India Arie, Michelle Malone, Doria Roberts—many of whom performed locally during Lilith’s three-year Atlanta run (1997–1999).
  • Indigo Girls are featured in the film and set for a local show (Sept. 26).

• Michelle Malone on the Lilith Fair Experience:

  • Reflects on industry sexism and Lilith’s impact (11:42):
    • “I was told by a lot of radio stations via my record label that they were already playing three women and they couldn't play more...So when Lilith came around, it was miraculous. It was a mind blowing and I was so grateful.”
  • Tells a moving backstage story with Emmylou Harris (12:18): “Emmy Lou and I ended up being the last two people in the green room...I just chose that moment to tell her that one of the first songs I ever sang in public was her song ‘From Boulder to Birmingham.’...She sat there next to me...and she sang me that song. And I learned so much in those, you know, three or four minutes about how to just give to other artists.”
  • On what she hopes new artists will learn from Lilith (13:14):
    • “There's enough for everybody. And if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better...It's really just about uplifting each other.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Barbara Mattson on CDC decisions (01:14):
  “The decisions that are being made are not based on the best science and so we worry for the health of people.”

• Mildred Pierre on community support for Rodney Taylor (03:35):
  “I feel like, you know, the support is overwhelming and I'm grateful for everybody that took their time to be here.”

• Dr. Keisha Collins on maternal deaths (05:16):
  “Maternal deaths from cardiovascular diseases is the second top category for where we lose our moms during the first year after pregnancy.”

• Alfonso Reboot on community safety fears (06:55):
  “We worry about the fact that since we are so polarized...people might start throwing things at the parade. Well, they might start inciting fights.”

• Michelle Malone on Lilith Fair’s legacy (11:42, 13:14):
  “When Lilith came around, it was miraculous.”
  “There's enough for everybody. And if we lift each other up and support each other, it'll just be that much better.”

• Malone’s story with Emmylou Harris (12:18):
  “She sat there next to me on the couch...and she sang me that song. And I learned so much... about how to just give to other artists.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel: 00:44–02:50
• Immigration/Press Freedom: 02:50–03:49
• GA Senate Race & DNC Chair Visit: 03:59–04:47
• Maternal Health Care Study: 04:47–05:36
• Economic/Workforce & Community News: 05:36–08:17
• Lilith Fair Documentary Review & Local Connections: 10:04–13:37

Summary

Today’s episode of Georgia Today blends significant public health reporting with cultural legacy, local politics, and community challenges. The show’s strength lies in contextualizing headline events—like shifts at the CDC or the ongoing impact of Lilith Fair—so listeners understand their significance for Georgia's communities, history, and future. The candid, sometimes emotional interviews and on-the-ground updates make for a compelling, news-rich listen.